United States Armed Forces

Q: Why did you originally join the fraternity?
A: In August 1939, I enrolled in the University and went to the employment office to see what they could do for me to help support my way through college. They sent me over to the Psi U house where I was interviewed by Hal Cunningham ‘41, a senior at that time, for a waiter position. While working at the house, I thought that they were such great guys who really enjoyed each other’s company, and I ended up pledging the second semester of my sophomore year.

Q: What was your nickname, and how did you get it?
A: “Red.” I had bright, red hair. I had the nickname before joining the house, and friends continue calling me Red today even though my hair is as grey as can be!

Q: What was your major in school?
A: I was in the College of Agriculture thinking that I would go on to work for International Harvester like my Dad. While in college, I enjoyed the ROTC, which was mandatory at that time, and went on to join the advanced ROTC along with Tom Cunningham ’43, both serving in the horse artillery.

Q: What do you do for a living?
A: I retired from the military in July 1963. After completing four years of college, in February 1943 I received officers’ training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and took specialized paratroop training at Fort Benning, George. Following D-Day, I was sent to England to help reinforce the 101st Airborne Division, which was cited for valor by General Eisenhower. I received the Purple Heart for wounds received in action at Bastonge (the Battle of the Bulge). Our division commander was General Maxwell D. Taylor, who later became Chief of Staff for the Army as well as Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs. In January 1946, I participated in the Victory Parade in New York City.

I was later assigned to Korea as a member of the Korean Military Advisory Group as an artillery advisor. While in Korea, I found myself behind enemy lines when the Chinese forces crossed the border. Fortunately for me, a kind Korean family hid me in the attic of their farmhouse for eleven days with Chinese army regulars living down below me before I was able to move out. In 1997, Margaret and I returned to Korea to participate in a ceremony awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the survivors of that family. It was an experience I will never forget. While serving in Korea, I was awarded another Purple Heart and the Silver Star.

In April-May 1951 while recuperating at Percy Jones Army Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan, I visited the Epsilon Nu chapter at Michigan State. They were competing in the annual Inter-Fraternity Sing competition. They had won each of the previous two years and did win the third time which gave them permanent possession of the trophy. We had a memorable celebration following the event. Later, I split time between Fort Bragg, North Carolina and overseas duty, eventually retiring and living near Fort Bragg.

Q: Tell us about your family. Have you married? Do you have children?
A: When I was stationed in England, I met a very beautiful girl in London named Margaret. We were married back home in Kankakee on her birthday the 1st of June in 1946. She had “Hollywood Beautiful” looks, as my family would say, and was chosen by our wedding photographer as his “Bride of the Year.” Margaret passed away January of 2000. We had three children: Suzanne, Everett II we call “Rett” and Stuart.

Q: What other activities or organizations were you involved with during your college days?
A: At school, I was on the track team for two years and ran the quarter mile. While in the Army, I also ran track and participated in the Military Olympics in Germany.

Q: Tell us about some of brothers from your time in the house.
A: Herschel G. “Bucky” Benson ’44 was a hockey player and played for the University’s team. Kelly Cox ’43, a pledge brother, was very muscular and played football. In the summer of 1941, Art Wood ’43 stayed with my family and me in Kankakee while we worked for Stone & Webster engineering firm that built The Elmwood Ordnance Plant for the Army. James Bryan ‘43, who also waited tables with me at the house, was a real brain enrolled at the electric engineering school. I recall that James had a hard time getting up in the morning. He liked to sleep in! Tom Cunningham ’43 was an excellent horseman and played with the polo team.

Q: What are some of your favorite memories from your fraternity days?
A: We did a considerable amount of singing when I was there. We would meet around the piano in the living room and Bob Lee ‘43, who was an accomplished pianist, would play for us. For our formal dances, Bob would always play the “Flight of the Bumble Bee.”

