2018 - Veterans Day!

My gratitude for our service men and women could never be adequately expressed. In 2011 I gathered together all VETERANS I'd posted about here.

May we NEVER forget!

73rd Anniversary of Broome's One Day War

Mr. Dion Marinis of the Broome, Australia Historical Society sent this picture on March 3, 2015. It was the 73rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on Broome and the loss of so many innocents. John Morgan Rex, and the entire crew (save one) of the B-24 Liberator they were on, and the wounded and citizens they were attempting to evacuate to safety, were lost in the sea.

Thank you for remembering these patriots with these beautiful flowers.

Note: Until I get the size of my blog view fixed, these flowers will fill the screen nicer than my grandmother's soap recipe did.

Bessie Morgan Rex. Letter to Harold June 15, 1938.

Young Maeser and Morgan Rex at Bear River Ranch

Randolph, Utah

June 15, 1938.

My dear boy,

It is 6:30 a.m. I don’t write to you in the morning very often, but I must get your last airmail letter answered, and we went to the show last night. Two boys have been gone to the field for an hour to milk, so I must hurry and get this written and have their breakfast ready for them. They are going to the canyon for some dry wood for us. Aren’t they fine? Best boys ever.

I was a little excited when I got your letter. Your first leg toward home. They laugh at me and tell me to not start standing on one foot yet, especially when I said it might be near Xmas before you got here.

About Europe. Now my dear, we can get your money. It would be an opportunity you wont get again, but say, stick to your decision. If you go it will mean you will have to work harder to get to school. Will $140.00 give you much for a trip. Do the most worthwhile thing. If you can see that school is going to mean so much more, then think well before taking the trip.

Additional pages are missing.

How Grandma Bessie (Bessie Morgan Rex) cherished her sons!  Aren't they fine? Best boys ever.

Leon Morgan (1897-2002) - son of Leonidas Morgan.

Leon Morgan lived 104 years and resided in the James King Home in Evanston, Illinois at the time of his passing on September 29, 2002.  

John Morgan’s brother, Leonadis (Lon) (Leon) Morgan was fifty years old when his son Leon was born on November 18, 1897 in New Jersey.  Leon was the second child born to Leonadis and Mary Rice Morgan following their November 27, 1895 marriage.  Daughter Sarah was born first on October 5, 1896.

In the 1940 Chicago, Illinois census Leon was head of his Chicago household which included his sister Sarah and widowed mother Mary (75). Leon (42) was in advertising and Sarah (43) was a steno/secr'y in manufacturing. I was moved by the fact that this family group (each member single) was together.

Two weeks ago Mary Robak of Chicago, Illinois came across my blog post here as she was searching for some background on Leon Morgan, born 1897. She gave me permission to post the note she later sent me.

"Mr. Morgan resided in Chicago for most of his life, having moved there in 1910. he lived in Evanston, IL towards the end of his life, in the King Home, a part of the Presbyterian Homes. I work there, and had known him during those years, becoming the person he was closest to in the last decade of his life. He had come close to marrying early in life, but never discussed that much. He died at age 104 in 2002.

"I have put together a bit of info about him to share with residents who are currently residing there on this Thurs 3/19. I had not really delved into his distant past until today. I know of his sister, tho he spoke of her little, he spoke just slightly more of his mother. He did not speak of his father, tho as he had passed about 60 yrs before our meeting, that did not surprise me. Only now I wish I had paid closer attention. At that point in time no one thought he had any relatives, as none had any contact with him.

"Leon Morgan was a leader in aviation in Chicago, until the stock market crash of 1929 destroyed his businesses. In 1930-31 he became involved in writing children's books, the Cowboy series of the Little Big books, the foundation of Whittman publishing that became Golden Books. Sometimes on ebay you find those too. He wrote for the Century of Progress in 1933. In 1936 he entered advertising, but we did not talk about that nearly as much as his air days and his writing days.

"He traveled the world widely, collected art and books, and had an interest in ballet and Mayan culture."

In his 90's he wrote an extremely interesting autobiography, When Flying was Young. It is mentioned in his obituary linked above. I scanned the book's front and back covers. There is such a fascinating parallel running between the lives of Leon Morgan and John Morgan Rex (1920-1942). They each loved airplanes and flying from their youth. 

This picture of Leon Morgan with two models is courtesy of Chicago History Museum Research Center.

