Ameri-Conn September 1943 Back to Publications

The Ameri-Conn Vol 2, No. 8 September, 1943 WWII Publication

Tour of Inspection

To join in the celebration of our winning the Army-Navy "E" Award for outstanding production of war material, invitation were sent to several hundred sub-contractors and suppliers of parts and raw materials, as well as to many music dealers, government and public officials.

The Ameri-Conn cameramen were on the job clicking shutters at various spots throughout the factory with the results shown on this.

These music dealers came to see and marvel at the great changes in the Con plant from manufacturing.

Leon Knapp, Knapp-Poole Music Co; Joseph Gustat, St. Louis Band INstr. Co.; Harry Anderson, B.A Rose Music Co.; Sam Santelli, J.W. Green Co

The Ameri-Conn Vol 2, No. 8 September, 1943 WWII Publication

Tour of Inspection

The press was represented at the factory tour and "E" ceremony by this group posed outside the compass testing building

Colonel Ray and Admiral Charlton seem elated with the performance of the gyro-horizon rotors as the Colonel listens to a battery of them spinning in a test run.

Henry Krohn explains the milling operation he is performing on a gyro part to Admiral Charlton adn superintendent Frank Savage.

The Ameri-Conn Vol 2, No. 8 September, 1943 WWII Publication

Tour of Inspection

Interested spectatiors as Ellsworth Wilbur cuts a spinning blank for a binnacle dome

teh "Scorsby test" of the gyro-horizons seems to measure up to the satisfaction of Admiral Charlton and his party.

Mayor G. Hallet Neale checks up on a Conn compass in the special testing building as Ernie Myers, foreman Dept. 2G, and compass workers Effie Miller adn Irene Stencil look on.

Harry Reed has an interested group of onlookers as he does some fine soldering on binnacle

An array of unfinished binnacles caught the eyes of this group of visitors.

This group find Jack Miller's work on gyro cases interesting.

Mrs. Dorotha Koehler, head nurse at Conn, shows accident and absentee records to Admiral Charlton, his aide, Lt. Comdr. Storer, and Frank Savage.

Lee Greenleaf shows Colonel Ray some of the tiny screws turned out on our automatic screw machines.

The short and long of the Conn music dealers attending the "E" ceremonies.

The Ameri-Conn Vol 2, No. 8 September, 1943 WWII Publication

Tour of Inspection

Marietta Minnix attracted this group in gyro grinding department.

Lee Greenleaf describes some of the work done in our turret lathe department to Colonel Ray

Doris Berth, inspecting gyro rotor wheels, has her work checked by Admiral Charlton and his aide, Lt. Comdr. Storer.

The Navy as well as several suppliers are interested in Reese Smetzer's skill as he spins a binnacle dome cap.

the centerless grinder attracts the attention of Admiral Charlton, who chats with the operation, Dewey Ganger.

Archie Teeter's 23 years experience spinning bells for Conn horns is now used spinning domes for binnacles.

These Army officers were gald to sit down for refreshments in the Conn cafeteria after the two-hour inspection tour of the plant.

The gyro assembly department furnished these five attractive hostesses who served refreshments to the foot-weary visitors after their factory tour. 

The Navy also took advantage of the breathing spell between the factory tour and the "E" award ceremony, for refreshments in the Conn factory.

The Ameri-Conn Vol 2, No. 8 September, 1943 WWII Publication

Picture Story of Conn "E" Award Ceremony

Alfred L. Smith, executive vice-president was master of ceremonies and introduced all the speakers.

Rev. D.B. Flora, pastor First Brethren Church, gave the invocation

Flying proudly beneath the Stars and Stripes on the flagpole in front of the Conn plant is the Army-Navy "E" flag presented to the men and women of C.G. Conn Ltd. for outstanding production of war materials.

The presentation was made by high navy and army officers in the colorful ceremony staged Friday, July 30, in the parking lot east of the Conn plant. 

Starting promptly at 5:30, the presentation ceremony lasted exactly 33 minutes and was conducted with military precision from the initial invocation by Rev. D.B. Flora.

The Ameri-Conn Vol 2, No. 8 September, 1943 WWII Publication

Presentation of Army-Navy "E" Award

Rear Admiral A.M. Charlton, U.S.N.

Inspector of Naval Material, Chicago District

The measure of a fighting man can alwasy be tested by the answers to two questions. "Cany he take it? Can he dish it out?"

I am not here today to predict when the war will end. But for the benefit of those of you who indulge in wishful thinking that victory is just around the cornder, let me quote this letter of June 25, 1943, from the under secretary of the Navy, to the Office of Procurement and Material in the Navy Department.

"The heaviest fighting of the war still lies ahead. The great blow at the heart of the enemy has still to be struck."

"We in uniform appreicate the fine job you have done here in converting this plant from its peacetime function of producing band instruments to 100% production of war materials."

Acceptance of Award

C.D. Greenleaf

President C.G. Conn Ltd.

It is of course unnecessary to say that I am very much pleased and honored to receive the Army-Navy "E" pennant from Admiral Charlton on behalf of this corporation and the employees of C.G. Conn, Ltd. 

Our job during the next 6 months is to win a star for this flag as evidence of continued "outstanding production of war materials."

