From Burma with Love: Fifteen Months of Daily Letters Between Irwin and Mary Reiss During World War Ii

Contents

Dedication

Observation

Acknowledgement

Introduction

The Stage and Cast of Characters

The University of Illinois

Fort Benning, Georgia

Camp Roberts, California

A Wedding on November 8, 1942

Fort Washington, Maryland

Yale University,

New Haven, Connecticut

Camp Reynolds, Pennsylvania

At Sea on the USS Wake Island

Aircraft Carrier

Karachi, India

Calcutta, India

Ramgarh Training Center, India

Stilwell Road, Story of the Ledo Lifeline

Along the Ledo Road in Burma

Ledo, Assam, India

Thar Desert, India

En route to Miami, Florida and Van Nuys, California

Roundup, Ex-CBI Roundup, and Sound-Off

Epilogue

Obituary and Eulogy for Irwin H. Reiss

Obituary, Guinness World Record,

and Eulogy for Mary L. Reiss

About the Author

Other Reiss Family History Books

Dedication

Irv and Mary Reiss (aka Dad and Mom) wrote this book as two letters per day for fifteen months from late 1943 through March 1945. Friends and relatives added more letters to bring the total to nearly 1,000. Virtually all of Mary’s and Irv’s letters ended with I love you very very much and I miss you very very much. It’s easy to empathize with their frustrations and anxieties about being separated and worried, especially with the birth and nurturing of their first child Stephen (aka me) in June 1944. This book title of From Burma With Love is an understatement as you will see.

All of their letters were subject to military censorship. Irv even had a month of formal censorship training such that he was overly aware of what he could and could not tell Mary about his job, location, experiences, and future plans. He could not answer all of her questions. Censorship made their communications more difficult as did the two-and three-week delays in international mail delivery.

On 1/11/11, maybe even at 1:11 in the morning, I had a vivid dream. I had arrived at some destination and my late father was already there waiting for me. He knew I was coming but I did not know he would meet my arrival. We were both about age 65. He looked terrific and was all smiles like the cover of this book. Our mega bear hug was strong and powerful. Perhaps we were in heaven but there were no angels or bright lights and no words were spoken. Our seconds together were so good that it woke me up and the dream was over. My interpretation of this dream or vision is that Dad was aware of my transcriptions of all his and Mom’s letters and that he was both pleased and proud they would soon be published.

News commentator, Tom Brokaw, certainly got it right. This is indeed The Greatest Generation!!! I am honored to dedicate this book to my parents, Irv and Mary Reiss.

Stephen W. Reiss

Dunlap, Illinois 61525

Observation

Most adults know their parents as adults extremely well because we may have had 50 or more years of overlap living. But the further we go back in our ages, the less we know or remember about our parents when they were younger adults. Especially when your age is from minus 0.7 years to plus 0.8 years, as I was when the 425,000 words in the book were written, you recall absolutely nothing. So the transcription of nearly 1,000 letters and the gathering of over 100 photographs for this book has allowed me to meet my parents in their mid-twenties and to learn about my life from before I was born to before I could walk. Compiling this book and dedicating it to my parents has been an absolutely fascinating and totally rewarding experience.

Stephen W. Reiss

Dunlap, Illinois 61525

Acknowledgement

Pay special attention to all the family photographs in this book and then thank my brother Ken Reiss who put that part of this project together. Ken is our self-appointed family photo archivist. He has digitized literally thousands of family photos from old black and white prints, old negatives, color slides and prints, plus new digital pictures he has taken himself. His favorite project is to enhance our comprehensive family tree by adding photos of each relative as he can find them. I’m impressed with Ken’s energy, expertise, and enthusiasm. Thanks, bro.

Steve

Introduction

Irv Reiss served in the US Army from June 27, 1941 until September 17, 1945 (a day short of his 28th birthday) for a total of 4 years, 2 months, and 20 days. Domestic service was 3 years, 28 days and foreign service in India and Burma (Myanmar) was 1 year, 1 month, and 23 days. Most of the domestic service was either being trained or training others who most often were non-commissioned officers at Camp Roberts in California.

The foreign service in India included hospital time for severe headaches which were never cured and training others in censorship and in the Chinese language. The foreign service in Burma is much more intense and is the heart of this book—hence the name, From Burma With Love. Irv was a labor officer along the Ledo Road from August 28, 1944 until December 11, 1944. His job was to hire and feed and pay several thousand native laborers (and a few elephants) to help build that road from Ledo, India to Mongyu, Burma. Read his letter of October 7, 1944. Most of those 3.5 months were spent between Mile Posts 79 and 272 in the table that follow.

THREE NAMES—TWO ROADS—ONE PURPOSE

Burma Road—Japanese occupation of Manchuria in 1931 resulted in the Second Sino-Japanese War which continued with sporadic fighting throughout the 1930s. In 1937 full scale war broke out and Japan occupied most of coastal China. This forced the Chinese to seek another method of bringing in supplies and war materiel. A route from Kunming, China to a railhead at Lashio, Burma was completed in 1938. Supplies were landed at Rangoon, Burma and brought by rail to Lashio. Built by Chinese laborers stone by stone, this route was known as The Burma Road.

Ledo Road—During World War II, Japan invaded and occupied Burma in early 1942, blocking the Burma Road supply line. War planners decided to build a new road from Ledo, Assam, India to bypass the cut off part of the Burma Road. Supplies landed at Karachi and Calcutta, India could be brought by rail to Ledo and trucked over the road to China. It proved to be an extremely difficult task but the Japanese were driven back and a new route forged through the mountains and jungles of northern Burma. The Ledo Road was completed by U.S. Army Engineers in early 1945. It ran 465 miles from Ledo to a junction with the Burma Road at Mongyu, Burma.

