1917
Although the final details are not available as these words are being written, the big news of the month is 1917's improved showing in the Alumni Fund. Congratulations to Karl and his assistants, and to all 'i7ers for coming through generously when Dartmouth asks it. The class has taken its rightful place in the alumni family. A Wah-hoo-Wah for 1917!
Word has finally come through, in the form of AP news release, from Capt. Gerald Shattuck USN. Printed in New England and New York papers at some length, these described Gerald as "sandy- haired, keen-featured, ruddy-faced, sharp-tongued and a forthright salty New Englander addicted to speaking straight from the shoulder." He summa- rized, and no doubt understated the problems of supplying our boys in the South Pacific, beginning by saying, "We started behind the eight ball and we ran awfully close to the wall for several weeks and months." It is the immense task of supplying this war theatre which Gerald has had as supply officer under Rear Admiral Calvin H. Cobb, service squadron commander for the South Pacific. In a re- cent letter, his son Boger expresses the hope which we all echo, that Gerald may be back in this country soon and that we may have a chance to see him, at least hear from him direct. Boger left Hanover last December with the Class of 1943 and is now at Yale Medical. Daughter Nancy is studying at St. Anne's School in Arlington Heights, Mass. Gerald's wife, Dr. Boger Shattuck, tends the home fires in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
A letter from Lt. Hen Sturgess USNR says, "I am in the Training Division of the Bureau of Personnel, the duty of this division being the planning and supervision of all types of Naval Training, including the new College Program." Hen is living in Washington, and has been back in the Navy since last February. He applied in August but asked for sea duty not realizing "that they consider a person of my age who has not been at sea for some time practically an old man and fit only for an administrative job." Henry Jr. is an ensign in the Navy and on destroyer duty in the Pacific. Youngest son, Bill, has just completed special training at Georgia Tech in the Army Signal Corps and, when Hen wrote, was awaiting orders. "Although I am not engaged in what you could call 'active' duty, somehow it makes me feel closer to my boys to be in the service at the same time they are. George Currier visited the Bureau a couple of months ago, looking quite grand with his three full stripes and scrambled eggs on his cap visor."
Capt. Trott King is the new commanding officer at Kellogg Field, Battle Creek, Michigan. He had been at the field as base administrative inspector for several months.
When Lt. Comdr. Slatz Baxter left for active duty at the Naval Training Station, Newport, he was presented with an engraved book which had been placed in the general store in Marion for the signatures of all those who cared to sign. The preface bore a long inscription which begins: "Those whom you have served for many years in this community as physician, counselor and friend, desire to express now, at this significant moment, their appreciation of your untiring efforts in their behalf." It goes on to express to Slatz the position which he has earned in their hearts in almost twenty-five years as their "Country Doctor." Not only did the book travel to every home of the aged shut-ins, but as word spread, summer residents and former residents asked to have their signatures added. A delightful surprise to Slatz, the book will guarantee, if anything can, that he will return to his devoted community when the war is over. The Navy is a tradition in the Baxter family—both Slatz' father and his uncle were Navy men and his mother is a descendant of a long line of deep water seamen. Helen and daughter, Juliana, will remain in Marion for the present. Son Robert, a graduate of Tabor Academy, entered the Army in July.
An April letter from Harry Fowler reports, "Finally drew a change of address that also involved a change of station, too. Heretofore, al- though I have had three addresses, I parked my carcass in the same bunk each night. It's a bit more exciting up here in the stamping ground of Bob MacLeod, at al. Jim '42 was last heard from at a one night stand in Gibralter, almost exactly halfway round the world from here. He'll probably notify the College when he gets set."
I know I speak for the class in congratulating Arch Gile on his recent advancement to the rank of major. We all know he deserves it. Arch, whose picture appears herewith, spent a short furlough from Camp Hood, Texas in Hanover, a privilege dreamed of, no doubt, by all Dartmouth service men everywhere.
Indirectly, word has been received that Byron Brown is no longer in Ecuador and has withdrawn from active Army service, but no details. Maj. Chuck Norby is reported to have been transferred to the Office of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation in London via Algiers. Chuck traveled the two thousand miles across North Africa behind Gen. Alexander and says "It's a great life."
