virtual pub

Hawkeye Memories

In going through a file, I came across a copy of a June 1944 "UI News Bulletin" describing an alumni meeting in New Guinea on April 17 of that year. I'd like to share some excerpts from that article as evidence that Iowa grads can be brought together in the most unexpected places:

"'Last night I got showered and shined in my best khaki, chugged a long time in a jeep, and finally pulled into an officer's mess--a little late but still in time to get fed.' So begins a letter written recently by Capt. Richard H. Lambert, 34BS, to his parents, Prof. and Mrs. B.J. Lambert.

"The occasion? As Captain Lambert puts it, 'Believe it or not--a "banquet" of all Iowa grads'--an Iowa alumni gathering held., not in the shadow of Old Capitol, but somewhere in New Guinea!

"The dinner, as described by Lt. Col. B.B. Russell, 38BA, was 'held in the Headquarters Officers' mess, a beautiful, native-type building some 175 feet long and 55 feet wide, located in a tropical setting on the shores of a deep blue bay. During the course of the dinner the white waves swept up on the coral beach-front of the building.'

"Thoughts of the group were far from their tropical surroundings, however--a $75.75 contribution from the 35 present to the Nile Kinnick memorial fund is dramatic interest of the active interest these Iowa alumni feel in their University, though half a world removed from its campus.

"A humorous sidelight to the collection for the fund was provided by Captain Lambert who ruefully admitted he 'hadn't been paid for two months due to traveling and had only 10 shillings left, but gave it, since he had little use for it at the moment anyway.'"

Billy B. Russell, 38BA
Los Altos, CA

Back To Top

More
Hawkeye Memories