Soldiers in old military uniforms stand next to others wearing the new "streamlined" style during a military show for National Defense Week. The show was held at the Los Angeles Airport and more than 60 officers and men participated.
The children of William F. Gettle, millionaire and kidnapping victim, posing on tricycles for a photograph after their father's safe return. Circa May 15, 1934.William F. Gettle, Beverly Hills millionaire, was kidnapped from the grounds of his Arcadia ranch home during a housewarming party on the eve of May 9th. The kidnapping attracted a great deal of attention in the community, with Mrs. Gettle even addressing the kidnappers through the pages of the Los Angeles Times. The kidnappers demanded a $60,000 ransom for the return of Gettle, which Mrs. Gettle agreed to pay. However, before the ransom was paid, two detectives of the LAPD, Chester Burris and H.P. Gearhardt, broke the case after installing a dictaphone in the home of a bank robbery suspect. Information from the dictaphone led them to a La Crescenta home where Gettle was held. He was returned, unharmed, to his family on the eve of May 14th.
Admiral William F. Halsey ended his 45-year naval career aboard the U.S.S. South Dakota in the Los Angeles Harbor. He commanded the Third Fleet during the Pacific War against Japan. The ceremony consisted of the changing of his four-starred flag to the two-starred flag of his successor, Rear-Admiral Howard F. Kingman. The ship's entire company was present during the brief ceremony. After the ceremony, Halsey left the battleship on a crash boat and the U.S.S. South Dakota fired a 17-gun salute.