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Word just arrived yesterday that Lt. John J. "Jack" Griffin, a former student
at the University of Kansas, and an athlete of much promise during his school days,
was killed on Iwo Jima. Jack was a fine friend of Mit Allen, Fred Pralle, and the
gang, and this comes as a shock to his many friends. Jack had a wonderful personal-

ity.

A short V-mail letter from Cpl. Jack "Jocko” Ballard, APO 263, New York, in
which he says that he is one of the so-called "Blue Star Commandos" or combat rear
area plough jockeys. He is in France. "Ve have enough work to keep us busy, but
when we are off we really play." Jack says he is proud of the showing made by the
Kansas basketeers. Thanks, Jocko. He also says, "Maybe next year some of the old
gang will be back in there racking up the buckets. I certainly look forward to the
day when I can come back."

Forrest Randall came in the office a couple of weeks ago while on leave, sing-
ing the praises of Lt. Comdr. Roland "Kickapoo" Logan, who is doing a great job at
the San Diego hospital in the rehabilitation office.

A V-mail from Delmar L. Curry, Sle, Navy 3205, Fleet Postoffice, San Francisco,
has just been received. Delmar was formerly executive secretary to E. A. Thomas of
the Kansas State High School Activities Association. He is now in the Admiralty Is-
lands, and says that he keeps up with basketball progress by reading the New York
Times overseas edition. He was pleased that Kansas was coming along well in basket-
ball. Delmar said he had a letter from Mike Oberhelman, Big Six official and
banker from Randolph, Kansas, who gave him the dope on the Big Six indoor sport.
"Out here we have returned to our rainy season. In between our daily two or three
downpours we are winding up our basketball competition with playoffs scheduled for
April. I've been assigned to the Welfare and Recreation Department and am enjoying
my work a lot. My wife wrote she thought Bob was now in Kansas City. I hope so,
for that would be almost like having him at home." Yes, Delmar, Bob will be an-in-
tern at Bell Memorial Hospital until July 1, when he goes in as a first lieutenant
in the Army medical corps. He is anxious to get into the real thing, he says. And
I guess the medicos have a reputation for doing that. . -

From Maj. F. G Stith, APO 1650, New York - "Just received clippings from Mrs. -
Stith about the basketball scandal. .. .; Barbershop, drugstore and fireplug cowboys
have had their day and still are, but not on the scale as brought to light by you.
Varmints can't operate in the sunshine -- the rats} More power’ to you. Such as
this really causes one to forget the war.” Major Stith was one of my coaching
school students years ago, and we are waiting for him to got back to have another
one of those bullfests. Good luck to you, Major Forrest.

To Col. D. S. "Dick" Adams, APO 394, New York - Thank you, Dick, for sending
along the Stars and Stripes concerning the article, "A Phog Allen Rooter Reports".
It is very interesting, the angles that some of these fellows take. Hope it won't
be long now, fellow, until you are back with us, sa

4nd from Capt. Harry Gordon Gray, A.C., Physical Training Director at the Waco,
Texas, Army Air Field, - "Saw Ed Elbel in San Antonio a while back. He looked good
and is doing a good job with the School of Aviation Medicine at Randolph Field. . .«
My brother Mex is still instructing at Advanced school in Stockton, Calif. My
brother Bob has been in the Navy over 5 years amd has seen a lot of the action in
the Pacific and around Italy and France, and has. just been returned to the States."
Yes, Gordie, I remember Rowsey, one of Hank Iba's boys. He was a great player.
Good luck to you, Gordie. of Boog ete €