1941
I hope that the lack of news to report is the lull before the storm and that by next month I will be swamped with info to pass along. Since I promised only to pass along facts and not prose, it will have to suffice for me to say my bit and quit.
First let me apologize to Jim Vaughn for only giving him credit for being a (jg) in last month's ALUMNI MAGAZINE. He's a full fledged Lieutenant, senior grade, and should be called such. It really wasn't my fault, Jim, as I checked to see what my notes read and I had (sg).
J. Mado Crafts who left Dartmouth before graduating in our class to attend the University of New Hampshire is now a Captain in an Armored Infantry Unit somewhere in England.
A letter from Capt. Lindol F. Graham's mother informs me that Lindy has been reported as missing in action since the 18th of March over Germany. She thinks that his last mission was over Munich in which 16 of our bombers were forced to land in Switzerland. Lindy flies a P-38 Lightning and has 5 Nazi planes to his credit. He has received the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters in lieu of additional Air Medals.
Lt. (jg) George J. Seel, who already holds the Air Medal for his fighter pilot work from a carrier in the Pacific, recently received a gold star in lieu of a second Air Medal. The presentations were made by the commandant of the Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Capt. Arthur Gavin, U.S.N. Georgie's first citation was for shooting down two Zeros definitely and adding two probables during a big aerial battle over the Russell Islands. His second citation was for displaying "unflinching determination and outstanding marksmanship in shooting down two enemy fighters in flames" while escorting a bomber strike on the Jap base at Kahili on July 18, 1943. George has served his tour of duty in the Pacific and is temporarily stationed in Florida.
John W. Mathys was just commissioned as a second lieutenant at the Aloe Flying Field.
Got a nice letter from Sgt. Bob Koenig who is now at the Army Air Base in Sioux City, lowa. Bob has been there for the past six months and feels as though he is destined to spend the rest of the war in the Middle West playing nursemaid to airplanes. He works on the line as an aircraft inspector determining whether or not the ground crews have put the ships in satisfactory shape to be recalled into flying status. When Bob was in Kearney, Nebr., wifey, Harriet was with him for eight months. However, she returned to Glen Ridge, N. J. after they found out there is going to be a little Koenig about June 13th. That's pretty near, Bob! Congratulations!
Koenig gave me this dope on Bill Hotaling who is engaged to Miss Jean Perrine of Glen Ridge, N. J. Bob and Harriet have a personal interest in their romance as they met each other at Bob and Harriet's wedding. Jean was a bridesmaid. Bill is at Fort Benning, Ga. where I understand he is working very hard in O.C.S.
Two of our lads went off the deep end and promised two charming ladies that they would wed. Lt. Harry L. Broh, A.A.F. made his promise to Miss Janet Simon of St. Louis, Mo. The other promise was made by Lt. Jg) William H. Wyckoff, USNR to Miss Ruth Pace of Princeton, N. J. Bill received his commission at the U. S. Naval Academy and has recently returned from duty in the South Pacific.
I have record of four more of our boys who fulfilled promises of yesterday and are now in the state of marital bliss. Lt. Richard N. Rose was married in April to Miss Katherine Whiteside Price of Bronxville, N. Y. The marriage was performed in Shreveport, La. where Dick is no wstationed. Lt. (jg) Richard M. Engelbert, USNR married Miss Vera Raset of New York City. They will reside temporarily in Seattle, Wash. Merton Wilson and Miss Dorothy Sair Mercer were married on Easter Sunday and are now living in Garden City, N. Y. Lt. Herbert Edward Baily, AAF married Miss Marion Gale Ferris of Utica, N. Y.
Next month I hope the news is more abundant. I'm going on one of those rare adventures to Hanover, June gth and 10th to a Secretary's meeting of all the classes. I'll remember to pass along anything I might feel you would all be interested in reading. I tried to get Pete Keir to go along as they are also getting all of the Treasurers together. Pete has been in Washington ever since he returned from Alaska except for his 30 day leave. However, he couldn't make it as he will be out of the country then. I want to put in one last plug for the Alumni Fund. Midnight June 30th will be the close of the campaign and I'm sure we are still going to be right up on top as far as the younger classes are concerned. Those of you who have just been procrastinating, take ofE a minute or two and remember the good ole class of '4l with some green lettuce. Be seeing you.
Secretary, Presidential Gardens, Alexandria, Va. Treasurer, 17 N. Park St., Hanover, N. H.