Q: Any other memories you’d like to share?
A: In 1958 my sister quite ill would need heart surgery. This required 25 pints of blood. I didn’t know how I was going to be able to get that amount. I met with James Cooke ‘43, and he was able to make some phone calls and round up 25 volunteers who showed up the next morning to donate blood. He had an amazing ability to do such things. I’ll never forget that and the kindness James showed to our family.

Q: What hobbies or activities do you enjoy?
A: I enjoy traveling. One of my favorite places to visit was New Zealand. I also enjoy the community and people around Fort Bragg, many of whom also served in the military. I read books on military history and am currently reading “The Wild Blue” about bomber pilots and features the politician/pilot George McGovern and his exploits in the war.

Q: With whom from the chapter do you stay in contact?
A: Not anyone for years, until recently Art Wood ’43 called me. We had quite a conversation talking about life in the house and the summer in spent with me working at the ordnance plant. Art gave me Bob Llewellyn’s (’44) number, and I called him to catch up. I greatly enjoyed reading Bob’s profile in the 2006 Arrow.

Q: What other organizations are you involved with?
A: Other than the Retired Officers Association, that’s about it. We have monthly meetings and many activities that I participate in.

Q: What advice would you give to an undergraduate member?
A: Study! Concentrate on your books and make sure you get the most out of your studies that you can. I am afraid in my day, the War took front seat and we slacked off on our grades and got into the military atmosphere too much.

Q: What influence has your undergraduate fraternity experience had you since graduating?
A: Being able to get along with people. I don’t recall any enmity or arguments during my time at the house. We really enjoyed each other’s company, and it was a lesson that I will never forget and tried to apply in my years since college.

I keep the tape of Psi U songs made by the Lambda Sigma chapter at Pepperdine in my car so that I can have an off-key sing fest while driving. I keep my owl in a hallowed spot on the fireplace hearth.

Q: What do you think of the changes with the Alumni Association?
A: I enjoy reading The Arrow. It brings back a lot of memories. It’s a great feeling to be associated back with the house and members. I’d like to see the house full since that’s the only way we can keep going. (Editor’s Note: Amen!)

The Omicron Arrow of May 1945 reported the following:
"Lt. E. Gerald "Red" Andrews, son of Mrs. E. N. Andrews, re­cently received the Purple Heart for wounds received in action at Bastonge, Jan. 3, according to latest word received by his moth­er.

'After spending two months in hospitals in France and England, Lt. Andrews is back with his out­fit, the 101st Airborne division, which was cited tor valor recent­ly by Gen. Eisenhower.

'Red received officers' training at Fort Sill, Okla. He took spec­ialized parataroop training at Fort McCall, N. C., and Fort Benning, Ga.

'He entered service in June, 1943 went overseas in July, 1944.

In addition to the above infor­mation, Mrs. Andrews, his moth­er, writes:

'Right now 'Red' is in Ger­many. I've enjoyed reading The Omicron Arrow, which I am send­ing on to him, seeing some of the news of the boys I have met at the house in Champaign and I know the boys just 'scrape the bottom' looking for news from home and school.' Red's home address is 609 North Dearborn, Kankakee, 111., and is with Hq. Btry of a Proht-F.A. Bn., A.P.O. 472. Care Postmaster, New York, N. Y."

'I just received the July edition of The Arrow—still a mighty po­tent piece … It certainly bridges the gap of those that helped in V-E and those that brought in V-J. Soon will be trickling home, and in my case, it will be a mighty slow trickle. Many of us here in the ETO are settling down to a long winter's nap—hoping THAT boat will be along soon.

'My brother, Cam, managed to flag an early ride home and soon should be carrying his army career around on a lapel button.

'Thanks to the few places that the air corps forgot to bomb, we here are trying to enjoy ourselves by splashing around in swimming pools, or taking up baseball, bas­ketball, track, football, and what have you. Under the last item I might include the education pro­gram that I am associated with here. The combination of school work and athletics isn't such a far cry from those school days we all enjoyed around or about 313 Ar­mory."