Thank you Mary Robak for your kindness and generosity and for acquainting us with your friend Leon Morgan.

Bessie Morgan Rex letter to Harold. March 20, 1938.

Randolph, Utah

March 20, 1938

My dear boy,

Sunday afternoon. Conference is over, but I didn’t go. Have been a little under the weather, but Dr. Pyoth will take care of me just fine.

Well, it was Sunday & I thot I would hurry & write right then, but my good intentions fell thro. Guess I am lazy. Am feeling very much better now.

I had so many things I wanted to tell you but I expect your father told you some of them. Have felt so badly since Sun. to think I was not able to have Burdett’s & Fraziers up for dinner. They are always so nice to me. Sis. Burdett came up to see me between meetings and Clara and Glenn came up after meeting. I asked Clara if she heard from you, and she looked rather wistful as she said “Not very often.” Shame on you. Such a lovely girl too. And say, does Glenn treat his sister about right. He is a fine fellow. His mission has improved him. You know he is grown up.  

John Morgan, Percy Harold, Maeser Morgan Rex

They say he spoke fine in conference as did Phil Spencer. Now don’t be so stingy with your letters to Clara.

We haven’t had a letter for two weeks now. Whatever is the delay?  We received an invitation to the Brazilian mission reunion next Sat., but I think we shall wait until you come home. We have Winnie graduating soon & I have been such an expense with capsules money is at a premium.

Daddy has gone to feed to be back in time to work at the court house. He makes 4$ a day there. The boys are doing the chores.

Such a dark & dreary day. But think winter is behind us. How glad I am.

Well, dearie, I must close.

Morgan’s father asked him if it didn’t give him a thrill to hear his big brother’s name read out in the Brazilian mission. We decided it gave Morg’s father a bigger one.

Love & kisses from all

Lovingly Mother

Bessie Morgan Rex letter to Harold. January 19, 1938.

John Morgan, Percy Harold, Maeser Morgan Rex, 

standing in front of their Randolph, Utah home, prior to Morgan's deployment.

 Randolph, Utah

January 19, 1938

My dear dear boy,

Right now, I am going to sit down and write to you. It is nearly six o’clock and I am getting supper ready. Just received your letter of Dec. 17, and was, oh so pleased to get it. Of course it was written before your airmail letter, but nevertheless we enjoyed it very much, so I will chat about it first.

That is a lovely picture of Winnie, isn’t it. I have mine where I can see it all the time. I think my daughters are just grand but don’t say it’s too bad you are her brother. My dear, you have no idea how proud I am of my boys. Your work down there is a constant joy to me, and Morgan is growing into a fine serious fellow who loves things like physics and geometry. I do hope you can accomplish all the things you desire to so much. I am surely happy these days, especially when I think of my children. I received a letter from Helen also tonight

I am so glad she and Glenn are working [in] the ward. Have you heard from her? You should have by now.

Last night a young man came to see me. Do you remember those three salesmen you met in Evanston a day or two before you left. You know they sold Helen a couple of dresses. Well, one Karl Page, liked Helen very much, and so he came up to see me. He kept saying “She is one swell girl.” I should like to capture him for Winnie. He is the sweetest kid. He always wants to know all about you and is looking forward to seeing you when you come home. I like him because he is fine & clean looking, and does he love life.

You mentioned buying a camera. I do hope you were able to keep it. We are looking forward to seeing pictures of Brazil. I am wondering if you have enough money now. Do be very observing. We shall have many many questions to ask you. Did you write to Mr. D. P. Murray. Possibly you didn’t get my letter saying he was much interested in you and will help

you if you go the the A. C. [Agriculture College in Logan. Utah].

I have written a play for the R.S. today. It has been fun, but I do get tired. Myrtle Jones is the new R.S. Pres. And I still teach literature.

Have you decided to come straight home. Possibly that is the best. Daddy has some debts to pay and a hundred dollars is quite a bit right now. If you come home by N.Y. I shall send you Vash Young’s address and you can call on him. He gave me or my family a very urgent invitation.

They cleaned the church today to make it ready for carpet and drapes. Wont that be grand.

We have no snow so far, and a very mild winter. Different from any winter I have seen here so far.

And now my dear, you are much further away from us, but I’m so glad it is cooler. I looked it up on the map, and the weather, I judge, is about the same as our southern states. I do hope you like it. I think you have been rewarded for your good work.