Stilwell Road—In addition to building the Ledo Road, Army Engineers and local workers also upgraded over 600 miles of the northern part of the Burma Road. The Ledo Road and the upgraded portion of the Burma Road from Mongyu to Kunming were later named the Stilwell Road in honor of American General Joseph W. Stilwell who was Commander of the China-Burma-India Theater and Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. The Stilwell Road covered 1,079 miles from Ledo, India to Kunming, China.

The Stage and Cast of Characters

Leading Lady: Mary Leone Stephenson Reiss

Leading Man: Lieutenant Irwin Irvie Reiss

Leading Baby One: Stephen Stevie Reiss, son of Mary and Irv Reiss

Leading Baby Two: Andrew Andy III Stephenson, son of Mary’s older brother Elliott and his wife Mandy

California Cast One: Daisy Mom or Mommie Stephenson, mother of Mary

California Cast Two: Andrew Andy I Stephenson, father of Mary

California Cast Three: Mandy Stephenson, wife of Mary’s older brother Elliott and mother of Andy III

California Cast Three and a half: Mandy’s parents General William and Mary Ryan. He was Commanding General of the Pacific Division, Air Transport Command which was charged with delivering personnel and supplies throughout the Pacific Theater. William Ord Ryan was named for his great uncle Edward Ord who was born in 1818 and also had a distinguished military career. Edward Ord was considered a mathematical genius and was appointed to the US Military Academy by President Andrew Jackson. He saw action in the Civil War, the Second Seminole War, the Indian Wars, and the Spanish American War. His final rank was major general. He was present when Robert E. Lee surrendered to U. S. Grant to all but end the Civil War. He died in Cuba in 1883. Fort Ord in California is named for him. Ord, Nebraska is named for him as is Mount Ord in Texas. There is a bronze statue of Ord at the Vicksburg National Military Park and at Arlington National Cemetery where he is buried. There is a bust of Ord at President Grant’s Tomb in New York City depicting him as one of five sentinels (Sherman, Thomas, McPherson, Sheridan, and Ord) watching over the tomb of President Ulysses S. Grant.

California Cast Four: Captain Elliott Steve Stephenson, older brother of Mary and father of Andy III

California Cast Five: Andrew Andy II Stephenson, younger brother of Mary

Illinois Cast One: Katie Mother Reiss is the mother of Irwin. She was born on 3/25/1890 in Illinois of Swiss descendents so her first language was German. Her maiden name was Luetzelschwab which Mary mentions as a mouthful in several letters. She was the fifth of eleven children so some of her siblings are mentioned in letters. She married George Reiss on 4/16/1911 and they had three sons—William, Franklin, and Irwin. They all lived on the Reiss family farm which was established in 1834 in St. Clair County, Illinois and continues to this day. Katie’s five year diary from 1949 was published by Author House as Quilter, Granger, Grandma, Matriarch. Her five year diary from 1944 will be published in 2011 as Granger, Quilter, Grandma, Matriarch.

Illinois Cast Two: George Geo or Pop Reiss is the father of Irwin. He was born on 4/22/1873 in a log cabin built by his grandfather in 1834 on the Reiss family farm in St. Clair County, Illinois. His parents were German descendents so his first language was also German. George was the fourth of eleven children but the oldest to reach adulthood so some of his siblings are mentioned in letters, especially Henry. He married his parents’ domestic servant, Katie Luetzelschwab, on 4/16/1911 and they had three sons—William, Franklin, and Irwin. George and Katie eventually bought the family farm from his parents plus an adjacent 160 acres to bring the total to its current 360 acres. George retired from farming in 1948 at age 75, having farmed only with horses. He never owned a tractor.

Illinois Cast Three: William Bill Reiss is the oldest brother of Irwin, was born 5/6/1912 on the family farm, and grew up speaking German. He married Anita Hesse and had one surviving child, June Ann Reiss who was born 12/2/1936. They lived half an hour north of the family farm in Maplewood, Illinois where he worked for Socony Oil. They alternated visits for most Sunday evening meals between his Reiss parents and her Hesse parents who lived five miles apart. Three of Anita’s brothers also served in the war—Siegel in the Marines, Edgar in the Navy, and Harvey as a B17 pilot in the Army Air Force. Sadly, Harvey was shot down over Germany and did not survive.

Illinois Cast Four: Franklin Frank Reiss is the older brother of Irwin, was born 10/31/1915 on the family farm, and naturally grew up speaking German. He married Gerry Hulet and had two sons, George Georgie Reiss born 2/26/1942 and Richard Richie Reiss born 11/21/1944. Both births are mentioned in several letters. They lived two hours northeast of the family farm in Urbana, Illinois where Frank was a professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Illinois, his and Irwin’s alma mater. They visited the family farm every three or four months.

Friends Cast One—Military: Irv and Mary had lots of military friends from Irv’s stations mentioned below on the national stage. One very special couple was Walt and Marge Keith where Walt and Irv were each other’s best man at their respective weddings and Marge played the organ at Irv’s and Mary’s wedding. The Reisses and Keiths remained good friends for 50+ years. Mary and Irv stayed in touch for decades with many of their military friends via occasional visits and Christmas letters.

Friends Cast Two—Atascadero: Mary had many grade school and high school friends including Eleanor Cornelius, Jean Calvert, and Thais Shaver. Another was Lucille Ray who Mary called Lucybelle. There were also couples like Herb and Delia Rheinert and others who were friends of Mary’s parents.

Friends Cast Three—Military renters in the Stephenson home: Housing was in great demand near military bases during the World War II. The Stephensons had modified their large home to include two apartments and they converted their detached garage into a cottage, all for short term use by military officers who were frequently transferred to other posts. One tenant who became Mary’s friend was Dody McNeil from upstairs.

Diary Number One—Irv kept a daily diary from day one of his time overseas. It contained all the details, experiences, and thoughts that censorship rules prevented him from putting into his daily letters. It would have been a terrific resource for this book but sadly it was stolen. See his letter of November 5, 1944.

Diary Number Two—Mary kept a daily diary in California for several months from the time their first child was born on June 12, 1944. Several excerpts are included in this book.

