1936*

Although George Bottjer didn't graduate with us, we all will be interested to hear about—and applaud—the award to him of the Navy Cross "for heroism and valor while fighting the Japanese." The award was made at Fort Lauderdale, Fla., by Rear Admiral James L. Kauffman, Gulf Sea Frontier Commander. A senior lieutenant since August, George was assigned to the aircraft carrier "Yorktown" more than a year ago. During the Battle of Midway, he piloted a torpedo plane which scored hits on five Japanese vessels, four of which were sunk. Just before the "Yorktown" sank, George was given a temporary naval assignment elsewhere. Soon after he was given a special temporary assignment in this country.

We know that everyday, men of '36 everywhere are making as yet untold history. This column has been able to report but few instances of heroic service—and sacrifice. A letter from Mrs. Steve Smith brings to mind one shining example She writes:

"I thought that the birth of Steve's son might be of interest to his classmates. Stephen William Ill arrived on Sunday, the twenty-fifth of October, at the Richardson House, Boston. He has been enrolled in the class of 1960 at Dartmouth and I am sure he will be as loyal a son as was his father. Little Steve arrived just two months after his father was reported missing following the sinking of the U.S.S. 'lngraham.'

"Bruce Smith is now with the Marines and I thought that some might like his address which is as follows: Lt. (J.G.) Bruce W. Smith, M.C., U.S.M.R., % Postmaster, San Francisco. As yet he has not been allowed to reveal his location.

"I still read the ALUMNI MAGAZINE from cover to cover and cannot tell you how much I enjoy it.

Lt Ed Hyde seems to set the perfect example of keeping in touch. Although we quoted from one of his letters not long ago, we think you'd like to share his picture of activities in an Evacuation Hospital somewhere in North Africa

"We have been here several weeks doing nothing at all except get accustomed to camp life. We are in a quiet' zone, or at least a comparatively quiet one, awaiting the arrival of all our equipment. We hope that it won't be too long before we are put to work. Until a few days ago, we were in pup tents, except for a few days at first when we didn't even have them. But now things are definitely looking up We don't have exactly the most modern plumbing. In fact, to take a bath one must go into town and due to the inadequacy of facilities, that is not more frequent than once a week; but we get along. It is interesting how one's values change. I know most of us would be delighted to get hold of a few clothespins or some nails, and I heard one of the boys oner ten bucks for a good hamburger last night.

"We are nearing the end of the rainy season here. When the sun is out during the day, it is quite warm. In fact, we are all getting well tanned. However, the nights are very cold. Speaking of values, I wouldn't sell my sleeping bag and air mattress for fifty times the purchase price, at this point. They are the real solution to sleeping comfort in the field.

"The country here is quite fertile, but the natives are poor in all respects. I think that much can be blamed on the German Commission that was here before we came. They really stripped this country. We are not far from a good-sized town and we go in frequently, mainly to see the sights and practice up our French. We can eat better at camp and they haven't much _ worth buying except some leather goods. It is nice to sit down at a table with a table cloth and have service with meals occasionally. They do have luscious oranges though, and we eat them by the bucket. You would die laughing, watching me haggle over prices with these Arabs; One has to do it or else get royally gypped. There is a set formula: We say, 'Combien?' Then they give an outlandish price followed by, 'How much you give?' And then we're off "

Congrats are in order to Chuck Aaron who, on January go, married Miss Lois Altschul, of Cleveland Heights, Ohio The same to Lt. Tom Monagan, MC USNR, whose engagement to Miss Marguerite Kehoe was announced in mid-January. Incidentally, Tom is stationed in Worcester, Mass Still more felicitations.... to Johnny and Mrs. Cartwright who (Mrs. C. has informed us) have been parents of Susan Patterson Cartwright since Dec. and. Capt. John was able to catch a glimpse of his new daughter before leaving for "Destination Unknown." ....

John Phillips is a Student Pilot, C.P.T. ... .Hugh Chase gives his most recent address as c/o Hutchins & Wheeler, 49 Federal St., Boston Staff Sergeant BillMinsch is with an observation group which works with the First Air Support Command on submarine patrol. He's stationed at Morris Field, Charlotte, N. C.....

We seem to have reached the bottom of the mail pile. We depend on you to help us stack it up high again for next month's column. For news' sake, hope you won't let us down.

LOYAL OFFSPRING OF '37 Here's a fair sample of what '37 Mommas and Poppas are turning out these days. The Sieburg twins, Judith and Jacqueline, are now 2V2 and are the '37 Class twins. Gene Bauer, now 15 months, says his old man doesn't care which college he goes to as longas it is Dartmouth.

Secretary, ] 315 West 86th St., New York, N. Y.