29 May, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 654 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

29 May, 1944        0715

My dearest darling –

The start of another week with lots of things to take care of. But one thing about being busy – the days do go by very quickly, and I like that, dear. This past week-end was gorgeous from point of view of weather – although we couldn’t partake of it too much. However – for a couple of hours – Sunday afternoon we were able to play a game of soft-ball, officers v. enlisted men (we lost 17-5!). The sun was actually very hot and I ended up with a swell burn.

Sweetheart, before I forget it, Father’s day is fast approaching and I’ve done nothing about it. I haven’t got the slightest idea about presents from way back here, but you ought to be able to figure something out. I’m enclosing a check, dear, which ought to cover a Father’s Day gift for both our dads. Send them from both of us – if you wish, but at any rate – will you take care of getting a couple of gifts and seeing that they are delivered on the appropriate day? I wouldn’t ask you to do it, darling, but you invited me some time ago. Incidentally – if you see something you’d like to get that the check won’t cover – get it – and let me know the difference.

I was interested in your statements about Stanley Berns, how he looked and how he felt about going back. I guess the Pacific assignment is no sinecure – and from what I’ve gathered from others who have been there – they’re never anxious to return. I’m sure glad they didn’t send us in that direction; it could very well have been, too, because others went there at the same time that we were coming over here.

Darling, don’t you forget for a moment that I realize how much you’re doing to help my folks forget I’m away. You shouldn’t have any doubts about that at all. I think if I hadn’t met you and become engaged to you – they’d have taken my being away very much harder than they do now. And especially are they happy in the thought that when I come home, I’ll marry you. They’ve always wanted to see me married – and I think they see now why I waited so long. Put it all together, sweetheart, you have made them very happy and given them a new interest – at a time when they needed it most – and I want you to realize that I know that and appreciate it.

Well, my pet, I’ve got to go to work again – and try to earn my pay. I hope all is well with you at home – and the family – and send my love to the folks. I love you and miss you, dearest, and if I don’t tell you that often enough – it isn’t because I’m not thinking it and feeling it.

For now, all my love, darling

Greg.

* TIDBIT *

about Stanley Berns

Mr. Berns was born in Roxbury and moved to Brookline in 1920. He was educated in Brookline and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1939.After Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the Navy was assigned to Officer Candidate School at Columbia University, where he was commissioned an ensign in 1942.

Here are four pages from Side Boy, the book published for the graduating class of Midshipman in which Stanley was trained. The first two are the title page and an excerpt from Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Navy Day speech from October 27, 1941. The last two are about the 23rd Company in which he was trained.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
  

  

Stanley served as communications officer aboard the USS Griswold between 1942 and 1945 and saw action in the Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal and the Pacific theater. The Griswold (DE-7) was launched 28 April 1943 at the Boston Navy Yard. After shakedown in Bermuda, Griswold headed for the Pacific. Immediately pressed into service, she escorted convoys through the South Pacific. On 12 September, 1944 she conducted a 4-hour attack on a Japanese submarine off Guadalcanal but was not credited with a "kill." At 2200 on the night of 23 December, 1944, patrolling off Lunga Point, Guadalcanal, she was dispatched to investigate a periscope sighting. Alert sonar operators picked up the contact immediately, and held it for the next 5 hours as the determined DE conducted attack after attack on the elusive Japanese raider. Oil slicks and air bubbles after the sixth and seventh attacks told Griswold that her quarry was hit—this was confirmed shortly before 0300 on 24 December when a periscope poked out of the water. Griswold charged in for her eighth attack, laying a lethal pattern of twelve depth charges. A heavy oil slick dotted with debris rose to the surface, and the tenacious ship and crew were credited with sinking I-39.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

U.S.S. Griswold

After overhaul at Mare Island, the escort ship returned to the Pacific theater on 3 June 1944 to escort convoys and participate in training exercises out of Pearl Harbor well into 1945. Reaching Okinawa on 27 May 1945, Griswold was shortly rewarded with two kamikaze kills, 31 May and 5 June. The second of those would-be kamikazes dived on Griswold; but she evaded him and the marauder exploded into the ocean so close that fragments of the Japanese plane showered over her. That same day two other American ships were seriously damaged by kamikazes as Japan made her desperate, and futile, effort to reverse the tide of war. At war's end she sailed triumphantly into Japanese waters, anchoring in Tokyo Bay on 10 September, 1945. Embarking passengers for stateside, Griswold cleared Tokyo 6 days later and arrived in San Pedro, California on 8 October, 1945.