Did I tell you Roy went back to his mission Monday morning. Bob W. will be home next month.

Did I tell you Helen found Aunt Lile. They didn’t know her.

Dear dear, I told you about the boy’s baby beef didn’t I. I am getting tired and sleepy, so I better be closing. There isn’t any news in town of any importance.

Keep up your good work, my son and the Lord will ever bless you. We wait for your letters each week and love to hear from you.

Love & kisses from all of us.

Lovingly,

Mother

Note: Eliza Ann Morgan Smith is Bessie's older sister born February 8, 1875. Vash Young is #8 in Bessie's classroom picture on this post.

71st anniversary of the loss of Sgt. John Morgan Rex.

From this morning's e-mail:

Hello Bessie,

Just a short note to express my thoughts to you and your family today on the 71st anniversary of the loss of your Uncle Sgt John Morgan Rex.

I plan to go out today to the beach over looking out towards the search area where we believe the Liberator went down to pay my respects.

It may sound strange but I am emotionally connected to these missing men and their families, I can’t help it going through all the information, learning about families and crew and of course the search itself to find it, many hours so far.

This week in Darwin there is a new plaque been put on a 60 meter memorial wall for all those who died during the attacks on Darwin and other towns including Broome. A total 1670 people killed.

You will be happy to know that the crew on the Liberator are on that wall including your Uncle Morgan.

I will send you a photo of it once I can obtain one.

God Bless and we are thinking of you and others this day.

Kind regards

Dion Marinis

Broome

Western Australia

John Morgan Rex's B24 Liberator

Uncle John Morgan Rex’s B24A Liberator #40-2374 (in peacetime markings)

Unexpected good things:

"All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner." 

I took that statement printed on the inside cover of Broome's One Day War; The story of the Japanese Raid on Broome, 3rd March 1942, seriously, and wrote for permission to use some quotes from the pamphlet in my recent post about John Morgan Rex.

I wrote to the Broome Historical Society in Western Australia, and a gentleman sent me a picture of my Uncle John Morgan Rex’s B24A Liberator #40-2374. Thank you so very much! 

He too is on a search--and is confident that he and his colleague will find that lost aircraft.

I wonder what markings changed when the aircraft was assigned to war?

Isn't this search into the past fascinating?

Monuments to John Morgan Rex (1920-1942)

John Morgan Rex 1941

 Marker in Memory Grove, Salt Lake City, Utah. 

North side of the Meditation Chapel below.

Meditation Chapel, Memory Grove
 is a space set apart for quiet reflection.
 Mr. and Mrs. Ross Beason built the chapel in 1948
 as a memorial to their son, Ross Beason, Jr.,
 and all other Utahns who died in World War II.

The War Memorial in Broome, Australia is pictured here and here.

John Morgan Rex's involvement in World War II

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii bombed December 7, 1941

“Well it looks as though we are in the war at last.”

USS President Polk AP-103 Transport—Voyage to New Zealand

Broome One Day War

Donoho Account

Clarence O. Donoho. Newspaper Account of Broome, Australia One Day War.

Continued from here.

Friday, May 19, 1944, The Enid Morning News

Sgt. M. Donoho Made 32-hour swim to safety

Battled South Pacific Current, Faced Sharks, but lived by Melvin Donoho

As related to a member of the public relations office staff at Carlsbad Army Air Field

“Three Zekes caught our jam-packed B-24 just as we took off, and it smacked into the sea, cracking into halves. We were dumped out as if from a steam shovel. It was a long way to shore—a 32-hour swim—and I was the only one who made it.”

Recalling that incident in the Indian ocean back in 1942, husky T.-Sgt Melvin O. Donoho from Covington began to sweat a little. Although war-hardened by more than three years of service in the south Pacific and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, the sergeant obviously did not want to dwell on the subject very long. Even his fellow workers on the flight line at Carlsbad Army Air field in New Mexico, where he has been an armament malfunctions man since returning from the south Pacific, had not heard all about his long swim back to Broome, Australia. He always left out the details.

