January-February - Air Defense Artillery

(amp Tyson is celebrating its first anniversary as the
\nm Training Center for Barrage Balloons. The
orde~~ moving 'B.B.T.C. from Camp Davis to Camp
T\~on \\ere issued lanuarv 15, 1942.
The first Barrag~ Ballu'on to be sent aloft from a
Camp Tyson site was Hown February 13, 1942. The
balloon was a 0-5 dilatable. black in color, and num-
Ix'fcd "192." The honor of sending this first balloon
aloft \\ent to Batterv B of the 302nd Batta]ion. The
302m) Battalion is the service organization for Camp
I\son and it remains stationed here.
'February also marks the first anniversary for Brigadier
Genera] John B. J\ laynard who came from Camp
\\ albce. Texas, to assume command here February
16.1942.
The first year has been marked by steady growth. 1\
recent addition of land has nearly tripled the original
creage of the camp, providing a large new area for
balloon sites. Sufficient new buildings have been added
to a ~cction in the housing area to care for four new battalions.
\ class of enlisted men was graduated from the Barrage
Balloon School November 28 and was composed
of lour training batteries. The graduating address was
deli\ued by Colonel J. H. Cochran, Executive Officer
f B.BT.C. t\ class of officers was graduated December
5 and was addressed In' Commanding General
~1:j\ nard ..
Camp Tyson
BRIGADIER GEi\'ERAL JOBi\' B. J\IAYNARD, C()//wumdi71g
Barrage Balloon Training Center
By Lielltenl1/1t F. H. Alexmllier
New battalions were recently activated and are no\\"
carrying on a rigorous training program. Surplus officers
in the At\f\gp are either attached to existing battalions
or are going through a course of basic review in
the Officers' Training Unit under the direction of
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth J. \ Voodburv.
All llSO-Camp Shows on the major circuit (Red)
are now sent here. During December, Blackstone. the
J\ Ingician. and his troup; and Looping the Loop, a
musical stage show. played here. The January schedule
calls for the Broadwa~' play, Room Service, and
another musical revue, Holl)'ll'ood 011 Parade. Both
Camp Theaters broke existi,{g attendance records the
last week of December.
J\Irs. Isabella Tyson Gilpin of Virginia, daughter of
the late Brigadier General Lawrence Davis Tyson, for
whom this camp was named, will present a bronze
tablet for the main entrance to the area. The sketch for
the plaque has been designed and approved but due to
the restrictions on bronze as a vital war metal. the
tablet will not be cast until after the war. In the meantime,
the designer's sketch hangs in the office of General
J\laynard in BBTC Headquarters building.
Genera] Tyson died in 1929 after a distinguished
career as a soldier. educator, lawyer and statesman. He
was awarded the Distinguished 'Service Meda] for gallantry
in \\'orlel \Var I, while commanding the 59th
Brigade of the famous 30th Division. He was United
States Senator from Tennessee at the time of his death.
The 302nd Battalion, which has trained and furnished
the officers and cadre for other battalions going
out from this training center, was honored at a ceremonial
review December 19, at which Genera] J\lavnard
presented the battalion with its new standard ..
The 302nd was activated November 1, 1941 at
Camp Dm'is and its first commanding officer was Lieutenant
Colonel A. A Allen. It came to Camp Tyson
Fehruary 2. 1942, and is the parent organization. The
motto of the unit is symbolic of the entire Barrage Balloon
service: Amat Victoria C/lram (Victory Favors the
\Vatchful).