1934

Lt. (jg) Hubert Johnson really turned on and put me in my place for overlooking the last half stripe he is wearing on his sleeve. Or, at least, that's the way Scherman's News-Letter has it. I might slip in a few cracks about only writing it the way it's given to me, but I seem to slip up too often to be able to stand on that. My only complaint is that you turn that sort of stuff in to Scherman instead of dealing direct. There's a certain amount of professional jealousy, you know. (Note to Hubert Johnson: I'll drop the jg in the next issue if you'll assure me there's no hard feelings.) At the risk of repeating a lot of information that has been printed before, here are some ranks that have been reported. If they're wrong, a penny postcard is all that is needed for your promotion.

First, in the Navy, Stan Abercrombie is a lieutenant (jg), Mark Young an ensign, Dick Barrett a lieutenant (jg), Stan Leighton an ensign, Karl Maas a lieutenant (jg), Henry Reck a lieutenant (jg), Bob Mann an ensign, Russ Ireland a lieutenant (jg), Harry Stearns a lieutenant (jg)', Jake Edwards a lieutenant (jg), Boardman Veazie a lieutenant (jg), and Jim Darling a lieutenant (jg).

In the Army Tim Inglis is a major, Walt Crandall a captain, Dick Gruen a captain, Sid Cohen a captain, Ferdinand McAllister a captain, John Lyle a captain, Leland Hunt a first lieutenant, Milt Fabricant a captain, Hank Werner a captain. In the Marines, only one man showing this month; Louis Marrero is a captain.

And the service men aren't the only ones moving around these days. Herb Hawkes is a geologist in Boyertown, Pa.; George Fugitt is a construction superintendent for the Star Construction Co., in Oklahoma City; Bill McCullam is a reporter for the New York Journal American-, Nettleton Payne is' with the Thompson Hayward Chemicals Co., in Kansas City, Kansas; Bill Adams is doing some mighty important work for the Navy at the War Research Division of the University of California; and Maurice Burns is running a restaurant in Gardner, Mass.

The first '34 to drop in and pay me a visit for many a moon was Ollie Sargent, who has recently been transferred to Godman Field at Fort Knox. Having had to leave a lovely new wife at home and then bump into 100 plus weather since arrival, it may be a little difficult to sell him on the joys of living in the State of Kentucky.

While this item can't be classed as news at this late date, I'll wager a couple of blue chips that this is a first in history as far as high rank is concerned. The following wedding announcement was received about a month ago:

Brigadier General Frederick A. Blesse, U.S.A.Has the honor to announcethe marriage ofLieutenant Colonel Bernice M. Wilbur, A.N.C.toLieutenant Colonel Stewart F. Alexander, M.C.

As you probably know by now, Cal Calmon has assisted in one of the outstanding developments of the war, taking the salt out of sea water by means of a simple kit which can be carried in all life-boats. He now has written an article "Desalting Seawater (Pint-size Kit Relieves Thirst of Castaways)," which was originally printed in the Yale Scientific Magazine.

You all probably remember Dick Bell from Staunton (pronounced Stannnnton), Va. Well, Richard is now a captain in the Medical Corps serving as an orthopedic surgeon. He has been with an evacuation hospital that has made an outstanding record while functioning close behind the front lines during the Italian campaign. His unit received Mark Clark's plaque for meritorious service by non-combat units. The unit has treated over 2000 battle casualties since it landed in Africa in late 1942.

This, too, is a little bit late as Joe is probably a rank or two higher by now, but it's the first I heard of it. Joe Schuldenfrei earned his gold bar by completing OCS at Camp Davis, N. C., which was an anti-aircraft school.

I had Scherman run a note on the address of Howie Hinman who is a prisoner of war in Germany, hoping that a few of you might find time to drop him a line. However, almost before the dope could be typed up, word was received that he has been moved to another camp. His new address is: S/Sgt. Howard D. Hinman, United States POW No. 99252, Stalag 178, Germany. In case you've forgotten the special instructions about how to address the envelope, etc., either dig up that issue of the News-Letter, or write and I'll give you the necessary information, or send your note on to me and I'll forward it.

A few of you seem to have whipped up local reunions, or at least were planning to. Space in this column is available to any of you who would care to report on what took place in your town.

Nick Xanthaky, who is still down in Miami with a medical detachment of the AF, writes, "... Some '34 men that I have seen around this section are Don Bunting, who lives in Coral Gables. He is working with Pan American Airways and has a beautiful home Larry O'Leary just about runs the Versailles Hotel down here and since he works only about four blocks from where my office is, I go in to see him often. Bob Dosher, '34's erstwhile champion swimmer, was down here for OCS and was almost finished when I saw him. He has left Miami Beach now but a handsome picture of him soon after he was commissioned adorns the window of a corner photography shop "

A number of you folk seem to have been getting ready to wind up your affairs in civilian life about the same time that I was paying a great deal more attention to the cut of a soldier suit. Mac Collins came within a day and a half of reporting to camp when his draft board advised that his thirty-odd years made him an undesirable. Art Grimes got tired of having others decide whether he was fighting material or not, and after a round with the Navy came out with a lieutenant (jg) before his name.

Al and Claire Cotton came through on St. Patrick's Day (March 17 for you who may have forgotten) with a husky Dartmouth prospect, John William Cotton. Al is still with American Steel and Wire at Worcester and wears the fancy title of "Supervisor of Tracks, Operating Division."

From my New York reporter comes an account of the Alumni dinner at which Prexy spoke. Warren Schmid, Joe Lehmann, Al Marks, Dave Callaway, Orv Dryfoos, Lt. Dave Hedges, Bill Scherman, Tom Clark, Rollie Morton, Bob Smith, and George Capp made up the '34 delegation. Also visiting in New York recently have been Will Wilson and his wife, Jo, from Danville, Pa., and Bob Engleman, who was cleaning up some business before going into service.

The Walter Keadys have helped increase the population of Winchester, Mass., by the addition of Anne Michele Ready last March 3.

DOUBLE BARS for Frank O. Adams '35 who is now a captain at Belman Field, Louisiana.

Secretary and Treasurer, General Box Co. 816 S. 16th St., Louisville 1, Ky.