While nosing around the little Sedgwick museum, I ran across the 20th Edition of “Our Gang.” This is a apparently a chain letter from a bunch of Kansas State College graduates from the late 1930’s that went off to WW2. It seems they write “what’s happening” to “Frank” and he distributes it every month. It is a 19-page typed chain letter with the last 3 pages the names and addresses of the “Our Gang” members. My dad graduated a few years earlier so I didn’t see him on the list. We had just beaten KU, so that was a big topic late in the year 1944. Many of the members were athletes and a few are names I recognize. I have added some context in parenthesis. I am a history nut so would love to know more about any you are familiar with. Below is a sentence from each letter.
Lieut. Leo Gerald Yeo, former captain of the KSC swim team is recovering from a wound in the Philippines.
Chet Peters (later to be KSU VP of Student Affairs) (he and his brother Dick were both Ends for KSC) says he is plenty busy with his 50 problem children, men coming into his Officer Training School. He says they are not near the caliber of the college boys. He has seen John Borka, Bill Payne in the paratroopers, and Lawrence King now at Camp Gordon.
Jack Gardner (KS BB coach from 1939-42, apparently enlisted, then KS coach again 1946-53)
Bill Quick writes to Kenny Ford (I think this is who Ford Hall is named for. I was a frat bro. of his son).
Charles N. Cooley was the starting BB center, SAE frat, and in the Navy. (my dad’s boss in the 60’s and 70’s)
Capt. Leon M Reynard is working with “War Dogs.” He coached the Army wrestling team against all the other services. Army lost 3-8, but he was the 191-pound champ. He is trying to talk Woody Haven to wrestle for KS when they return.
Sgt. “Bing” York got to see the Lions and Bears play. He said Elmer Hackney from KSC had a great game – about 8 carries for 70 or 80 yards.
Maj. Don C. Landon got a letter from Ward Haylett, one of our track stars from the early 30’s.
Dean Lill was KIA in Germany on 11/14/44. He had graduated from KS in 43 and played on the basketball team.
Joe Glavinich just got back from a 2 ½ month tour of the Pacific, but didn’t see action.
Ens. Ray Yelley says, “I’m executive officer of my Team and I get all the work…
Lieut. Milt D. Hill send a new address for Mike Vargon in Alaska. Wally Swanson in Holland and hears often from Pat and Don Richards.
Lt Delbert L. Townsend just returned from Holland to England. Saw Capt. Wally Swanson (End ’39-40) was wanting to carry the pigskin. Dick Hotchkiss is still MIA.
Marshall L. “Smoky” Stover just got out of Camp Bragg. Getting married to Bill Werts sister Betty Ann in 2 weeks.
Ted Warren saw Dale Duncan out here in the wide-open Pacific. We beat Iowa State.
Capt. Harry Hasler is still fat, sassy and ugly holding down the home in New Guinea.
Frank Thompson is Shore Patrol Officer but says he can’t say what he is doing because the censors would cut it.
Wally Swanson (another FB End from 39-40) had a long chat with Lee Towsend (wrestling and baseball). The Col. asked him to put together a FB team and he is wanting Hobbs to send him some plays. He got to meet baseball stars Mel Ott, Bucky Walters, Frankie Frisch and Dutch Leonard.
Ens. Ray Yelley had a fine trip across – only one rough day. Since he is an “OL SALT” he didn’t go to the rail …. except at the bar.
W.G. Speer (Fullback 37-38) has had enough of this traveling…want to get back to Kansas and never leave.
Ens. Robert F Killough (QB 42-43) saw Bob Berry (G 42, 46-47) is looking good playing and getting in fights with the opposing lineman. He saw a picture of Bob Berry and his navy team coach, Lt. Monk Edwards, former nine – letter star at KS. Their unbeaten, untied Naval Amphibious had beaten Lt. Don Faurot (Missouri AD from 1935-42 and 1946-67)
Capt. Chris Langvardt is tearing up the hoops league hitting 20 points per game. At KS 1938-41 he was a basketball, football and baseball star. He is Battery commander in the Coast Artillery at Hancock.
Sgt. James Vavnoch, from Oberlin, is engaged to Phyllis Weckerling of Manhattan. Jim was wrestling in 41-42, majoring in Ag Engg. and an AGR frat.
