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Ensign Russoll J. Chitwood

-* oie pea -<--

On Friday, the 24th of supust, we wore shockod and grieved when we leamed
of the ccath of Ensijsyn Russell J. Chitwond, Navy Ferry Pilot and star end on tho Kansas
*Varsity Football team of '37, '38, und '39, Russell was killed Tuescay in the col-
lision cf his plane and aon Arny B-25 trei ning plano nour Rodco, New Mexico, the llth
Neval District announced. "Russ" was flying « Navy Fighter based at San Podro, Cal,
His widow lives in Long Beach, Culifornia. Russoll was the sono of Re wie Chitwood of

Corlway Sprinis, Kansase

oc we ee = @&

We just received o letter from our Bob jllen this morning, Aug. 27, stating
that ho has left his hospital at San Franoiscowith 263 patients for Cump Lejeune, New
Rivor, North Carolina. ie will fly back, and if possiblo, if ho is lucky, and the
breaks como his way, he my be able to drop off a few hours to visit his wifo, Jean
in Topeka. ivo are trying to make arranzsements whoreby we can pick hin up and all of
us meet at ono central point for a short fow hours! reuniun. Bob thinks that it is
o cinch that he will be in the service of the Navy from 18 to 24 months fron the prosent,

Note: August 29, 1945 - Woe just received a wire from Bot from Washinrton, De Ce He
will fly to Kansas City tonipht where we will mcot him and drive hin to Topeka where
Jean, his wifo, is not well. The good Dr. Pfuctzo would not let Jean travel.

lirs. sillon and I also roocived a letter from one a our, and of our wie
fondly" very good friends, Lt. (j.G,) He C. "Cliff" IcWilliams, USS Nochenta Bay,
(CVE-74) Fleet Post: Offico, San ‘Frineiseo, California, dated June 13, Long time no

soey-Cliff. — J

Cliff says, "Where there is smoke there is firo, and vou've probably heard
via tho srapo vine that I was on ny way to the Pacific. This I spoak of in the past
tense. I am now there, and have been for over two nonths. In fact I am now splty
enouch to have a slight bow in my legs. The passageways are much too low for a man of
my stature, (6ft. aa), I have a head that is slightly out of proportion due to the
numerous knocks on the novjting I havo been seasick twice. ind, like Mark Twain, I
felt thet if I livod through those periods it would be tragic.. but now my equilibrium
seems more adapted to that of tho roll end piteh idea. There havo been many occasions
when I have muttered to myself - home was never like this - or - man's place is in the
home beside woman - or such similar sweet sounding phrases. And incidentally this
brings up a subject which is so ofton discussed-hut never is a reality. Women! IJlost

‘f the boys are married and they certuinly do niss their wives. For us sinjle nen,

I beliovo we find ‘solace in seeing Lana Turner at the Cinema which has a time lag of
~bout two years in current fextures. ‘Je have seen the sane novies so many tines we
anticipate the actors' lines. I have come tu the point where I find Laurel and Hardy

cure academy award winners {"

“Well, I will Bieks by saying that in the tost of storn reality there is
still a sonse of hunor that exists. Tho utter fantasy of some of tho events through
which we heave, by Goc's race survived, the fantasy of theso have on vecasion sone=
what bewildered mo, Throur th oll the days and night's activity, however, there runs
a strain of nental raPlootton ond n sredual formulation of a certainty of purpose
and an awareness of just what is the botter lifo."

"My hair should be turning pray, but it isn't, However it has a tendency
to ‘stance up pretty strairht at times, I would civo up a week's loave ond Sunday de=
serts to see you poople now. I plan on darkening your door again so instruct the
local militin nccordine1-,"