1942

I hold in my hand a slip of crumpled paper which reads, "Class of 1942—Reunion of three omewhere in France." It is signed by S/Sgt. Dave Heald, 2nd Lt. Tom Worthern, and Ist Lt. Wilmer Dutton. Bud sent this slip along with a long letter which will follow. This seemed to be a good beginning for this month's epistle as it rather typifies what is happening all over this world. It really is amazing when you think of it that members of the class are meeting everywhere, just running into each other. This "reunion," like all the rest, was accompanied by drinks, smokes, and talk, which always centers about Hanover and the days to come. There is always the attempt to imitate the experiences we all knew in Hanover and the constant expression of the hope to soon return and to stop imitating.

The sad news has been received of the death of Charles N. Todd, on March 8, 1945. Charles was killed in action "Somewhere in Germany."

Among those who wear the laurel wreaths this month is chief storekeeper, Philip J. Blood, USN. Phil received an official commendation for his outstanding devotion to duty and for meritorious service in the preparation for the invasion of France. Having married Miss Gabriell Calthorpe November 30, 1944, Phil has been stationed at an advanced amphibious base in Salcombe, England, since December of 1943.

The Distinguished Flying Cross is now being worn by Lt. (jg) Harold J. Echardt. Thecitation signed by H. K. Hewitt, commanderof the Eighth Fleet, reads in part:

For distinguishing himself by heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights as pilot of a USAAF reconnaissance plane during the amphibious invasion of southern France in less precision even though constantly subjected to heavy anti-aircraft fire and the threat of enemy aerial attack. The expert airmanship, cool courageous action and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant (jg) Eckardt were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.

Hal has been back in the States enjoying a well-earned leave.

A more detailed account of the heroics of Capt. Jack Zimmer was received which told of the ingenuity displayed by Jack in destroying Jap pillboxes on Iwo when it was impossible to use either tanks or flame-throwers. Jack and his outfit disassembled a 75mm., took it up the cliff-like face of the hill, assembled it, all under constant enemy fire, and proceeded to destroy the pillboxes. This resembles the action of another Marine captain, Bob Carney, whose company helped in wiping out some 200 enemy emplacements on Mount Suribachi by the use of flame-throwers and demolitions. Bob's company was fighting in what was reported as probably the most heavily fortified approach to Suribachi.

In the line of bravery we have the report of the marriages of Miss Mary E. Miller of Southport, Conn., to Robert Campbell and that of Miss Constance B. Waldo to Ens. William E. Milliken, USNR, on February 28, 1945. This all reminds me that the month of June is approaching at which time the doors of this particular department are thrown wide open to all those lucky lads and lasses.

There is on hand a number of letters and notes of the roaming sons of 1942. Putting them together in a disconnected manner, the conglomeration would read as follows:

Dave Allen was recently commissioned a second lieutenant, Artillery, and is now serving with one of the supply ports of the Peninsular Base Headquarters, Italy. Prior to his commission, Dave served with an anti-aircraft battalion.—A letter from Lt. Dan Seacord, USNR, tells that he is now at M.I.T. where he is studying radar having finished a course at Harvard. Dan has seen a great amount of experience having served aboard a "tin can" taking part in the invasion of Africa. He met GordySmith at that time and also met Abe Storrs who was aboard an SC over there. Dan spent six months in a hospital in Africa and Norfolk, Va. He reports that Lt. Frank Baldwin, USN, is at a Supply Depot in Trenton, N. J., after sea duty; Lt. Art Huck, USNR, is bothering Japs aboard the USS O'Bannon;—that Lt. (jg) Hank Woodworth is busy at Mary Hitchcock in Hanover having finished at Harvard Med and that the Secords have an addition to their family in the form of a daughter Diana Frances who arrived on January 20. —A newspaper clipping tells of the exploits of Lt. Doug. Starret when he brought his fort, without a radio and navigational equipment and with the gasoline supply almost exhausted, into an emergency field not far from Paris for a safe but a "last minute" landing.—A letter from his father tells of the travels of Herschel "Cappy" Rix who was sent to the Pacific in February of '43 as a Marine Officer replacement and has since then been touring the Pacific area and taking part in many of the island battles. He is now a captain and is the battery commander of a battery of 90mm's.Word was received that Sgt. Hamilton M. O'Hara has returned to the States for a leave after serving in many parts of the Pacific with the Armed Forces Radio Service working under the direct command of General Mac Arthur in which he was instrumental in the establishment of a radio station on New Guinea and then became program director of the station.—Gordy Bridge writes that he is still working for Pratt & Whitney in Hartford, Conn. In Hartford, Gordy has met Brad Thompson who is interning there and also Harry Monroe who is working on the Hartford Times. While he was in New York a few weeks ago visiting HintAllison who is working for American Airlines at La Guardia Field, Gordy ran into Lt. Mike DeS herbin in and also Capt. Herb Swain of the Marines.—Among the recent promotions are found the names of Lt. Harold A. Hay ward Jr.;Lt. Donald J. Egan; and Lt. Warner C. Wilson, Jr. —your former correspondent, Phil Brooks, takes over again with the news that he has travelled over the _ Pacific route with the National War Fund setting up beer joints and recreational clubs for merchant seamen. Phil's comments on the Pacific seem to resemble those received from many of the other members. Of course he adds bits concerning this position which are none too pleasant.—-I said that I was going to return to that letter of Bud Dutton, and here it is. Bud says that he has received the news, via Sally Bishop, that DaveSills is at O.C.S. Fort Benning; Bob White is a Captain commanding a field artillery battery with the 4th Marine Div.; Harry Bond is back at the front after serving quite a spell as general's aide and it is understood that Harry now has a company; Johnny De la Montagne is still with the 10th in Italy; and Capt. IJoyd Bishop, AC., is now at Atlantic City having returned from Italy. Bud met Dick Barnes in London just before Dick was to take part in the Invasion. As far as the history of one Dutton is concerned, one of the most important aspects is his engagement to Lt. (jg) Joan DeMott over a year ago. Aside from that he reports that he returned to England to add parachute training to his previous qualifications and then to join a new outfit in France in time to be in Belgium for the German counter-attack toward Liege. Since that time Bud's outfit has moved into Germany and it would take a better man than I to keep track of it these days.

This trying to keep up with the '42's seems to be more of a keynote now than ever before, with all the rapid advances on all fronts. But news is news whenever you first hear it so send in the good words and the delays will never be noticed.

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