Major A.H.Rankin- "DOC" - Life Sketch

Ainsworth Hanna Rankin was born in Buffalo, New York, Nov. 27, 1898. He was the youngest of four children born to Dr. James Banks Rankin from Scotland and Louise Chilton Hanna from Ireland. He had two sisters, Eileen Frances Spence Rankin (1893-1931 ) and Amy Chilton Rankin (1895-1973) His brother was James McClymont Rankin (1892-1946). He may have spent up to 6 years in England during his childhood years (1901-1910.)

 At the early age of 15 on Feb 14, 1913, he entered a Valentine drawing contest for the local newspaper, “The Brooklyn Eagle.” This was probably his first published drawing. He graduated from Brooklyn High School and began illustrating for various national publications.

At age 19, June 21 1916, he became a member of the New York National Guard with the Quartermaster Corps. He acquired the nickname "Doc" during this WWI service. Probably from his father who was a practicing Doctor at the time. By 1918, Private Rankin was serving in the Army’s Chemical Warfare Service. He served in the Army’s Gas Defense Plant in Long Island. He served along with some of his fellow illustrators from the New York area.

 From the Daily Star  New York  Sept 24, 1918

Gas Defense Plant –Long Island City

"There are men and women here whose names are known in the world of art and letters. Before the war many of the operators, or department managers could be found at the clubs, in the art studios, holding positions of importance in various industries and professions. Charles A. MacLellan, Illustrator, the man who does the humorous, red- haired boy cover for the Saturday Evening Post; Martin M. Branner, an advertising illustrator; Rankin (Private “Doc" Rankin, of the military personnel), whose works have decorated the pages of national publications; H. J. .Fleming, Illustrator—these are a few of the familiar names picked from the groups at the Gas Defense factories." 

After the armistice was signed he drew cartoons for the service newspapers and joined a troupe that toured occupied Europe entertaining the troops, stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany.

The nickname, “Doc” stuck and it became his trademark as a freelance cartoonist.  After the war he maintained a studio in Manhattan where he produced commercial art and cartoons, including artwork for Tin Pan Alley Sheet music. 

He was a cartoonist for Loew’s Weekly News in 1921. Here is his self-portrait character.

 For many years he worked as an editorial page cartoonist and an advertising executive for the "Brooklyn Eagle" newspaper. (1916-1930)

He drew tiny characters for sections of the YMCA's publication, the "Brooklyn Central."

He also provided the art work for their Joke Page:

As a Reserve Cavalry Officer during this time. Doc was called back into full military service on November 19, 1940  and served as a Captain and Special Services Chief at Camp Upton, New York, with a special assignment as Morale Officer.

Camp Upton                                

One of the many activities he conducted there was the "Knit-for Defense" Program. During this project women knitted clothing, blankets and other things for the soldiers. Eleanor Roosevelt was involved in this program and came to speak at Camp Upton during the time Doc was there.

 Doc was in charge of all the entertainment for the troops as they awaited their orders. Some of the shows were talent shows put on by the soldiers themselves. Some were famous performers brought in by request, such as Irving Berlin, Ann Sheridan, Marlena Diedrich and Jack Dempsey.

"In May 1941, ex-Sergeant Irving Berlin was on tour at Camp Upton, his old Army base in  Yaphank, New York, during World War I. There he spoke with the commanding officers, including Captain A.H. Rankin of Special Services, about restaging his original 1917 Army play, Yip! Yip! Yaphank.  Gen. George Marshall approved a Broadway production of a wartime musical for the army, allowing Berlin to conduct the arrangements and rehearsals at Camp Upton much like he had done during World War I. Sgt. Ezra Stone was selected as director for the new contemporary play, and the two set up on base during the weekdays to put together the story and crew." 

This is the Army https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_the_Army

 The Doc went on to tour with  "This is the Army"  production around the world which made millions of dollars for the Army and Navy Relief fund and he was there during the filming of the movie in Hollywood. 

 Doc also organized tours and planned activities for the soldiers during their leaves. He organized baseball, boxing, dances, art contest, movies, etc. He was also editor of "Upton Nooz" a newspaper given to all soldiers to inform them of the upcoming events, and adding his own cartoons.

A special visit from his nephew at Camp Upton was featured in the local paper:

While serving at Camp Upton, Doc was also often called upon to speak at

 various community events such as Red Cross, Rotary Clubs and schools. 

 His popular chalk-talk presentations were always humorous and informative. 

He was often accompanied by an pianist or accordionist. 

Doc was assigned to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, as the Special Services Chief, in 1944. At some point in time he advanced to the office of Major. He organized several serviceman's clubs and supervised recreational facilities.  He also served on an advisory board for the camp's newspaper, the "Kilmer Eagle." He drew the illustrations for the guide pamphlet that each soldier received when arriving at the camp.

Camp Kilmer           
       

Camp Kilmer Pamphlet

Doc was stationed at the Guam Base Command as the Marbo (Mariana-Bonins) Branch Special Services Officer. He was assigned to operate the Athletic and Recreation Program there and he also organized Christmas projects, theatrical performances, and band concerts.  

          Doc was assigned to the ship "Saturnia" which was one of the first convoys to arrive in France after the Normandy beachhead had been established, June 6, 1945. There he put together a recreational program for the troops, wounded and recovering patients, the Army Permanent Party, and the Armed Guard Crew.

On June 25, 1946 he was awarded the Army Commendation Ribbon for "performance of duty aboard the D.S.S. Saturnia." As stated by Col. Cecil L Rutledge: "The manner of your performance of duty in connection with your voyage about the "Saturnia" is consonant with the standard you have set at this command, where initiative, imagination and untiring devotion to duty have always characterized your services."

The Saturnia

His sketches captured his feelings about WWII.

By 1948 Major A.H. Rankin's his last post was at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Although he had been a bachelor for many years, he met Ethel there and was married September 27, 1953. He passed away on January 17, 1954 after an operation at Fort Bragg..  He is buried at Lafayette Memorial Park. Fayetteville, North Carolina. His wife, Mary Ethelene Moore, was born 1909 in Parkton, North Carolina, died December 4, 2001 and is also buried in Lafayette Memorial Park.

Several newspaper articles honored his memory:

From the Brooklyn Eagle:

“Major A.H. Rankin, affectionately known as “Doc” back in the days when he dreamed up cartoons for the “Brooklyn Eagle, died last week at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The genial “Doc” helped make life more livable for tens of thousands of G.I.’s during World War II, originating the Camp Upton “Opry House,"dozens of soldier shows and acting as Majordomo when Irving Berlin’s  “This is the Army” musical toured the world.”

 From the New York Daily News:

“Major A. H. (Doc) Rankin, who died at Fort Bragg, will be mourned by World War II veterans who owed him their appreciation for the Camp Upton “Opry House,” plus such soldier-show hits as “ Brother Rat,” Three Men on  Horse,” and others. This former Brooklyn Eagle cartoonist did a terrific job.”