1940
Again '40 is up with the leaders in the Alumni Fund, thanks as always to the response of the class to the appeals of Jack Rourke with the added assistance, this year, of Dick Babcock on the "Indian Drum." Being one of the minor cogs in this outfit, I know it's an easier and more satisfying job because you guys come through with dough so splendidly.
At the time of writing we're in the summer doldrums in Vermont, characterized by 90 degrees heat and humidity and semi-monsoon rains every other day. Not that this is a complaint, because it is more an excuse for writing this column hurriedly and getting it out of the way.
A year has passed since the listing of two '40s as missing in action. No word has been received of either Phil Huffman or Cal Bowie, and it is with deep regret, therefore, that we record in the class chronicle the fact that they are officially listed as killed in action. Official action does not mean the last hope, however, so we'll just write it down here and leave the obits for after the war when the full lists will be known.
THE NEWS
Charlie Tuck is back in this country after 18 months overseas. Upped to senior grade lieutenant, he is currently stationed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and is lucky to be able to have his wife with him there. Ed Curtis writes, after a long silence, that he is still instructing, at present at Randolph Field. A captain now, Ed is training instructors in the intricacies of teaching Army flyers. Two and one-half years of it have made Ed philosophical, his only objection to his present station is the absence of hills and '40s down Texas way. Dick Funkhouser showed up one day about a month ago on his way through for ATC, but nobody else -remotely connected with the class has shown.
We never get to hear directly from Bob Jordan, but it seems most every one gets to North Africa at sometime or other to run into him, report his continued good health, and mention a slick party. This time it's Al McKennan whose Armed Guard job takes him all over the Atlantic. Al's travels are on Dartmouth's own ship, a liberty ship named for a famous Dartmouth graduate and former governor of New Hampshire (who also has a dormitory at Tuck School named for him). Ed Giorchino has retired, at a ripe age, from flying Liberators all over Hitlerdom, and is now, as a captain, instructing, though still in England. He flew two years of combat before his new assignment, first for the RCAF, then for the Army.
Sid Phillips, commissioned ensign after two years o£ training, put in his "application for the member of the class of '40 most overtrained, underpaid and-most deluded by this commission business. To date I have fought the battles of Chapel Hill, Glenview, Corpus Christi, Great Lakes, and St. Simon's Island." Although we had previously reported (a bit prematurely) Sid's commission, it's all legal now and he's achieved his aim of active duty. Sid reports Joe Dunford one month ahead of him at St. Simon's Island, finishing up near the top of his class in night fighter direction and Dave Rice still teaching navigation for the Navy at Corpus Christi.
Bob Foss, captain of parachute troops, is now overseas. We missed a report on the birth of a son, Halcott Pride Foss, December 26 last, at Pinehurst, N. C. Congratulations. Major Bill Daniels just rounded out two years of weather doping for the Army. He's still in Newfoundland, a bit anxious to get back and follow up on his engagement to Mary Alice Nason of Winchester, recently announced, Joe O'Hare occasionally shows up at Bill s base on his way to and from ATC.
Perc Mclntire, after finishing his interneship at Brooklyn Hospital, N. Y., received an immediate call to duty and is now at Starle General Hospital, Charleston, So. Carolina. His wife of a year, the former Edythe Contts of Marlboro, N. H., is with him for the present.
The news of the war today is almost uniformly good, and, while the straight dope is to dunk optimism, it can't be helped, and with every thought of the end of the war I think of '40s first great reunion which will be, to understate it, quite a party. We have no plans, we don't know how soon after the end it will be, but, you guys plan to be there, for it's going to be.great.
THE FIRST SHOT at Truk was taken by a squadron of Marine Photo Reconnaissance pilots which included two Dartmouths—Lt. A. H. Rowan Jr. '44 and Cap't W. O. Coleman '39.
THE SILVER STAR has been awarded to Lt. George A. Wrisley Jr. '41 USMCR, for gallantry as a forward artillery observer.
Acting Secretary, 1 Terrace St., Montpelier, Vt.
