May 4, 1942...

re Williem. H.. Shannon,

a a ag Cost Tnspootor's office,
Ue Navy,

City Dock, Pier #3,

Miemi, Florida.

Dear Friend William H.:

1 iow you must hnve somp rank but you are too modest
to “ it on paper. ee ee: Cees Rae eet eh eg tN ~

Ise most pleased. to. have your wonderful letter of. the
Srd ultine, and do not think that I have not appreeiated the same. -
The fact of the matter is, I have been covered up with detailed end
administrative work. Pr. Elbel left about the middle of Mareh, and
instead of our basketball season ending at the normal time we were
picked to represent the Big Six because we tied with Oklahoma but our
offensive-defensive ratio was better, so we were the Big Six repres-
entative. Then we played Oklahoma A. & M. for the right to represent
the Fifth District, which is. the Missouri Valley area, and we succeeded
in defeating them in a close game in Kansas City. Then we met Colo-
rado on March 20 and lost to them by two points, and Stanford defeated
Rice. Those were the four teams in the Western N.C.AA. play-off. The
next night Stanford defeated Colorado by about 11 points, and we de-.
feated Rice by 2 points, 55-53. :

‘During all that time and during basketball season my work
was accumulating, and instead of being made easier it became heavier
because I was appointed to several faculty committees in addition to
my regular appointments. And taking over two of Dr. Elbel's teaching
subjects really sunk me!

Now, so much for that alibi. I trust that you will
accept it as a good one. .

I have followed your activities from Washington with your
training on down to Miami, and I kmow how very much you would like to
get into a more active assignment. But undoubtedly you are doing a
great job there. It is a fine thing to get into the army or Navy
service and ses with what dispatch things are executed. We do come to
appreciate ateiaheny and gentility which we find among the officers.

I would enjoy very woth aiving done ant cheng Wn Sit

for me not to rege aed ghomnanr Panag gh pty omar i crfiane 0
to be rather secretive. Uncle Sam wants i little information