1938*

This is another Armistice issue, and I had wished to write something especially good for it—something that would sound right in harmony with the solemn flags at half-mast and the din of reviving brass bands, something that would make the Dads think of their boys and the boys of their Dads on this day.

But I guess I won't. On second thought it seems that there are already too many of us waving flags from the roof-tops and blowing horns from the side walks.

And so I gladly turn over this issue to the boys of '38 (and they are now a hundred strong) who are wearing the blue or khaki.

From Ev Wood, who has his "Wings" and is stationed at Norfolk, Va.: "I'm training on these little 'Patrol Bombers,' and practicing to drop a basket of Forget-me-nots right in the sergeant's tent. Oh yes, these new bomb-sighting arrangements are beautifully accurate. With a little practice you can drop a gum drop right in a baby's mouth at 20,000 ft. Which will give you an idea that the world is certainly getting better and better and better " (Woodie really should be poet-laureat of something.) "And now the mid-night discussions under the Elm trees," he continues, "are replaced by midnight guard-duty in the latrines.

"I know, figures, I know the joys thereof. And I suppose there is mention of the 'glorious year of training' sort of thing, 'make a man out of you,' 'America needs hardening' etc. Forgive me if I refrain from that chorus. Maybe it's for the best, Gentlemen, maybe with Finland fighting England and England fighting France, Japan fighting China and Germany fighting everybody else (with the Swastika waving on Olympus!!). .. .maybe it's for the best. Forgive me if I wonder.

"In fact I'm not sure of anything except that Dean Swift should be living at this hour. The Yahoos are really rising and shining this time. What a supreme RatRace!! ... ."

Woodie reports that Howie Nopper and Jim Otis '37 are both doing great things aboard and above airplane carriers.

Ed Shumaker, lieutenant at the Armored Force R. C., Fort Knox, Ky. answers: "It is our rather stupendous task here to train every trainee for twelve weeks. He comes to us fresh from civilian life, and three months later is sent into one of the several armored divisions It is a big job, but we're gaining on it."

"I think that the army would be a great experience," comments Dana Lowell, who is at Fort Bragg, N. C., "if I were 8 years younger, and if they'd run it like an army instead of like the Boy Rangers.".... (this is a thought that is common among a lot of our soldiers, but just imagine!—written on an open postcard!) Then he adds: "I've been married only a little more than 15 week-ends."

Vic Johnson, who is also at Fort Knox, writes the following: "The Army doesn't look so bad to me because I've been in it for six years n0w.... four years to West Point after my freshman year.... washed out of the Air Corps.... and took cavalry because I wanted to play polo .... big mistake .... playing from the turret of a tank now .... haven't seen a horse for a year, but I did see Val Cravens I offered to give him a job as my orderly if he gets into my outfit.... he says he'd rather sell hamburgers "

About our old Scribe the Baron there is very little to say. He was so in the rut of telling of the whereabouts of all the rest of us that after mentioning that he had decided to change from the army to the Naval Reserve he went on with a long list of the men of '3B who had been surrounded and captured by mechanized blonds and brunettes. But that's enough for another whole issue.

George Kingsbury is at Camp Blanding, Florida, after "three months' study of Instrument and survey work in the Field Artillery." McChesney and Charlie Moses were with him, maybe are still.

Larry Hull is at Norman, N. C.: "They have picked 'Dartmouth at Devens' up bodily and planted it in foreign soil. What a place! 97° during the day, peach trees as far as the eye can see, and a billion peach flies per tree to annoy hell out of you I'm still playing Boy Scout on a motorcycle and am hoping to get a merit badge any day now."

Dan Marshall is a platoon leader (2nd Lieutenant) in the Fleet Marine Forces, stationed at New River, N. C., and complains of the mail service; while Ross Borneman is training "aviation mechanics and metal smiths" in a Naval school in Chicago, and looking with a glassy eye upon the sessions of 24 hr. duty every 5th day. Sarge. Dick Francis at Camp Wheeler reports that "This line about the Southern Gals and especially the Georgia Peaches is just so much malarky which Larry Hull would dispute, having found: "southern hospitality all it is cracked up to be."

From John Meachem, Quartermaster Depot, San Antonio, comes a sad tale: "I volunteered in February and was sent here. But the planes from Kelly, Duncan, Randolph, and Brooks fields made such a din over the camp all night that sleep was impossible. So I applied for appointment as a Flying Cadet " There he met Johnny Jameson and his wife and Bob Jameson selling dead oil wells, he said; and he mentions that Dave Hosmer was taking care of Syracuse in his absence. "He keeps me posted on the state of the metropolis, but that's a farce, 'cause I still can't read his writing ' As for the Army, Food, Gals, and Morale are of course terrible. Morale being the least horrible of the three."

