A calendar of triumphs, defeats and contortions of the human spirit in the U.S. during one year of war:

Jan. In Denver, Robert Atkinson, convicted in 1934 of stealing canaries, was convicted of stealing manhole covers.

Feb. At Fort Riley, Kans., Private Woodrow Kirkpatrick crept silently toward an imaginary enemy, crept smack against a real jack rabbit. The jack rabbit kicked him in the eye, sent him to the infirmary. In Manhattan, two psychologists reported that when they presented a rat with a difficult problem he bit his nails.

March. In Brooklyn, among the tributes sent to the funeral of Harry Maione, electrocuted killer, was a four-foot floral chair.

April. In Minneapolis, Allen Daugherty explained why he had let his automobile drag his wife 60 feet after she had jumped from it during an argument: "I didn't want to stop fast and wear out my tires."

May. In Louisville, Mayor Wilson Wyatt made an electrically transcribed speech, played the record back to himself to hear how he sounded, fell asleep before he had finished.

June. In Seattle, Al Collins took his wife to a golf course, took his stance to show her the correct form for driving from a tee, swung, shot a hole in one.

July. In Berkeley, Calif., a scientist found that pigs who lacked enough vitamin B took to doing the goose step.

Aug. In Patchogue, L.I., Frank T. Marino, who had gallantly given a lift to a woman whose car had broken down, was given 180 days in jail for returning to her car and stealing two tires.

Sept. In Philadelphia, Chester Zygmond was arrested for firing 35 revolver shots at the walls and ceiling of his bedroom. He explained he had been rehearsing for a suicide. In Washington, the Office of Defense Transportation announced it had ruled officially that oysters are not farm products.

Oct. In Ashland, Ohio, the mayor issued a proclamation making it unlawful, for the duration of the war, to complain on Thursdays.

Nov. In Manhattan, Henry Remos walked up to a girl in a restaurant, set fire to her hair, explained to police later: "I just wanted to get acquainted."

Dec. In Williamsport, Pa., a bear charged Arthur S. Thompson, who shot him dead in the nick of time. Game wardens fined Thompson $25 for shooting bear out of season.

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