1933
On January 19 Capt. Mayo R. Purple lost his life in a fire that largely destroyed the Hotel Bishop in New Haven, Conn. Mayo, or "Purp" as he was known in College, had recently received his medical discharge from the Army Medical Corps in which he had served since August 1942, and was serving as physician at the induction center in New Haven at the time of his death.
We award the '33 medal of merit this month to Lt. Gay Milius ZJSNR, who finally broke down a few weeks ago and wrote us a letter. Gay, we are happy to announce, is about to become a benedict. His engagement to Barbara Anne Bischoff of Washington, D. C., was recently announced. For the encouragement of our few remaining holdouts Gay points Out that "this will show some guys that life doesn't stop at 34." We don't suppose that it had anything to do with Gay's decision to come aboard but it is interesting to note, in the following excerpt from Gay's letter, that among his many duties with the Navy in Washington he is currently serving as father confessor to upwards of 300 Waves:
When I got here I was an ensign and like every other Naval Officer went up with the Alnavs and am now a lieutenant. Worked watches all hours of the day for two years, but last year they gave me a regular job from 8-5, and made me "first lieutenant" of the outfit which is the main communications section for the Navy in the Capitol. Since my boss has been in the hospital for more than a month I have been acting as executive officer as well and help steer 300 or more officer Waves on the right path.
Accompanying these notes is a picture of Nat Root, now a major in the Army. Mrs. Root was kind enough to send us the snapshot and also to bring us up to date on his activities. Before going into the service Nat practised medicine in New York, New Jersey, and Utica, N. Y. He joined the Army in May, 1941. He is currently serving as neuropsychiatrist attached to an armored division overseas. He received his majority in May 1944. The Roots have two daughters, Linda and Diana, age four and one half and two respectively.
From the administrative offices of the Mayor of Waterbury, Conn., comes, somewhat belatedly, since the whole thing was solved months ago, a report on the Alden case (Barbara Bowditch vs. June Abigail remember?). Inspector Murphy, says the Mayor, found 81 O'Briens, 4 Pernatozzis, 20 Ademaitiss, 2 Papadopalous—but no Aldens. In our humble judgment this report renders the Mayor's Administration highly suspect. Can it be that, under this "Democratic" dispensation, for the Murphys and the Monagans the Apleys—and the Aldens—have not only lost their grip politically but their right to exist as well? Sounds pretty highhanded to us. Up here in New Hampshire, or Vermont, too, for that matter, where the shoe is on the other foot, you can still find a Monagan, or a Murphy, or a Theriault once in a while. If opportunity offered Inspector Alden could find us all right, but quick and he has.
Also from Monagan a mystery that he is throwing our way, for a change. You will recall that last August we gave you a report on Bob Doscher, telling you of his activities with the Air Force in the Central Pacific. Forwarding a clipping from the January 6 New Yorker, Monagan queries whether it might not refer to our Doscher. We have had no confirmation of it, but it does look as if it might be so. If any of you know anything about this let us hear from you. Here is the excerpt from the New Yorker story:
Lieutenant Doscher came aft and asked Shahein for a bottle of iodine. Shahein gave him one, and Doscher, taking off his flight suit, sprinkled iodine into a deep wound on one thigh. He had been hit by the shell which had exploded on the flight deck, but had waited until the rest of the men were treated before admitting it. Harms bandaged Doscher's leg and suggested that he lie down, but Doscher walked back to his post in the nose of the plane. Up in the pilots' compartment, Core was relieved when he saw the Japs head for home. It was difficult enough to keep the Chamber Maid in the air without having to worry about being knocked down into the water. The prospect of that kind of landing, far from base and with four wounded men aboard, was anything but promising
Reading the New York Times a week or so ago we ran across an item that carried us right back to Winter Carnival, February 1933. It was the story of Lt. Comdr. LymanE. Wakefield Jr. winning, with his partner, Betty Jean Higgins, the junior pair figure skating championship in the Eastern Sectional Figure Skating Championships held at the -Boston Skating Club on February 4. Speaking of Carnival, we had our abbreviated war-time version of that traditional festival a couple of weeks back. In most respects, with fraternities closed, few and comparatively inept attempts at snow sculpture, etc., it was a very pale ghost of the real article; but in one way, at least, it hadn't changed much. We were struggling painfully across the golf course on our skiis to take in the ski-jumping. At one point, at a snail's pace we can assure you, we passed a babe who had given up the attempt and was trudging along with her skiis on her shoulder. As we went by we heard a small awe-struck voice say to her sailor friend, "Gee, imaginel That guy can go faster on those things than we can walking." Oh, all right. The joke's on us. But things haven't changed much. We heard the same crack in 1931, 193 a, and 1933. But the next time—we'll walk.
Lt. George P. Drowne Jr. USNR was in town last weekend with frau, Dorothy, and small son, Pete. Pleading that their ski equipment was scattered all over the country they successfully and wisely in our judgment—resisted temptation and enjoyed a quiet weekend visiting friends and enjoying the hospitality of the Hanover Inn. George is stationed at Quonset helping to train air groups prior to their assignment to carriers.
Fred H. Await has picked a nice uncomfortable spot to live in. We have just had word from him that he is attached to the American Legation at Jidda, Saudi Arabia, as economic analyst. PeteHart is also in that neck of the woods, if there were woods over there which there ain't only sand, but he is on the other side of the country, at Dhahran as vice consul.
Service promotions recently reported to me: Lt. Comdr. John B. Faegre, Jr., Capt. George C. Smith, and Lt. (jg) Richard P. Bee.
May I close on that perhaps all too familiar but, unfortunately, still necessary note, to wit: Drop your secretary a line.
WITH AN ARMORED DIVISION overseas. Major Nathan N. Root '33, AUS, is serving as a neuro- psychiatrist.
Secretary, 20 Valley Rd., Hanover, N. H. Treasurer, 2812 Grant Bldg., Pittsburgh 19, Pa.