The sergeant, son of Clarence O. Donoho of Covington and one of the key armament men in the AAF training command because of his invaluable knowledge of installing armament in planes for combat, made a safe but harrowing evacuation from the Jap besieged Dutch island of Java. He did not run into trouble until after he arrived in Australia where he thought he was comparatively out of danger. He had put guns and bullets in planes of the 17^th pursuit squadron on Java and even converted fighters to bombers while the japs were virtually swarming on the northern shores of the island. He was lucky to get out alive. Even the escape flight from Java to Broome was without mishap. His long swim came off the red-sand beach at Broome.

“The bomber cleared the runway about 10 a.m.” the sergeant recalled. “We were over the ocean and headed for Perth, about a thousand feet up, when the Zeroes strafed us with incendiaries.

“I was in the bomb bay. The plane had been converted into a transport for the emergency evacuation, and there were about 25 or 30 of us in it—army officers, medical personnel and some sick men.

“I saw the incendiaries tearing into the plane. Three burst hit the gas tank and set the ships afire. Flames were seeping the bomb bay and I got as low as I could. The plane was so full there wasn’t anywhere to move to.

“I thought it was all over when suddenly the plane struck the water and cracked open, dumping us into the water. Most of the men cleared  the wreckage and I could see some of them bobbing up and down and swimming about. High waves and a thick coat of oil on the surface kept me from seeing where they went to. There was a lot of yelling, and some of the men must have been wounded but I didn’t see them.”

“I spotted another sergeant in the water and swam to him. We grabbed three life jackets that were floating near the tail of the ship taking one extra in case we found another survivor. We couldn’t see the shore but guessed at the direction and started swimming. We looked back a few minutes later and the plane had gone down.

“We knew which direction the plane had been flying, and used the sun and stars to guide us. About 10 hours later we saw the outline of the shore. The tide coming out kept us from gaining much headway that night but we kept swimming. The other fellow complained about being hungry and thirsty. I wasn’t bothered by that because I had eaten good American food at Broome—for the first time in weeks—and had gulped 10 cups of coffee before we left.

“The sergeant and I became separated the next   morning and I never saw him after that. As I got closer to land I could see the larger rocks on the beach, but I got into a current which carried me back out to sea about two miles before I could get out of it. Right then I was ready to agree with the Australian chamber of commerce about the beautiful beaches and big sharks. That beach looked very beautiful but when I was swept away from it after almost making it, I began to lose hope especially when a shark and I started looking at each other across the waves. He came toward me, then turned away when was about 30 feet from me. He probably wasn’t hungry.

About 6 o’clock in the evening, I got to the beach. I rested awhile, then walked along the shore and found an abandoned farmhouse and a well. I drank a lot of water, and was willing to take a chance on typhoid. I followed a trail into the village of Broome, a little place with a couple of houses, a general store and a gas station. I wasn’t too hungry so I kept walking, and got to the air strip, about a quarter of a mile on the other side of town about 11 o’clock that night. I was given something to eat and put to bed in the hospital. I was asked if I was ready to move down to Perth. I told them that I was.”

Sergeant Donoho made the move that night. In a short time the was in New Guinea where he put armament in planes for 15 hellish months, ducking into ditches when Japs bombed and running for his life  when they strafed.

“He’s a helluva good armament man,” remarked one of the fellow soldiers at CAAF.

“In spite of the Japs,” said another.

“No! Because of the Japs.”

John Morgan Rex’s involvement in World War II:

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii bombed December 7, 1941

“Well it looks as though we are in the war at last.”

USS President Polk AP-103 Transport—Voyage to New Zealand. John Morgan Rex December 31, 1941 Letter.

Broome One Day War

Monuments to John Morgan Rex

Note: Newspaper article from Flora Rex Lamborn.

Broome One Day War

A little history from Glenn and Helen Rex Frazier's library.

Collier’s Photographic History of World War II, P. F. Collier & Son Corporation,

 publishers, New York, Copyright, 1946 by P. F. Collier & Son Corporation, page 69.