'Hello, gang! I've been away from the States for so long I've lost contact with all the old gang. I've been based all over the Pa­cific and am now operating from the Palau Islands. I am an in­telligence officer for the bomb group and as such I get in my share of flying and mission time.

'! spent some time in the Phil­ippines on the ground, but plenty of time over the Islands. All I'm concerned about right now is get­ting back home to a darling wife to whom I have been married for 10 perfect years. She is at pres­ent living in Rockford, 111.

'My sincere regards to you all and I would certainly enjoy letters from and of the class of '30, '31, and good old '32.

'The Omicron Arrow is a great little paper and to a fellow who has lost contact for so long, it is great to read about all the gang!"

'Many months have passed since I last dropped a note to the Arrow, although I still find myself at the same location. Good friends came my way in the way of promotion to commanding officer of the Ohio River Ordnance works, one of the ammonia plants in the ammunition division of the ordnance depart­ment.

'Although the work is not near­ly as romantic as that of the other brothers who have done such an excellent job in all theaters of war, I've found my work most interest­ing and valuable experience.

'Although my twin brother John, who is also captain in the ord­nance department and who has been in ordnance development for some time, has not advised me of his recent citation, I was advised and received a copy from other channels that he was cited for his administrative and engineering services as chief of all anti-aircraft development design, the product of which is the new famous Sky-Sweeper, the gun which is claimed will revolutionize all anti-aircraft design.

'Unfortunately I cannot give you certain operating facts that make the gun almost human.

'I am hoping to get to Cham­paign for a football game this fall. Enjoy each new issue of The Arrow better than the last."

In May 1945, Brother Holstein wrote:
"Just this morning I received the February issue of The Omicron Ar­row and enjoyed it so much that I am taking this means of assuring myself against loss of future issues. This was the first issue I had re­ceived in months and after three years in the service, it was grand to hear from 30 many at one time by means of The Arrow.

"As my brother John told you in the February issue, I am now an administrative officer at the Ohio Rive Ordnance works, Henderson, Ky., and although I am not as pro­lific as he has been, I do boast two sons, A. G. Ill, five and a halt; and Edward, a year and a half. I have been most fortunate in being able to have my wife Harriett and my sons with me a fair share of the time dur.ing my travels from one Ordnance works to another.

"I too, have been fortunate in that during my stretch thus far in the army I have been able to con­tinue use of my chemical industrial experience in the manufacturing of explosives.

"Unfortunately during my wan­derings I have not run across any of the brothers to write about, but this is quite understandable after reading in the Arrow that so many of them are overseas. Has anyone any news on Mark Swanson, Jerry Owings, Jimmy Hodge?"

'My Theta wife (Helen Henry *40) and son, John M. Jr., age Wt, are living in Bloomington, 111., and have been there since I started overseas last April.

'Have met only two Psi Us since coming over. We are set up here on Leyte to ship the men home. Hope to be there myself next sum­mer. Glad to get The Arrow and learn of what everyone is doing. See you all at Homecoming, 1946!" Thanks for the Pesos, John! In a prior Arrow, Brother Holzer was described as a military instructor at the U of I with offices in the Armory as of October 1941

"The first Omicron Arrow I've seen in over three years caught up with me here in San Antonio the other day and I got more enjoy­ment out of getting the news on all the boys than any other publi­cation ever gave me.

"To summarize a bit: I was fly­ing a B-17 on a raid to Kassel, Germany, July 30, 1943, when I was shot down about 15 miles from our target. Fortunately all my crew, members are alive although some were wounded, but I got off very lucky with only breaking the bone in one of my fingers. That hap­pened when my 'chute dropped me in some trees. I was captured immediately but was fortunate enough to break out of solitary con­finement that night. However, my good fortune did not last long as I was recaptured soon and spent 21 months as a POW.

