ALASKA-CANADA (ALCAN) HIGHWAY
NORTHWEST SERVICE COMMAND (NWSC)
UNITED STATES ARMY
WORLD WAR II
NWSC Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
(Click on image for description)
The Alcan Highway was officially opened on Friday,
November 20, 1942. Franklin Roosevelt was President of
the United States and his Secretary of War was
Henry L. Stimson
.
Brigadier General James A. O'Connor
was commanding officer of the Northwest Service Command
(NWSC), builders of the highway. His Chief of Staff was
Colonel K. B. Bush. 10,000 U.S. Army officers and men and
2,000 U.S. Public Roads Administration civilians served
under their command. The road was completed in 6 months.
While on a cruise in 1997 a NWSC veteran noted a new
highway between Skagway and Whitehorse and Ferry Service
between Skagway and Bellingham, Washington. He also noted
that the railroad between Skagway and Whitehorse was
reopened as a tourist attraction.
Reunions of NWSC veterans were held for 20 years in
various locations. The initial interest was sparked by a
group of about ten wives who had known each other in
Dawson Creek. Some of the reunions were held at points
along the highway, and a governor attended one of those
meetings. The most recent reunions were held at:
Ramada Henry VIII Hotel & Conference Center (1991 & 1997)
St. Louis, Missouri
Holiday Inn (1998)
Downtown Market Square
San Antonio, Texas
Radisson Hotel & Conference Center (1999)
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Mae Meglen (who lives in Minnesota) was the reunion
coordinator for the 21st reunion in 1999. It was apparent
that this was the final formal reunion, because only eight
people were able to attend. They agreed to hold any
future meetings at one of their homes.
For a list of NWSC veterans and/or spouses who attended
the most recent reunions call or write:
Ernest Knapp (314) 867-0733 (He called me 4/04/2008)
10334 Bellefontaine Road
St. Louis, MO 63137-2308
Ruth L. Doerr (317) 251-3171
6239 Brokenhurst Road
Indianapolis, IN 46220
The provider of this web page was a Sergeant in the Postal
Division at the Headquarters of the Northwest Service
Command (NWSC) and was attached to the Headquarters
Company in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada. He had
volunteered to have his selective service number called up
early. There was only one younger individual in the 10,000
serving with the command. His job supervisor was M/Sgt
Fred Weldon, who died in Salt Lake City on June 27, 1990.
For questions or comments, go to the Main Lobby of the
Tangible Reality Library to send an E-Mail message ...
