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Show MODERN MORMON BATTALION TO BE ENLISTED Unit Of 189 Young L. D. S. Men To Be Recruited To Carry On Traditions The United States marine corps this week announced that it will recruit a modern "Mormon Battalion" Battal-ion" of 189 L. D. S. men to carry on the traditions of both church and country in the battlefields of the world. Authority to organize a "Mormon "Mor-mon Battalion" of marines has been reecived from Lieutenant-General Lieutenant-General Thomas Holcomb, commandant com-mandant of the marine corps, by Major Con D. Silard, officer in charge of the district of Salt Lake City. Major Silard further stated that the units will be trained for an eight-week period at the marine corps base, San Diego, Calif., and so far as exigencies of the service will permit, will be placed in action ac-tion as a unit. Mass enlistment ceremonies are being arranged and will probably take place near the Mormon Battalion Bat-talion monument on the state capi-tol capi-tol grounds. David O. McKay, second sec-ond counselor in the first presidency presi-dency of the church, described the move as one with objectives in which the church is "in thorough accord." Church members who are physically phy-sically fit are eligible for the Battalion Bat-talion provided they are between the ages of 17 and 30, or are outstanding out-standing enough to obtain age waivers between 31 and 33. Married Mar-ried men will be accepted if they obtain a dependency waiver, and parents' consent is needed for those under 21. Applicants may apply for enlistment enlist-ment at any of the marine corps sub-stations throughout Utah and Idaho, or at the district headquarters. headquar-ters. 230 Federal Bldg., Salt Lake City. |