MSgt 1940 - 1945

Here it is from the horses mouth with some of the details. It is not widely known, but MARS is the successor to AARS (Army Amateur Radio System) which was founded in 1926 BY A CAPT IN THE US ARMY SIGNAL CORPS.  He recognized the value of such a system with a lotta experienced hams out there ready to render a free service to the Military and its families.   I joined it as a PFC at FT Benning, GA Sept 1940.  As an operator at WD radio system station WUO.  We worked directly to WAR.  I remained a member of aars till it converted to MARS and am still active in MARS!  My total number of years with MARS is 60. Total number of years with AARS is 10. This is not a putdown on MARS, just a bunch of facts nobody knows about (or very few).   I was ANCS for the nationwide Chief Army MARS nets on Friday nights at 0201z or whatever your local time is, 4pm in Hawaii.  Some of you guys in MARINES had a rough life usually in the front lines.  Us WAR Dept radio system guys did the comms well out of harms way most of the time. Semper Fi and keep them caissons rolling along!