Kensington High School - Compass Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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From Our- Mailbag Corporal Ronald Swader, U.S.M.C., writes from somewhere in the South Pacific: Bill Seelbach and I ran into each other while in the country we went to after Guadalcanal. It was a surprise, for neither of us knew the other was in the same division. It has been almost two years since we left the States and it would be good to see everyone a am. ' gP.F.C. Robert Wilcox, Class of 1940, writes from the Island of Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands, about how much the Ken Knapsack has meant to servicemen stationed far from home. P.F.C. Herbert Kuhn, 1940's track star, sent us a two page V mail from England. We are enjoying very fine spring weather here which is giving us a chance to plant a small garden: onions. carrots, lettuce. It's a strange experience to grope one's way around a blackedout town, but we're used to it now. All the stories of England's hardships are true . . . There is nothing to be bought in the stores that isn't rationed, except fish and chips. P.F.C. Bill Schall, with the Marines in the South Pacific, informs us that he and Bill Seel- bach have been lucky in being stationed near each other for some time and have spent many hours reminiscing about school days at Ken. He adds: I have also met Elmer Mayer over here and now I understand that Bill Pfeiffer is stationed near us. Corporal Ray Pringle, who has been in the Italian campaign, writes: At present, I am in the hospital. Yesterday, Irving Berlin entertained us and sang several of his favorite songs. Good luck, Ray. All your friends at Kensington hope you will soon be well again. Corporal Russell Zorn, also hospitalized, describes his accident: Our jeep was struck by a five ton truck and we turned over five times. I was knocked out and did not come to until the next day. After convalescing, he plans to spend his furlough in London. Dick Slominski, Q. M. 3,fC in the U. S. Navy, tells us: At present, I am somewhere in the Mediterranean. The ship I am on is a destroyer and, in my opinion, a very good ship . . . Among some of the places I have seen are the Rock of Gibraltar, Mt. Vesuvius, the Isle of Caprii, and the city of Naples. They are places that I'll never forget. Richard Reich, somewhere in the Pacific, writes that he has been training for jungle com- bat which consists of hardy Ranger or Commando tactics and strenuous drills and exer- cises. He adds: Your Ken Knapsack is wonderful. How about more of it? Pvt. Harold Greenman was enthusiastic about the Solomon Islands! He says: I was in Fiji for awhile and I certainly enjoyed my stay there. There were plenty of coconuts, bananas, and wild oranges growing there. Q Sergeant Bill Graser, another of the many Ken boys stationed in England, told us: I've had occasion to visit London . . . the people of that city have more courage and spirit than one can imagine to withstand the Nazi blitzes. KEY TO PICTURES ON PAGE 27 Top Row: reading from left to right: SfSgt. Thomas Nickols signs our register. Tom was home for a well-earned rest after seeing action with the Marines in the South Pacific. P.F.C. Raymond Quackenbush and his brother, Sf 1C Guilford Quackenbush pose for our cameraman. Ray is a veteran of Guadalcanal. SfSqt. Bill Schneider and AvfC Gerald Gravius reminisced over old times. Bill was home after months of com- bat duty in the South Pacific. Gerry will soon be commissioned an Ensign in the Naval Air Corps. Third Row: Gunner's Mate Marvin Kiesling congratulates Freshman Harry Bosworth after the Armistice Day Pro- gram. Marve took part in the invasion of Italy. Seaman l!C Elaine Meyers of the WAVES is now stationed in Washington, D. C. Elaine is the first of the Ken- sington girls who are now in service to visit her Alma Mater. . Lt. Iohn Blewett and Sgt. Willard Sauter study t?i a war map. We suspect one of the well-known Sauter jokes produced those grins. Second Row: Seaman Howard Basher and Midshipman Frank Sturm look over the service men's register. Frank spoke at an assembly program about his experiences in the Mediterranean theatre ot war. Lt. Frank Sarver, Class of 1942, looks at our service flag. Ensign Howard Strauss visited Kensington shortly after receiving his commission. He is now on duty somewhere in the Pacific. First Row: Pvts. Adam Vogel and Norm Castine listen to Mr. Chassin predict who will win the game. It seemed natural to have Norm, one of Ken's outstanding athletes,back in the gym again. Pvt. Harry Morris, Charles Dingboom and Seaman George D'addario talk things over. Chuck left Kensington in Ianuary to join the U. S. Marine Corps. 26 0