1915
News is prolific this month—funny how it runs—and all of it should be of interest from Maine to California and from North Cupcake to, shall we say South Jersey.
First, I have a fine long letter from Jack Mason—who it would seem I must have neglected lately—and Jack has been a great American traveler, with an extended business tour through the Southland. While spending some time in Atlanta, he took occasion to get over to Ft. McClellan, Ala., where General Howie Fuller is the Commanding Officer of the Fort. JacK spe.nt an entire weekend with Howie who showed him all the sights of the camp, and it must be quite a training center. Jack goes on at much length as to what Howie is doing, and thinks that few of our '15ers appreciate Howie's fine work in the Army. He was one of the first in; he was one of the first to go overseas, and now, in full command of Ft. McClellan, he has a training section of 25,000 men second to none. Howie, then a colonel, was in command of the first regiment to land in Australia; the first Army regiment to support the Marines on the Solomons. Like many a GI in that area, Howie was touched by malaria, which is no respecter of rank, but Jack reports that today he is in good shape, and doing a swell job, working about sixteen hours a day.
Jack also saw Stan Llewellyn as he passed through South Carolina, and reports that Stan is doing a great job, and through your secretary, he sends his best regards to all the '15ers.
Soon after getting Jack's letter, I received from Howie Fuller a copy of The McClellanCycle, official newspaper at that Fort, and its slogan is "The Nation's Best Known Camp Paper." In this particular issue, with the headline story "General Stilwell Sees Trainees in Action," there are two fine pictures of General "Howie"—one taken in the woods with a well-armed and equipped GI on maneuvers, as Generals Stilwell and Fuller observe the progress of the problem; and the other a group of executive officers of the camp, posing for the news photographer during a training stunt, and again General Stilwell and Fuller in the foreground. Incidentally Howie is very grateful for the many letters he has received from '15ers, but has not been able to answer them all personally because of press of time, and wishes to acknowledge these letters through the '15 column.
A voice from the distant past comes from California in a letter from Joe Comstock, who says he has not seen Hanover since our graduation in June 1915. He was all set for our 25th in 1940, but press of business at the last moment kept him away. David, his younger son, is taking his midshipman training at Harvard, and is located at Morris Hall, B 23, Soldiers' Field, Boston 63, and would be glad to hear from his Dad[s classmates. Joseph Jr., is with the USQMC in New Caledonia, and is a graduate of U. of Southern California. Joe speaks particularly of Walt Flood, Harp O'Hara, and Jim Henderson, all of whom he would like his 'son to meet, and all of whom are available around the Boston area. Chan Foster has already contacted the boy.
Also from the land of the Golden Gate comes word, through a newspaper clipping, that Walt Wanger will join Metro in 1945—the authority being the intrepid Hedda Hopper .... another clipping from a movie commentator tells of Walt's book-buying habits begun at Dartmouth and how he essayed to make readers of a few chorus girls by buying a nice library for their use—until one chirped: "Oh look, here's an author named for those O. Henry bars"—whereupon Walt threw up the sponge. Another clipping from a movie commentator speaks of Walt's election as president of the Alumni Association (last June). It's not always class secretaries who get news eight months late, and those movie boys get plenty for their blurbs.
A note from Dr. W. R. R. (Speed) Granger tells of busy days in his profession, and a promise to be at the next reunion, whenever it is held.
Charlie Griffith, chairman of the 1915 Memorial Fund, reports as of February 14 that the response to his appeal was excellent and that the Fund will soon be over the $10,000 mark-no doubt it is by this date (March 5). Of course Charlie is still open for any contributions which may go to him in the next few weeks so that it will not interfere with the regular Alumni Fund solicitation.
Since mentioning the release of Jiggs Donahue in the last issue, I have had a letter from Miss Ford at the Alumni Records Office with more details from Jiggs's sister. The latter reports that Jiggs is in good health considering what he has been through; is living with his wife and daughter in Paris; and expects to go to work again for Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Co., for whom he was assistant sales manager when interned. His address, 55 Rue Boileau, Paris, was given in the last issue, and I hope some of his old cronies of hockey and baseball will write to him.
Another news story tells of the election of Dick Merrill, now pastor of the First Congregational Church of Columbus, Ohio, to a trusteeship of Oberlin College, Oberlin, 0., to succeed a resigned member. Dick has been in Columbus since 1943 after a long pastorate in Boston, and he is missed at our Boston gatherings.
I have a notation of the marriage of Ev Lamson last December to Jeanne Chalmers Redfield of New Haven, Conn., and the couple is now making their home at 70 Court St., Exeter, N. H., Ev's native town.
A voice from the past is contained in a letter from Howie Fuller to Charlie Griffith, in which Howie states that Second Lieutenant Ward Durant Smith, son. of our Philip Durant Smith, was in his command for a period at Ft. McClellan, and was assigned to him as aide-de-camp. The boy is now at Fort Ord, Colo., awaiting overseas orders.
The annual Boston Alumni Dinner on February 28 found a large group—twenty-two to be exact—of 'lsers present for an enjoyable evening. Those present included: Bush Campbell, String Downing, Nut Norwood, George Simpson, Ed Shea, Herb Potter, Russ Rice, Jack Mason, Leon Tuck, Pete Winship, Johnny Johnson, Eben Clough, Bud Doe, Doc Atwood, Walt Meader, Dale Barker, Chan Foster, Norvie Milmore, Hap Leonard, Richardson, Wing, and Lounsberry.
Commander Ralph Sawyer writes from the U. S. Naval Proving Ground at Dahlgren, Va., in which service Ralph has been almost from the very first of the war, stating that he is in charge of the experimental laboratories with a staff of about sixty officers and civilians; last December he was promoted to commander as previously reported in the column. Ralph's wife is principal public relations officer at the Central O.P.A. office and his son is an ensign at the Naval Research Laboratory at Anacostia, Md.
Changes of address this month include: Philip K. Murdock, 1427 Troy Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Capt. John N. Harriman, 244 East 3rd Ave., Mount Dora, Fla.; Harold H. Budd, previously reported in the general notes last month, and the address given for Jiggs Donahue.
Dean Neidlinger requests the insertion in the class notes of the announcement of a Certificate of Merit available for all members of the Class (and the College) who left college before graduation to enter the armed forces (or ambulance service) in World War I, which is to be issued by the college in lieu of a diploma. It hardly appears that this affects 1915 to any' great degree. We did- not enter the war until two years after our graduation, so there would be no one leaving to enter our armed forces. There may have been several who joined the ambulance service of which we have no record, and if so, the College wishes to hear from them or their relatives; and the certificate will be awarded. It appears that the college records do not indicate clearly which men left for war service between 1914-1919, and the officials are anxious to make sure that those deserving of the certificate shall receive one. As far as I know, our classmates who left for am- bulance service were outstanding and are well recorded in the college files; there can be none who left for our armed services, obviously; there is a remote possibility of someone we do not know of who entered Canadian or British forces, which, as I understand the notice, would make them eligible.
A PREVIEW OF SUMMER showing Inspector Lawrence Kingman '14, Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, at the tiller of his catboat in Duxbury Bay.
TWO '17 MEN ENJOY REUNION IN CALIFORNIA. Lt. Comdr. Slotz Baxter (left), visits Comdr. Bart Shackford at the Treasure Island Naval Hospital where the commander is stationed. Both officers are in the Medical Corps, USNR, and Baxter is at the Receiving Station, Fargo Barracks, Boston.
Secretary, Box 697, Lawrence, Mass.
Treasurer, 31 State St., Boston, Mass.
