CAPTAIN REENLISTS --- Joseph E. Gerlach, left, formerly public relations officer at Binghamton Army Recruiting Station, reenlists with the help of 1st Lt. Leon E. Lavender. --- Photo by The Binghamton Press

History Repeats, in Reverse With Gerlach and Lavender
   A picture taken Jan. 10 at Binghamton Army Recruiting Station was reversed today.
   In the picture 1st Lt. Joseph E. Gerlach, recruiting officer, was assisting Leon E. Lavender of Binghamton, a former first lieutenant, to reenlist as a master sergeant.
   Today the roles were changed and 1st Lt. Leon E. Lavender helped Joseph E. Gerlach to re-enlist as a master sergeant.
   To make the picture complete. Sergeant Gerlach will step into the position as "top kick" of the recruiting station, the job Lieutenant Lavender vacated Saturday when he was recommissioned.
To Rejoin 82d
   A former paratroop officer, Lieutenant Lavender leaves tomorrow to rejoin his wartime outfit, the 82d Airborne Division, now located at Ft. Bragg. N. C. Mr. Gerlach concludes his terminal leave tomorrow when he will be discharged as a captain and will reenlist immediately as a master sergeant.
   His assignment to Binghamton Army Recruiting Station will be the third in a long history of recruiting service. He was stationed in Binghamton as a sergeant from June to November, 1940.
   That same year he left the recruiting station to join the 1st Infantry Division. In 1942 he entered Officer Candidate School and emerged as a second lieutenant.
With American Division
   During, the war he fought with the famous American Division on Guadalcanal and commanded a rifle company on Bougainville.
   On Oct. 6. 1945. he again was assigned to the Binghamton Army Recruiting Station as public relations officer this time a first lieutenant. He was promoted to captain when he left the recruiting station to begin his terminal leave. Sunday marked the end of his 12th year of service.
   Sergeant Gerlach lives with his wife and two children at 28 Hotchkiss Street, Binghamton.

[Press and Sun-Bulletin, Binghamton, NY, 11 Sep 1946, Wed, Main Edition. Page 5]