STARS AND STRIPES — Sgt. John H. Murphy of Norwood gives the GIs' views to Gen Henry "Hap" Arnold, Commanding General of the Army Air Forces Gen Arnold asked Sgt Murphy questions about the enlisted men stationed at a vital air base in Puerto Rico. (Army Air Forces Photo)
BORNQUEN FIELD, Puerto Rico — On his return from the battlefronts of Europe just as the war in Germany was brought to an end, Gen. Henry "Hap'' Arnold, Commanding General of the Army Air Forces, stopped at Puerto Rico and spoke to the Air Corps men stationed at that vital base.
General Arnold selected Sgt. John H. Murphy, son of Mr and Mrs. David Murphy, 114 Rock st.. Norwood, Mass., as the man from whom he could get the GI views. Sgt. Murphy is the president of the Non-commissioned Officers Club at the airbase and the first buck sergeant to hold that office.
Sgt. Murphy readily admits that he was nervous when informed that Gen Arnold wished to speak to the president of the NCO Club. The General asked Sgt. Murphy how the men liked the club and its facilities and what the men thought of their station. After a few questions, the Sergeant was at ease.
"He's a very, very friendly type of man," said Sgt. Murphy. "He has a definite ability to put himself on an even plane with anybody." "And he's an excellent listener," the Sergeant added.
At present Sgt. Murphy is holding his second term of office as the club president. "It's a headache," he confides, "but I enjoy it." During his duty hours, he is an administrative clerk in the Air Transport Command's Office of Statistical Control.
Before joining the service in April, 1943, Sgt. Murphy was a salesman for a manufacturer of shipping cases in East Walpole. A younger brother, Leo, was recently commissioned a second lieutenant in Paris, France.
(All articles originally appeared in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)
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