Diary Number Three—Irv’s mother Katie Reiss kept two consecutive five-year daily diaries at the family farm in Illinois for the years 1944 through 1953. Several excerpts are included in this book. Both diaries are or will be in book form per the note above on Illinois Cast One.

Small Stage: Atascadero, California is a community located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, about 225 miles from each city. It is farther inland than most other San Luis Obispo County cities, and as a result, usually experiences warmer, drier summers and cooler winters than neighboring cities such as San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach. The Atascadero population was less than 5,000 in 1942.

Middle Stage: Camp Roberts was established in March 1941 on 42,784 acres in southern Monterrey County, California as a very large replacement training center for the US Army. Design capacity was 29,000 officers and troops but peak population hit 45,000 in 1945. Camp Roberts was probably the world’s largest military training facility and boasted a mammoth parade grounds the size of 14 football fields. Some 436,000 World War II Infantry and Field Artillery troops passed through Camp Roberts on an intensive seventeen-week training cycle. One of those was Lt. Irwin Reiss who was here as an instructor from 10/1/1941 to 8/1/1943 except for a month at Fort Washington, Maryland in censorship school. Mary Stephenson worked here as a civilian for less than a year in the Quartermaster’s Office but that was long enough to meet a handsome Lieutenant Irv Reiss on her 21st birthday of March 15, 1942.

Large Stage: San Luis Obispo County is far enough from the large metro areas of San Francisco and Los Angeles to retain its rural character and reminders of old California. Using Atascadero as a hub and US Highway 101 as the main artery, Paso Robles (Paso or PR) is 11 miles north, Camp Roberts (Camp or CR) is 27 miles north, San Jose (SJ) is 168 miles north. Going the other direction, San Luis Obispo (San Luis or SLO) is 18 miles south and Guadalupe where Mary’s father managed a second ice-making plant is 46 miles south. All of these cities, usually with abbreviations, are mentioned in Mary’s letters. The map which follows helps with orientation.

National Stage: Site #1 is the Reiss Family Farm in St. Clair County, Illinois about 20 miles southeast of St. Louis, Missouri. It is where Irv Reiss was born and raised, where Illinois Casts #1 and #2 live, and where Illinois Casts #3 and #4 frequently visited. Irv and Mary visited there also on their cross-country drives from California to Site #2 (Fort Washington, Maryland) and Site #3 (Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut). The family farm is also where Mary Reiss visited after a tearful goodbye from her husband Irv at Site #4 (Camp Reynolds in Greenville, Pennsylvania).

World Stage: British India at the time of World War II included the present day countries of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. When the aircraft carrier with Irv Reiss aboard docked at Karachi on 3/29/1944, that country was called India. Today Karachi is in Pakistan. On 8/15/1847 the British transferred power dividedly to India and a new country which was created from the extreme eastern and western provinces of India and called Pakistan (i.e. East and West Pakistan). But since East and West Pakistan were separated by 1,000 miles of Indian territory and had many cultural, ethnic, and political differences, they formally separated on 12/16/1971. East Pakistan became Bangladesh and West Pakistan became simply Pakistan.

The University of Illinois

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

REGISTRAR’S OFFICE

URBANA

July 20, 1937

Mr. Irwin Henry Reiss

R. R. #1

Freeburg, Illinois

Dear Mr. Reiss:

You are hereby notified that you have been appointed to the following scholarship in the University of Illinois:

1. Kind of Scholarship - Agriculture

2. Date of Appointment - June 5, 1937 - Nominated by H. O. Allison

3. County or District - St. Clair - Assigned to Massac County

4. Period of Scholarship - 4 years, beginning September 1937

The perquisites of this scholarship are exemption from all matriculation, incidental and tuition fees during the period of the scholarship, except fees for the purchase of laboratory supplies and similar fees for supplies and materials.

This appointment is made subject to the following rules and regulations:

A Scholarship becomes void unless the holder registers in the University at the opening of the semester or the summer session indicated as the beginning date thereof.

A scholarship indicated as applicable in a special course, i.e., Agriculture, Home Economics, or Ceramics, will be cancelled if the holder fails to pursue such course at any time during the period of the scholarship.

A scholarship lapses if the legal residence of the holder is changed from Illinois to some other state.

A scholarship may be extended by the President of the University to cover a period of absence, not exceeding two years, under the following conditions:

1. All applications for an extension of the term of a scholarship must be made in writing to the President.

2. The application for extension must be filed in advance of the time of leaving the University.

3. An extension may be granted only if the holder requires leave of absence from the University to earn money to complete his education, and for no other cause.

4. The holder must have completed the work of at least two semesters after the award of the scholarship.

5. The student’s work for the time during which he has been at the University must have been at least of average grade. This is indicated by a grade of C. No student whose average is below C may receive an extension of his scholarship.

Please preserve this notice for future reference.

Very truly yours,

G. P. Tuttle, Registrar

September 15, 1938

My Dear Son Irwin,

Dad and I both join in congratulating you to your twenty-first birthday although it don’t seem that long since that nice sunshiney Tuesday afternoon on the 18th of Sept. 1917 when our third son was born. A strong and healthy baby weighing eight pounds, no one but we know how proud we were. I can still feel it how I used to tenderly cuddle you in my arms and kiss you. No one in all the world, but a mother can tell the love between the mother and her child. No one knows how proud we are of our three loving sons. To me it was more pleasure than work to raise you up to three fine young men.

But, Irwin, don’t think that you have to shift for yourself now. Oh no. You’re still my baby and I will help you along as much as I can. I’ll keep your clothes clean and do all I can for you until some day when you will have a sweet wife to take my place. I’m sending you a $2 bill as a birthday present from Dad and myself.

It’s most remarkable that all three sons were born on clear sunshiney days. That’s why we hope that you all will have sunshine and happiness all thru life. Dad and I are so glad that we could make it to let you both go thru college, and are so glad that you are doing such good work. So let’s thank our good Lord for all this.