After the war Stanley returned to Boston. He and his brother co-founded Pullman Vacuum Cleaner Corp., which went on to become the world's largest manufacturer of commercial vacuum cleaners. In 1960 he developed an interest in horticulture and bought a 76-acre parcel in Sandwich, Massachusetts known as the Dexter Estate. He rehabilitated the grounds and grew and sold rhododendrons and azaleas throughout the East Coast. Later, he sold the estate to the Lilly Foundation and it became Heritage Plantation, now named Heritage Museums and Gardens.

Stanley Berns died on July 28, 2005, leaving two sons, a daughter, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren as well as a brother and a sister.

28 May, 1944

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 654 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

28 May, 1944        1235

Dear sweetheart –

Just got back from a rather long bike ride – on business; there was no other transportation available and the matter had to be taken care of. It was warm and I’m pretty tired. We’ll be eating soon and then I think I’ll soak in a tub. Later there are more details to take care of and I’ll be busy. I’m writing this now because I may not be able to write later, dear.

Gosh these past couple of days have been like summer and it makes me recall with nostalgia the first days when we first went out together. I thought the Spring would be tough, darling, but I guess Summer, Fall and Winter – will all be the same. I shall not be truly happy until I am close to you once again – Love to the folks.

All my love

Greg.

27 May, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 654 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

27 May, 1944        0730

Dearest sweetheart –

Even at this hour – which is actually 0530, the sun is out bright and shining, and from the stillness of the air and the trees, it seems certain to be a hot day today. The natives say that even in this part of England – and I always think of Tennessee or the Western Part of New England – when I look around me – it really gets hot – except for about 4 or 5 days in the whole summer.

I got an old letter from you, yesterday, dear – from May 8 – but nonetheless welcome. I don’t know why it was delayed – but it must have gotten side-tracked one way or another. At any rate it was interesting – I mean your farming and your energy darling. I worked on a farm for a day once and I was sure it wasn’t for me. Incidentally, I never realized that Mr. Clark’s farm is where it is, or if I had been told, it didn’t stick. I found that very interesting too, very interesting. All you have to do is add an “E”.

And your story about the mailman was most amazing, sweetheart. That is what I’d call personalized service. We don’t get that in the Army, I can assure you. He certainly sounds most sympathetic and next time you see him, dear, thank him for me, will you? If he wants to come to the ceremony, it’s all right with me, too.

I also got a letter from a friend of mine in another AA outfit in Italy. He used to be with us long ago – our first time at Edwards – and he certainly has been through a lot of action.

Last night we were supposed to have a meeting, staff, at 1730 – in the Colonel’s room. That seemed unusual because we generally have them in his office. We were sure something big was going to pop. Well we went in and he was with another Colonel whom he introduced and said he had a few words to tell us. So we took out our notebooks and waited. This other Col. said “I won’t talk much”, and he didn’t. He opened a suitcase and brought out a bottle of Bourbon, and darling when that was gone, another bottle and another appeared. Well – they held the dinner bell off until 1830 and we were all feeling fine by then. The Col. was a classmate of our Col. and is AA liaison officer in London. It could very well be that our present set-up and fine location were a result of his direction – because the Army can work that way. He just felt like meeting the Staff and saying “Hello”.

Well, Sweetheart, it’s Dispensary time and I have to run along. I hope all is well at home, dear, and that you still love me and miss me the way I do you. If so – I’m happy, darling.

Love, for now, to the folks and

All my love to you for always

Greg

[Note from FourthChild: Mr. Clark’s farm was in Sherborn, Massachusetts, USA – hence "add an E” told Wilma where he was...]

