Army Admits 20,000 Desert Each Month The Army conceded today that it is worried about the large number of soldiers 20,000 a month who go absent without leave for brief periods. But it insisted there is nothing alarming in current desertion rates. A man is considered to have deserted after he has been AWOL for 30 days or more. While short term AWOLs are a growing source of trouble to unit commanders, Lt. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe, Army personnel chief, said the desertion rate today is under half what it was toward the end of World War II. The Louisville Times reported yesterday that some military leaders estimate there are enough deserters on any given day to form two combat divisions. That would be about 36,000 men. McAuliffe countered that the number of deserters men AWOL 30 days or more averages about 11,000 per day. He said 46,000 men have deserted from the start of the Korean War to last Oct. 31. Of that number, 35,000 have been returned to the Army. He said Army field commanders have made no complaints on desertion rates. But they have been pestered by AWOLs, mainly at such inopportune times as just prior to scheduled overseas departures. Such men will disappear for four or five days, while their ship sails, and then return. Friday, January 9, 1953 Have been home all day Have read some and wrote to Avon. Oertel is at Dr Jrs attending a party. Nice day Nothing special Saturday, January 10, 1953 Nice day. I have been home all day. I wrote Thair. Have read some. Nothing special Lucile Hancock called and brot a book for me and some fruit for us. 60 degrees today the warmest day for J