Wishing you lots of Luck & Happiness,

Your Loving Mother & Dad

The $2 bill is still enclosed in this envelope and carries a note: "From Mother and Dad on my 21st birthday, Sept. 18, 1938."

May 15, 1939

Dear Mother and Dad,

Mother, I thought about you and prayed for you yesterday, although I neglected to send you a card. I’m sorry I didn’t write sooner, but things have to be done toward the end of a semester. I wish you could have stayed for church last Sunday. Rev. Malone preached a wonderful sermon to the mothers. There is no person that is more willing and does more things for one than his own mother. Even though I do not say the things I feel, I hope you realize that I fervently thank God for being blessed with such wonderful parents as you and Dad. I don’t see how anybody can have better parents than I have. The sermon last Sunday was the most touching and inspiring one I have ever heard. That hour in church passed like 10 minutes. I am enclosing the bulletin.

We served turkey to 110 people and everything went fine (worked from 11 to 3). Chester & I worked the formal Sat. night, 120 people. Sunday (yesterday) Ches. & I and an inexperienced waiter served ninety people from 12 to 3. So you see I am busy.

I got my numerals in wrestling. They are 41 the year I graduate. They are about 6 inches high and are worn on a sweater.

Franklin left Friday afternoon for Chicago & got back last night. I haven’t had time to talk to him yet.

Chester’s got a school 50 miles south of here for $1,700.

Finals are coming which meant burning the midnight oil. But don’t worry about us, we can take it.

Time to go to work. Don’t wait as long as I did to write. You are probably busier than we are.

Love,

Irwin

PS: I was relieved when we got your card saying you got home OK.

Irv’s success as a wrestler may be a mixed blessing. It is highly likely that he suffered a neck or upper spine injury during training or a wrestling match which led to occasional severe and debilitating headaches. He may not have even realized that he had been injured. These headaches became a huge complication during Irv’s military service and personal comfort while stationed in India and Burma. Many of the letters in this book mention the headaches, self-medication, extended hospital stays, and the general frustration with numerous Army doctors who were unable to identify a cause or prescribe a solution. Irv did not fit the typical migraine headache profile so those medicines were of limited value. In later life he did find significant relief from bi-monthly visits to a chiropractor for adjustments. But in the 1940s chiropractors and osteopaths were rarely part of the Army’s arsenal of medical specialists and treatments, especially in the Far East.

That’s 1st Sergeant Irv Reiss saluting and the flag bearer leading Company C in the Military Day parade at the University of Illinois on May 29, 1939. It’s eyes right for everyone except the front row. Irv Reiss enrolled in both Basic and Advanced ROTC probably for a cadet paycheck and knowing that the vast majority of graduating ROTC seniors were not going into active military service. All of that changed with World War II developing in Europe.

Letterhead

Irwin H. Reiss

906 S. Orchard St.

Urbana, Illinois

December 9, 1939

Dear Mother and Dad,

It is now eleven o’clock. Franklin and I just got back from serving a formal dinner dance at the A.T.O. House. We worked steady from 5 to 10. Franklin poured wine for two hours. While another fellow and I served about 125 people. I carried 65 plates from the kitchen upstairs and served them. I also served about 120 desserts. You’re right, I’m dead on my feet. I didn’t have time to eat until 10 o’clock. The formal all told cost the house over $500.00. Well, that is just another day’s work for a couple of guys working their way through college. There were over sixty dinner dances like that about the campus in the last two weekends. So you see this is just an ordinary occurrence.

Now to leave the matter at hand and take up something more interesting. Franklin was awarded an assistantship to do research in Ag. Economics. He will work for the U.S.D.A. while working for his Masters Degree. That, I believe, is a commendable achievement as far as he and also you are concerned. Franklin is well on his way to being a college professor and then some. He has that dynamic ability which will no doubt ultimately take him to his cherished goal.

And now to come to broach a subject which is paramount in the minds of hundreds of thousands of college students through out the country, namely that of a Christmas vacation. I plan to drive home the night of the 19th. We have classes till 5:00 o’clock. Provided we get started at 6:00, we should be home by 12:00 maybe later. In case of bad weather, I’ll wait till the 20th.

The International Livestock Exposition (Chicago December 2-9) was wonderful. It is one of those things you have to see to appreciate. Until I see you at Christmas and ever thereafter, it’s love from your son.

Irwin H. Reiss

Franklin is Irv’s next older brother. They roomed together part of the time both were students at the University of Illinois in Urbana, the Agricultural Economics Department.

The article below appeared in the Atascadero (California) News on Friday April 19, 1940. It was written by college student Elliott Stephenson, older brother of Mary Stephenson who would become the bride of Irwin Reiss on November 8, 1942. It is included because Elliott Stephenson is mentioned in many future letters throughout this book.

ELLIOTT STEPHENSON OPPOSES COMMUNISM IN COLLEGE ADDRESS

Protests Tolerance of The Intolerant in This Country

A. T. Stephenson received this week an interesting resume of an anti-Communist address delivered by his son, Elliott, in the public speaking class at U.C.L.A., which was received with much applause by his audience.

I believe in the rights of free speech, free thought, free press and in universal tolerance, young Stephenson stated, "but to be tolerant of the intolerant is to foolishly throw away the rights that we have now. We are asked not only to tolerate those who are working to overthrow our government, but to protect them while they are doing it.

ASK FOR RIGHTS—"The moment repression is attempted, these people of alien sympathies cry out for their ‘rights’ under the very constitution they are trying to destroy. Much abuse has been given the Dies Investigation of these people who boast of being Communists, but if their political theories should gain control of this country, would they permit opponents of their belief to speak with absolute freedom, to hire halls, recruit membership, and publish newspapers, pamphlets, and books stressing their theories? You have only to look at Russia for the answer to that question.