26 May, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 654 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

26 May, 1944        0730

My dearest darling –

I rather like the idea of writing you so early in the day. It puts me in the right mood. I felt so good all day yesterday – I was certain it was due to that. Although I didn’t hear from you, dear, I did get a letter from my father – as I expected – telling me about the Sunday spent at your house; also as I expected, the folks had a grand time, enjoyed meeting more of the relatives and thought everyone was very friendly to them. But best of all, darling, was what my father had to say about you, namely – that you are the loveliest, sweetest girl a guy could possibly pick for a wife and that he insisted, as did my mother, that I’d hurry up and come home – so that I could marry you. You know, sweetheart, it’s so wonderful to be in love and realize that you’re a lucky fellow to have the girl you’ve always wanted – but what makes me feel particularly content is the fact that my folks love you as much as they do. And I know – and I’m sure you do too – that they are as sincere as two people could possibly be. If you don’t know it – you will. I’ve never known them to be otherwise – and that’s why I love to read my father’s letter and see how much they love you and want you to be one of their children. Incidentally – my dad writes that you tried on the house-coat – or whatever you call it – and that you looked lovely.

The enclosed negatives and prints are all I was able to get back. There are 5 of the negatives and only 4 pictures – for some reason or another, dear, but you can do what you want with them. My folks will probably want 1 or 2 – but you can take care of that I guess. It’s an awful chore getting pictures censored here – and this is the first roll I’ve had any luck with at all.

I’m glad that knocker arrived, dear. It’s really a rare one and an antique. The house from which is was removed has been standing for 200 years and is the present cite of our Dispensary. The rest of the stuff was junk – but I had to get it out of the way. Incidentally you mention that you’re anxious to see the prints. Have I referred to them in any other terms than print? What I mean is that if I just mentioned the word print – I wonder if you think I’m referring to some cloth. If I didn’t make myself clear – I meant etchings. I just don’t want you to be disappointed, darling, although I think you’ll like these anyway. And while I’m on the subject – Silverware is practically non-existent here and even in London. What they had was gobbled up by the 1st troops to arrive here. The same goes for china, too, although I wouldn’t have been interested in that anyway.

Well well – sweetheart – it’s time I should be on my way, so I’ll close now. Remember that I love you and only you, darling – and that goes for always.

Love to the folks –

All my love

Greg

The following photos were taken outside
Sherborne Castle, UK:

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE

Greg on the back lawn


Greg on the left railing by front entrance


Greg in casual dress


Greg in Dress Uniform


Part of the 438th AAA AW BN Medical Detachment


Greg looking out his bedroom window

25 May, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 654 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

25 May, 1944        0730

Dearest Sweetheart –

Starting today’s letter at this time in the morning again reminds me of the days when I first started writing you back at Camp Edwards and used to write early so that my ambulance driver could mail the letter on his routine run to the hospital. When I realize how easy it was to be in the Army and be in the United States at the same time, I can’t help but wince – a little bit, but I guess I could be in much worse places than I am now, dear.

In case I haven’t already mentioned it, darling, I got some mail yesterday p.m. and you just can’t imagine how much better I felt after reading 3 of your letters. The fact is I had been feeling kind of in the dumps all week for various reasons – and not hearing from you, darling, wasn’t helping one bit. Incidentally – from your 3 letters I gathered that there was some delay in my mail too. I hope it wasn’t too long, dear, but again I must caution you that one of these days there will probably be a break in the continuity of the service – and you mustn’t worry when that happens. Furthermore, sweetheart, you’ll have to help Mother A and B not to worry. I know how futile that sounds – but reassurance is about the only medicine for worry – and that’s what you’ll have to give them; your dose – you’ll have to get from me.

Your letters, dear, were postmarked the 13th, 16th and 17th – so that I was able to get a running account of what went on the week-end of the 14th. It sounds as if everything went off very well and I’m sure I’ll hear a report on it from my folks. The gifts you mention sound useful, darling, and I sure would love to see them – on. I can just picture Grammy Bernstein and my dad. I’ll bet they ended in a dead heat – because – at the very least – my father is a champion along those lines. But he always means well – and that’s what counts, I guess.

You really aroused my interest darling in your account of Lawrence’s going out 3-4 times with the same girl. I don’t care who she is as long as he goes out, but I notice you said ‘winter’. The point is, if he’d go out often enough, he would create a desire to continue and he’d soon find out for himself whether the girl was the right type for him at all. But if he did get out – he’s certainly been very uncommunicative about it. But that’s what you’d expect from him.