"Our camp was liberated by Patton's 3rd army April 29 of this year; we landed in the states on June 3 and have since enjoyed one of those unheard of pleasures: a 90-day leave."

"My name is SSG Mike Klesowitch Omicron 96. I just saw the Armed Forces Section of the website and noticed my information was incomplete. I am currently in the Army stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. I just celebrated my 9 year anniversary. I am currently an instructor at the Defense Intelligence Agency's Defense Strategic Debriefers Course.

"I have been stationed in Iraq twice: OIF I, I was with The Joint Special Operations Task Force North (JSOTF-N) and in OIF II, I was assigned to the Joint Interrogation and Debriefing Center. Previously I served in Kosovo and was deployed jointly with the United States Navy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"I hope this can update your records. Thank you very much for acknowledging the Psi U brothers that serve/served."

'This night nurse,' Harry says, 'is raising hell about lights being on so late, so will have to wind up. Here's to the day when Psi U can again grace the Illini campus.'"

'Just received the Arrow this evening and was quite interested in Jack Stout's letter printed therein. I got busy and found that Bud is on rest leave, but is located here on the same Island with me in the Marianas and has been my next door neighbor for quite some time without my knowing it. He's sup­posed to be back the end of this week and I'm looking forward to a big reunion. He's the first Psi U I've been able to contact since I left school.

'Was glad to hear about Burt Caruthers marriage and wish him all the happiness in the world.

'You've all been reading about what's been going on out this way so there's no need to tell you they're keeping us mighty busy. Hope it will all be over soon as we can all get back and have our big reunion which we all write so much about.

'I would be glad to hear from any of the brothers and if there are any out this way I'd like them to drop in.'"

'As for my personal life, I have broken my engagement after two years of being strictly true and now I am playing the field and en­joying myself very much.

'Has anybody heard about LI Bock, Dan Dieffenbacher, or Al Mueller? I haven't seen or heard anything about these brothers since before I left to go into the service.

'Let's all start planning for that big reunion of the Brothers in the fall of '46.'"

'The Arrow is dutifully mailed to my brother. Although his vintage is too ancient to recognize the ma­jority of the names, some are even 'familiar to me who spent many a happy day at 410 E. Green.

'At the moment Bob is in China. His letters occasionally make some crack about a 'party that the Psi U's In their palmiest day would have been glad to have thrown.' He has some combat experience and was in the Salween River campaign last spring. He was cited by the CBI 'Round-Up' for his ability to keep up despite his age—51 years. At the moment his only claim to fame is that he is the only constipated soldier in China.'"

'I'm in instruments and with luck will leave soon for my advanced squadron …

'There are a lot of Psi U men down here from almost every chap­ter and they're all d—n good men . . . keep the old Omicron blazing with spirit, 'cause I'll sure as h—1 make that my first stop when this scrap's over.'"

"Lt. Stephen Hogan '37," says a newspaper story sent to the chap­ter recently, "27 years old, 7303 Luella ave., came home last week from the Pacific war area and saw his blond, blue-eyed four-months-old son, Stephen III, for the first time. He brought the baby a rattle made from a piece of a wrecked Jap Zero plane, and for young Stephen's mother, the lieutenant's bride of two years ago, he brought rattan purses and other souvenirs of the South Sea islands.

Home on 30-Day Leave

“Lieutenant Hogan, son of Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Hogan Sr., 6746 Cregier ave., is home on a 30-day leave which will end March 1. It's his first leave in 13 months.

“He has been in the navy three years. Since his graduation in 1941 from the Pensacola naval training station, he has been based on a carrier as a dive bomber pilot. He saw action on the Wasp, which was sunk, on the Enterprise, participat­ed in the Gilbert and Marshall Is­land battles, the Coral Sea battle and the battles of Midway Island and Guadalcanal. He has two Jap planes to his credit and was award­ed the navy cross for bravery and extraordinary heroism above the call of duty.

