The August 4, 1941, issue of the Courier Tribune shared news of Nemaha County residents serving in the military as the United States prepared for the growing global conflict. One such report featured Lt. Lester Haug, a former Seneca resident stationed at Fort Rosecrans, California. In a letter home, Haug described his experiences as a newly commissioned officer, detailing the reactivation of long-dormant coastal defense guns, rigorous training schedules, and the presence of fellow Kansans at the base. His account provides a firsthand look at the preparations underway to bolster the nation’s defenses in the months leading up to America’s entry into World War II.
Lt. Lester Haug Writes From Fort Rosecrans
Lester Haug, former Seneca young man, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Haug, had military training at Kansas University and is now a lieutenant at Fort Rosecrans, California. His letter indicates a fast-forming army, whipping into shape by special study, bringing coast defense guns into play that have not been used for 20 years.
“Fort Rosecrans is part of the harbor defenses of San Diego and consists of permanently emplaced heavy and light caliber guns,” he writes. “The rest of the harbor defenses include the navy, marines, and air corps. The 19th Coast Artillery, organized about a year ago, furnished the personnel at Fort Rosecrans.
Battery 10, which mans a battery of four 12-inch mortars. These mortars are high-angle fire guns which fire a 1046-lb. projectile for deck armor piercing of ships. None of the guns at this fort was manned since the World War until about a year ago. A battery of 10-inch disappearing guns was fired for the first time in 20 years the first of this month.
There are six officers in A battery, all reserve officers. Two have been in the army eight to ten months, three of us since the first of June and the battery commander, a captain, has been here for three weeks.
“Refresher courses are given the reserve officers when they come on duty. The course will be finished this week. We have to be on duty with the battery until noon and go to classes in the afternoon and evening.
We have a lot of men from Kansas.”