You might say to yourselves, Stephenson pointed out, "that it is impossible for us to give in to this outrange. Let me remind you that a louse or a flea can carry a plague. Russia has a much larger population than ours, and Germany has about two-thirds as many people. When we see that these countries are controlled by a relatively small fraction of the population, how can we say that we are positively immune to seizure and control by a small and ruthless group?

"They advocate our overthrow by violence, which would mean that our statesmen would be shot in droves, our judges thrown into dungeons, and all freedom of speech immediately annulled.

TRUE OF NAZIS—" And what is true of Communists is equally true of the Nazis. Hitler has abolished personal liberty, slaughtered his political enemies, taken the ballot from German women, ordering them back to the kitchen and the cradle.

"The Communists and the Nazis are known to be constantly receiving great sums of money to be expended in undermining and destroying our institutions. The poisonous influence of these ‘engineers of revolution’ is spreading throughout the country, infecting our youth. You remember the story of the lazy tramp basking in the sunshine with insects swarming all over him. Finally one of them stung him, and he roared: ‘Now you can all get off.’

Hasn’t the time come for Uncle Sam to shout the like to all the vermin swarming over him, and to shake himself and start a mighty brushing off?

UNIVERSITY of ILLINOIS

COLLEGE of AGRICULTURE

March 4, 1941

Mr. Irwin H. Reiss

906 South Orchard

Urbana, Illinois

Dear Mr. Reiss:

We are very glad to congratulate you on the exceptionally good college record made during the past semester. To earn an average of 4.5 or higher is indicative of intellectual competence and industrious application, both of which will serve you well after college.

Doubtless you are aware that studies of the relation between college success and success after graduation have shown that there is a very definite correlation. This, or course, does not deny that there are exceptions.

A copy of this letter is being sent to your father.

Sincerely yours,

H. P. Rusk, Dean

Robert B. Hudelson, Assistant Dean

UNIVERSITY of ILLINOIS

COLLEGE of AGRICULTURE

March 20, 1941

Mr. Irwin H. Reiss

906 South Orchard

Urbana, Illinois

Dear Mr. Reiss:

If you maintain the grade average which you now have, you will be eligible for graduation in June with High Honors. It will be necessary, however, for you to take a comprehensive examination either in the field of general agriculture or in you field of major interest.

Will you please call at my office on Wednesday, March 26, at 3:00 p.m. so that we may begin arrangement for the examination.

Very truly yours,

Robert B. Hudelson, Assistant Dean

Urbana, Ill.

March 29, 1941

Subject: Placement for active duty.

To: Commanding General Sixth Corps Area.

I am a graduating senior in the Infantry subject to receive a commission in June.

At present I am enrolled in the Graduate School in the University of Illinois. I am graduating with high honors in Agricultural Economics. It is upon faculty recommendations, that I would like to do my military service at a Land Grant College so as to be able to continue my research work during time not required for the R.O.T.C. service.

I would like to be assigned to the University of Wisconsin, if I may state a preference. I thank you for any consideration.

Respectfully yours,

Irwin H. Reiss

Hq. 6th C.A.

Chicago, Ill.

April 2, 1941

To: PMS&T

University of Illinois

Champaign, Illinois

No vacancies exist in the Infantry branch at any of the Senior units is this Corps Area. In fact there are none in the Corps Area allotment in either Junior or Senior units.

By command of Brigadier General Bonesteel:

Max N. Cizon

Captain, A.G.D

Asst. Adjutant General

Copy to:

Mr. Irwin H. Reiss

906 South Orchard

Urbana, Illinois

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM

ST. CLAIR COUNTY

BELLEVILLE, ILL.

April 12, 1941

Mr. Irwin H. Reiss

906 S. Orchard St.

Urbana, Illinois

Dear Sir:

We have your letter of April 10th, 1941, in which you state that you are receiving a commission in the Organized Reserves and that you are not subject to registration. The Regulations provide for non-registration of cadets of the advanced course, senior division, Reserve Officers Training Corps.

In order to complete our files, it will be necessary for you to sign a statement to the effect that you were such a person on October 16th, 1940.

We will appreciate a prompt reply.

Very truly yours,

Walter Geiger, Chief Clerk

University of Illinois

To all who shall see these Presents, Be it known that reposing special trust and confidence in the fidelity, zeal and abilities of Irwin H. Reiss, I do hereby appoint him a Cadet Captain, Infantry Unit in the Corps of Cadets of the University of Illinois, to rank as such from the date hereof. He is carefully and diligently to discharge the duties of his office.

All cadet officers and all cadets under his command are strictly charged and required to be obedient to his orders as Cadet Captain and he is to observe and follow such orders and directions as from time to time he shall receive from the Professor of Military Science and Tactics or from those having authority over him.

This commission to remain in force during the college year ending June 3, 1941. Given at the University of Illinois, this twenty-second day of May 1941 by authority of the President.

Robert G. Kirkwood, Colonel

Field Artillery

THE MILLINI

Published and Distributed by the University of Illinois Military Council

Vol. 6, No. 15       May 22, 1941

We Appreciate Very Deeply

Today marks the completion of another year’s work of the University of Illinois Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. It is fitting that we set aside one day in the year to honor the men of the Brigade for their work, and particularly those who have today completed the four-year course of training, thus qualifying for reserve commissions in the United States Army. By virtue of this training many of them have also qualified for commissions as Brevet Captains in the Illinois National Guard which have been conferred as a special mark of distinction by the Governor of Illinois.

We also take this occasion to bestow special honor upon those individuals and organizations in the Brigade who have excelled in the various branches of military training.

The University of Illinois offers unusual opportunities for students who are interested in preparing themselves, along with their regular University studies, for reserve commissions in the Army and for examinations for commissions in the Regular Army. While the basic training and the advanced R.O.T.C. course are an integral part of our country’s program of national defense, they are also designed to develop qualities of loyalty, respect for authority, and initiative which are essential to good citizenship and to leadership in civil as well as military life.

