16 JAN--This Day in US Military History

2015-01-16T09:14:04-05:00

1955 – A six month period of martial law ends in Russell County, Ala., and the last of about 300 Guardsmen leave for home.

Phenix City had a national reputation for gambling, bootleg liquor, prostitution and other vices. The Guard became involved when Gov. Gordon Persons determined that the county and city were out of control. In July 1954, a key witness due to testify for a grand jury about local corruption was murdered.
The governor appointed Maj. Gen. Walter Hanna, commander of the 31st Infantry Division, to take charge of the situation and “clean up” the county. Over the next few months, Hanna’s men (rotating to a total of 300) destroyed slot machines, roulette tables and other gambling equipment. The illegal bars were shut and the brothels closed down. By early 1955, the clean up program was about complete, all with no loss of life.

https://thisdayinusmilhist.wordpress.com/2014/01/16/january-16/

January 16

16 January 1780 - The Battle of Cape St. Vincent took place off the southern coast of Portugal during the American War of Independence. A British fleet under Admiral Sir George Rodney defeated a Sp...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 10 at 2015 1:17 PM

2015-07-10T13:17:40-04:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member, I was stationed at Fort Benning several times and living in Columbus, Ga and visiting Phenix City once or twice was eye opening in the 1980's. Racism permeates the place from both the white and black people who live there and a huge distrust of outsiders seems to be a relic of the carpetbagger days of reconstruction.