I enjoyed Bea’s appendix to one of your letters, dear, and she certainly sounds like a friendly, regular sort – and I know I’ll like her and Frank. I’ve made a note of Major Flaschner’s APO – but off-hand, I don’t know where it is – although I’d say London as first choice. But someday I may be able to run into him. Incidentally – there was a reunion of all Harvard men in the ETO yesterday at the Grosvenor House in London – but I couldn’t go – unfortunately. Well – I’ll go after the war – and you’ll be able to go with me. And think of the games we’ll see together! Of course – dear – I’ll go to your reunions too.

Darling – I’ve got to leave for the Dispensary now. Remember, dear, I love you very strongly, miss you, want you – and won’t rest easy until I’m home again and married to you.

Love to the folks and

All my love for now

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about the Legacy of Major "Frank" Flaschner

From the Flaschner Judicial Institute web site comes this:

The Flaschner Judicial Institute (FJI) was established in 1978 as a memorial to the late Chief Justice Franklin N. Flaschner, a man beloved by many and admired by all. During his career, Chief Justice Flaschner was known as a progressive court reformer. In the 1970s, for example, he led the successful efforts to end part-time judgeships, and he was one of the first and most forceful advocates for the creation of the Judicial Conduct Commission.

First among the Chief Justice’s priorities, however, was his insistence on the importance of judicial education. “Apart from the judicial selection process, the most meaningful factor in improving professionalism is commitment to judicial education,” Chief Justice Flaschner once said. He believed that judges who are accomplished in the law would gain the confidence of not only the bar, but also of the greater public. He understood that judges who conduct their courtrooms with competence and courtesy would better administer justice and avoid complaint and criticism.

The Flaschner Institute works to assist both new and experienced Massachusetts judges throughout their judicial careers in their continuing education and professional development. The Institute seeks to advance the administration of justice by promoting the highest possible standards of judicial professionalism.

Each year, the Flaschner Institute collaborates with local, state, and national organizations to produce a wide, well-balanced array of educational programs and publications to impart knowledge of the law, improve skills, identify best practices, and sensitize judges to an understanding of their responsibilities to the public and the judicial system. The Institute’s core curriculum includes educational offerings in Judicial Orientation, Substantive Law, Skills Training, Sensitivity Awareness, Judicial Ethics, and Community Relations.

Judges team up with attorneys, academics, medical professionals, authors, and others to plan, prepare materials, and instruct their colleagues on a full range of topics related to their work. Frequently characterized as a “self-help judges’ organization,” the Flaschner Institute enjoys the enthusiastic support and participation of the Massachusetts judiciary. Approximately 80 percent of the bench voluntarily participates each year in Flaschner programs and activities.

In our 30+ years of service, the Flaschner Institute has won numerous local and national awards, including the American Bar Association’s coveted “State Judicial Education Award” given nationally to the most outstanding educational organization serving a state judiciary.

The Flaschner Judicial Institute is affiliated with the Social Law Library, and receives major funding from the Massachusetts Bar Foundation.

24 May, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 654 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

24 May, 1944       0900

My dearest sweetheart –

Another month that I know you, dear, and time seems to have lost its significance for me. To have already been away from you for a longer time that I knew you when I left – doesn’t seem as strange to me now as it did just a couple of months ago. I think becoming engaged to you had as much to do with it as anything else – and I can hardly believe that we’ve been engaged for almost two months, dear. I still startle myself at times when I realize it and get the same kick out of realizing that I in fact do have a fiancée, who is waiting for me and who wants me as much as I want her. It’s a swell feeling, sweetheart, and it will always make me feel right on top of the world.

Again yesterday, as I wrote you already, there was no mail from you or home. I got one from Irv Fine – congratulating me and complimenting me upon my choice – all of which I love to hear, darling. He mentioned Stan’s going in Washington and running around with some Wave or other named Lt. Wilcoff. He assumed I knew her – but I don’t remember the name at all. Do you know who she is? Anyway – he’s probably having a grand time and impressing his companion with his usual charm. It’s too bad he hasn’t developed more substance to his personality, more depth. Irv mentioned that Verna was running around arranging for post-war jobs – so I assume she’s doing rehabilitation work of some sort – a lot of hooey, as far as I’m concerned. As you wrote, I agree – she ought to be at home raising a family and learning how to cook – but that’s their business after all.