Ted Warren, at sea, from Delphos, Ks, was born son Kenneth McKinley Warren.
Lt. Frank (I think this is the Frank that put the letter together) Prentup had birth 11/29/44. He was coach at Manhattan High. Wife is former Doris Dalton.
Promotions:
Captain Chris (Tis) Langvardt (little one doing fine); Lt. Commander John Harold (Hobbs) Adams; Lt. Commander C.S. (Coony) Moll; Lt. Colonel Ernest A. Jessup; Capt. Harry L. Hasler; L. (jg) Norbert Raemer; Capt. Gerald Ingrahm; Lt. (jg) Staley L. Pitts; Lt. (jg) W. M. Carleton; Sgt. D.S. (Jim) Prideaux.
Kent Duwe in a tent with the snow falling in France.
Jim Prideaux (perhaps the dad of the Jim Prideaux I worked with at Boeing) is on the God-for-saken rock called Saipan. Says our bombers over Tokyo will certainly shorten the war.
Homer Socolofsky is tired sitting and waiting on a ship near the international date line.
Ted Warren got a card from Pete Shearer and saw Lt. Cmdr. George Halas. Expecting a visit from the stork any day. Attended the Orange Bowl in Miami.
Raymond Isle finished a big turkey Christmas dinner. Just received the July and Sept. “Our Gang” letters. Must be right on IDL and says it is tough having a rough day on the 19th then crossing the line and have another tough day on the 19th again. Another guy had a birthday on the 19th, but was on one side of the line on the 18th and then crossed over where it was the 20th.
Lt. Commander C. S. (Cooney) Moll is in Liberty, MO. at the William Jewell Flight Prep School responsible for physical maintenance of pilots. Mentioned many athletes that have come through school. Says Jack Gardner is in San Diego as AD at the air station.
Lt. Col. Ernest Jessup has been overseas for 16 months and only KS person he has seen is Red Reynard at school in Honolulu. Stationed in New Guinea. Visited with Wally Swanson and his outfit, which many senior officers say is “the greatest fighting unit they’ve ever seen.” Described a little about the mysterious MIA of Dick Hotchkiss. Ray Rokey, football player in 41-42, death.
Thane High is in France fighting from town to town and living in French houses. After they free a town, the people come back and give the soldiers “everything they have.” Wrote at length about what the French people had to go through.
Michael Zeleznak is somewhere in France. As many other letters have, he talked about the girls. Bertka is engaged to Joe Glavenich’s niece.
Lt. Clifford D. Makalous says he is “finally” headed overseas after waiting 6 months.
Mrs. Emil Kientz says her husband was slightly wounded and evacuated to England. Before the war he was a KSC grad, 2 year FB letterman, and teaching at La Cygne.
Paul Clingman (track two-miler in 1939-40) is MIA. Paul was delivering messages between units.
Jim Upham reported MIA in last letter is a POW in Germany. He can send 2 letters a month.
Capt. Lewis M. (Slick) Turner (QB 40-46). A program was found listing him as Coach and QB of the Base All-Stars in Australia. Program describes him, “this Kansas State player is a good, quick-thinking quarterback and also coaches the team. Is very fast, and uses his two hundred pounds to good advantage.” Apparently, 200 was much different than his weight at KS.
Lt. (jg) Larry K Beaumont (BB player) gets together with Kansas people once a week. Mentions Lt. Col. Foster coached at Smith Center, and Major Hall, Junction City. His BB team won the league with only one loss and he averaged 17 per game.
Richard (Dick) Peters (End 39-41 and Chet’s older Brother) has been “out” 29 months. Presently, not at the “front” so he is playing softball 2-3 times a week and BB at night.
Bill Quick is in Ordnance in Luxemburg and got married last June to Marila Miler. Wrote that he has not been in touch with Kier and Duncan who he things are near. “This is certainly no fun to see and be in the hells of war.”
Bob Schwirtz is in the Pacific and for some reason can’t find a good golf course.
Fred Kohl is near NYC. Says he has gained a lot of weight and hopes to play FB when he gets back to school.
Don Leavitt is in Florida in gunnery school and then going to navigation school.
