1948

When you read this our Admiral Lou Clark, per his own schedule, should have departed Trinidad in his Valiant and be en route to the Canal via Dutch Curacao and Aruba, keeping at least 100 miles off Columbia in this out-law drug area where small boats often disappear. Lou expects to clear the Canal by the end of the year. By then he will have made his Captain Cook-like decision on whether to head for Capetown or Suez. (How would you go?) More later on this developing adventure.

Great time last week talking to ex-professional navy man Phil Shepard in Yarmouth, Maine. We didn't know it, but he was naval attache in the American embassy in Tokyo back in the '60s when the Drurys lived in Japan—and neither of us knew the other was there, to our regret. Shep and another alumnus are working up an old timers luncheon for Dartmouth Maineacs in Portland. I passed addresses and phone numbers of the eight other '48 residents in Maine to Shep so they will probably soon hear from him. Should be a good time if things can be worked out. (Only phone we couldn't find was BillMarshall's on Lake Megunticook near Camden but maybe he'll phone Phil at 846- 5999).

It was Sam Wilkinson who told me of Phil's intent. Sam wrote the recent '48 newsletter about '4B wartime V-12/V-5 navy/marine life in Hanover in connection with the '48 50th. He can't recall identity of the V-12 at that early morning formation so many years ago in front of "ships" Gile/Lord/Streeter who on the dead run arrived late and safely disappeared into the formation, to the consternation of local authority. Anyone remember? Sam wants to contact him—and not for the brig!

Longtime '48 class treasurer Gil Shattuck grew up in Nashua and still lives in rural Hillsboro in southern New Hampshire. Last fall for the first time he ran for public office in seeking election to the state legislature in Concord. Gil lost, but got the bug and will try again in November '98. He found the effort challenging, thinks he can do some good, and is encouraged—he says—because he successfully avoided dog bites in his house calls.

Gil recalls that in July 1944 he and Nashua High classmate John Conlin both entered Dartmouth as civilians while three other classmates came to Hanover as V-12s. Only one of these became a '48 and Gil ran into him on campus after Gil returned from navy duty in 1946. He was Ken Hall, and he had just received a West Point appointment after two years in the navy at Dartmouth. Gil never saw Ken again. In the '60 Colonel Hall went to Vietnam. His remains were later retrieved by M.I.A. search. We both believe Ken was the only '48 who died in 'Nam. We honor him.

Got your '50th plans completed yet? Called your old buddies? Passed any ideas to Fran Hummel? That watch is running. Time to move!

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