We finally got our Medical detachment pictures back, dear, and I’ve already had 2 of them packed and sent out. Will you give one to my folks? After I had them mailed – I wondered whether I should have sent 3 of them – but your folks probably don’t want one of their own. It’s just a group picture of our men and not as if it were a photograph of me alone. Only 15 of our 17 men were present, but we did get the 3 officers in it – so it will serve as a remembrance. I wonder if you’ve received the box of junk I sent and also the prints. I’m particularly interested in the latter and hope they arrive safely.

CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE

438th AAA AW BN Medical Detachment - May, 1944
In front of Sherborne Castle, England
Greg is seated in the center

Last night we saw “Reunion in France” which was fair – or a little better than fair – at best. We actually had 2 showings of it if you can imagine it – for so small an audience. If nothing more – we’re learning to be exclusive. Some of us wanted to play ball after supper – so they ran the thing off at 1900 and 2100. At the 2100 showing – there was an audience of 8 officers and 2 enlisted men.

Well, darling, that’s all again for this morning. It’s time to go over to teach the men something about bandaging – or rather to watch them while they do it. Everything is still just about the same here – and it’s O.K. with me – on that score. I miss you sweetheart and love you and think of you constantly no matter where I go or what I do. Always remember that!

Best love to the folks and

All my love to you, dearest

Greg

Route of the Question Mark

A continuation of Page 20-21 from The Route of the Question Mark is transcribed below, telling a little more about life in Sherborne.

page 20

The problem on Salisbury Plain, when all the crows made life miserable for us... The early morning drilling on Dancing Hill... The day we had our picture taken... Bill Smith's wedding in the Abbey, and we all marched down to attend it... The classes in map-reading and air-craft identification... The girl that Capt Peterson used to bring to the dances... The two mangy sheep-dogs at the castle...

23 May, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 654 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

23 May, 1944      1305

Dearest darling –

I just got up from my bed with a start – to answer the phone. I lay down on it after dinner about 1230 presumably for a couple of minutes and fell sound asleep. It’s a good thing the phone rang. I was going to write you dear – before I went down to the Dispensary but I guess I was too drowsy. Anyway – I’ll get off a few lines.

Last night we had a very long Officers’ Class which didn’t break up until about 2130 (started 1830). A movie had been scheduled and we all decided to see it. Well – after getting set and comfortable – it was discovered that something was wrong with the projector – and that took about an hour to get straightened out. The pay-off darling was that when we finally got going – we saw a sterling production – “Tarzan and the Desert Mystery”. By this time everyone was in a rare mood and it wouldn’t have made any difference what was being shown. In this particular picture there was ample room for dialogue for the audience – and as a result we had the horses, elephants and everything else talking. We didn’t get upstairs to bed until after midnight – but it was a lot of fun. We needed something like that, sweetheart, to cheer us up, because for some reason or other, it was a sort of Blue Monday, myself included.

Today is cloudy and moist – but I feel O.K. I lectured to my boys all morning on physiology and pathology and this p.m. we’re doing splinting – for fractured arms and legs. The boys are pretty good at it but you can’t do too much of it.

Darling – I didn’t hear from you or anyone yesterday. There’s several letters due me now. I do miss you more, dear, when I don’t hear from you – but that’s natural, I guess. Well – maybe tonight – for now, though, I better run along – because my class is waiting. So long for awhile, dear, I’ll finish this later.

1700

Hello Sweetheart –

Just got back and finished another full day’s work. I looked for mail – but dammit there was none from you. I got one letter and it’s apparently from the Fines because it has a Cambridge post-mark. I haven’t read it yet. Gee I’d like to get one of your letters, darling; it would give me a big lift.

Right now – while I’m writing you – I’m waiting for a call I’ve put in to Frank Morse. I haven’t written him for some time and decided it was better to call him. I know just where he is and should be able to contact him without too much difficulty.

Tonite, dear, we have another movie, I was told a little while ago – an old picture, I believe – “Reunion in France” – with J. Crawford and J. Wayne. Good or bad, we go to them all – it’s so convenient to just go downstairs.

Well, sweetheart, that’s about all for tonite, except to remind you that I love you dearly and miss you more than I can describe. Be well, darling, and send my love to the folks.

All my love for always,

Greg