1936*
The Marine Corps has given official notification of the death in action in the Solomon Islands region of Captain Richard Huerth. Many of us will recall that upon graduation, Dick was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve. One of the first in our class to see action, he was called into active service in October, 1939; and early in 1940 he volun- teered for the first Marine parachute bat- talion. If anybody deserved to share in the victory he was fighting for, it was Dick; for his was truly an "all out" effort. Typifying the courage, the resolve, the realism with which all of us are trying to face life to- day, Dick has given us more reason than we'll ever know to make us remember him with respect and with pride.
Two LETTERS OF THE MONTH .... The first, from Bill Gibson, American Embassy, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
Rio is still the garden spot of the universe, in spite of the fact that they've prohibited the opera- tion of all passenger cars, since they couldn't save gasoline by rationing. The buses are full, the taxis hard to get, but nobody minds if you're late, and we have a couple of station wagons to get us to the Embassy and back for work. The entrance of Brazil into the war would have increased the pressure on us if that had been possible, but we were all-out be- fore. My work is very interesting, still helping set and distribute allocations of scarce material to the Brazilian economy. I've been appointed a Vice- Consul, but my work is largely in economics and engineering.
My old shipmates of the Dartmouth Corinthian Yacht Club will probably be jealous to hear that I've been sailing on the 65-foot ocean racing yawl "Vendaval" (Tempest) designed for a lawyer down here by Rod Stephens. I'm practically first mate, and believe me, she's a beauty. "We go to sea every week-end, and when the war is over they'd better watch out for that Bermuda race! This is a won- derful place to sail—or was. There seem to be a few subs sulking around now, and we may not go out to sea much more. Last week we had a machine gun with us, and a dozen hand grenades. Perhaps the first armed yawl in Brazil.
There are a few Dartmouth men down here—Bill Hart of our class is teaching at the American School; Bob Winger '33 is with International Tel & Tel, but going back to New York soon; Joe Piazza '29 is with the Coordinator of Inter-Ameri- can Affairs' office; and the Coordinator himself, Nelson Rockefeller '3O, arrived yesterday and was entertained at the Embassy today
In offering the second letter, we don't believe we are betraying confidence. For although this letter was written to Lt. Gil Portmore's folks, we saw it reprinted in a Boston newspaper (July 23rd), and thought you'd like to hear Gil's first-hand observations from Australia:
I'm sort of out in the bush, and transportation is used primarily for more essential things than mail. Writing this letter while on duty alert. Things are a little dull lately but we have had pretty good fun with equally good results and are willing, ready and eager.
The general situation as expressed by newspapers and radios, etc., looks up a bit, though we still have a lot to do to end this war and mustn't let up here or at home.
I got a day off two days ago and seven of us went hunting and got bogged down in a "recon" car and spent the night in a swamp—no fo.od, and water supply meager. Two of us started on foot for help through the jungle at night and got a couple of miles away and were surrounded by aboriginals (native uncivilized blacks) who beat signal drums on each side and ahead of us in the darkness of the jungle, discouraging us from continuing, so we re- turned and kept guard and a fire till daylight.
Next morning we walked about eight miles be- fore getting aid to get the car out. Squadron was about ready to send out planes to search for us when we pulled into camp, a little tired, hungry and thirsty and bitten up by mosquitoes, etc. We shot water buffalo (good eating), lots of kangaroos and several different kinds of birds. All O.K. now and a little diversion from the daily routine.
JUNGLE ESCAPE Lieut. Dick Souehr whom you probably read about (was in my under class) crash-landed in jungle near here and spent 7 days alone getting to civilization—O.K. now, but after my one day I don't envy his little expedition. He did a fine job getting out
I got a 10-day break to go south on a ferry trip. Was good to get back to civilization again and get a good steak or two.