The Ameri-Conn Vol 2, No. 8 September, 1943 WWII Publication

Awarded to C.G. Conn, Ltd. for Outstanding Production of War Materials 

Assembled in the east parking lot adjoining the Conn factory, the men and women of C.G. Conn Ltd. are awarded the Army-Navy "E" Award for excellence in the production of war materials. This panoramic view shows most of the Conn employees who occupied the center section facing the platform which had been erected at the north end of the parking lot, against a background of flags of the United Nations. With backs to the camera are about 200 suppliers of parts and raw materials who were guests wat the ceremonies following tour of inspection of the plant. Across the field are several hundred members of Conn employee families, who braved the sizzliing hot day and stood ro sat in the blazing sun to witness the award ceremonies. Immediately in front of the platform is the 100-piece high school band, directed by David Hughes. At the end of the platform is the Thomas McCoy Post 74, American legion color guard.

The Ameri-Conn Vol 2, No. 8 September, 1943 WWII Publication

Awarded to C.G. Conn, Ltd. for Outstanding Production of War Materials 

Assembled in the east parking lot adjoining the Conn factory, the men and women of C.G. Conn Ltd. are awarded the Army-Navy "E" Award for excellence in the production of war materials. This panoramic view shows most of the Conn employees who occupied the center section facing the platform which had been erected at the north end of the parking lot, against a background of flags of the United Nations. With backs to the camera are about 200 suppliers of parts and raw materials who were guests wat the ceremonies following tour of inspection of the plant. Across the field are several hundred members of Conn employee families, who braved the sizzliing hot day and stood ro sat in the blazing sun to witness the award ceremonies. Immediately in front of the platform is the 100-piece high school band, directed by David Hughes. At the end of the platform is the Thomas McCoy Post 74, American legion color guard.

The Ameri-Conn Vol 2, No. 8 September, 1943 WWII Publication

Presentation of the "E" Pins

Colonel Martin H. Ray

Fifth Service Command, Indianapolis

Men and women of C.G. Conn Ltd.: I bring you greetings from the Armed Forces of the United States. We join with you in the great satisfaction which you justly feel in your efforts to shorten this tragic war.

It is now my privilege to personally present pins to six of your loyal family, as your representatives.

Acceptance of the "E" Pins

Floyd Martin

President Local 1050, United Musical Instrument Workers, C.I.O

On behalf of the men and women of C.G. Conn Ltd. I wish to express our appreciation and thanks for the Army-Navy "E" Award pins which we will proudly wear.

The Ameri-Conn Vol 2, No. 8 September, 1943 WWII Publication

Army Air Forces/Material Cetner/Office of the Commanding General

Nothing can give a person greater pleasure than to follow through to completion an objective and what greater climax could be expected to such an objective than, after serious investigation, to be awarded the coveted honor of both the Army and Navy.

Reports from our Inspection Division are praiseworthy in their comments on the quality and the accuracy of the workmanship.

Other companies in the Country today are lending their efforts to the War Programs by making articles that the layman would not believe possible. 

Executive Vice Pres C.G. Conn Ltd. Elkhart Ind

The contribution of the management and employees of C.G. Conn limited to America's war production has been outstanding. Congratulations to all of you on winning the Army-Navy "E". I am pleased that Admiral Charlton will represent the navy department at your ceremony.

The Ameri-Conn Vol 2, No. 8 September, 1943 WWII Publication

Congressman Robert A. Grant Urges Conn Workers to Maintain Maximum Production

Published for and by employees of C.G. Conn, LTD.

In a talk at the "E" Award ceremonies by Representative Robert A. Grant, member of congress from this district, Mr. Grant compared our total war effort to a chain, and our production of war materials on the home front to an important link in the chain. 

Perfect Compasses Essential for Successful Invasion Says Commander C.V. Lee

At the dinner Friday evening  following the "E" Award program, Commander C.V. Lee, USN, bureau of ships, Washington D.C., praised the excellence of the compasses made by Conn, and explained the tremendous importance of accuracy in every compass we make.

The Ameri-Conn Vol 2, No. 8 September, 1943 WWII Publication

Plating Department Workers Keep 'Em Flying

Workers Battle Cyanide Fumes, Heat and Acids to Maintain Production of Silver-Plated Engine Bearings

If the Army and Navy Air Forces ever decide to give a special "E" award for exceillence in the production of airplane engine parts, we think the men and women of Dept. 96 would win the award for the great job they are doing in silver plating airplane engine bearings under most adverse conditions. 

Production Soldiers

Heart of the Engine

Used in Flying Fortresses

Three of the Many Army and Navy Planes Powered by Wright Cyclone Engines

Boeing B-17: Flying Fortress

Grumman TBF Avenger

North American B-23 Mitchell

The Ameri-Conn Vol 2, No. 8 September, 1943 WWII Publication: Conn "E" Award Picnic

Sunday--Aug. 1 Christina Lake

The Ameri-Conn Vol 2, No. 8 September, 1943 WWII Publication

Conn Employee "E" Award Picnic Attended by Record Breaking Crowd

A perfect day with lots of sunshine was the setting for the Conn employees' annual picnic which this year had the added attraction of celebrating winning the Army-Navy "E" Award.

Around 2,000 Conn workers and members of their families were in attendance for the program, which included golf, contests for young and old, bingo, softball game, movies, pony rides, a special show of music, magic, juggling, and ventriloquism, all topped off by a picnic lunch.

Rose Lee Burrows is First Conn Worker to Enlish in WACS

Two Conn "E" Award Dances Attract Crowds

The Ameri-Conn Vol 2, No. 8 September, 1943 WWII Publication

Conn Birthday Greetings

Cooperation of War Contractors Wins Praise

Executive vice-president Alfred L. Smith, who had the dual role of master of ceremonies at the "E" Award program and again at the dinner at Hotel Elkhart in the evening, spoke briefly at the dinner on the unselfish help we have received from our competitors on war contracts.