World War II Chronicle: September 28, 1941
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Page 2 shows off several pictures of Martin’s monstrous flying boat prototype, the XPB2M-1… As the Louisiana Maneuvers comes to an end, the U.S. Army’s Carolina Manuevers are about to start (see page 21).
Page 26 announces that Gen. Jack W. Heard is taking command of the newly formed 5th Armored Division. Heard was originally commissioned a cavalry officer, like his father and grandfather. But he was also an aviation pioneer. Jack and his Medal of Honor recipient father Gen. John Heard both graduated the U.S. Military Academy. His grandfather, Confederate Col. William S. Heard served under Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest.
While campaigning in the Philippines, Jack developed an interest in aviation and in 1912 — without having been trained or permission — jumped into the cockpit of one of the two U.S. military airplanes in the islands and flew over Manila Bay. Apparently he got away with it, and would soon become a pilot. Returning stateside, he would be named the first commander of Kelly Field (San Antonio, Texas), before commanding Scott Field (modern-day Scott AFB, Ill.) and Payne Field (near West Point, Miss., closed after World War I ended). During his aviation career he also formed and led the Flying Circus, a demonstration team that preceded the Air Force Thunderbirds.
After World War I, Heard returned to ground-pounding assignments and helped mechanize the cavalry. Brothers Ralph (Brig. Gen.) and Falkner (Col.) also served in the Army both world wars. Among his many relatives that followed the family tradition are sons John (Class of ’42) and Richard, who were colonels. Nephew Falkner Jr. (Class of ’50) and served in Korea and Vietnam.
Big day for the Red Sox
Boston’s Ted Williams is just a hair below .400 going into today’s doubleheader against Connie Mack’s Athletics — .39955 to be exact. Williams faces two rookie righthanders: Dick Fowler and Fred Caligiuri. On the mound for Boston for Game 2 is future Hall of Famer Lefty Grove, pitching in his last major league game.
Also: English author H.G. Wells (THE TIME MACHINE, THE WAR OF THE WORLDS) has a piece on page 30 urging England to attack… Blair Bolles summarizes the war’s 108th week on page 32… Sports section on page 40
Major League Baseball Standings
| W. | L. | Pct. | G.B. | |
| New York | 101 | 53 | .656 | — |
| Boston | 84 | 70 | .545 | 17 |
| Chicago | 77 | 77 | .500 | 24 |
| Cleveland | 75 | 79 | .487 | 26 |
| Detroit | 75 | 79 | .487 | 26 |
| Washington | 70 | 84 | .455 | 31 |
| St. Louis | 70 | 84 | .455 | 31 |
| Philadelphia | 64 | 90 | .416 | 37 |
| W. | L. | Pct. | G.B. | |
| Brooklyn | 100 | 54 | .649 | — |
| St. Louis | 97 | 56 | .634 | 2.5 |
| Cincinnati | 88 | 66 | .571 | 12 |
| Pittsburgh | 81 | 73 | .526 | 19 |
| New York | 74 | 79 | .484 | 25.5 |
| Chicago | 70 | 84 | .455 | 30 |
| Boston | 62 | 92 | .403 | 38 |
| Philadelphia | 43 | 111 | .279 | 57 |