1919

We have two letters from the Pacific war area. The first, dated July 23, is from Capt. Byron Long, c/o P.M. San Francisco, Calif.: "Just thought I'd drop you a line to let you know I am way out here at the end of no-place in the Pacific. Nothing but the Army here and plenty of that. Not a woman within hundreds of miles; that is, a white woman. There are native women but they aren't so choice. We have outdoor movies which the Army has gone in for out here, and it's something to look forward to, where there's no running water or other conveniences. Guess I got kinda soft in those many years of civilian life. There's little I can tell you about this place due to censorship, which is very strict. The brown bellies come over pretty often and drop their eggs, especially on moonlit nights. For a while this is thrilling, etc., but after a while it gets tiresome and cuts into one's sleep. In general it's a good life; if it doesn't last too long. Out here the war looks like a long one, and it's a bit discouraging at times. The result is never in doubt, however, especially if the European situation is cleaned up soon and our air and sea power diverted to the Pacific. The war news in Europe, by the way, is too good to be true. H'aven't seen a paper dated later than May 24 but we keep up fairly well on war news from all sections, by reports we get here. I enclose a check to apply on class Fund or any other good Dartmouth cause. Am a bit out of touch with things and don't know what I owe for, but it's probably plenty, so you will have to figure it out for me. Please give my best to any 19ers or others I know that you see." The second letter addressed to Spider, dated July 20, is from Lt. Comdr. Clarke Ingraham, c/o Fleet P. 0., San Francisco, Calif., and with it was a picture of Clarke, himself, surrounded by his body-guard: "An air mail letter from you dated March 22 arrived today. It may give you some idea of how hard it is to catch up with me. By the way, a Christmas package from my family, mailed Oct. 20, 1942, arrived along with your letter containing the Bulletin. We are located in a very interesting place not far from the fireworks. "Keepin' 'em flying" is a considerable job in this climate. A good heavy canvas tent-top is only good for about 7 months—men for even less in my opinionthough many have been here longer. The combination of heat and moisture works havoc on rubber, wires, insulation, and dispositions. So far, most of my gang are pretty healthy. Personally, all that's bothered me is some damned kind of itch the doctors can't even diagnose. Maybe it's some form of Chinese rot. A few hours bouncing on rough roads in a jeep, or sitting in an SBD makes me feel as if I were on a hot stove. It's been 11 months since I left good old Uncle Sugar; I'd kind of like to see the place again. My kid is training for aerologist in the Army Air Corps. Graduated in December—l haven't seen him in 4 years. He sent a picture not long ago and I hardly knew him. I'm enclosing a money order for the Fund. Can't remember what I pledged or if I paid any of it. It may not reach you in time for this year's, but make it go for the next one. Will try to add more later on. Best regards to all of you. I'm surely looking forward to one enormous reunion one of these days—I'm sick of drinking with strangers."

Chadwell wrote me upon his return from London: "The trip to England was most profitable. I returned with added pep. They are so much nearer the activity than we are. If we can do anything to hasten the day of peace, even by a day or so, it will be worthwhile. Somebody had estimated one day would represent 20,000 lives. The British were very cordial—they have a way of making any American feel he is very important and paying them a great honor by visiting their country. At least that's the impression I formed."

Chug Sears is a major, Office of Strategic Services. Capt. Paul J. Halloran is coauthor of The Properties and BehaviorUnderwater of Plastic Concrete, reprinted from the June issue of the Journal of theAmerican Concrete Institute.

Here are quotations from other letters:

Red Col-well: "Just had a letter from George Rand from Australia. Fine trip over and in some big city getting orders, etc., before leaving for more active parts. His latest address is c/o P.M. San Francisco, Calif. Apparently I did not tell you that my boy, H. E. C. 111, has been in since February—Army Air Corps, private Ist class, stationed at Colorado, in Administration School, at Buckley Field. I'd say Norm Jeavons is in this thing whole hog. I wonder his wife isn't in the WACS or WAVES."

