1933
Lt. Willard L. Doyle, USNR, was cited recently for gallantry and courage in action in the Mediterranean theatre. At an impressive ceremony at the Armed Guard Center in Brooklyn on February 5, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt presented the citation, which bore the signature of Secretary of the Navy Knox. It read in part as follows:
"The department has been informed of your outstanding service as assistant to the commanding officer of the United States Navy Armed Guard aboard the S. S. Frances Parkman in action against enemy planes in the Mediterranean Area during July and August, 1943.
"Subjected to repeated attacks by hostile air force throughout the period, the Armed Guard under your fine leadership maintained vigilant and courageous defense of your ship and the other vessels of the convoy.
"On August 13, when an enemy formation flew close aboard, attacking from all directions with torpedoes, bombs, and continued low-level machine gun strafing, the guns of the Frances Parkman found their targets with deadly and effective fire during action in which five hostile planes were shot down.
"For your gallant fighting spirit and the loyal devotion of the men under your command you are hereby commended."
This is the second time that Lt. Doyle has been cited for heroism. In July, 1939, he was commended for aiding in the rescue of three persons from a capsized dory off Nassau P.oint, Long Island. Prior to his entrance into the service Lt. Doyle was a practising attorney in Flushing, Long Island.
James J. Doherty is now a Major in the Army. Of other '33s in service we've heard recently that Stuart H. Durkee, George P.Drowne Jr., and Frank W. Sturm are lieutenants in the Navy; Gail Geddes is an ensign; William N. McKee is a lieutenant in the Army.
We have indirect evidence that our old roommate, Bill Bates, may soon be in the Navy. Bill is Trust Officer of the Hartford National Bank and Trust Cos., but for several months now has been trying to overcome the consequences of his sedentary occupation sufficently to qualify for a commission. A minor operation, eye exercises, a diet of youknowhat liquids, and occasional brisk trots around his desk have brought him to such a fine peak of condition that we had to write a letter of recommendation for him recently. Bill comes from a long line of celebrated sea-faring folk, you know, and if the Navy has one or two of them famous Salem clippers lying around, why Bill can show 'em how it used to be done in the old days.
ALUMNI DINNERS
Our scouts were out to cover the Alumni dinners that were held recently in Boston and Washington. From Boston Cliff Johnson reports that the affair, held at the Copley-Plaza this year, was a complete success. Cliff probably overreaches the facts a mite when he reports that "Governor Saltonstall, Dr. Chan, and 'Hoppy' all gave three excellent talks." We wouldn't doubt for a minute but what each and everyone of these men could do it all right, but the dinner couldn't have been that good. Anyhow, Bill Cunningham played the organ, and, what all them speeches, it must have been a good show. From '33's point of view it was a magnificent success. Jim Woods was elected vice president of the Association for the coming year, and GeorgeRideout was made class representative. Nine 33s were present: Ed Halligan, who works for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Cos. in Boston; Jim Duby, with the New England Telephone and Telegraph Cos.; Arnie Salisbury, Assistant Attorney General of Massachusetts; Cliff Johnson, of the H. A. Johnson Cos.; Lt.Dave Flynn, USNR, now stationed at the Naval Air Station in South Weymouth; WardDontier, now coaching and teaching at the Thayer Academy in North Braintree, Mass.; Byron McCoy, working for Charles T. Main; Robert Taylor, Production Manager for the Cambridge Paper Box Cos.; and Jim Woods, of the Crosby Staem Gauge and Valve Cos. in Charlestown.
Page Worthington sent us a brief account of the Smoker held in Washington, at which Pudge Neidlinger spoke on the V-12 program. Gay Milius, Cal Milans, Charlie Grob, BobSwanda, and Page were the only 33s on hand for the occasion. Page reports that Bob is a lieutenant in the Navy, and has been in Washington since last May, but that this was the first time that Page had caught up with him. We are awaiting further word from Page about his encounter recently with a platoon of Army doctors.
THE HANOVER DELEGATION
Ever since our graduation '33 has been well represented in Hanover. Before the war we could get together almost a full platoon: Ford Sayre, Gordon Ingram, Ford Marden, Forry Branch, Walt Besancon, Cutting Johnson, and your secretary. Of this bunch, Ford Sayre is now a Captain in the Army, Ford Marden and Walt Besancon are lieutenants in the Navy, Gordon Ingram has switched from architecture to designing machine tools in Windsor, though he still makes his home here and may be seen occasionally of a weekend. Forry Branch is still coaching and teaching at Hanover High, Cutting Johnson has moved over to the Mathematics Department in the College from Clark School, and your correspondent has spread himself a bit around several departments and the Ad. bldg., but is still hanging on as a Hanover resident.
We hadn't expected very many recruits for the duration but we've managed to pick up three of them. The first to arrive was BillMacCarthy, who joined the staff of the Mary Hitchcock Hospital and became Instructor in Radiology in the Medical School in October, 1942. Then last Fall Bob Watson, who is a service engineer with Jones and Lamson in Springfield, Vt., arrived to make his home here. Bob is on the road a good deal of the time, but manages to put in a weekend with his family from time to time. The third and latest is Jack Manchester, who took over the Gulf Oil service station and lubricatorium on South Main Street last December. Jack has been working for the Gulf people ever since 1933, and has held several positions in the company. He has always been on the lookout for some proposition that would give him a chance to indulge his itch to be in business for himself, however, and when the opportunity came to take over the big, new Hanover station he jumped at it. He says some of his friends thought fie was crazy to be getting into the gasoline business at this time, and so it might appear at first blush with the gasoline situation as tight as it is, but Jack is looking at it from a long range point of view. Our hunch is that he's picked a natural and come peace Jack will prosper. Best luck, Jack, and when reunions are the fashion again '33 will hold forth under Manchester's "big top."
Here's one '33 who is managing to mix up a little peace with a lot of war: Lt. Douglas W.Alden, AUS, is the author of two articles that have recently been published. "Origins of the Unconscious and Subconscious in Proust" appeared in the September issue of the Modern Language Quarterly, and "Proust and Ribet" in the November issue of Modern Language Notes. Bill has recently been promoted to the rank of Ist Lieut, and is overseas.
Our latest item in the pre-nuptial department is the announcement by Mrs. Thomas J. Hayes of Concord, Mass. of the engagement of her daughter, Margaret Patricia Hayes, to Richard Earle Dowries.
Secretary, 20 Valley Rd., Hanover, N. H. Treasurer, 2812 Grant Bldg., Pittsburgh, Pa
