13

"Some day I hope that you make the Rebounds into a book for I'm sure
that it's the finest work of literature of its kind ever compiled. It has a value
that cannot be estimated for the — of Kansas .! ' ;

Thanks for your kind words, we have some good news for you Bill, and
Bill has good news for us. Enough said, be seeing you soon, Bill.

Bal} also inclos ed a Letter from his brother, Lt. Max Replogle, VF-47,
c/o Fleet Post Oi'ficu; San Froncisso, California, Navy flier, and a star halfback
in football, winiiing tne versity "a" in 12650 'S%y.end 138, and his track. letter: in
138. Max was also a valuable member of the varsivy oasketball squad. Max recited
his experience in being shot down, and floating in the cold water of the Pacific
for hours:

Nour group 4,3) iP nthe fast carrier task force. We've been in on every-
thing since the Kyushu raids in the middle of March. I've been over the Japan
mainland three or four times now. The A.A. gets a Little bkicl: but so far no
fighter opposition. I reckon that wiil come though. We suppoi'ted the Okinawa
campaign. During that time we got 67 Jap planes. I got tvo. I sat in the water
for abovt three hours one day after chasing @ Jape I barned up my engine -and it
finally qiit. Another fellow finally gow the Jap. It awes very quict-and peaceful
while in the water, My boys knew where Twas so i didn't have a-thing to, worry
about. A Dumbo picked me up later. ‘They treated me very nicely. Bowh the Frank-
lin and Bunker Hill were in our group when they were hit. 2 suw the Franklin but
not the Bunker Hill. The latter one was the day I went swinming.(?)"

+ just now discovered that Lt. Max Replogle wasn't on our mailing fist.
I thought surely that we were sending this to Max all the time. For this I am
truly sorry, but it is just another indication that you are bound to miss some of
the boys. It is just another bit that I missed.

\

Captain M. F. Griffin, U. S.MiC, R., Marine Ho. oS: “ + F.P.0., S
Francisco, California, a great football and “track star in his college days, nai
"After being without mail for fourteen days, your No. 17, Jayhawk Rebound arrived,
being forwarded from Edenton, N.C. On July 17, Uncle Sam. decided he needed a
Special Services Officer for this. wing. So, after sixteen’ days of traveling only
a mile or two from land, .we arrived on this island. We actually saw land once on
our way here." | ;

"Our wash pan is a helmet and the sun haate. our shower water, but the -
food is good and the tents are waterproof, so we are not faring so badly. Any time
we want fresh“coconuts all’ we need to do is pick up'one or knock it off the tree,"

"The natives seem to be very friendly with the Marines. We saw a King
last. week and to let you know the Marines have things well in hand, the King was
wearing a Marine G.I. summer helmet, G.I. shoes, G.I. Khaki trousers, and a white
shirt." ;

"Home was the main topic of discussion until the "wee" hours, the night
it was rumored Japan had surrendered. It was encouraging to learn so many of these
boys are planning on returning to school. I surely hope that they get to come

back scon_and -have some fun in athletics. as they have earned that right."