Bud Fox has been "an Umpire during the La. manoeuvres. A very good job—no restrictions. Seen every town's night life if town was over 200 pop. Took a three day pass in July to marry a Miss Doris Kent of Kansas." Pete Barnet is still "soldiering" at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, while Ensign Jim McKeon, is doing "public relations" at Seattle, Washington. His private relations include marrying Anne Elisabeth O'Brien of Arlington, Va. These public relations men sure do get around.

Warren Flynn is at San Diego as "assistant Executive officer at the section base, which is a base for mine sweepers, Patrol yachts, Sub-chasers, and other inshore patrol craft. Most of the time the war seems pretty remote, except for an occasional spy scare, or battle-scarred belligerent coming into port."

Same with Tom Richmond, who is stationed with Lt. Harry Connor at and around New River, N. C. "We have been on ship-to-shore manoeuvres in Porto Rico and on the Carolina Coast. These latter featured the first large scale operations ever held jointly by the Marine Corps and the Army during peace times. As long as the Army and the Marines aren't kept too close together they get along fine."

Of all well-adjusted men, I think the cement bomber goes to Al Boerker, Evacuation Hospital, Fort Jackson, S. C.: "Have no plans for future as the sergeants do all the thinking for me now." Lt. Jim Seaver, Base Weather Office, Manchester, N. H. was somewhat more explicit: "Heading explains where. Can't explain why." And from Ensign Morgan Marshall, who is in the Naval Supply Corps, Quonset Point, R. 1., comes this great bit of news: "Ran into Bob Carroll at the Ritz Roof (Boston) last Saturday. Bob's an Ensign on a "Sub" out of New London. He still looks flashy, but his high water pants are a little longer "

Chuck Wiggin had a funny scrape to report: "Had—(notice how Army efficiency is even getting into letter writing!)—" Had my squad out on a patrol to discover the enemy's left flank. Heard rustling in bushes. Surrounded, fixed bayonets, and advanced to capture—instead of enemy rifleman—colored lad selling ice cream. We all bought one." But what Chuck really worried about was: "There never will be enough girls to go around."

Ensign Bill Olmstead is one of the civil engineers of the Navy: "Here in the Philadelphia Navy Yard I have been plunged into a vast expansion program which is going full blast We have had some labor trouble but none which has seriously affected the work. Shortage of materials is one of our main worries and we are up to our ears in the priority system. Even with the high priorities that we have it is becoming alarmingly difficult to get steel, electrical accessories, cable, pipe, and mechanical units.

"Sabotage is not evident yet, probably due to the extensive measures taken to prevent it. We are warned constantly against subversive activities, and I sit here waiting for the languid blondes that are supposed to be abroad. Seriously, I do know of one case first hand but she was neither languid nor a blond

"There is constant tension in our corps due to the likelihood of being transferred to some forsaken spot, but here's hoping my 'fifth' will be in Hanover, not Iceland "

Incidentally, Ted Bear, who is now stationed with the Marines in San Diego, reports that Bill Chamberlin, "Wild Bill" is with the Marines in that very island.

A letter from Mallory just arrived. Mai, when he isn't busy at the Dartmouth Club of New York, is assistant navigator aboard the U.S.S. Cincinnati-. "We've been out on the Atlantic Patrol since April... .pretty tough there: long hours on watch, very few hours in your bunk One wonders, of course, how long this business will last and all indications, signs, and portents say a long while. Which is not pleasant to contemplate either from society's point of view or from that of one who should much prefer a career on land than a decade or so at sea. Let's hope that the result, no matter how long it takes, will be a real one and worthwhile—worth at least the cost it will take to achieve.

"So long for now, Dave, and thanks for the note. I haven't heard from any '38s lately, but I can damn well think of a goodly number who owe me letters " . . . .And that almost completes the list of letters to date. One letter of mine, to D. C. Quilty was returned. Even Army Headquarters didn't know his whereabouts. I sent another off W. A. L. Schmidt. The only address given was "German Army, Berlin." Perhaps it would have been quicker to sent it to Leningrad, or Moscow. Perhaps not.

And we won't be hearing from our friend Mouse Hallett. His I believe is the only fatality suffered so far by those of '38 who wear the blue and khaki. May we be able to say that five years from now. 1 think I'll drink to that, fellows.

Secretary, 41 Fifth Ave., New York City Treasurer, ConcM Nast Publications Graybar Bldg., New York, N. Y. From