 “After Pearl Harbor the Japanese wasted no time in bringing into being their conception of the Greater Japanese Empire. They landed at different points on the island of Luzon and on December 10, 1941, pushed down toward Manila from the north and up from the south, and took the city on January 2, 1942, pressing the American and Philippine forces into Bataan Peninsula. They laid siege to the great base of Hong Kong and captured it on December 25, 1941. Two great ships of the British Navy, the Repulse and the Prince of Wales, were sunk on December 9. On February 15 sixty-nine days after they landed on the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, supposedly the strongest naval base in the world, surrendered, and Britain’s greatest bastion in the Pacific, the symbol of her power in the East and the key to defense of the Southwest Pacific, was lost. With equal speed the Japanese had gone into the Netherlands East Indies, which they completely occupied by March 8, 1942. With these islands, in spite of the “scorched earth” policy of the defenders, they acquired great treasures of oil, rubber, quinine, and other strategic products. From January 15 to May 1, 1942, before the monsoon season set in, the Japanese had raced through Burma, had driven the British troops from the country, and had given Lieutenant General Stilwell’s Chinese and American forces a beating. They thus blocked the Burma Road over which the Allies had supplied China. The Dutch Army garrisoned in the Netherlands Indies, the Dutch Navy, and our gallant little Asiatic Squadron were entirely inadequate to stop the onrush of the Japanese southward.“

Picture from page 70. Smashed B-17s burn on a runway of Andir aerodrome at Bandoeng, Java. This picture taken on Feb. 19, 1942, shows our planes caught and destroyed before they could take off. The Japanese held an almost complete mastery of the air and sea in the South Pacific until the late summer of 1942.

According to the Air Force Historical Research AgencyAFHRA, John Morgan Rex’s 70^th Pursuit Squadron was assigned to the US Army Forces in Fiji on January 28, 1942 and participated in the evacuation of Java. 

Just after 9:00 A.M. on March 3, 1942, nine Japanese warplanes and a reconnaissance plane reached the flying boat anchorage at Roebuck Bay, Australia and the RAAF base at Broome, Ausralia Airfield. The enemy planes strafed aircraft on the ground and engaged those in the air, including a USAAF B-24A Liberator full of wounded personnel.

“Several allied machines did manage to get airborne as the attack began. An American Liberator bomber, under the command of Lt. Edson Kester scrambled into the air, but was immediately pounced upon by a Zero piloted by Warrant Officer Osamu Kudo. Despite Kester’s valiant attempts to evade Kudo’s relentless attack, the bomber crashed into the sea some 10 km off Cable Beach, breaking in half on impact. Of the 33 servicemen aboard, many of whom were sick and wounded, all but two were killed in the crash or were drowned. Army surgeon Capt. Charles Stafford was seen trying to help the wounded, but to no avail – he and the others soon slipped beneath the surface and were drowned. Only Sergeants Melvin Donaho and William Beatty managed to get away from the sinking aircraft – but more of them later.” 

"Meanwhile other Zeros had been strafing the bombers and transports on the Broome airstrip, and before long these too were burning furiously, but fortunately there was no loss of life. By co-incidence, a Dutch pilot – Fl. Lt. “Gus” Winckel – had taken a machine gun from his Lockheed Lodestar aircraft and was servicing it when the raid began. 

"Firing from the hip, with the barrel resting over his arm, Winckel managed to hit several of the low-flying enemy fighters, and was successful in shooting down the Zero flown by Warrant Officer Osamu Kudo. The Zero crashed into the sea, and Kudo was killed."

"By 10:30 am all of the Allied aircraft at Broome had been destroyed, and the remaining eight Zeros and the “Babs” headed north to return to their base at Koepang." [1]

Strafing is the practice of attacking ground targets from low-flying aircraft using aircraft-mounted automatic weapons

1. Broome's One Day War, The story of the Japanese Raid on Broome, 3rd March 1942, by Mervyn W. Prime, Published by Broome Historical Society, 1992.

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii bombed December 7, 1941

“Well it looks as though we are in the war at last.”

Donoho Account

Monuments to John Morgan Rex

Earlier post on Broome's One Day War

USS President Polk (AP-103) transport--Voyage to New Zealand. John Morgan Rex, December 30, 1941 letter.

Continued from here.

 USS President Polk (AP-103) was a President Jackson-class attack transport
 in the service of the United States Navy during World War II. Picture from Wikipedia.

This entire four-page letter is typed below.

Dec 30, 1941                           

Aboard SS Pres Polk at Sea.

Dear Helen & Glenn,

I have once more settled myself down to do some letter writing and I guess you are at the head of the list tonite. I am now down in the dinning room here on ship. Nearly all the officers are here and a few of the S/Sgt’s. There are all kinds of games going on. They are gambling with nearly everything, matches, cigaretts, and some money. Oh for the life of a soldier. There is a Piano at the far end and there is a group gathered around it. The boat is doing a little diving and pitching tonite but it has been mostly a roll till now. We have now been at sea nearly 12 days. I have seen nothing of land during that time either. I hope we see some soon.