Larry McCutcheon: "My son, Harry D., left Ft. Knox the early part of July, heading for one of the battle fronts. Even when we do get mail from him, I don't suppose he will be permitted to tell us where he is. Harry is a sergeant. I also have two stepsons in the service. Herbert K. Rollins, corporal, is stationed at Ft. Benj. Harrison, Indiana. Kirtley M. Rollins, a private in the Airborne Artillery, has recently been transferred to the Army Air Base, Alliance, Nebr. Please give my very best regards to the old bunch whenever you see any of them."

Dale McQuiston: "I have two boys in active duty. Dale Jr. is a senior in Northwestern Tech, Evanston, Ill. He is an apprentice seaman in N.R.O.T.C. and has about 9 months more before he receives his commission. Malcolm L. II is an apprentice seaman in the Navy V-12 Program at University of Wisconsin. As to myself, I've been with the Illinois Bankers Life Insurance for some time now, in charge of all their real estate. We have no property in the East except a few parcels in- Florida, so I seldom get out in that direction. My address is still in Wheaton."

Moe Forrest: "No particular news from this front, except you might add my name to your service list: major, U. S. Army, Civil Affairs Div., Office of Chief of Staff, Pentagon Bldg., Wash., D. C., graduate of the School of Military Government, Charlottesville, Va. Graduation was accelerated a few weeks and I was headed for North Africa en route to Sicily, but waylaid here as a member of the staff of Maj. Gen. Hilldring, Chief of the Division. I don't expect to be here much longer." Don Studholme, Plattsburgh, N. Y.: "William McCaffery Burroughs is back in his old home, Champlain, N. Y., where he is employed by Sheridan Iron Works. Champlain is 25 miles from here —sort of an exaggerated suburb—and Bill drops in three or four times a year."

Art Havlin: "I find it quite a contrast to be playing only a civilian's part in World War II versus one and one half years in France in the last one. Just to show a civilian can keep busy, I might mention I spend 5 and one half hours a week on a U. S. Army Aircraft Warning Tower, committee work on civilian defense and on town finance problems, treasuring for a Red Cross chapter, and handling special assignments in a vital public utility, in addition to my duties as assistant treasurer. Recently I had lunch with Ray Adams and a mutual friend. Ray still appears as young as ever. His avocation as treasurer of Vermont Academy, where Dartmouth-to-be men are made, may be good tonic for him."

Others who have written during the summer are Dick Dudensing, Hal Parsons, and Bill Carto. Bill says, "On my recent trips to Washington and New York my time has been so occupied with business meetings that I have been unable to get in touch with any of our classmates located in these cities. However, I expect to be in New York within the next four or five weeks and shall try to make it a point to arrange for you to have dinner with me, so that we can have an opportunity to talk."

I am indebted to Sherm Baldwin '23 for a clipping from the local Oak Park paper, part of which I quote: "When the news comes in about the valiant fighting of Russian troops against the Nazis, the new president of Oak Park Chamber of Commerce, Tracy Kohl, feels a special thrill in reading it. Those troops are 'his boys.' As a member of American Relief Administration, which grew out of Herbert Hoover's Belgian relief in the last war, Tracy spent a full year in Russia, mostly in the Crimea, keeping the babies of those days from starving to death. Those 'babies' are the fighting men of today. Mr. Kohl has been active in the community ever since coming here. He has member of the Chamber of Commerce for 7 years, was twice chairman of the membership committee (directing a record-breaking membership campaign this year) and has served on the Board of Directors. He is vice president of Chicago Residential Hotel Managers Ass'n."

LT. COMDR. CLARKE INGRAHAM '19, who has spent a not too comfortable year in the South Pacific, shown here with friends (?).

Secretary, 2 Park Ave., New York, N. Y. Treasurer, Hanover, N. H.