1942
This lapse of time has certainly produced many changes. Now that the war is completely over and many of the class are returning to the "States" perhaps you will shortly have the privilege of continuing this monthly correspondence with the gentleman who was elected to this position. That long winded sentence was directed to one member of the class in particular, and I am certain that you will forgive me the space which contained this non too-subtle hint.
But to get back to the original point, I might say that the lapse of time has produced a great quantity of news that demands our immediate attention. So, off we go, on to the cumulation that will be flying at you fast and furiously.
It is with sadness that I report the death of Capt. Aaron Gove Wilkins on March 1, 1945. Gove who was in action on Iwo Jima commanding "A" Cos. 100Br, 28 Marines, 5th Div., was killed by a Jap sniper while he was on reconnaissance.
More very unwelcome and sad news has been received in that Capt. Larry Hennessey of the Marines lost his life in action on Okinawa on May 21, 1945. Larry who was one of the Dartmouth Group to start their Marine Training after the Sophomore year of college was wounded and burned in action for which he had been awarded the Purple Heart just previous to the time when he entered the action which spelled his death as a result of a sniper's bullet.
Now that V-J Day has come we will no longer have these notices to read. We all feel that this sad news has stopped because so many of our class have given their yet-to-befull lives to make it stop.
The Silver Star has been awarded to 1st Lt. Thomas J. Danes for gallantry in action against the enemy in Werden, Germany, on April 15, 1945.
'Disregarding an intense enemy fire and artillery barrage, Danes led his platoon across the werden Bridge of the Ruhr River and placed his men in the best possible defense positions. During enemy counter attack, he moved under heavy from one flank to another instructing his men. When a machine gun was knocked out, he personally brought forward a new gun to the position. Alter repulsing the counter attack, Danes led his through a steady stream 'of sniper and small anxis fire to attack and clear the enemy positions.
Tom received his battlefield promotion to 1st lieutenant after the historic jump across toe Rhine in March, 1945. He is now on occupation duty in Berlin following his transfer to the 82nd Airborne Division.
The Bronze Star has been awarded to Ist Lt. Peter C. McBean for his heroic service with the 134 th Infantry against the enemy in the vicinity of Westerholt, Germany, on March 30, 1945. Pete, who also wears the Purple Heart, received his latest decoration for his conduct in a volunteered observation mission under heavy fire from three enemy barrages.
Also wearing the Bronze Star is Sgt. Judd S. Mulally of the Army Field Artillery. Judd, who also wears the Good Conduct Medal, has been of invaluable assistance to his organizational commander and has set a high example and inspiration for the men. He has served in the highly important position of horizontal control operator.
I think that it is a very appropriate introduction to the Department of Marital Bliss and associated departments to announce the arrival on July 19, 1945, of Barbara Helen at the home of Marion and Donald G. Williamson. Congratulations are also in order for the following who have so cooperatively answered my plea for more contributions in this department:
Miss Marcia G. Earle to Ist. Lt. Fredrick W. Schaefer Jr., AAF; Miss Elizabeth Howell to Lt. Ward S. Jenkins, AMC.; Miss Sylvia Dennison to Dr. Thomas McElim; Miss Anne Louise Rossman to Lt. Frank A. Baldwin, USN; Miss Gratia C. Kaynor to Lt. Richard W. Deane, AAF; Miss Betty L. Stewart to Lt. Wendolin J. Nauss, USNR; Miss Helen S. Parker to Lt. (jg) F. Scott Matthews. Now, that is cooperation for you, and I am certain that in a very short time all the foregoing gentlemen will be "walking, talking advertisements."
Leave us now turn to those gents who have through their efforts elevated themselves Upthe Ladder.
Ist Lt. Eugene L. Serafin and Lt.(jg) Paul J, Costello, each of whom has recently received the degree of M.D.; Lt.(jg) Lydon E. Amy; Capt. John R. Taylor; Lt. Robert P. Sherman; Lt. David E. Skinner; Lt.(jg) William B. Foster; Major Robinson G. Minick; Lt.(jg) David S. Smith; Lt, Robert L. Gale; Lt.(jg) James W. Robinson; Lt.(jg) Loring M. Jones; Lt.(jg) Duncan E. Williams; Lt.(jg) Alvin L. Rubins; Lt. Edward J. Rasmussen; Lt.(jg) Robert B. Hickey; Lt.(jg) James M. Idema; Lt. David M. Carroll; Lt.(jg) Wallace J. Farr; Capt. Lyman C. Whittaker; Lt. (jg) Richard Remsen Jr.; Capt. Leonard H. Woods; Lt. John C. Tobin.
And now, gentlemen, with your permission, I shall start with the scheduled speed-up and give you the news bits in rapid order. In addition to the fact that Scott Matthews appeared in the marital department, he once again appears with the information that before he returned to the States he was aboard the Carrier Essex with the "Fabled Fifteen" during which time he was awarded the Navy Cross, D.F.C. and the Air Medal with a Gold Star. .... Comdr. Deit Lamade has returned to the States having, among many other diversions, helped to polish off one Jap convoy carrying 200,000 tons of cargo through the China Sea. .... I didn't know this and perhaps you don't either, but Deit and his crewmen were the sole known survivors not taken prisoner when the light cruiser Houston was sunk in 1942. .... Capt. Jack Zimmer has returned to his unit after being slightly wounded on Iwo in February Major Roy Carruthers writes that he has seen, among many other Dartmouth men, Art Cox in Italy, finishing up after his work with the OSS throughout the Eastern Mediterranean and also Bill Scott iArabia; Roy also says that he intends to return to Hanover and finish up as soon as he can Lt. (jg) Dick Clark has arrived at Naval Training Station, Norfolk, Va., to receive instruction for duties aboard a destroyer of the Atlantic Fleet Dick wears the American Theater Ribbon and the European African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one star Lt. (jg) Ralph Falk II, who participated in the invasion of Sicily has reported at Operational Training Command, Norfolk, Va Veteran combat navigator, Lt. Dick Deane, has reported to the AAF Training Command at Ellington Field, Texas Marine 1st Lt. Bob Grant has returned from the Pacific and Iwo and is now a company officer at a rehabilitation area of the famed Fifth Amphibious Corps Lt. John Brewer USNR has participated in strikes on the Brooketon, Berne, and in a coordinated Army and Navy mission on Itu Aba, west of Palawan, which was the site of an important Japanese radar station.
Well this meeting has been a pleasant one and I hope that we will get together again soon. In fact I know that we will in just one month. But to make sure that the next meeting will be pleasant just drop a few lines of news and make certain of the fact yourself.
Acting Secretary, R. D. No. 1, Rensselaer, N. Y.
