(above, l-r) Lt. Col. Chester Mueller, A.U.S.; Lawrence C. Ward, N.J.W.P.B. Director; Hon. Charles Edison, Governor of NJ; John E. Barger, Rahway Mayor; Alfred E. Norris, Regina President; Lannon F. Mead, Regina V.P.; and Lt. J.D. Gessford, U.S.N.R., display the Army-Navy “E” flag awarded to Regina Corp.
Rahway Companies Awarded Army-Navy “E” Award
Submitted by Al Shipley
The Regina Corporation, National Pneumatic, and Merck & Co., Inc. were each awarded the coveted Army-Navy “E” Award for their exceptional performance in the manufacture of vital war materials during World War II. It was indeed a special honor to receive this award as only about 5% of the more than 85,000 companies engaged in war work throughout the country were so recognized.
Seven months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the War Department announced a new Army-Navy “E” Award that would be given to factories engaged in war production whose facilities achieved “Excellence in Production.” The award was created to encourage industrial mobilization and production of materials needed to support the war effort.
Standards for receiving the award were high and included factors such as quality and quantity of production, limiting and overcoming production obstacles, avoidance of work stoppages, maintaining fair labor standards, training of additional labor forces, and accurate record keeping regarding health and safety issues. Plants would be recommended by several select government agencies who would then forward applications to an Award Board for approval.
Once the recipients were announced, companies would host elaborate ceremonies inviting distinguished guests from federal, state, and local levels to officially present the award to company officials and employees. The ceremony would include the presentation of an Army-Navy “E” flag to be flown outside the plant. Each employee would also receive a lapel pin bearing the “E” symbol. If a company maintained their record of performance for a six-month period after receiving their initial award, they would receive a white star to affix on their flag. Only a very small percentage of companies would earn stars with an even smaller number receiving multiple stars.
On Monday, August 10, 1942, Regina became the first company in Rahway and the first in the New York Ordinance District to receive the award. Two weeks later, on Tuesday, August 25, an official presentation ceremony was held in the area adjacent to the plant on Campbell Street. Many high ranking Army and Navy officers, the Governor of New Jersey, Charles Edison, and other state and municipal officials were in attendance to congratulate the Regina administration and employees. In his address, Governor Edison, who was the son of famous inventor, Thomas Edison, remarked, “Extra-ordinary production records such as yours show that we shall soon have enough to fight with. Having the spirit, the production and resources for victory, we cannot fail.” Each month over the course of the war, Regina turned out tens of thousands of infallible bomb fuses. Before the end of the war, Regina would earn four white stars to add to their flag.
A crowd of 6,000 attended the presentation ceremony held on Monday, September 14 at the National Pneumatic Company. The affair was staged in the Pennsylvania Rail Road freight yard in the rear of the company’s New Brunswick Avenue plant. Colonel J.K. Clement, former head of the New York Ordinance District, told the gathering, “The Army-Navy “E” Award is a military decoration for accomplishment over and beyond the call of duty.” National Pneumatic had transitioned their plant to manufacture gun equipment and ammunition, 37 mm armor piercing shot, shells for trench mortars, 37 mm anti-aircraft guns, and cannon. The company which had employed 600 workers prior to the war increased its employment number to over 3,000. The company also expanded its facility by constructing a large addition along W. Hazelwood Avenue. National Pneumatic would eventually be awarded three white stars.
Merck & Co., Inc., employers of over 3,000 men and women who “devoted themselves with every effort that could be put forth to winning the war,” received their “E” Award in January, 1943 and held an elaborate presentation ceremony on the plant grounds on Tuesday, February 9. Lowell Thomas, preeminent radio commentator, explorer, author, and journalist, served as Master of Ceremonies. During his introductory remarks he observed, “I have attended many similar occasions, when the “E” Award was made, but this is the first time that a General of the Army (Major General James T. Magee) and an Admiral of the Navy (Rear Admiral Luther Sheldon) have participated in the exercises.”
Merck, one of the largest manufacturers of chemical products in the country, supplied the Army and Navy with drugs and chemicals found to be effectual in saving the lives of wounded men in the hospitals, on the fields, and at the front lines. It was noted that “where ever American soldiers and sailors are sent in this war, some of the products of Merck are sure to follow to take care of them.” Merck was awarded a total of four white stars.
The three leading industries in Rahway answered the call to the service of their country and established a reputation for meritorious production. As a result, they continually received the praise of the United States Government in the work they did and the manner in which they did it.
(above) Photo taken from the railroad elevation showing the large gathering at the Regina Award ceremony on Tuesday, August 25, 1942.