Mrs. John Jackson, the former Alice Beal, Eureka, reports that her husband is KIA. John was a replacement in a tank. For a week they stayed in the tank while enemy mortars pelted the area. At week’s end John was able to meet his tankmate that he had been talking to on the intercom.
Cpl Frank H Cooley (pitcher letterman in 36-38) in Fort Riley
“Ox” Cowan played football for Ray “Bo” McMillin, DL 29-31
Lieut. Leo Gerald Yeo, former captain of the KSC swim team is recovering from a wound in the Philippines.
Chet Peters (later to be KSU VP of Student Affairs) (he and his brother Dick were both Ends for KSC) says he is plenty busy with his 50 problem children, men coming into his Officer Training School. He says they are not near the caliber of the college boys. He has seen John Borka, Bill Payne in the paratroopers, and Lawrence King now at Camp Gordon.
Jack Gardner (KS BB coach from 1939-42, apparently enlisted, then KS coach again 1946-53)
Bill Quick writes to Kenny Ford (I think this is who Ford Hall is named for. I was a frat bro. of his son).
Charles N. Cooley was the starting BB center, SAE frat, and in the Navy. (my dad’s boss in the 60’s and 70’s)
Capt. Leon M Reynard is working with “War Dogs.” He coached the Army wrestling team against all the other services. Army lost 3-8, but he was the 191-pound champ. He is trying to talk Woody Haven to wrestle for KS when they return.
Sgt. “Bing” York got to see the Lions and Bears play. He said Elmer Hackney from KSC had a great game – about 8 carries for 70 or 80 yards.
Maj. Don C. Landon got a letter from Ward Haylett, one of our track stars from the early 30’s.
Dean Lill was KIA in Germany on 11/14/44. He had graduated from KS in 43 and played on the basketball team.
Joe Glavinich just got back from a 2 ½ month tour of the Pacific, but didn’t see action.
Ens. Ray Yelley says, “I’m executive officer of my Team and I get all the work…
Lieut. Milt D. Hill send a new address for Mike Vargon in Alaska. Wally Swanson in Holland and hears often from Pat and Don Richards.
Lt Delbert L. Townsend just returned from Holland to England. Saw Capt. Wally Swanson (End ’39-40) was wanting to carry the pigskin. Dick Hotchkiss is still MIA.
Marshall L. “Smoky” Stover just got out of Camp Bragg. Getting married to Bill Werts sister Betty Ann in 2 weeks.
Ted Warren saw Dale Duncan out here in the wide-open Pacific. We beat Iowa State.
Capt. Harry Hasler is still fat, sassy and ugly holding down the home in New Guinea.
Frank Thompson is Shore Patrol Officer but says he can’t say what he is doing because the censors would cut it.
Wally Swanson (another FB End from 39-40) had a long chat with Lee Towsend (wrestling and baseball). The Col. asked him to put together a FB team and he is wanting Hobbs to send him some plays. He got to meet baseball stars Mel Ott, Bucky Walters, Frankie Frisch and Dutch Leonard.
Ens. Ray Yelley had a fine trip across – only one rough day. Since he is an “OL SALT” he didn’t go to the rail …. except at the bar.
W.G. Speer (Fullback 37-38) has had enough of this traveling…want to get back to Kansas and never leave.
Ens. Robert F Killough (QB 42-43) saw Bob Berry (G 42, 46-47) is looking good playing and getting in fights with the opposing lineman. He saw a picture of Bob Berry and his navy team coach, Lt. Monk Edwards, former nine – letter star at KS. Their unbeaten, untied Naval Amphibious had beaten Lt. Don Faurot (Missouri AD from 1935-42 and 1946-67)
Capt. Chris Langvardt is tearing up the hoops league hitting 20 points per game. At KS 1938-41 he was a basketball, football and baseball star. He is Battery commander in the Coast Artillery at Hancock.
Sgt. James Vavnoch, from Oberlin, is engaged to Phyllis Weckerling of Manhattan. Jim was wrestling in 41-42, majoring in Ag Engg. and an AGR frat.
Ted Warren, at sea, from Delphos, Ks, was born son Kenneth McKinley Warren.
Lt. Frank (I think this is the Frank that put the letter together) Prentup had birth 11/29/44. He was coach at Manhattan High. Wife is former Doris Dalton.
