therefore, became necessary to conduct a split operation, by flying
jets out of Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, while con-
tinuing to fly the obsolete propeller aircraft out of Harbor Field.
In this long ordeal—from 1953 into 1955—General Reckord, the Ad-
jutant General of Maryland, battled every inch of the way to save
the 104th Squadron.

Then, in July, 1955, when things had begun to look quite hopeless.
General Reckord announced that a new home had been found. The
Martin Company had agreed to permit the construction of these
facilities at its airport. The Department of the Air Force, through
the National Guard Bureau, initiated the required construction,
which included lengthening of runways and the erection of the
beautiful new hangar and administration building which you see
here today...

It is altogether proper that these splendid National Guard facil-
ities be dedicated to a man who had done so much for the National
Guard. And so, it is with deep pride and great pleasure that I dedi-
cate this home of the 104th Fighter Squadron in honor of Major
General Milton A. Reckord—our most illustrious civilian soldier.

ADDRESS, ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE
AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND

BALTIMORE
July 15, 1959

You have paid me a high honor by asking me to come here this
evening to extend welcome to the members and guests of the Ameri-
can Legion at this 41st Annual Convention of the Legion's Depart-
ment of Maryland. In times like these, when we are assailed almost
daily by disturbing news of threats from national enemies, it is
consoling and reassuring to think of organizations like the American
Legion with its relentless dedication to national defense. Reports we
receive from responsible sources indicate that we are lagging behind
the Russians in the missile race, and Senator Symington, to the
consternation of most of us, declared just last Sunday that our "Army
is falling to pieces. " In the technological race, we are told, we are
not as yet excelled by the Russians, but Dr. James R. Killian, Jr.,
said last week as he left the post of Chief Scientific Adviser to