1939
I have received several interesting, and in many respects unusual, letters recently, two of which I would like to quote almost in total in this issue. One is from Capt. Wayland Avery Jr. USMC, which is as follows:
"Much has been written about the loneliness and lack of white women in the tropical South Seas. Now it is possible to relate the exception that always proves the rule. Both Lt. Carl Lee USNR and myself are announcing our engagements at a joint party to be given here on the twenty-first. Carl is engaged to First Lieutenant Mae Olson, Army Evacuee Nurse from Minnesota. My fiancee is Ensign Jenny Lynn, Navy Nurse, from St. Louis, Missouri. What makes this tale so remarkable is that both these girls are here on this tropical isle with us, not too far distant from the combat area. Carl met Mae a year ago in New Caledonia and they have been going together since then. As he was transferred from island to island, Mae's Army unit moved at the same time to the same place. Both expect to go home together in another month or two, and be married in the States. Carl is in charge of all SCAT passenger traffic in the South Pacific area, a most responsible position, and has done a mighty fine job. As for myself—Jenny and I dated each other in the States. She came overseas in November, and a beneficial transfer brought me to her island a month ago. Getting Jenny separated from the Naval service to be married will take an act of God, miles of military red tape, and Admiral Halsey's approval—almost. Anyway the wedding ring is here ready to be used whenever approval can be obtained. In the meantime Mae, Jenny, Carl and I play bridge, go swimming and dancing together. After fifteen months overseas—the first eight without seeing a white woman—this is a most happy respite. Both Lt. (jg) Ray Frese and Lt. (jg). Eliot Reynolds are here and will be at the party. Ray is a senior officer aboard a submarine, while Elly is an aide to a Naval brasshat. Both talk about what a rugged war this is for Carl and myself—l agree when I recall those first eight months. I am currently working as Group Quartermaster, Marine Aircraft. This is a very interesting job among the pilots and keeps me busy all day."
The other letter, quoted as follows, is from Ens. Donald Collyer. "That letter of Lt. Tom Brooks' you quoted in the December edition of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE not only brought my shakes back again (!) but got me all excited, because I hadn't realized the Big Green Wave motive involved in the two landing operations in Sicily and Italy. Had I known the first four LCl's that came in contained three Dartmouth skippers I would have felt much better as I was the Beachmaster on green beach! I was the Navy's shore representative on the invasions. I may very well have signalled the Dartmouth skippers in, not knowing who they were. Had I recognized them they probably would have been greeted with"As The Backs Go Tearing By" instead of, "Get unloaded and the hell out of here quick!" The newspapers still insist on calling us everything from C.B.'s to Coast Guard, and I'd like to have Dartmouth men, at least, know we are Navy Beach parties. "Beach-jumpers," who go in with the first combat teams of the infantry, make an underwater survey to determine where the landing craft can get in, and then control the intricate and split-second timing of their landing. Our men help with the unloading of the small boats, repair them if damaged, salvage the stranded ones, and, worst of all, have to see and evacuate what seems like every poor chap that gets wounded. We have our own Medics because the Army boys get rather busy up ahead! When the beach cools off it isn't bad except for the airraids and we all thank God we don't have to stay with the gallant infantry. Those boys have to keep moving and are heroes, every one of them. One makes and loses a lot of friends in our racket and I've no doubt many wear the Dartmouth Green under the olive drab. I managed to stop an 88, mostly with my dog tags and life preserver, in Sicily, but got out of the bloody Salerno deal without a scratch. I got fairly adept at trying to pull my steel helmet down around my hips, and at times the imprint of a half-track in the sand looked like a mighty swell foxhole. We made it though, and they both stuck."
Major Nash was recently transferred from Clarksdale, Miss., where he was CO at a primary training school, to Lockburn Field, Columbus, Ohio, for Fortress training. While on leave he brought his wife and new daughter to Connecticut. Lt. (jg) Gus Zitrides, located at Pensacola, Florida, sends news of his second addition, namely a nine-pound daughter born in November. He tells of running into "Jock" Lynch and Joe Batchelder.
Captain Bob MacLeod was married on January 29 to Miss Carolyn Reid Waring of Plainfield, New Jersey. The bride attended Miss Porter's School at Farmington, Connecticut. She made her debut in 1939. She was formerly with American Airlines in Washington. Bob is now stationed at Quantico, Va. Captain Bob Howe was married in Casablanca to Lt. Edna Louise Emerson, Army Nurses Corps, formerly of Kensington, Conn. They too, were married on January 29. An interesting sidelight to this wedding was Captain Bob's inability to secure an engagement or wedding ring in Casablanca. He cabled to U.S. and the rings were flown to Africa.
Your secretary has the unfortunate position of announcing the death of Ted Johnson. For more details see the In Memoriam section.
The latest report is that '39 rates Number three in our Green Derby Group. While reading this, send in your contributions. Let's see if we can get into first place for a change.
Secretary, Bethany Woods, Bethany, Conn. Treasurer, c/o J. M. Mathes, Inc. 128 East 42nd St., New York, N. Y