Promotions:
Captain Chris (Tis) Langvardt (little one doing fine); Lt. Commander John Harold (Hobbs) Adams; Lt. Commander C.S. (Coony) Moll; Lt. Colonel Ernest A. Jessup; Capt. Harry L. Hasler; L. (jg) Norbert Raemer; Capt. Gerald Ingrahm; Lt. (jg) Staley L. Pitts; Lt. (jg) W. M. Carleton; Sgt. D.S. (Jim) Prideaux.
Kent Duwe in a tent with the snow falling in France.
Jim Prideaux (perhaps the dad of the Jim Prideaux I worked with at Boeing) is on the God-for-saken rock called Saipan. Says our bombers over Tokyo will certainly shorten the war.
Homer Socolofsky is tired sitting and waiting on a ship near the international date line.
Ted Warren got a card from Pete Shearer and saw Lt. Cmdr. George Halas. Expecting a visit from the stork any day. Attended the Orange Bowl in Miami.
Raymond Isle finished a big turkey Christmas dinner. Just received the July and Sept. “Our Gang” letters. Must be right on IDL and says it is tough having a rough day on the 19th then crossing the line and have another tough day on the 19th again. Another guy had a birthday on the 19th, but was on one side of the line on the 18th and then crossed over where it was the 20th.
Lt. Commander C. S. (Cooney) Moll is in Liberty, MO. at the William Jewell Flight Prep School responsible for physical maintenance of pilots. Mentioned many athletes that have come through school. Says Jack Gardner is in San Diego as AD at the air station.
Lt. Col. Ernest Jessup has been overseas for 16 months and only KS person he has seen is Red Reynard at school in Honolulu. Stationed in New Guinea. Visited with Wally Swanson and his outfit, which many senior officers say is “the greatest fighting unit they’ve ever seen.” Described a little about the mysterious MIA of Dick Hotchkiss. Ray Rokey, football player in 41-42, death.
Thane High is in France fighting from town to town and living in French houses. After they free a town, the people come back and give the soldiers “everything they have.” Wrote at length about what the French people had to go through.
Michael Zeleznak is somewhere in France. As many other letters have, he talked about the girls. Bertka is engaged to Joe Glavenich’s niece.
Lt. Clifford D. Makalous says he is “finally” headed overseas after waiting 6 months.
Mrs. Emil Kientz says her husband was slightly wounded and evacuated to England. Before the war he was a KSC grad, 2 year FB letterman, and teaching at La Cygne.
Paul Clingman (track two-miler in 1939-40) is MIA. Paul was delivering messages between units.
Jim Upham reported MIA in last letter is a POW in Germany. He can send 2 letters a month.
Capt. Lewis M. (Slick) Turner (QB 40-46). A program was found listing him as Coach and QB of the Base All-Stars in Australia. Program describes him, “this Kansas State player is a good, quick-thinking quarterback and also coaches the team. Is very fast, and uses his two hundred pounds to good advantage.” Apparently, 200 was much different than his weight at KS.
Lt. (jg) Larry K Beaumont (BB player) gets together with Kansas people once a week. Mentions Lt. Col. Foster coached at Smith Center, and Major Hall, Junction City. His BB team won the league with only one loss and he averaged 17 per game.
Richard (Dick) Peters (End 39-41 and Chet’s older Brother) has been “out” 29 months. Presently, not at the “front” so he is playing softball 2-3 times a week and BB at night.
Bill Quick is in Ordnance in Luxemburg and got married last June to Marila Miler. Wrote that he has not been in touch with Kier and Duncan who he things are near. “This is certainly no fun to see and be in the hells of war.”
Bob Schwirtz is in the Pacific and for some reason can’t find a good golf course.
Fred Kohl is near NYC. Says he has gained a lot of weight and hopes to play FB when he gets back to school.
Don Leavitt is in Florida in gunnery school and then going to navigation school.
Mrs. John Jackson, the former Alice Beal, Eureka, reports that her husband is KIA. John was a replacement in a tank. For a week they stayed in the tank while enemy mortars pelted the area. At week’s end John was able to meet his tankmate that he had been talking to on the intercom.
Cpl Frank H Cooley (pitcher letterman in 36-38) in Fort Riley
“Ox” Cowan played football for Ray “Bo” McMillin, DL 29-31
