1941
Well I suppose by now everyone in oui class has sent Lew Johnstone some donation for the Alumni Fund drive no matter how large. I haven't heard directly from Lew but I'm sure everyone will help to push our class into first place this year.
The quantity of my notes this month are not extensive, and I want to say I can't write about you men unless you let me in on what you are doing occasionally. I do have some interesting things to talk about though.
I'm sorry you didn't hit Washington, Jack (Orr), as you thought you might. I certainly hope everyone that comes through here will call me up anyway and give me any hot dope that they might have on hand. Getting back to Jackie Orr, who is a Jg., we sure want to congratulate Donnie and you on your new heir, born Jan. 12, 1944. I'm sure Michael "Mike" Baird will be a good man if he turns out like his old man. Don't know of any better place to start a life than in Hanover. Jack writes that Tim Tikaro and A1 Keniston have their M.D.'s and are interning at the Mary Hitchcock Hospital where "Mike" was born. Jack has been going to various schools after his detachment from his first ship and is now first lieutenant on his new ship in charge of damage control. He saw Bob Nissen in Norfolk and roomed with Dick Arneson in N. Y. for a short time while waiting for his orders from Comdr. Three. He writes that he partied with Wes Hadden and Jim McLellan during the same period.
Another proud mamma and pappa are Phyllis and Esmond Crowley. They puff up when anyone mentions Esmond R. Crowley 111, born one day short of George Washington's birthday. I suppose we will have to proclaim another national holiday to satisfy "Es." Anyway "Es" graduated from Submarine Chaser's Training School in Miami and is now in the south Pacific someplace as an antisubmarine warfare officer.
Hank Frechette has a success story worth talking about. In short it reads from "Boot," to Ensign, to the state of marital bliss, to the sunny shores of Bermuda, and back to the U. S. A. Hank received his commission while a "Boot" in Newport, R. I. and went on to Supply School at Harvard. After graduating he joined the Naval Construction Battalion in Bermuda Nov. 1, 1943. He ran into Warner Bishop in Bermuda a couple of times and returned to this country Jan. 20, 1944. During his 30 day leave he became one of the lucky 4iers that has gotten back to Hanover since graduation. Sally and he spent part of their vacation there. Says he is all ready to hold not only the fifth reunion but a few private ones there as well.
News from Dick McCornack, Lt. (jg) (SC) USNR, informs me that Hank Gunst has left their 1941 Dartmouth Club of Panama for training duty in Florida and Dick would like to hear from any new additions to that area. He says Whitey Fuller is down there now. If anyone gets to the "Cross-roads of the World" he can get Dick by dialling 36-625 on the telephone. It's rather a round about way of learning about Winnie and Bill Freeman's baby daughter, Carol Jean who was born January 22, but thanks for the info, Dick. I'm sure the class sends their congratulations to the Freeman household. Bill is a Jg. helping to build small craft at Benton Harbor, Michigan. Gee, there are more babies to report this month. Here's another.
Congrats to Shirley and Peter Coombs on their second Dartmouth prospect for the 1960's Their second son was born Jan. 29 in Woodbury, N. J.
I'd like to talk some more about a couple of our brothers who have distinguished themselves in action in a military way. One is a captain in the Marines, Bob O'Brien and the other is a lieutenant in the Navy, Bill Steel. Both have been in the notes before but I thought the following news would be interesting to all. Bob was wading into Betio Beach with the third wave when a Jap bullet struck one of the carbine clips in his cartridge belt and set off 15 rounds of ammunition. In a clipping I got hold of, Bob stated, "I was scared to reach down. I was hit hard and slightly dazed. I didn't know whether the Jap bullet or any of my own had penetrated my body. Not until I was on the beach about a half-hour did I inspect the damage." Bob discovered his dungarees had been torn and burned. "Was I happily surprised!" Later Bob was in a bomb crater with three of his men when three Japs rushed them screaming and firing their guns. "They got to within three vards of us. They killed one of my men but we killed all three of the Japs. They almost fell in our laps," Bob said. That's action. Now let's look at the sea. Bill Steel received the high award of the Legion of Merit for:
"exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services as commander of a group of assault landing boats during the amphibious invasion of the mainland of Italy. Lt. Steel with great courage and coolness so directed the six waves of landing boats under his charge that, although under heavy enemy gunfire and determined aerial attacks, all boats, with embarked personnel and equipment, were landed at the assigned assault beaches in the remarkable time of 36 hours with the minimum of casualties. His able leadership and initiative materially contributed to the success of the assault. The extraordinary ability, professional skill, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lt. Steel reflected great credit upon himself and the naval service."
Bill already was a veteran at the time of the landing at Italy. He had taken part in the invasion of western Morocco. He was raised to the rank of full lieutenant last August after the Italian invasion. Hats off to these two men.
Cadet Donald F. Hagen became engaged to Miss Jane Warren of South Orange, N. J. and is now attending the Midshipmen's Naval Reserve Training School at the Univ. of Notre Dame. Clinton A. Reynold, U. S. A. is engaged to Miss Elizabeth Garrett Sharpe and after attending Harvard Law School for a year and a half enlisted in the Army Signal Corps. He is now stationed at Drew Field, Tampa, Fla.
Our marriage for the month concerns Lt. John C. Everett, USNR and Miss Mary Norton Anderson of New York City. John is home on leave from the southwest Pacific. Congratulations.
How's about youse Joes writing.
GUNNERY OFFICER'S ASSISTANT, Lt. (jg) Stuart L. May '41 is on board a destroyer escort. His brother, Don '44 is pictured on page 58.
Secretary, Presidential Gardens, Alexandria, Va. Treasurer, 17 N. Park St., Hanover, N. H.
