Editor’s note: On December 14, 1937, the Japanese army, after defeating the Chinese in a battle for Shanghai, entered the city of Nanking, and over the next six weeks proceeded to kill 300,000 Chinese. This has become known as “The Rape of Nanking”, and is considered to be the worst single atrocity of the WWII era. (For more information see: http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/genocide/nanking.htm )
12/18/1937
Dear Marty,
What a dope I am. I have to work all day today, and I’m already tired as heck. It is before breakfast yet.
I went over town with Margaret yesterday while she did her Christmas shopping. Judging from the glares we got as I barged around with both arms full of bundles, people probably thought we were married. After we got home, I stayed up until about twelve and then came over to the house to get some sleep. One of the fellows was yet up, and we got into a discussion as to what correlation was between specific heat and head conductivity. After perusing a handbook on the subject for a few minutes, Jim asked me if I liked to “guzzle.” Not knowing what he meant, but having a strong alcoholic suspicion, I said “no” and asked where it was. He pointed to the dresser drawer, and soon I was imbibing a glass of Port wine. Oh, me. By the time the evening was over, we had specific heat tied up to Darwin’s theory of the origin of the species, and heat conductivity expressed as a function of the Reader’s Digest circulation. Finally, we broke away from each other and went to bed. This morning, I start out with a history class and end up with a day in the machine shop, working with some heavy hunks of steel. Of course, after that I have a basketball game and a show to attend, but vacation starts Monday so it doesn’t make any difference how much sleep I lose. I only work 8 hours per day during vacations instead of 12 as usual.
The research project is about to fold up, but it is rumored that there will be another one to keep busy.* If not, I suppose I’ll have to quit school again or borrow enough to finish on. Oh, me. Such is life. I don’t worry as much about it as I should, though, because it doesn’t do any good.
Did Bill’s call for a job do any good. Hope so.
Byrd is apparently considering another S. Pole trip, and if I have anything to say about it (which I don’t) I’m going to go with him.
Had an article published in “Radio” this month. Am I proud. It meant a little extra cash too. Darn little, considering that it took me all summer to write the thing.
Well, my fran, Merry Christmas and a Snappy New Year to the bot’ of youse. I’m not sending any cards this year, so consequently, I don’t expect any. Considering what you fellows are bumping into, I think you’re doing right well. Keep it up.
73’s, Cy
*A good part of the money to pay for school came from Cy’s ability to work on research projects funded by grants.
Dear Rick,
I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of your wonderful tribute to Buddy and Marty. Though Buddy was my uncle I always thought of him as my big brother and my hero. I actually believed he could do anything !
Being just ten years older than I, all he needed was a billowing cape and an “S” on his chest to become the Superman in my life !
I so look forward to the telling of his story through your eyes and your insight with the hope that he may become your hero too.
With the love that can only come from an admiring father,
Dad
Thank you Dad! I look forward to your comments, recollections and insights as you relive this little chunk of history.