Entertainment and the Dance of the Doctors (41)

It is interesting that Gene didn't dwell on the famous entertainers who visited.  He seemed more taken up with the number of doctors that were leaving the unit.

Bob Hope signing a dollar bill (?) on Owi

Francis Langford signing her autograph with Jerry
Colonna behind her and to our left

August24, 1944
     Bob Hope, Francis Langford [one of the few stars of the era who didn't change her name, Francis was a popular singer and actress; in his memoir, Don't Shoot!  It's Only Me!, Bob Hope recounts the story that at a U.S.O. performance in the South Pacific, when she sang, "I'm in the Mood for Love", a soldier stood up and shouted, "You've come to the right place, honey!" brought down the house], Jerry Colonna [for a typical exchange in a skit, Hope would ask,"Professor, did you plant the bomb in the embassy like I told you?"  Colonna, in his booming voice, would answer, "Embassy?  Great Scott, I thought you said NBC!"] and others put on a dandy show this evening.
     The 9th General Hosp. personnel came to Biak a few days ago on the hospital ship and will set up by Sorido strip.  I guess we'll be moving one of these days.  I'll hate to move, in a way, for we now have electric lights in our tents, and I put a floor in my part.
     My prickly heat and itching scrotum about drive me nuts at times.
     I weighed #`144 on a U.S. scales, so I guess our Jap scales is accurate.
     They are still killing Japs on Biak.  The last total announced was 5,100.  They are sick and starving but won't surrender.

September 1, 1944  Many B-24's going on missions almost daily from Owi and Biak.

All three photos are of nose artwork on the
B-24's that landed on Owi

Bale's Baby was reported "an operational
loss" in October 1944

September 10, 1944
     We had an 8 plane raid last night - quite a few bombs but only 1 wounded (finger only!) and little damage.  They claim our night fighters got 2.
     The heavies [bombers] go out of here 50 or 60 every morning and lots of P-38's [heavy fighters] - they pound the Celebes, Halmahera and the Phillipines [sic].  Every morning from about 5:30 to 7 or later, they roar off over our heads.  At night about 4 to 6, they return, but not always all of them.

September 17, 1944
     [Maj. Dick] MacIlroy is being transferred to the 135 Med Bn in trade for an EENT [eye, ear, nose and throat, also called "ENT"] man.  Why he was sent instead of Burroughs, I haven't the least idea.  Maybe it is something personal with Sterling.
     [Capt. Edward] Hagman went psycho, following a hemorrhoidectomy about 2 or 3 weeks ago and was shipped out.  Too darn bad.
     [Maj. Merrick] Michels [who was suffering in May from the "ids" or trichophytids, see post #21, "Physician Heal Thyself" and #33, "Purple Hearts but No Mail"] left over a month ago because of his severe allergy to fungus.
     Adams, Armstrong and Niemeyer were made majors.  All deserving it.
     Sterling about knocked me over today when he told me he was putting me in for a majority.  He said, of course, that it might not go thru.  Really, I wish he hadn't, for I don't consider that I have the professional qualifications a major's commission should carry.  Of course when I look at some majors, I think I deserve it!  But, chances are it won't go thru, so I'll tell no one.  Especially in light of the fact that Sterling may be relieved.  Time will tell.  Like [Lt. Roy] Swanson said - expect nothing and you'll probably get it.

September 20, 1944  [Lt. John] Dykstra left - transferred Grice to 6th Army.

September 21, 1944  [Lt. Col. Robert] Sterling relieved and transferred.  Lt. Col. Free the new C.O.

September 25, 1944  [Lt. when the 92nd formed Ed] Powers a major.

September 26, 1944  Neeb - the new ENT man traded for McIlroy arrives.

September 28, 1944  Powers and [Nurse] Justice go to the Gen. Hosp. for diag. and treatment.

September 30, 1944  Under the 8th Army.

October 1, 1944
     Christie left today for Hollandia.  Out of a clear sky, he was ordered to HQ USASOS [United States Army Services of Supply Southwest Pacific] because of his command and Gen. Staff School course.  I hate to see him go.
     Sterling left a few days ago for the 58th Evac. Hosp.  He was replaced by Lt. Col. Free, who seems O.K. though a bit military.
     Dice left for the 6th Army Surgeon's office.
     Dykstra was sent to an Evac Hosp at Savapor.
     Powers is now a major.
     We are short about 10 medical officers [doctors]!
     Capt. Neeb, an opthamologist and ENT, from the 135th Med Bn replaced McIlroy.
     In our four months of operation here we've admitted 11000 patients!
     We are to be under 8th Army until December, then go back to the 6th A [Army] & go in to Luzon.  Sounds O.K. but I hate this sitting around and doing little.

1 Oct. '44  Netherlands East Indies
Dear Folks [Mary X and John],
     The censorship regulations now permit me to let you in on the above secret!  We even use coin of the realm, though the limited stock of our PX doesn't encourage spending largely!
     John, your letter of Aug. 10th, written at the Y [YMCA] camp, came yesterday.  That must be a nice place.  Our tide is at its highest right now.  I could drop in a line right from the tent!  Not that I'd catch anything.
     We have a radio station on our island - they announce it as "Station - of the Jungle Network".  The re-broadcasts are fine, for they have no commercials!  Like the porny [pornographic] editions of magazines - no advertising.  Some of them are pretty thin!  Bob Hope gave a show here, some time ago.  It was good!
     Week before last I had a "touch" of dengue fever  [caused by a mosquito-borne virus: fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and skin rash, occasionally leading to life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome].  Not as bad as it sounds!  But I'm glad it wasn't scrub typhus.  This is the tropics all right!  How are you all?
     Love, Eugene