Honest John Rocket, 1959
Honest John Rocket is prepared for firing by men of D Battery, 1st Field Artillery Battalion, 31st Artillery Regiment of the 7th U.S. Infantry Division, at Camp St. Barbara, Korea. The battery recently conducted its first air-burst firings under the direction of Capt. Richard Trefry, commanding officer. Before a rocket is launched three separate safety devices must be removed from missile. During the recent firing, Pvt. Jerry White, one of the newest members of the battery, pushed the button that sent the first rocket skyward. Men from D Battery, 1st Field Artillery Battalion, 31st Artillery Regiment of the 7th U.S. Infantry Division, at Camp St. Barbara, Korea. The battalion is the only 7th Infantry Division unit employing the surface-to-surface weapon. "We practice every day," Capt. Richard Trefry, the battery commander, said, "but fire only 12 times a year." "In training there is always the anti-climax when they push the plunger and nothing happens." Pvt. Jerry White, one of the newest members of the battery, pushed the button that launched "Old Diablo" on its way. He described it as a "good feeling." "You almost feel like the missile was your own," he said.
