1914*
Thank you boys, for your quick and interesting replies to the class letter sent out some weeks ago. It was the largest batch of letters your Secretary has ever received and he is grateful. Jack Connors is happy, too, and thanks you for the class-dues checks. The Treasury can't afford much in appeals, so won't you mail your checks ($3.00) if you have not already done so.
Top billing this month to Lester Little, who landed late in September on the Gripshohn. Here's his chatty letter:
Sept. 30, 1942
Dear Ed,
Many thanks for your kind note of greeting. It is always a grand experience to come home to America after long residence abroad, but this time it was especially wonderful and gratifying. We had ten Dartmouth men (and one charming Dartmouth wo- man—Mrs. Russell Durgin 'l5) aboard the Grip-sholm, of whom Walter Lecount and I were the old gents. We formed a club, of course, and met every Friday. My own experiences since the W3r were highly undramatic: 4 months house arrest at Canton; 2 months under lenient supervision in the Cathay Hotel, Shanghai; 2 months Shanghai—New York via Lorenco Marques and Rio. I am now on 6 months' leave of absence, but looking for a tem- porary job—any job—which will help bust the Axis. I can drive a truck, anyhow. I am proud to read of Dartmouth's war effort and hope the older alumni are doing as well as the younger men. We have a long, hard row to hoe and implacable, brave, resourceful enemies to defeat in battle. It's a stag- gering job, but it must be done and can only be done if we realize that it is a people's, and not just a soldiers', war.
Lester
The best part of the letters this Fall is the replies from men who have not written us for quite some time. For example, Alec Tuck now stationed with the 845 Guard Squadron, Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas. Alec writes amusingly of his officers' train- ing work in Miami where they drilled the "old boys" 16 hours a day. He is now a Captain in the Air Corps with "4 officers and 600 men to look after." He sends best regards and closes in characteristically Tuck fashion "I'll be seeing you all some- day somewhere."
Bill Holway does a whole page telling us about the Grand River Dam Project of which Bill is consulting engineer. His ad- dress being P. O. Box 672, Vinita, Okla- homa. This project "Is now being com- pleted under the supervision of my engi- neering firm which is a family partnership consisting of myself, my wife and two sons. My younger son, Billy, attended Dart- mouth for two years and graduates this coming year from M.I.T. He has a commis- sion as ensign in the Navy. This $25,000,- 000 hydro-electric project will supply power for the many war material plants now erected in this area." Bill sends his best to all.
From the Boston Globe we note that Capt. R. J. White Jr. has been promoted to the rank of Major. He is attached to the new station hospital at Fort Devens. Among his duties are speaking tours re- cruiting nurses for the Medical Corps. Dick was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Sanitary Corps in the last war and retained his re- serve commission the intervening years un- til called back to active duty after Pearl Harbor.
"Rubber" Floyd of Cartersville, Georgia, sounds off "Three sons in the Navy"—one is at sea, one on the beach, and one still in school studying for Naval Aviation under the Navy V-i program. "Rubber" is county commander in the Georgia State Guard. His work is protective and likewise func- tions as a training medium for men about to volunteer or to be inducted. Mrs. Floyd, meanwhile, in addition to dispensing news and good cheer to three absent sons, busies herself, as we suppose do most 1914 wives, with the activities of Red Cross and Civil- ian Defense.
Walter Knight describes himself as "one-wing Bino" as he picks at the keys with one good hand, the other wrist being "broken at the minute." This won't slow up Bino—much. He is a member of a committee of nine supervising the camp religious activities sponsored by the Presbyterian Church throughout the country. After a several weeks' tour of southern camps, he is now on duty in the First Corps Area and, in addition, active in connection with the Chaplain's School at Hartford.
Dr. Wally Drake sends Jack Connors one of those "Gee, I wish I were there, too" letters from Hanover where he and the family were getting junior started as a freshman. Ducky says the lad is a sort of assistant tackle on the fifth team. But if 6 feet plus and a frame to go with it mean any- thing we shall expect to see the name of Drake in the line-up not long hence. He had just seen Maur- ice Harvey who runs the bank at White River, and who appeared to be in good health and spirits.
No letters long time: 2 letters one month. All forgiven, Hank Llewellyn, and swell to hear from you. Hank is a flying instructor at Dorr Field, Arcadia, Florida, and having the time of his life. Hank claims to be the oldest living instructor in those parts—his flight commander and most of the others being young enough to be his sons. Frank Jr. is a flying cadet training in California. Another son, Jack, is a freshman at the University of Michigan while daughter, Helen, is a sophomore at North Central College near Chicago. Happy landings Hank, and drop a line now and again.
Another pleasant note from a long "no- hear"—"Luke" Giles who receives mail in care of Gulf Oil Corporation in Pittsburgh. Nothing special to report, but sends his best withal and hopes to meet any four- teeners passing through.
Jess Babcock reports with pride that his company, The Hooker Electro-Chemical Company of Niagara Falls, New York, was recently awarded the Army-Navy "E" for outstanding production. We know just how you feel, Jess. We had the pleasure of at- tending one of these ceremonies recently, and it was most inspiring.
More news next month. Meanwhile you —who means to write but hasn't—please do —and don't forget the check for $3.00.
Secretary, 231 Belmont Ave., Springfield, Mass
Treasurer, The Stanley Works, Amer. Tube 8c Stamping Plant, Bridgeport, Conn.