Never Wounded

“He was never wounded in any of the battles but his radiomen were not so fortunate. The Jap planes got two of them. One of his narrowest escapes from death occurred when there wasn't even a battle in progress. Flying above Pearl Harbor, his plane collided in mid-air with an­other and he was forced to para­chute to safety. He landed in the ocean and was picked up by a de­stroyer.”

“The Navy Department has appointed Frank Kegley ’08 as Supervisor of Shipbuilding in the Chicago area. Commander Kegley, on September 10th was placed at the head of this important naval activity which, since early 1942, has directed the construction of 600 million dollars worth of ships in thirteen yards located from Kalamazoo to Kansas City and from Milwaukee to St. Louis.

With the defeat of Japan ship­building at many yards was halted and the interest of the Supervisor's office has turned to Contract Ter­mination and Settlement, and the Disposition of Materials. Shipbuild­ing will continue until December; it is expected that contract termi­nation can be completed early in 1946.

Commander Kegley began his war service in March, 1942, as Special Assistant to the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, directing the design and construction of the Chicago Bridge and Iron Co. shipyard at Calumet Harbor, on Chicago's South Side. In August, 1942, he was commissioned in the Naval Re­serve and assigned to the same of­fice as Officer in Charge of Tech­nical and Construction matters in the Shipbuilding program. In 1944 he was advanced to the rank of Commander and to the position of Executive Officer in the office which he now heads. He is a part­ner in the firm of Walton and Kegley, Architects, and resides in Evanston.”

Like other fraternities on campus, we had a number of brothers who unfortunately did not make it back from the War, including Jim Latham ’44 from Alton, IL – a marine captain, a real hero; Pete Blackford ’43 from Oak Park, IL; and Johnny Austin ’43 also from Oak Park.

Due to the war, the house lost membership and was rented out as a women’s boarding house from June 43 thru January 1946. Only with the help of our outstanding alumni were we able to organize to get our house back and reestablish Psi U on campus. Thanks to the GI bill, we had plenty of men on campus from which to recruit. But many of these men were veterans and were unwilling to go through the type of pledgeship we had previously gone through. One day, we almost had a mutiny with the new pledges. We all had a meeting and agreed to modify the rules for the pledges.

We had two other fraternities living with us as the time, Deke’s & Xi Phi’s, who did not have their houses back as early as we did. The Dekes told their motley crew of undisciplined pledges that they had better shape up or they would be treated like the Psi U pledges! In all seriousness, I am happy that the house has become more serious getting high GPA’s and more conscientious about charity work."

The Omicron Arrow of late 1945 reported the following from Brother Llewellyn:
"I just finished operation train­ing in torpedo bombers at Fort Lauderdale (pronounced Liquor-dale). After my carrier checkout in the Atlantic I was granted a 37-day leave before reporting to NAS, Grosse Isle, which is only 14 miles outside of Detroit. No discharge is in the offing, but De­troit is good duty, so I won't mind. Don Johnson '45 is attending Wis­consin now. The Psi U house is going strong there.

"Heinie Diettrich '44 is doing part-time chief cook and bottle washer duties at a Chicago hotel while he attends dental school. He graduates in June and all the brothers are invited to bring in their aching jaws."

'Still sailing the same ocean on the same ship as I have been for the last two years. I was lucky enough to get home a few days last tall, and really enjoyed those few days. As yet I haven't seen any of the brothers out here, but thanks to The Arrow, I can keep up with many of them. Very happy to see that Jimmy Reed was home for a well-deserved rest.

'I' understand that Jim Latham, Jack Scott and Tommy Cunning-ham are around some place out here—I'll be checking the Officers Clubs from here to Tokyo.'"

'There IS an addition to the family. When last seen it resem­bled a bawling brisket of beef but recent photos indicate that it is a baby. I am also married.

