1952
As usual I'm over-due with the copy for the coming deadline but this time with just cause, I think. Ten days' leave really makes life seem beautiful and the Navy a hard place to come back to. Nevertheless, with the holidays over and the business of defense again the big issue, there are a few words as to the class which bear repeating.
Another electrifying edition of Watt's class Newsletter is out and since he has covered a great variety of items on individuals in the class I'll let them go by the board. One correction at least though, Dick. Johnny Brower is not a Marine, but rather he is doing tanker duty for the U.S.N. Saw him just before my leave began and he was headed home on leave. Speaking of tanker duty, Al Riegelman was on the Navy tanker that exploded in Japan recently but was not hurt. His ship is now undergoing repairs, in the Far East I presume. I only regret that I am unable to give you Al's account of the incident. It was indeed a wonderful description in true Cruel Sea style.
Managed to get a plane ticket during my leave period to attend a wedding and on the return trip saw Mac Dunlap in Air Corps Blues with his spouse-to-be Miss Barbara ("Bibs") Smith at La Guardia. He was headed for Arizona to earn his wings. On the subject of engagements, I was bouncing through the society section of the Boston Herald two Sundays ago when the name Sadler rings the old bell. The Nashua lad (that's George) has Miss Alexandra V. Brady on tap for a date at the altar in the relatively near future. CharlieBlakemore is also on the hook. The gal, soon to be Mrs. 8., is Kathleen Marie Ryan. From Flatbush comes word that Steve Lazarus has finally got Arlene Travin in tow with the engagement band safe around the third left finger. However, I find it necessary to note a correction which the Brooklyn Eagle should make, Steve, in reference to your past. Another "it's about time" is the engagement of Paul ("Sandy" "WDBS") Sanderson to Miss Nancy G. Linnell. She was one of the Holyoke V-B's. And lastly for this writing Ray Back, U.S.A. (A for Army) has Miss Joan Wiedermayer in line for the walk down the aisle. She's a Wellesley gal now at the Memorial center in New York working with Doctor Wynder on cancer.
Since I can't write this column without reference to the effect Uncle Sara is having upon our "spare" time I might as well get the new additions in here. Dave ("the Hawk") Hawkins has .gone Navy at OCS in Newport. Speaking of hawks, before I go further I hope that some of you saw the Boston Post on November 9. Bill Mattox and his "Blondie" were covered quite completely in an article with pictures. The subtitles ran as follows: "Perfect in Test," "Blondie is Clever," "Training Year," and "Use of Bells." In case some of you don't know, that bird that used to sit in the back of a beach wagon on Main Street last winter was the property of B. M. Blondie is Bill's latest companion and in case you don't know, again, Bill is quite a capable handler of falcons. His experiences trapping and training them make very interesting reading.
But back to the services. I was a little behind the times as regard Buck Zuckerman, as he now lives "the life" as an Army man. SamHarncd has suffered the same fate as has TedFrankenbach and Lee Prior. Others engaged in similar occupations include Jack Fellingham and Deke Dory.
On the matrimonial side of the picture only two notices of married '52s this month. Guess this just isn't the season, but here's how they stack up. Phil Trawbridge, Lt, USAF, took the vows with Miss Judith Hollond in Summit, N. J., on November 5 last. She's a nurse and Phil is an instructor at Waco Field, Tex. Len("Mr. Basketball") Larrabee was among the ushers. The other ceremony took place in California on October 18 last when another nurse, Miss Mary Edwards, was married to Bud Heap. Bud is in the Navy and his bride is an Army nurse. Hold it! Just found another announcement. This reads "Miss Eileen T. Bowen bride today of Curtis Richards." The date was November 15 and the place was Chicopee, Mass. Curt is now with the Army and was at last tally at Ft. Dix, N. J.
Winding up the loose ends we've got a Rhodes Scholar in the class, according to Dick Watt. Vince Jones is the boy and it may well be that he's already taking advantage of it. Dave Chamberlain has this to say about England: "The reason that the English lack passion is that they expend all this energy keeping warm." That being the case, you globe trotters will probably find "Voo Voo" on the Continent.
That does it for this writing. Thanks for the questionnaire replies, they really help, and if any you elowns have one around that you didn't fill out, do same and mail it to me with a copy of your income tax return or any other "free envelope" you have. And don't miss the skiing. They say it's the best it's been in years at least in the East. How about it Westerners, what's what where you are?
Secretary,USS Nantahala (AO-60) c/o FPO, New York, N. Y. Treasurer, 203 Chase House, Hanover, N. H.
