"...Was Found to be so Drunk He Could Not Walk."
COMPANY "F" THIRTIETH INFANTRY
Yosemite, California.
Subject: Loss of Rifle.
To: Commanding General, Ninth Corps Area, Presidio of San Francisco, California.
1. On May 2, 1936 a U.S. Army Rifle Caliber .30 Model 1906 [sic], No. 1437785, issued to this organization was lost.
2. Circumstances were as follows: On leaving camp at Santa Rita Park, California, at 7.00 A.M. May 2, 1936, Private Francis J. Connelly, 6558404, Company "F", 30th Infantry, was found to be so drunk he could not walk. In order to enable him to make the march, it was necessary to have two men support him and force him to walk. These men were relieved of their rifles by my order and were shifted every ten minutes. As they shifted, they took the rifles of the men who relieved them. Men carrying double rifles were relieved frequently. These rifles were checked twice by me to see that they were still in the column. At the end of the march it was found that the above numbered rifle was left at the halt before. Immediate search was made but the rifle had been picked up and could not be found. The loss was directly due to the misconduct of Pvt Connelly, which necessiated [sic] the unusual proceedure [sic] outlined above.
3. The State police at Mariposa were notified of the loss on the evening of May 2, 1936. The Department of Justice was notified by letter dated May 3, 1936. Copy enclosed.
s/s W.W. Dewitt
W.W. Dewitt,
Captain, 30th Infantry,
Commanding.
"...Was Picked Up by a Couple of Men in a Car Traveling Toward Gilroy..."
COMPANY "F" THIRTIETH INFANTRY
Yosemite, California.
May 3, 1936.
Special Agent in Charge,
Department of Justice,
San Francisco, Calif.
Dear Sir:
I wish to report the loss at about 10.00 A.M. May 2, 1936 of a United States Army Rifle Cal. .30 Model 1906 [sic] Rifle No. 1437785, the property of United States, and issued to this organization.
This rifle was left by the roadside 7.4 miles from Santa Rita Park, on the road from Santa Rita Park to Molars Corner. On discovery of its' [sic] loss, search was made but the rifle could not be found. It is understood that it was picked up by a couple of men in a car traveling toward Gilroy, but no description of the men or car could be secured by me. This information was secured from a gas station attendant on the road. His name was not secured.
Sincerely,
W.W. Dewitt,
Captain, 30th Infantry,
Commanding.
