8
SERVICE NEWS
(Continued from page 7)
aga Island, where he espent nearly eight
months battling the elements, includ
ing the "williwaws,” which Floyd says
will blow through almost any amount
of clothing. After a brief furlough, he
will report for futher duty.
Malcolm Cameron, MM 2 /c of the
Seabees, now stationed in Hawaii, says
that the Navy teaches young men a
trade, and that by the time this shin
dig is over he will know all there is to
know about stevedoring and rigging.
He also says that he is enjoying his stay
there, with the exception of the work.
Never a dull moment.
Staff Sgt. John F. Hageman, who
has had a bout with malaria and is at
present in Australia states he hopes to
get back to his old company one of
these days. Fred has been so long
amongst our English speaking brothers
that he is acquiring the British prase-
ology "no end.”
Leonard Batzner, a former state em
ployee, now a Machinists Mate 1/c with
the Seabees, was home on leave in May.
He spent several days in Salem visiting
friends and relatives. He wears a . star
on his service ribbon for action at Tar
awa, and told us the fighting there was
plenty tough. The natives, he remarked,
were fine physical specimens and very
intelligent. About 70 per cent can read
and write their native language, Gil-
bertese, whose alphabet contain? only 13
letters. Leonard was much interested in
the OSEA, as it has been organized since
he joined the armed forces. Good luck
to you, Leonard.
Lt. Keith W. Mathews, former State
Highway employee, now a training in
structor on fast pursuit ships at Craig
Field, Alabama, was a recent visitor in
Salem. Lt. Mathews, among other items
of interest, said he has, on cross country
trips, visited almost every state in the
Union, but is hoping he can soon get
back to Oregon, permanently, as it tops
the rest of the country by a large mar
gin.
Sgt. Valdemar Johnson is now home
on furlough and recently visited the
Traffic Department and renewed old
acquaintances. Val is now transferred
to the Engineer Corps and at the ex
piration of his furlough reports to Fort
Leonard Wood, Missouri, for assign
ment.
Seaman First Class Glen Boertscher
of the Coast Guard is still in Vancou
ver, Washington.
Joe Gately, Shipfitter First Class, is
in the San Diego area on limited active
duty.
Private First Class Sana Millett of the
Marine Corps was recently home and
visited the Department. She is in San
Francisco working in the Fleet Post
Office.
Captain John Beakey recently wrote
a letter from England in which he
stated that he run across Captain Dick
Anderson of the Engineer Corps in
England. John is still in transportation
work.
Corporal Cecil Head in now1 stationed
in North Africa.
Marine Sergeant Vernal Busch has
spent two Christmas holidays in the
South and Central Pacific. He writes
that he has seen enough monkeys, trop
ics, natives, and south sea muck to last
him for many years. On his first as
signment in the South Pacific he says
all illusions he had as to the romantic
nature of those islands was completely
shattered. The Central Pacific, how
ever, was an improvement, with a bet
ter climate, better living conditions, and
(Continued on page 2 3 ).