I wish to commend the entire Brigade for its fine work throughout the year, to congratulate the prize winners in the various competitions, and the men who today will receive commissions. The University honors all the men of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps today for their work and the success they have achieved, and I am sure that I may speak for the people of the State of Illinois in saying that we appreciate very deeply the willingness of these young men to prepare themselves for the defense of our country in time of need.

A. C. Willard

President

This ROTC Brigade was staffed by 27 officers and 48 enlisted men of the Regular Army and 5 civilian employees. Only two or three of approximately 4,000 students undergoing Military Training at the University each year receive appointments in the permanent armed forces of the United States. The remainder continue in civil life. All that would change radically with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Military instruction units at the University of Illinois included Cavalry, Coast Artillery, Engineer Corps, Field Artillery, Infantry, and Signal Corps. Irv Reiss was enrolled in the basic and advanced R.O.T.C. programs and was part of this ceremony.

Fort Benning, Georgia

HEADQUARTERS SIXTH CORPS AREA

Chicago, Illinois

SPECIAL ORDER NO. 136       11 June, 1941

35. By direction of the President under authority contained in Public Resolution No. 96, 76th Congress approved 27 August, 1940, and War Department letter AG 210.31 ORC (5-14-41) RP, dated May 17, 1941, the following named Reserve Officer, is ordered to extended active duty for one year effective 27 June, 1941, contingent upon his acceptance of commission, (University of Illinois). On that date he will proceed without delay from the place shown after his name, to Scott Field, Illinois, reporting upon arrival to the Commanding Officer for temporary duty, for physical examination, final type. Upon completion of physical examination, if found physically qualified, he will proceed to Fort Benning, Georgia, reporting not earlier than 29 June, 1941, and not later than 30 June, 1941, to the Commandant, the Infantry School, for temporary duty, for the purpose of pursuing a course of instruction upon termination of which he will be reported to the Chief of Infantry, for assignment to permanent station. He will rank from 27 June, 1941.

Second Lieut. IRWIN HENRY REISS, 0-417551, Inf-Res., (IMA), Freeburg, Illinois.

By command of Major General BONESTEEL:

W. H. WILBUR,

Colonel, General Staff Corps,

Chief of Staff

letterhead

F. J. Reiss

907 W. Oregon St.

Urbana, Ill.

June 15, 1941

Dear Irv,

You have no idea how much I miss you. It almost got me down. Even though I didn’t see you very often, I knew that you were always close by in the last year, but now—well. Say Emil Handrich and Chester Seibert were up here this week with their F. F. A. boys. They came up to 452 to see me one afternoon. Chester is getting married on the 25th.

I am leaving for Marshall—Putnam Counties tomorrow morning. I hope the country roads won’t be too muddy. It has rained every day here for the past 8 days, and I do mean rained! How are things down home? If it has rained like it has here, there are going to be some combines stuck in the wheat fields.

Well, we are still looking for an apartment, but I think we just about have one rented in the War Department, I mean Ward Apartments, on Lincoln just south of Green. (Did ya get the pun?)

Say Irv, keep this under your bonnet, but you might be taking on a new social role in the family in, say about 9 months. Don’t tell Mother or Dad because we are not sure yet, but—well, I have to have some reason to keep me out of the army. And that reminds me. I got my draft classification this week. I was put in Class III A which means at least a temporary reprieve. (But give me time says I, or rather, says Gerry.)

By the way, I am going to enclose some of the snapshots which you may have seen. I am getting some enlargements of a number of these.

Well, be sure to write to us as soon as you get to Fort Benning and can give us an address. We stopped at Strauch’s but your pictures were not there yet.

Let’s have all the hometown news in a nice long letter before you leave. So long, Irv, I will be right there with you wherever you may be.

Love,

Frank

Frank married Geraldine Hulet on August 22, 1940 who is also a University of Illinois graduate in elementary education.

In 2003 Irv Reiss wrote the article below the following photo about his travel from Illinois to Fort Benning, Georgia in 1941 to begin Basic Training. This article is one of 150 he wrote for the Sullivan (Indiana) Daily Times following his 1982 retirement from a career in professional farm management and coal mine reclamation. Those articles plus his professional speeches and writings appear in a book titled Family, Farming and Freedom which is also published by Author House.

10/16/2003 Lookout Mountain Brings Back Memories

I spent several recent days in Chattanooga, TN attending meetings. To have a break in the action and to accommodate our foreign visitors, we went for a half-day visit to Lookout Mountain. As I stood again on the majestic mountain looking across the valley to Seminary Ridge to the east, memories started to filter into my mind.

It was the early summer of 1941. I had just been graduated from the College of Agriculture at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and was in my last semester of graduate school when I got called to active duty as an officer in the U.S. Army. War clouds were gathering in Europe as Adolf Hitler was dominating several counties.

I reported to Scott Air Force Base in the county where I grew up and was transferred to Fort Benning, GA for several months of officer’s refreshing school. I had worked two years between high school and college—so I was over 21 years of age and, presumably, a man. I was always very close to my parents whom I loved dearly and respected always. When I told Pop that I had to go to Georgia, he said, Irwin, let me go with you part of the way—we have relatives in Atlanta, GA.

I had bought a used 1928 Model A Ford for $25 to help me get around. Would it get us to Georgia? I hoped so. I was now in the Army and I had to follow orders. I had just spent two delightful weeks at home with Mom and Pop. I am a sentimental guy and farewells were always a little teary for Mom and me. But Pop and I took off.

We didn’t get 50 miles from home when I had to stop and clean out the carburetor on my used Ford. Pop always liked to travel and we were having a great time, as I just had gotten my check from the Army. When we got hungry, we stopped and ate. When the night came, we found a cheap motel somewhere. Eventually, we found ourselves at the foot of Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga. My father and I talked about history when we visited the top of Lookout Mountain 62 years ago.