The trip has been perfect so far. The S.S. Pres. Polk is just a new ship and I am traveling 1^st class. Oh for swell. The meals are perfect and so is the State room with bath & shower.

At the present time Sis I’d hate to try and say just where I am at but we must be getting near the place Stewart McKinnon was on a mission [New Zealand], you know, don’t you. We sailed south for about 10 days then the last day or two we have been going west. It took us nearly 5 days to make it to the Equator, we crossed it Xmas Eve. The next day (Xmas day) we had a ceremony for some of the officers. I got pictures of it all.

It was Hot for a day or two but now it is getting colder. I hope we don’t end up at the South Pole. Ha Ha. I think we will be in port before long though. How long we will be there is hard to say. I hope a couple of days or so.

As yet I have seen nothing of the war. We did have a little scare today though but it was nothing. We have [illegible] & Life boat drill every so often too.

Christmas was quite different this year but it was swell. We had a Christmas tree here in the dinning room. And the most wonderful dinner. Yes I waited til Xmas morning to open my gifts. They were swell. Thanks a million.

We have a show here every other day and then we have several deck games.

I am on duty every other day but it is light and I have very little to do. Mostly just chase K.P.s

I am writing quite a few letters back to the states. I sure hope they all get back there.

We have a complete black out here last nite except to some of the inside rooms. It last from sundown till sunup. The days are longer down here than they were up there thank goodness.

I am having the hardest time tonite writing this letter. Last nite I wrote 3 and the nite before I wrote 4.

Well I have said about all I can for now. As for where I’ll end up that is still unknown. But war is war no matter where it is at. Take care of yourselves and I’ll do the same. We’ll be seeing you in a couple of years.

I’ll write when we get to our permanent destination. My address is still the same as was on the card. Must close for now.

Lots of Love, Johnny,

s/sgt. John M. Rex (6581412) Air Corps. C/o Postmaster “Plum” San Francisco.

The envelope on this letter was postmarked Wellington, N.Z., 11 a.m. 7 Jan 1942

Note: The letters I've posted here written by John Morgan Rex, and his mother Bessie, frequently use Xmas for Christmas. I liked the explanations and clarification of the use of Xmas written on these Mormon History blogs here and  here.

John Morgan Rex’s involvement in World War II:

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii bombed December 7, 1941

"Well it looks as though we are in the war at last".

Broome One Day War

Donoho Account

Monuments to John Morgan Rex

"Well it looks as though we are in the war at last" December 9, 1941.

Continued from here.

December 9, 1941. John Morgan Rex wrote: “Well it looks as though we are in the war at last. I hope they soon get us to where we can do something”.





Johnny sent these post cards to his sister Helen, while he was at "Neutral Ports"  in the Pacific following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

This series of John Morgan Rex's involvement in World War II will be completed in the next few weeks, and links will be added below.

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Bombed. December 7, 1941

S S President Polk troop Transport--voyage to New Zealand

Broome Australia  One Day War

Donohosurvival account

Monuments to John Morgan Rex

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was bombed December 7, 1941.

John Morgan Rex at Hamilton Field, Marin County, California about 1941

 

Glenn and Helen Rex Frazier were living in Oakland, California and attending Church on Sunday December 7, 1941 when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. They heard about it as they left the building and rushed home to turn on their radio.

Helen’s brother John Morgan Rex was stationed at nearby Hamilton Field. On December 5^th he left for the Philippines aboard the troop transport SS President Johnson. After learning of the December 7^th  Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the President Johnson returned to San Francisco.

The following letters from Helen’s collection better tell their story.

John Morgan (Johnny) at his barracks at Hamilton Field, California,

or during schooling in Illinois; at Scotts Field and Rantoul.







 

Letter dated and postmarked San Francisco, December 9, 1941.

Dear Sis,

Just a note to let you know everything is ok. I am in a Neutral port and safe. We are awaiting further orders. I sent you a wire “collect” and I don’t know if you got it or not. They may not send them out. I hope so though as I sent one to the folks too. I also sent them a letter. You write them too won’t you. Well it looks as though we are in the war at last. I hope they soon get us to where we can do something. I’d like to say more but this country of ours is at stake and we can take no chances.

