The involvement of the American soldier in the history and growth of the United States from early 1900s until roughly 1938 before World War 2. Views of western United States countryside and mountain areas, including Mount Hood in Oregon, as seen from a slow moving car or other vehicle on a roadway. Wide, expansive landscape views in the U.S. Two Confederate and one Union uniformed veteran soldiers of the American Civil War walk together in the Arlington National Cemetery, in Virginia. U.S. Army soldiers marching at a an Army base, likely early 1930s, and wearing World War 1 era helmets. U.S. Army soldiers marching in a parade in Washington DC with U.S. Capitol in the background. Views of cities and towns in which U.S. Army posts were established, in the United States. Wide view of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado, with Antlers Hotel in the distance and Pikes Peak in the far distance. Next shot is an unidentified downtown main street in the U.S. 1930s, followed by a scene of an industrial plant with a large water tower and snow covered low mountains in the distance. Next scene is the San Francisco skyline in the 1930s with the Bay Bridge in the far distance. Army troops and cavalry creating trails and paths, and eventually railroads, in wilderness areas of the United States. A railroad locomotive approaching beside the camera position at high speed, and then passing by pulling train cars. View of the Presidio Army Base and the Golden Gate Bridge, California. Subtle references to U.S. Army accomplishments, including curbing Mississippi River floods (Corps of Engineers) and conquering Yellow Fever (Army Doctor Walter Reed). Point of view (POV) shot from moving railroad train in a Colorado canyon; a side wheeler River boat on the Mississippi River; a sugar cane field in Cuba. View of locks in the Panama Canal. Statue of World War I soldiers.
Children practice baseball in New York. A man guides them. As he squats his pants show a humorous rip in the fabric. The boys exercise and warm up before playing an early spring game. Many of the boys wear oversized baseball uniforms, including many Chicago White Sox uniforms. Building in the background. Cars parked in the background. Baseball bats on the ground. Children take the bats. Elevated view of boys playing sandlot baseball game in Hell's Kitchen. Closeup view of tther children watching the game. A boy makes a hit and rounds the bases, sliding into home base.
Newsreel clip on President Franklin Roosevelt attending baseball game between Washington Senators and New York Yankees at Griffith Stadium in Washington. Game is on opening day of the 1941 Major League Baseball season; stands are full. Roosevelt arrives inside stadium in open-top car, flanked by Secret Service agents. Senators players line up along first base line. Newsreel cameras watch as Roosevelt prepares to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Yankee players lined up along third base line. Senators manager Bucky Harris and Yankees manager Joe McCarthy shake hands and chat before game. Leaning on man next to him for support, Roosevelt throws out the first pitch. Brief shot of crowd. Top of the first inning, the Yankees' Joe DiMaggio hits a triple to deep center field, scoring Tommy Heinrich from second. A smiling Roosevelt says something to person in next seat. Brief shot of Yankee pitcher Marius Russo throwing from mound. Senators outfielder George Case hits into a double play. Another shot of happy-looking Roosevelt talking. Senators pitcher Dutch Leonard throws from mound. Yankees catcher Bill Dickey hits a double. Russo hits another double to score Dickey. Yankees would win the game 3-0. Snatches of ambient sound from crowd are heard throughout the clip.
Newsreel clip of baseball star Joe DiMaggio, "The Yankee Clipper," extending his hitting streak to 42 against the Washington Senators at Griffith Stadium in DC. Shot of large crowd in stands, most in white shirts. DiMaggio walks onto the field, kneels in on-deck circle with two bats. Senators pitcher Red Anderson (#18) throws a pitch. DiMaggio (with photographers positioned just a few feet away) hits it into left field for a single. DiMaggio slightly tips his cap at first base, gets pat on the back from first base coach. DiMaggio later comes around to score on another Yankee hit, is welcomed by teammates as he enters the dugout. DiMaggio poses for cameras in clubhouse after the game, a 7-5 Yankees victory. (Note: DiMaggio hitting streak would reach 56 games, which remains a record as of this writing, more than 70 years later.)
American troops, in North Africa, board ships going to Italy during Operation Avalanche. Film opens showing front gate of Karouba Aviation Maritime base in Tunisia during the American occupation in World War 2. An American flag is displayed and the gate is guarded by two Navy shore patrolmen. A jeep drives past the gate inside the base. An army MP also stands near the entrance. A jeep carrying two U.S. soldiers exits the gate. Scene shifts to the Tunis port, where many U.S. troops are assembling on the docks, next to landing craft infantry (LSIs). One column of soldiers begins walking one at a time up a gangplank to board an LSI. More soldiers are seen arriving at a courtyard at the waterfront and then heading toward the loading docks. Views of one column of soldiers showing their identifications to two monitors who check them of a list of troops. Two soldiers show up carrying a bale of hay. They are followed by soldiers herding pack animals. Soldiers must struggle with some of the animals to get them to board an LSI. A small black dog walks near some of the pack animals. View from entrance of an LSI as soldiers board from the gangplank. View from side of a gangplank where soldiers are pushing and pulling a reluctant burro up the plank. They have much trouble getting several animals aboard. Another group of soldiers tries using light wooden switches to prod their animals. Groups of soldiers and sailors work together to herd resisting animals aboard.
United States troops pass in a convoy of trucks, jeeps, trailers, and an M36B1 tank destroyer through the streets of Tambach in Germany. during World War 2. Townsmen gathered across the streets watch as the convoy passes. Officially named the M36B1 Gun Motor Carriage this tank destroyer is based on the M4A3 Sherman hull with a tank destroyer (TD) turret housing a 90mm gun. Only 187 were manufactured. Based on the registration number on the side of the hull (W40190915) this one is serial number 616 and was manufactured by Fisher Body Div. of the General Motors Corp. There are very few combat photos of this rare TD variant.
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