1911*

A hearty thank-you to all you good guys who cooperated so splendidly on the post card request. Even more returns, however, will be welcome.

Following is an article which appeared in the Chicago Tribune:

FORTRESS FIGHTS ZEROS 135 MI.; KNOCKS OUT 3

SOMEWHERE IN NEW GUINEA, Nov. 1.-Capt. Fred C. Eaton of Scarsdale, N. Y., a veteran of nine previous combats with enemy fighters, today brought his Flying Fortress home safely after a 40minute running battle with 11 Japanese Zeros.

Eaton's crew shot down two of the enemy planes and believed they destroyed another. Although on several occasions the Zeros flew to within 150 feet of the Fortress, the plane landed without a single bullet hole, thanks to the superb maneuvering of Eaton, who is considered one of the best American pilots in this theater of the war.

One of the Zero pilots saluted Eaton before closing in to attack. It was his last salute.

Co-Pilot Takes Snapshots

"He was out in front and above us," Eaton said. "While I was keeping my eye on him he wiggled his wings. I wiggled mine back. Then he slid down on us, all guns firing."

A burst from a .50 calibre gun manned by Sergt. M. M. Poirier, Waterville, Me., sent a stream of armor-piercing bullets into the Jap's engine, bits of it flying off into the air. The Zero went into a steep dive, leaving a train of smoke.

During frontal attacks, Eaton's Australian copilot, Sergt. Mervin Bell, coolly made pictures with a $1 box camera.

"He just sat there and snapped away every time a Jap headed for us," Eaton laughed.

Although 11 planes began the attack only four carried it through. These made 12 passes while Eaton "weaved around in the clouds."

Battle for 135 Miles.

The Zeros pushed their attack so close "I could see the Japanese writing on the tail," said Lieut. Jack C. Mclntyre, Jackson, Miss.

Members of Eaton's crew said the Zero pilots made many runs on the Fortress' tail. Corp. W. E. Curry, Yuba City, Cal., the tail gunner, said the one he got "flew straight at me. I just held the gun on him and filled him full of lead until he spun off with smoke pouring from his engine." The battle lasted for 135 miles of the homeward journey before the fourth Zero gave up.

A few weddings to be noted are as follows: Ed Keeler's daughter, Lucy Jane, was married to Mr. James Harrison Stanton, Lieutenant (j.g.), USNR, on Saturday, November 21, in Christ Church, Winnetka, Illinois.

Polly Ruth Crooks and Mr. Jesse Garrett Sadler were married on October 10 in Winthrop, Massachusetts.

Nancy Noble and Lt. Leo F. Caproni Jr. were married in Trinity Church, Branford, Connecticut, on October 21.

The pre-Harvard game party on October 13 at the University Club went off with the usual eclat, with the following 22 men present: Cupe Adams, Beane, Butts, Josh Clark, Crooks, Dwinell, Seaver, Thurber, Thornton Wilson, Sanderson, Les Gibson, Harvey, Hawkridge, Mayo, Mullen, Paul. Pendleton, Schell, Griswold, Briggs, Partridge, and Stucklen.

Les Waldron, after serving ten months with the Rubber Branch of the War Production Board, has resigned from Government service. He has gone back into industry and has joined the staff of The Dayton Rubber Manufacturing Company. He will continue to reside in Washington, and his local offices are in the Munsey Building.

The Agry family, including Anne, recently enrolled in the WAVES training school at Smith College. They and the Pearsons spent a splendid four days at the Mountain View Hotel, where the foliage was unusually gorgeous and deluxe. They report that Frank and Mary had the best season on record; in fact, bookings for July and August of next year are already under way.

A very interesting letter from George Thurber brings us up to date on all the Nashua boys. We do not hear much from George, and since he is always telling about what the other fellows are doing, a side light or two on George himself should be given. He has been associated with the Second National Bank of Nashua ever since graduating, going from messenger boy to President of the Bank. He has participated quietly but prominently in many city and state activities, as director in many local industrial enterprises, a trustee of church, hospital, and social service groups, an officer and active member of the state banking fraternity, and a general financial father-confessor to the community. George has a fine family. His daughter, Constance, a graduate of Vassar last June, went to work in the Training Section of the First National Bank of Boston and has the distinction of being the first woman to violate the sacred tradition that only Harvard Business School graduates might become members of the Securities Research Division of the Old Colony Trust Company. George Jr. is studying in Washington for admission into Annapolis. Davis is a senior at Andover, with ambitions like his older brother to become a naval officer. Wife Muriel is serving her tenth year on the School Board and recently has been appointed to the local rationing board.

Phil McQuesten, for many years, has been recognized as the top surgeon in Nashua and is the active head of the Nashua Memorial Hospital.

Sam Pickering continues to be the Manager of Nashua's much enlarged and very modern new store of F. W. Woolworth & Company.

Dave Heald, who lives in Nashua but whose factory is in Milford, has been running his plant to capacity on highly rated Government business, making furniture for the Navy and Maritime Commission to equip many of their boats. Dave has just completed 30 years in the furniture business, now being Sales Manager of the French & Heald Company. This business was founded by Dave's grandfather in 1856. Dave's daughter, Gretchen, who graduated from Wellesley in '38, was Gabe Farrel's secretary in Perkins Institute the first two years. Last year she was secretary to Dr. Homer Smith, head of the Medical Division of New York University, and recently has become secretary to the Board of Administration at Wheaton College. Young Dave is in the Army, and you probably read a letter of his in the last issue telling of his experiences.

LG11 FAMILY ON DUTYMac Rollins 'II and Mrs. Rollins, who areactive in civilian defense activities, werevisited recently by their son Harry '42,USN.

Secretary, Harvard Hall, Apt. 705, 1650 Harvard St., N. W., Washington, D. C.

Treasurer, 631 Walden Rd., Winnetka, Ill.