Getting along in winter here and more comfort- able than a few months ago. Average temperature about 85 degrees—has been 95 degrees average— never less than 70 degrees at night, and up to 120 degrees on hot days. I don't mind it much and fly- ing is fairly comfortable. On altitude hop at 31,- 400 ft., the last combat mission 1 was on, it was about 10 degrees below, but I wasn't the least bit cold. Glad to get clippings, etc. The way Dart- mouth has been sinking the Army and Navy (in sports), they should come over here. Our officers are a fine lot and we have some excellent spirits in the organization, and, while censorship prevents description in detail, I think it permissable to state that the U.S.A. can be proud of this group in more ways than one.
Keep the home fires burning and you won't need those black-out curtains and shelters, but keep 'em burning Tojo's Public Enemy No. I—Gilbert.1—Gilbert.
Jack Greenwood is an erection engineer for Ingersoll-Rand in Philadelphia. Around the first of the year, he expects to put up a turbo-blower in India. He'll buy a drink for any Dartmouth men who look him up out there Jim Conkling left DuPont last April to become an Ensign. Quoting: "In the past 5 months, have had 5 different duty stations and attended 2 schools. And don't have much idea where I might be to- morrow." .... Ensign Ben Farber was com- missioned a Naval Aviator in September; now stationed in Jacksonville, Fla During the week of September 7th, Livy Ferris journeyed to Kansas City to marry Jean Gillett Sloe Chapin has a new job in the sales dept. of the Blue Network, NBC, here in New York Lt. Harry Shaw Carter, aide to Major General Pen- nel, gives his address as Headquarters 27th Infantry Division, A.P.O. 960, c/o Post- master, San Francisco Curt Comstock expects to be called into service, momen- tarily, as an Ensign.
From Mac Hill: "Like many other lads in the class of '36, I answered the call of the Draft Board, left a good job, etc., and went into the Army. Had I ever suspected that I would have such an enjoy- able time, I think I would have joined long ago. I was assigned to the Army Air Corps Armorer's School at Buckley Field—a very new camp outside of Denver. Am about finishing my course—to go anywhere in the world as an armorer and an aid to the boys who do the flying and the fighting. Leav- ing Buckley Field soon for?" .... Charlie Lehman is entering AVS on November Ist as Ist Lt., MC, going to Westover Field, Chicopee Falls, Mass. Charles A. 111, Dartmouth '59 has celebrated birth- day No. 1. Anne W. will celebrate No. 3 without Pop. As Charlie writes, "Such is life!" .... '36ers are always welcome at the Fred Babcock home, Edgewood Rd., Pittsburgh(ls) where Mr. & Mrs. 8., Ellen (5 yrs. old) and Jean (16 mos.) have been living since 1940 Ist Lt. Bob Burr of the Marines married Miss Barbara Hodgdon of Pittsburgh on July 31st at New River, N. C. where Bob was stationed. A month later Bob was shipped out of the country. His father advises us of Bob's safe arrival at unknown destination and gives his address as U.S. Marines Unit No. 595, c/o Post- master, San Francisco.
The other day we bumped into Ed Brooks. He was walking along New York's busy 4grd Street in a happy fog,—beaming over the arrival of Sarah Brooks on Sept. 87 th Draftable 'g6ers living around N. Y. have good reason to keep in touch with Ed Higbee. Ed is stationed perma- nently over at Fort Dix, "fitting out selec- tees with handsome underwear. If '36 has any eligibles not yet in, have them watch for me at the underwear counter.".... Transferred by Morton Salt Cos. from Chi- cago to Los Angeles, the Renny Ostroms will be moving west next month Lt. Morrie Paine asks, "How are Dick Hefler, Hal Palmer, Vince Fitzpatrick, Don Suth- erland, Bill Crangle, etc. etc.?" Well, guys, how are you? Let us all know.
We'll be back with plenty more next month!
SAYS JOHN E. MORRISON III "I guess Pop '36 went to a pretty goodschool. Save a place for me in the Class of1959-"
Secretary, 315 West 86th St., New York, N. Y. Treasurer, Bank of New York 48 Wall St., New York, N. Y.
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