As Pop and I stood at the foot of the mountain, we knew we would drive to the top if my car could get us there. It did and we were standing at the top when my father started to reminisce. Irwin, do you know that my father, your grandfather, fought in the Battle above the Clouds right here during the Civil War? he asked. Pop, we are standing on hallowed ground. I replied. And my father started talking about war.

Irwin, do you know that during World War I, as a farmer I had to register for the draft? And now you, the third generation in our family, will be leaving to go to war. You would think that sometime, somewhere people would have enough common sense to settle their problems without shooting at each other.

My call to active duty as a commissioned officer culminated in the China, Burma, India Theater of War after over four years of active service. I have traveled so much in my life and can truthfully say I have never fought with any of the people I’ve met on my travels. I was taught that the way to solve a problem is to get it down to its lowest common denominator—two people. Of course, I can joke and say that I don’t get in fights because I am fairly small stature—I have had to live by my wits and not my fists.

Maybe we all, regardless of size, should use our wits when dealing with international problems. That goes for countries, too. Who knows? I just wish my Pop were here to tell me his thoughts about the situation in the world today.

WAR DEPARTMENT

Washington

SPECIAL ORDER NO. 221       22 September 1941

Each of the following-named second lieutenants of Infantry is relieved from his present assignment and duty as student, the Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia, effective upon completion of his present course of instruction, is then assigned to the Infantry Replacement Training Center, Camp Roberts, California, and will proceed to that station and report for duty:

WALTER M KEITH       0-414068

IRWIN H. REISS       0-417551 and 29 others

The travel directed is necessary in the military. If the travel is performed by privately owned automobile detached service for ten days is authorized.

By order of the Secretary of War:

G. C. MARSHALL, Chief of Staff

C. A. BEALL, JR.,

Captain A.G.D.,

Asst. Adj. Gen.

Irv Reiss and Walt Keith were good friends from the University of Illinois and from Basic Training at Fort Benning. Irv was Walt’s best man when he married Margorie Moree in Santa Barbara, California on May 24, 1942. Walt would reciprocate and be Irv’s best man when he married Mary Stephenson on November 8, 1942 in Atascadero, California. Walt and Marge are mentioned in many letters which follow.

The Infantry School

United States Army

This is to Certify that

Second Lieutenant Irwin H. Reiss, Infantry-Reserve

Has successfully completed the

Refresher Course for Rifle and Heavy Weapons

Company Officers

Given during the period

July 2, 1941 to September 26, 1941

For the Commandant

Robert S. Miller

Lieutenant Colonel of Infantry, Secretary

Camp Roberts, California

HEADQUARTERS 17TH INFANTRY TRAINING REGIMENT

Infantry Replacement Training Center

Camp Roberts, California

SPECIAL ORDER NUMBER 63       March 16, 1942

9. 2nd LT. IRWIN H. REISS, 0417551, Inf. is relieved from assignment to Co. D 84th Inf. Tng. Bn., and is assigned to Col A 84th Inf. Tng. Bn. (Principal duty—Instructor NCO School)

By order of Lt. Col. MOORE:

JAMES H. REARDON,

Captain, Infantry,

Adjutant

Camp Roberts was established in 1940 as a 42,784-acre training facility for infantry and artillery. It was named for Corporal Harold W. Roberts, a World War I Medal of Honor winner. Design capacity was 29,000 officers and men but the peak population was 45,000 in 1945. Some 436,000 World War II Infantry and Field Artillery troops passed through Camp Roberts in an intensive seventeen week training cycle. The aerial photo below shows the central parade grounds, probably the largest in the world.

Envelope

M. Stephenson

War Department

Warehouse 914

Official Business (Oh Yeah!)

No date

Lt. Irwin H. Reiss

HQ 84 Inf. Trg. Bn.

Camp Roberts, Calif.

1600

Irvie darling,

Not that I don’t want you to come down, because you know better than that. You know I want you and need you close by me always. I do think you should attend your meetings tho and not have to be rushed because I was waiting for you. I’ll see you tomorrow when you come to the office during lunch hour—and you must come! (or else!!!)

There is no work whatsoever here this afternoon. I’m getting so lazy I hate to think of it. Remember, I love you—and I’ll see your tomorrow.

Mary

Mary Stephenson is Irv’s very special girlfriend. She lives in Atascadero, California 27.5 miles south of Camp Roberts where Irv is stationed and where Mary works as a civilian. They met on her 21st birthday which was March 15, 1942. So Mary is 21 and Irv is 25. Mary studied nursing for two years at San Jose State University before putting that degree on hold to work in the war effort soon after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Mary has an older brother Elliott Stephenson who is also serving in the US Army—you’ve already seen the article he wrote as a college student on 4/19/1940. Elliott who often goes by Steve is married to Mandy and they are expecting their first child Andrew Stephenson who will arrive on 4/28/1943. Mandy’s step-father is Major General William Ord Ryan who is assigned to the Pacific Theater. His great uncle, Major General Edward Ord was a Union officer in the Civil War. Fort Ord in California is named after him.

Mary has a younger brother Andrew Stephenson who is also a student at San Jose State University in architecture. Their father, Andrew Stephenson, manages an ice-making plant in Atascadero for Puritan Ice. So there are three Andrews to keep track of in the 900+ letters which appear in this book. Their mother and wife of the oldest Andrew is Daisy Stephenson who works in their large home in Atascadero which includes two apartments and a yard cottage which are all rented to Army officers and their wives.

HEADQUARTERS

84th Infantry Training Battalion

Camp Roberts, California

April 14, 1942

SUBJECT: Recommendation

TO: Whom it may concern

1. On March 24, 1942 I assumed command of the 84th Infantry Training Battalion. Since that date I have had ample opportunity to observe Lieut. Reiss in the performance of his duties. Both as an instructor in the Non-Commissioned Officers’ School, and as Battalion Special Services Officer, he has performed his duties in an outstanding manner.

2. In view of Lieut. Reiss’ excellent record, and the interest, enthusiasm, and efficiency he has shown in his work, I can recommend him without qualification for a commission in the Regular Army.