Sunny Sanborn was fortunate enough, late in May, to be able to arrange a call on Hal Weeks in Exeter. He found the squire actively planning his substantial vegetable garden, but prevented by the slow spring from "more than lovingly looking at my plot of ground left from last year, still unplowed." While Hal might modestly take issue with him, Sunny reports Hal as being an authority on gardening, bridge, and professional baseball, via radio particularly. Hal and Sunny used to be Exeter neighbors when their grandmothers lived next door. Hal's son Jack (Hal Jr.) '44, left Hanover just as he was beginning his senior year, haying been called with the last Army Air Reserve unit and sent to Keesler Field, Biloxi, Miss. Three weeks later he was transferred to Michigan College of Mining and Technology, Houghton, Michigan, where he is enjoying college life once again. Hal says, "With Barbara, our daughter, attending Mary Burnham School at Northampton, Mass., this year, Jo and I have been like old Darby and Joan sitting around the fireplace trying to keep warm all winter and living perhaps too much in the past, and hoping for more brilliant times to come."
Sam and Dorothy MacKillop have joined the select 25 th Anniversary Club, having celebrated theirs July 3rd.
Fran and your humble servant were privileged to spend a very pleasant dinner hour and evening with Spique and Ruby Maclntyre recently, in company with Ralph and Ethel Sanborn, and Howie and Dot Stockwell. The Maclntyre hospitality was generous and delightful, and the situation on cool Belmont Hill perfect. Would that you, whose ears burned, could have joined us for the fleeting moment.
A new citizen was born May 14 to Lt. Howard A. Stockwell Jr., now serving in the Pacific area, and Mrs. Stockwell in Winnetka, 111. Howie's youngest son, Dick, who has long looked forward to Dartmouth in the fall of 1943, enlisted in the Marine Corps some weeks ago. During June he was overjoyed to be ordered to Dartmouth for his basic training. Roger Stone's son, Bill, has the ideal job—hopping bells at Hanover Inn for the summer.
Walt Sisson's daughter, Carol, a Silver Jubilee Reunioner, graduated from Knox School, Cooperstown, this spring and will continue with college this fall when Ruth and Walt have decided which one. They and the three junior Sissons are planning on a summer at 70 Main St., Potsdam, N. Y., inasmuch as the gas restrictions will not permit the opening of the cottage on the St. Lawrence this year. In Gene's absence in Chicago, we get some real news on the Towlers. Lucile reports that "the children are both working and I arise at six each morning to get them off with sandwiches under their arms. Jane is working in the Personnel Department of Western Electric, and Tom is a postman right here in town. They are both doing so well, Gene expects to retire soon. I am a Red Cross 'Gray Lady' and work at Camp Kilmer Hospital one day a week, and one half day as an
instructor in surgicals in our local chapter rooms." Don Brooks reports that Betty will enter Duke University in the fall, just about in time to graduate by the time Bill enters Dartmouth, providing the Army doesn't get him first. Betty Smith, Deering's daughter, graduated from Skidmore, May 30. She has been named assistant dietitian at Skidmore, and will assume responsibility for the large freshman kitchen and dining room in early August.
Mrs. Charles M. Gilmore of Craig House, Beacon, N. Y., announces the engagement of her daughter, Miss Jane Mandeville Gilmore, to First Lt. John F. Birkenstock also of Beacon. Jane attended Fairfax Hall, Waynesboro, Va., Mt. St. Mary's Academy, Newburg, N. Y., and is a student at Beaver College, Jenkintown, Pa. Lt. Birken- stock is Cornell '42 where he was a member of Sigma Nu, the Scarab Society and the Officers' Club. He is in the 686 th Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Okla.
Our address until Labor Day, we hope, is Chatham, Mass., easily accessible via the New Haven. Frances joins me in saying that we will gladly share our quahog chowder with any '17ers who will venture this far to sea.
And from Karl Koeniger, the final word, as follows: "The 1943 Alumni Fund Drive is now a matter of history. I want to thank every classmate for his wholehearted and generous response, even those very few who did not find it possible to contribute this year. I feel sure that each and every man who ever breathed the air and spirit of Dartmouth would give to her in this time of need if he could.
"It looks as if we have made a real contribution and one of which we can feel justly proud. I would like to congratulate especially the Assistant Agents and other men who have cooperated in doing extra follow-up work. Bill Sewall has set the pace in newsletters, and deserves the '17 medal for outstanding service.
THANKS AGAIN, EVERYBODY! ! !"
MAJOR ARCHIE B. GILE '17, on duty in Texas with the Tank Demolition Corps.
Secretary, 57 Chestnut St., Dedham, Mass.
