Taken in the spring of 1942, this photo postcard may show the combat platoon organized early in the Second World War to protect Fort Slocum from saboteurs and commandos.  The men stand south of Buildings 61 (left) and 59-60 (right).  With equipment spanning 30-plus years of Army designs—from 1903 Springfield rifles through 1917 Brodie helmets and water-cooled machine guns (on carts) to 1930s uniforms—the platoon embodies the American soldier in transition from doughboy to GI.