Word: brasses
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Dates: during 1940-1949
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Eisenhower's four stars? Actually, only Monty's brass trimmings had been changed. Monty had a rank that, in his Army, was the highest going. So did Eisenhower, in the active service of his Army. Ike would still give the orders, as he had in Africa when (for a time) Monty had outranked...
Planemaker "Roy" Grumman (rhymes with summon) modestly insists that the high scores are due to superb Navy tactics and skill. The Navy thinks differently. Navy brass hats long ago ran out of glowing phrases (say they: "Roy Grumman is the hottest thing in aviation today") and E flags for Grumman. Last week, as a new token of their esteem, the Navy was reportedly seeking permission to give him a medal, the Meritorious Civilian Service award, something no U.S. manufacturer has yet received. The medal was as much for Grumman's amazing production record as for his superb planes...
...first Hellcat was built in August 1942. Five months later, the production line began to tick them off. This was unheard-of speed in an industry which used to need years to translate blueprints into planes. When a Navy brass hat dropped in to tell Grumman that he should expand to take care of Hellcat production, Swirbul pulled a mess of blue prints from his desk, said: "We are." When the officer said he would rush priorities for steel, Swirbul said: "I've got steel." And he had it, from Manhattan's razed Second Avenue elevated railway...
...what was least expected of him. When he rode, his cape "was turned back always in a flow of scarlet. A curling ostrich plume extended over his shoulder from a gray felt hat, and at each side hung a large Colt revolver, suspended in holsters well studded with brass." He was always kind to women & children...
Rails of silver, spikes of brass...