1932*
Because it gives such an interesting picture of life in the army and probably reflects the similar experience of a number of '32s now in khaki, we are going to quote again from one of Bob Hosmer's letters. This one was written from Fort Totten, Long Island, where Bob was stationed until recently with Battery E of the 62nd Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft) Regiment.
"Nothing in the army is your own," Bob concludes.. "The clothes you wear are Government Issue (G.I. to us soldiers), your possessions are placed in your locker according to diagram. You sleep in a room with 101 other men and that at certain hours. You wear your clothes a certain way. You . use only certain oil on your rifle and you eat what you are given. There is nothing you do your own way at your own time.
"After we had been here several days, the second in command—Lt. Col. Small—a West Pointer with a record as Intercollegiate boxing champion, captain of football and practically a one-man army in the last war, had a meeting of the new men and impressed several things on us. We were ip the regular army and in an old regiment. We were going to be made into good soldiers as the 62nd had a fine reputation in the army—and was still going to have it in spite of the draft. There would be no 'new army' promotions here. If any of us came out as Sergeants at the end of the year he would be very pleased and surprised—but he did hope for some Corporals. Naturally we would all be Ist class privates by the year's end.
"This is the regular army. I sleep in the lower deck of a two decker bunk in a squad room filled with 102 men. The food is good—as it would be with a mess over 100 years old. Not fancy—it can't be on 43 cents per day per man—but clean, wholesome and with variety. Full of the staple potatoes, beans, eggs and cole slaw. No steaks—but oranges, cereal, milk, pancakes, bacon and french toast spread through our breakfasts, there is generally plenty of bread and butter and occasionally apple and peanut butter to spell it. One night at a Battery dinner for the retiring captain (an old custom) we had one-half chicken, ice cream, cake, speeches, and the fun of watching the top sergeant give him a pen and pencil set.
"We have a tiled wash room with six shower heads in each of the two shower baths, ten toilet stools, ten wash basins with glass mirrors and three sinks. It is in the basement, the water is almost never hot (have shaved in ice-water almost every day since I've been here) and is used by about 200 men—but still it is at least indoors. We have afcrecreation room complete with cups won by the battery, pool tables, ping pong tables, a_ reading room with subscriptions from many magazines and the whole tastily furnished in tubular furniture.
"We also have quite a routine. 6 :05—First call. 6:20—Roll call in full uniform before the Battery in formation. 6 :20-6:50—We run about one-half a mile, do calisthenics and then pick up match sticks, cigar butts and cigarette stubs in our area. Our area covers the social cente.r of the Post, the Y.M.C.A., the theater, the gym and the Post Exchange. 7:00—Breakfast. 7:20-B:oo—Sweep the streets, barracks, mop the top of the lockers, clean the latrine and other policing. Somewhere in here you also wash, shine shoes and go over your gun for infantry drill and make your bed properly. 8 :00-9 :00—Infantry drill. 9:00-10:30—Classes in ammunition, cordage, machine gun (over 50 caliber) service of the gun and transportation. 10:30-ll :30—Drill with the machine guns. 11:45—Mail call. 12 :00—Luncheon. 1:00-3 :00—Classes or cleaning trucks in the garage. 3:00-4 :30—Drill. 5:00—Retreat followed by supper. "We eat all our meals at attention. "After supper you shower, wash your cartridge belt, clean your mess kit, work on your shoes and generally tend to odds and ends of keeping neat. At 9 when the lights go out you are quite ready for bed unless there has_ been a variance in the routine which has left you a little less tired. That variance has twice been supplied now by trips off the post in convoy. That consists of riding around Long Island for an afternoon in the back of a truck to give our drivers practice. You do not yell, whistle or notice civilians, especially girls—which is quite a restraint for some of the boys as we haven't been off the Post except for convoy since we arrived. In the process of making us soldiers they decided that outside influences shouldn't interfere."
At this writing Hoz is down in Delaware for some "shooting." Chuck Owsley was inducted in mid-April at Fort Meade, Maryland, and is said to be in one of the Georgia camps. Dave Stern expects to be called sometime this spring. Deak Mack, Keller,Tucker and others are apprehensive.
Ed Smith, whose enthusiasm about flying made him part-owner of a private plane in Waterbury, is in the Army and has been assigned to the 118 th Observation Squadron at Jacksonville, Florida. RedTucker recently vacationed in Havana with Ed's brother Hal of the class of '33. Another recent visitor to Cuba was John Keller of Cuba, N. Y. who picked Havana of all places for a spot to board the water wagon. John departed from his home on six hours' notice and spent many frustrated hours tracking one Charles O'Neill '3l down the Eastern seaboard, finally catching him at Miami. Sam Englander is currently in Washington with the Civil Aeronautics Authority. John Clark relays interesting news of Rog Hofheins who may turn out to have had the best idea of all. No really successful amphibian car has ever been developed for military purposes, but Rog has been doing a lot of tinkering since the idea first came to him, and thinks he has the answer. He has been shuttling back and forth from Washington to the Amphibian Car Company's offices in Buffalo, where plans are taking shape.
John himself is in a mighty interesting spot, in the thick of the efforts currently being made to create better understanding between the American republics. When I saw him in Cherry Blossom time, Keller was there on his way back from Cuba; the departing Owsley was being toasted, and Reuel Denney was on hand trying to make a decision about where in South America to spend his Guggenheim year.
Carl Baker's airy persiflage in the Thirty- Two News-Letter might lead one to suspect his serious intent in other things. But an advance announcement from J. B. Lippincott reveals Carl as co-editor of AmericanIssues—a two-volume anthology of American writing from Colonial times to the present. Volume I is a social record, containing the essential historical and political writings—showing the social background of which American literature is an expression. Volume II is a relatively compact anthology of the more significant literature of America, generously weighted toward contemporary writing.
The marriage of Edith Louella Wilkinson and Al Zinggeler took place April 19 in the home of the bride's father at Orange, N. J. Al is an examiner and claim adjuster with the Home Insurance Cos. in New York.
Sam Allen, associated with Willard, Allen & Mulkern, Boston attorneys, makes known the arrival of a daughter, Valerie Melba Allen, on Dec. i. Jim North's son has been named Daniel Warner North.
Announcement has been made of the engagement of Mary Frances Bestor, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Bestor of New York City and Chautauqua, N. Y. to Amby Cram. Miss Bestor, whose father is president of Chautauqua Institution, is a Vassar graduate with an M. A. from Mills College in California. She was formerly a member of the faculty of the Child Study Department of Vassar, and is now teaching at Brearly School in New York. Amby is currently a second lieutenant in the 106 th Field Artillery at Fort McClellan, Ala.
According to Joe Carlelon, '32ers around Boston were scheduled to hold their annual spring picnic in mid-May on BenDrew's fruit farm in Westford. "The program," Joe writes, "will probably be not too strenuous considering the status of most of us as prospective draft rejectees." Cal Geary, Sam Allen and Carl Ward are the Beer Committee.
Bob Ryan, east from Hollywood for a spell, will probably figure in New England summer theatre this season. George Pettengill, who is in the service sales department of Pepsi-Cola, has been admitted to the Naval Reserve. After some months of researching, Howie Sargeant reports that the National Science Fund has become a reality.
Speaking of Funds, the Dartmouth Alumni merits, needs, demands your support. Advance indications are that Class Agent Sheldon and his trusties will substantially better 'g2's showing in any previous year.
How about it?
Secretary, 50 East 10th Street, New York, N. Y.
Class Agent, Charles A. Stevens & Company 19 North State St., Chicago, 111.