R. B. McCLEAVE,

Major, Infantry,

Commanding

HEADQUARTERS

84th Infantry Training Battalion

Camp Roberts, California

May 22, 1942

SUBJECT: Promotion of 2nd Lieut. Irwin H. Reiss

TO :       The Commanding General

Replacement and School Command

Army Ground Forces

Birmingham, Alabama

Under the provisions of War Department Circular No. 111, April 15, 1942, the officer mentioned below is recommended for promotion to the grade indicated,

Officer’s full name—Irwin H. Reiss, 2nd Lieut.

Serial Number—0-417551

Present Grade—2nd Lieut. Date of rank—June 27, 1941

Grade to which promotion is recommended—1st Lieut.

Duty now performing: Principal—Special Services Officer

Statement of how, when and where he has demonstrated his fitness: As a platoon leader from Sept. 26, 1941 to Mar. 20, 1942, and as Special Services Officer of the Battalion from Mar. 20, 1942 to date, Lieut. Reiss has demonstrated his fitness for promotion. A graduate of the Rifle & Heavy Weapons course of The Infantry School, Lieut. Reiss is a superior instructor. This officer is energetic, efficient, possesses initiative, and gets superior results. He is well qualified for promotion.

GLENN I. PIERCE,

Major, Infantry,

Commanding

228 Ave. H

Redondo, Calif.

Envelope date 7/24/1942

Friday noon

Dear Irv,

Your letter came the other day and I must admit you did obey all my orders. Such a prompt answer. I wish all my friends would answer as quickly.

Went to the world famous Palladium last nite to dance to Woody Herman. Oh! such lovely music. After we went to a joint called the Pirate’s Den. It was also very amusing.

I think I shall be coming home early Sunday evening. I hate to leave here and to think my vacation is over, but you can’t expect nice things to last forever.

We are leaving in a few minutes to play tennis. We played the other day and I’ll admit I am not a tennis player.

It seems strange that it rained at dear ol’ Roberts. Very unusual! I wrote a letter to you Tuesday, but didn’t get around to mailing it. Have been meaning to write each day, but somehow just never got around to it.

The tennis partners just arrived and so I shall have to quit. See you soon.

Love,

Mary

0810 Thursday

Irvie dear,

Got your most interesting letter last night. Was sorry to hear that you got so cold. Will have to buy you a hot water bottle for your feet.

It was cold this morning here in the city. I got all bundled up in my warmest clothes and look so warm now. Feel warm too.

There isn’t much work here this morning and so will have lots of time to write this little note. I just caught the messenger boy and got the letter I wrote yesterday off to you. Hope you get it before you come in.

Just one thing we will have to settle. Please don’t call me B. B. I don’t like it one little bit. If you insist on calling me that, I shall have to resort to something even more drastic that going to the Islands. I don’t know what it will be right now, but just you wait and see.

Just what was the water consumption note about? You know I don’t drink, nor smoke (just had one so far today).

Went to bed so early last night that I am droopy from too much sleep. What am I saying that to you for when you haven’t had enough sleep? Forgot to tell you I played two holes of golf night before last. Was awful and couldn’t get one good drive off. Lost a ball and then got a beautiful 2 iron shot which hit a tree and bounced halfway back to me. Was I mad. Got so angry I quit and went home to Mother.

I told Mommie and Dad, Irvie, that you told me you had proposed to me several times and I was too thick to catch on. I’ll tell you when I see you what they both said. It was very nice and I fully agree with them.

I understand there was an eclipse of the moon night before last. I missed it, but imagine that you were parked out on that hillside with some blonde and so got a good view. Tell me all about it some time, will you?

That little pig you drew on my letter looked so intelligent. I just fell in love with him at first sight. (a beautiful liar, aren’t I?)

Betty Halter is going to get around to making your sign soon. She has quite a list of names that are rush orders and then will make yours. I shall see what I can do about having her make it during the lunch hour.

Honey, I didn’t know you were sweet enough to attract ants and spiders. I knew you were awful sweet, but not so attractive to insects.

I can’t draw as nicely as you can and so won’t draw the end, but this is it. Please excuse all mistakes!

My love, darlin’

Mary

Mary is living in Atascadero with her parents and making the daily 27.5-mile commute to Camp Roberts. Irv is living in the barracks. Atascadero is a community located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, about 225 miles from each city. It is farther inland than most other San Luis Obispo County cities, and as a result, usually experiences warmer, drier summers and cooler winters than neighboring cities such as San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach. The Atascadero population was less than 5,000 in 1942.

8:15 A.M. Tuesday

Irvie, dear,

Thought I would take your suggestion and write to you while you are out in the wilderness and braving all the things there are to brave and so forth.

I have about 2 or 3 hours work piled up on my desk in my little wire basket, but here I sit writing to you. Aren’t I the loyal one tho?

Thais is leaving about 11 this morning on the bus. I will miss her (but not as much as I will miss you in the next few days). Last night we had a lot of fun. Thais and I gathered a lot of wood and we built a fire in the fireplace (of all places) and then we roasted marshmallows. Gee! They were good. We danced and sang and just fooled around generally. That was the first time I have done that for a long time and it was so much fun. Will have to roast marshmallows with you sometime when you get back to civilization again.

Irvie, darling, I had a very nice dream last night that concerned us both. It was so nice. I’ll tell you about it when you get back.

Be good while you are out there because I want you to. I shall miss your daily phone call and visit during lunch hour very much.

Better close now as the boss is wondering what I am doing.

Love and kisses, honey

Mary

1015, Wednesday

Irvie, darling,

Here I am, just getting around to writing your letter. The messenger boy has been in twice so far today and I really meant to catch him first thing. But, you know how hard I work and so can appreciate my plight.

Thank you, Irvie, for calling me up yesterday when you came in. I’m sorry I said all I did and will never say it again. I am silly to hold the thought of leaving this place when I have so much