1942

Another year is well on its way, and we all hope the way is a victorious one. I would much rather receive all the news from the wondering '42s post-marked in the States. And in that wish I knew everyone agrees. But until that time this assembly of jumbled notes from here and there will go right on trying to tell you something about your brothers.

I made a direct request in the last editions for news from the families of you galant gentlemen. I am very happy to report that those requests have been answered. As a matter of fact if they hadn't been answered I wouldn't be doing any reporting at all. The direct news is a bit on the scarce side. And so with a hearty "Thanks" to all of you contributing families and with a word to encourage you to keep it up, I shall turn to the news.

With the welcome assistance of the Dartmouth News Service we hear that second lieutenant Rome Brown has joined one of the hottest P51 Mustang groups operating in the Mediterranean Area. Rome received his wings at Foster Field, Texas, in April of '44 and took further training at Bruning Army Air Field in Nebraska. Rome's outfit has a famous history, being credited with the first Jerry plane of the war over Dieppe and its total air victories are now over the 500 mark. Also we hear from the same source that Marine Capt. Rollie Hummel is back in the States after 16 months in the Central Pacific where he was a QM officer with an air group. Rollie has been on the all-important supply end of many Marine air operations. During his duties he has visited the beauty spots of Majure, Samoa, Funafuti and in the Ellice Islands. From the report Rollie did a lot to keep the boys up and he probably isn't griping now about his leave.

Also back from the Central Pacific is Marine First Lieutenant Johnnie Mendes. Johnnie has been a dive-bomber pilot out there and has flown on escort, patrol, and photographic missions besides his bombing duties. Important also were his duties in flying cover in the invasions of the Marshalls, Wethe, Lea, and Ujelang. According to the report his closest shave came from a ton Jap bomb which fell about 35 yards from his foxhole. Well, Johnnie dug out of that one and is now back with us for awhile.

It was reported in the last issue that Miss Patricia R. Marks married Lt. (jg) Albert Goldman on November 29, 1944. This is repeated here as are many items from time to time because of the fact that every issue does not reach each member of the class. The only other marriage to be reported is that of Miss Ortensia Garefale to Cpl. Julius Brant. The present Mrs. Brant has changed from an Italian citizen to a citizen of the U. S. by virtue of this union in Italy. Mrs. W. H. Baldwin contributed the news that her son Dick is on destroyer duty in the South Pacific with the rank of lieutenant (jg). Dick was unfortunately absent when his engagement was announced to Miss Dorothy J. Scruton.

Mrs. Robert J. Riggs has written that her son Lt. (jg) Dick Riggs is Admiral Ingram's personal pilot. Dick received this position after twenty months of fighting subs and surface raiders from the Ascension Islands and Brazil. He received two air medals and a commendation from the Admiral for his submarine sinkings. Dick is now flying wherever the Admiral wishes to go, which is just about anywhere in the Atlantic. Mrs. B. K. Strader also assists with the news that her son Luckie Strader is now a captain and the commanding officer of an outfit of engineers operating with the First Army. Buck has been overseas since December 27, 1943. Mrs. Strader also sends the information that Ted Dunn is now a ensign and stationed at Hutchinson, Kansas.

A couple of the wives of '4.2 have aided this time. Mrs. Harry Rollins tells that Harry is now an ensign in command of a mine-sweeper 'on duty in the Caribbean Area. But the most important news from this sector is the arrival of a daughter Ellen Gale on August 24, 1944. Mrs. Hal Harlow writes that her husband is a staff sergeant with the Army Med. Corps. Hal received extensive training in the use of medical assistance in mountainous areas through his training at Yale and at Camp Carson, Colo., he is now in the Burma theater and his missions consist of bringing back wounded from the mountains. Mrs. Harlow also relates that by virtue of the fact that Mrs. Jean Dean Wright was her. former roommate she now has some information on John. He is now a lieutenant (jg) on duty in the Philippines or thereabouts, after leaving his last post as port director of New Bedford, Mass. Some happy news also emanates from this home, that there was the arrival of a daughter, Beverly, last March.

I think that I had better put the monthly list of service promotions in here so that they won't be strung out at the end that is if you don't mind. So up the ladder we have: Lt. (jg) James L. Farley; Lt. (jg) Jay B. Harris; Lt. (jg) Edwin Hawkridge; Lt. (jg) Arthur W. Bullock; Capt. Peter C. Krist.

And not to leave out the fathers Mr. Frank J. Locke reports that his son Philip is now in the Pacific but just where he cannot determine in spite of Phil's romantic descriptions. First lieutenant Phil seems to take quite a bit of pride in the fact that he is now a "Shellback." Mr. W. O. Temple writes that his son Bill is now a captain in a Photo Recon. Squadron in Italy. He became a captain December 1,to think that I can remember when he was a "Running Cadet" out at Lowry Field. Bill wrote that he was in a Dartmouth party in Paris awhile back and mentioned that Hal Eckhart was there. That was when his outfit was in France, need I add? Mr. Temple sends the information that George McClintock is the executive officer on a destroyer. And Mr. Temple would also like to know the whereabouts of Dick Nihering. I might add that I would appreciate some of the same information.

And so we come to the one letter from a '42. Lee Capreni, the lone contributor, writes that he is now flying a C-47 Troop Carrier awaiting overseas duty. First Lieutenant Lee got a bit fed up on the Infantry and managed the change. He also announced as addition to the "Great Dartmouth Family," Capreni branch, in the form of a son, Peter Noble, who arrived on November 28, 1944. Lee, while visiting a nearby Infantry, camp, ran into Second Lieutenant Bill Simpson who is doing a great job for Quartermasters, second lieutenant Johnnie de la Montagne still waiting for some action, and Jake Nunnamacker who was "Working like a fiend." These boys said that Lt. Lennie Weeds is overseas and in Italy. Leo received a letter from Major Dave Bayle who has been pushing P3B's around _ in Europe as a Squadron Commander. Dave is just about ready for a thirty-day leave after many missions and a few close calls from which he emerged intact.

Well, that was the closing of Lee's note and likewise mine. I would like to thank once again the families for the contributions and to encourage this type of cooperation. Perhaps some of the boys are a bit on the busy side. So if any of the families have even a scrap of information, just jot it down on a card and send it along. Thanks.

FORMER TRACK STAR, Sidney H. Bull '42 awarded the Bronze Star, receives the decoration from Brig. Gen. Murray C. Woodbury.

Acting Secretary, R. D. No. 1, Rensselaer, N. Y.