'Occupation as noted. Officially it's medical officer to a bunch oL. destroyer escorts. This is a fasci­nating job—oh! yes, fascinating! We treat jungle rot, a rare tropical disease like lackaliquor. Treatment is painting with mesthiolate. Treat­ment of sore throats is also paint­ing with mesthiolate. Athlete's foot?—paint it with merthiolate. Redundant prepuce?—paint it with —pops!

'Haven't seen the bent elbow of one Psi U since I've been out here. Whereinell is everybody?

'Anyway, the Arrow is still blooming and it's a pleasure to re­ceive it. Any news of Corky Steward '41, Jim Reed '40, or Jim Snider '40 would be, I think, a feather in your cap, but if you have their addresses, I’d like to write them.'"

'Am still out here in the Philip­pines, but expect discharge on points within a few weeks as my orders and relief have already been requested by my commanding offi­cer. While I had quite a lengthy tour of duty in the States, it will be great getting back again—espe­cially now that I'll soon be a civil­ian again. Enjoyed the last issue of The Arrow as much as any others I've received these past four years. The Class of '40 was well represented in the news.'"

In May 1945, Brother Scott wrote to the Omicron Arrow:
"At present I am stationed at SCTC Terminal Island, San Pedro, Calif., going to school and taking care of last minute details before putting a refrigerator ship into commission. As executive officer aboard I find plenty to do and have little spare time on my hands. My wife, Marianne (Illinois '42) is here with me and will remain until I leave the states.

"Haven't seen any of the brothers except Malerich '38, who is out here on a PCE, for some time but proba­bly will run into some drinking beer on some island out in the Pacific.

"Keep the Omicron going while I'm away so we can have a good blow-out when this mess is over."

'Received the December issue of The Arrow today (Apr. 13) after it had traveled across the Pacific twice and around the States a few times. So decided it is time to give you my latest address and a contribution for this 4.0 publication.

'! got back last January after roaming around the Pacific for 14 months on a PT boat. Was a boat skipper and had consider­able 'fun' playing tag with the Japs . . . also trying to find Bro. Tom Martin's APO.

'At present I am going again to school at N.T.C., Miami. This time to learn what makes the bigger ships run. Hope to be as­signed to a destroyer after the nine-weeks course at Miami. Would like to hear from any of the ‘0’ Brothers in this area. Should be some as Florida appears to be 98 per cent military activ­ities. Keep up the good work on the Arrow. It is our only con­tact with the old gang from '313.'"

'Arrived in Tsingtoo (Chingtoo) China the first of this month and though it's quite decent, I've had my fill and am ready for home, never to rove again! A great per cent of this city is of German and Russian population, and as such, most of the construc­tion has a European influence. It seems awful strange to look out over a scene that could be found in any of our suburban areas and yet realize that I'm on the other side of the world. Expect to be in the States by spring and wish speedy returns to all brothers for a happy reunion in the fall of '46—best of luck to one and all.'"

The Omicron Arrow of May 1945 wrote:
"Jack Culp Jr. '44, Pfc, with Co. G, 58th O.C.S., M.B., Quantico, Va., writes:

'Haven't seen a good liberty pass nor a brother for months . . . both are necessary essentials to that overworked term—morale! I am, however, much better off than many of the Psi U men that are mentioned in the Arrow—in fact, I'm not bad off at all.

'Left V-12 and Purdue July 1 and since then have been through Parris Island, South Carolina and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, New River, and am now here at Quantico in the first stages of Officer Candidate School. Will be here about 17 more weeks, getting my commission in seven weeks and then getting 10 weeks of further training.

'Would appreciate it very much it you would get me in touch with Harry Latimer and Larry Fischer, both Omicron '44. Lost contact with them when I left V-12.

'Would also appreciate it very much if you would again allow me to be a regular Omicron Ar­row reader. Dad sent me the last one, and it's the best mail I've received yet."