1954
Last month, as the February column was going to press, we received word that another Fifty-four had passed away. In September EddyElkon died after a prolonged illness. A loyal and sincere friend, Eddy maintained a great interest in Dartmouth and Dartmouth affairs even though his illness did not allow him to participate fully in our various activities. The Class shares the sorrow of Eddy's family and friends as we extend our deepest sympathy to them.
STICK IN THE MUD ... We approach this month's edition rather gingerly inasmuch as we are called upon to respond to a number of epistles which expressed tongue-in-cheek queries over the Basilone's recent trip to the bar, i.e., the ship's January grounding oil Cape Henry.
The anchor drag resulted in the expected eye-brow raising and chuckles on the part of our Class nautical comrades. There were a multitude of explanations for the mishap. Because we had thrust ourselves up so close to the Fort Story Officers' Club, which was right along the beach, some suggested that we had forgotten time and situation and decided to cruise over for a beer.
It was an expensive trip, costing the life of one man, grounding two ships, one of which was a rescue vessel, and very nearly producing a collision which could have split us in two. Needless to say we are presently undergoing repairs in the Portsmouth, Va., Navy yard. This is not a recommended fleet maneuver and one which will not be tried again.
Bud Addis followed up a chain letter with tales of Germany and Army life. Bud was picked up by Uncle Sam last April, shipped to radio school and in October packed up and sent off to Stuttgart where he is attached to a CIC group, performing a job, yes, not even remotely connected with radio. Also on his agenda but not his duties is a trip to ParlsBud, surprisingly enough, recalls seeing ScottyRamback on New Year's Eve. Scotty has been over there for a year now. There's more news
FROM THE JANIZARY ... Marine Lt. IrvSherwood dropped his aircraft onto the deck of the USS Saipan a half dozen times recently to qualify in the carrier landing phase of flight training. Next on Irv's docket is instrument training at Corey Field, Pensacola, Fla.
Graduated from Naval pre-flight school at Pensacola is Karl Timmerman. Karl is now at Whiting Field in Milton, Fla. It was also at Whiting that Lt. Bob Kirkpatrick USMC completed his first solo flight a short while ago. John Steel's newly-acquired Navy wings are already getting tarnished as he zooms about with his fighter outfit at Jacksonville in the sunshine state.
"in November the Army announced that Lt.Bob McKeever had graduated from the Ammunition Officers' course at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md. Bob's been in since June of '55.
Navy Lt. (jg) Don Belcher has wound up his shore fire-control party school training at Little Creek, Va. Back from what is believed to have been a recreation cruise under the guise of training in the Caribbean with the USS Powers is Lt. (jg) John Heston. He plans to join forces with Lt. (jg) Pete Geithner for the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. If you're in Louisiana environs you'll probably hear them. Pete is back once again in Pensacola and about ready to don the wings.
Aside from our cooped-up military we have a few in the...
" WEDLOCK DEADLOCK...On December 31 Al Edmundsen took time off from his medical research work to prescribe wedding bells for Margaret Morrison of Springfield, Ill., and the U. of New Mexico. Lois King was queen for Henry Willard at their regal marriage ceremony in Wethers field, Conn., on November 19. The Willards are living in Pittsfield Mass., while Henry sparks for the General Electric Corporation.
Honeymooning from Jamaica, L.I., to Jamaica, B.W.I., were Robyne Home, an Adelphi senior, and Lt. (jg) Bob Silverberg. After completing his tour on the USS Leyte this June Bob plans to hit the law volumes. Another impressed seaman is Lt. (jg) Bob Osmond, recently (December 26) wedded to Patricia Walton of Skidmore and Holden, Mass. A New Englander himself, Bob was conveniently transferred from the USS Preston in Newport to the West Coast.
Air Force jet pilot Ed Moore swooped down on Merion, Pa., to tie the nuptial knot with Valerie Ann Brosius of Baldwin School, Bryn Mawr, Pa. The Moores are living in Laredo, Texas. On December 28 Skidmore senior Wilma Fagin of New York City and BruceClasson sealed marriage vows and Gene now and Lee Kaufmann were united two days earlier in Passaic, N.J. The Aronows are residing in Evanston, Ill., while Gene attacks his iunior year of Northwestern Med.
THE ENGAGEMENT RING ... In this month's betrothal column are Eugenia Nicholson of Norwood, Mass., and George Corbett. George and Eugenia were engaged in November. George, we believe, is an Army M.P. in Honolulu, Hawaii. In December Alan Weissman and Sandra Ann Lambert of Great Neck, L.I., took the first step together. The bride-to-be is at Adelphi.
Also in December, Sarah Bond of Colby Jr. and Wellesley Hills, Mass., and Ben Gilson were affianced. Ben's at Harvard Med. In January Suzanne Johnson of Fairfax, Del., announced her bethrothal to fellow U. of Pennsylvania graduate student Norm Veasey. Norm is studying law and has been elected editor of the Law Review at the institution.
Bette Ellen Smith of Canton, Ohio, and Vivienne Smith School of Modeling in Canton announced her engagement to Lt. PaulStumpf USAF. Paul is at Laredo AFB, Texas, flying jets.
'HUME-AN INTEREST ... "My sincere condolences to all to whom the above is catastrophic news," scribbled George Hume, Lt. USA, as he revealed he had taken the "big Step" with Jan Corbett in Heidelberg, Germany. Jan is a graduate of Holton Arms School and Junior College. She is studying at the Sorbonne. Jan and George plan a Heidelberg wedding next month.
John Titus and Tom Corcoran were selected to make the trip to Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy, as the U.S. squad made its initial bid in Olympic competition. Better check this month's sport column for the up-to-date results. After his all-Ivy selection and New England and all-Eastern honors, John, serving as a lieutenant in the Air Force, was chosen for this year's Olympic squad in December. Incientally, John played hooky from his hockey long enough to skate to the altar with Joyce Miller of Melrose, Mass., and Colby Jr. last January. Tom, as you recall, won the Giant Slalom tryouts last spring; he's still with the Navy.
Newly ordained minister and recently installed pastor of the Talcottsville, Conn., Congregational Church is Ev Murphy. Ev received his Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Bangor Theological Seminary last year and was ordained in November.
Bob Sokolski bade fond farewell to Korea last month. Upon return and discharge Bob plans to join the law school boys. Rich Collins left his Federal Reserve Bank position at the beckon of Uncle Sam in January. In communication with the Dartmouthians in New York City lately were Hal Conarro, Al Staley, DaveGrogan (still in the Navy), Joe Keenan and Chris Rood.
Last month we printed and dispatched a flock of class baby-congratulation cards to the proud Papas and Mamas on our list. They were cartooned by Clyde Smith and, believe me, you have never seen their equal. If you are harboring a pint-sized income tax exemption which we haven't reported in the column, send his name in and we'll cut you a card.
Before we close up this month, we remind you that the material you are sending in is all that keeps us going. So sit down and drop a quick line, will you?
Secretary, 'USS Basilone (DDE-824) c/o Fleet P.O., New York, N.Y.
Treasurer, 251 Crestview Rd., Southern Pines, N.C.