Oh the only way I could send a wire was collect so don’t think I am trying to chisel you out of anything.

I’ll drop you a line later as soon as I find out about where we are going, but I’ll never tell you where I am at so don’t worry. Well I must get this off so I will stop.

Take care of yourselves and I’ll do the same.

Bye for now,
Lots of Love, Johnny

 

Oakland, California

1309 Derby Ave

December 10, 1941

Dearest Johnny:
Received your most welcome letter today. To be honest with you, you don’t know how happy I was to get it. At first I thought you must have mailed it before you left San Francisco. We didn’t get the wire. Guess they have been too busy.

Oh Johnny we saw you leave. We were on the fishing docks. We got over there about 6:45 p.m. They wouldn’t let us in because it was so late. It certainly looked like there were lots of men.

Your packages arrived OK. It was very sweet of you my dear. I hid them in the cedar chest and Glenn doesn’t even know I have them. Also the money order.  I’m going to do some shopping today. Get something for Harold & Diana and get it on its way.

I have a letter from Winnie. They are having a reception on the 12th, Joy that is this Friday, for her.

Everyone at the Ward inquires about you, particularly Ralph and Aileen. I’ll have to let them know I have heard from you.

So far I haven’t heard any of the warnings. We did miss the radio Monday night.

 We only held a short mutual last night, because there was to be a black out.

I sent an Airmail letter to the folks yesterday saying not to worry and that we are ok. I guess there will be those who will feel safer in the mountains and will return home.

Well I have to get to work. Inasmuch as I have to go to Leadership meeting tonight. I thought I would get this written now.

We constantly pray for your safe keeping Johnny dear. I’ll write often, and hope you receive them all.

Loads of Love [Helen]

Bessie Morgan Rex - letter February 5, 1937.

About 1927

Helen, left rear. L-R Maeser, Morgan, Winnie,

 Harold in front of the Rex's Bear River Ranch House

My dear boy,

Helen has written a letter, and I had her wait until I wrote one before we sent it. So I mustn’t fail today. Last week I was rather under the weather. Experimenting—and it did not turn out so well. I thought of so many things to tell you. Whatever were they all about? I suppose you have heard of the floods up here. Disaster can certainly humble a mighty nation. Today a heavy storm on the Pacific coast is tying up traffic and communication. The whole country, practically, has had its share. Strikes tie up business & men wrangle back and forth until it is all sickening. It makes on wonder how it is all going to turn out.

The weather is acting very much like it did a year ago, and I shouldn’t be surprised if the snow is piled up much the same as it was last year.

Winnie hasn’t been able to get home yet. I suppose she has told of the Flu down there. Maybe she can come next week. We all hope so. Tonight is a basketball & dance. The new building is a delight to go to. I think they will make plenty for a while anyway.

Well, here it is 9 p.m. The family (excepting Flora & myself) have gone to the game. A while ago I read an essay on writing letter with many reasons for putting it off. In the end, the friend of the man who has been putting the letter-writing off, walks in. Now if you could do that, I shouldn’t have to finish this, rather dumb, letter.

Flora is asleep on the couch. Can’t you see her? She is growing so tall tho’. Morgan took one half hour pushing two waves in his hair. Did it look sleek & pretty—and does that boy primp. Heaven help me if I get three of my boys under the same roof. Maeser struts around in his new suit like—well like Harold

 used to.

Ohio University has been putting on a show on the radio. They are plucky. Ohio has been badly hit by the flood. Some announcers were giving news of the flood from Cincinnatti. Terrible news too-and then they said “We will now have some music.” The music was “Beautiful Ohio.” It would make you weep.

I wish I knew something to tell you. As far s the town is concerned, well I could live some other place for all I know.

Did I tell you I went with Uncle Will to S.L. to see Winnie while he went to a funeral. The funeral of Sis. Stoof was also held the same day. Bro. Stoof was president of the Argentine mission & I believe all of S.A. before it was divided. He is a German. He spoke at conference & I cut his talk out of the report. It is very inspiring, and if there

is room in the envelope, will send it to you.        

Did you get your garments? I am anxious about them. Do you get your money every month?

You never say. Its 30 or 35$ enough? Please advise.

Helen went down to Don’s and Mabel’s to stay overnight. I hope you never want to come back & settle down like that. There is too much in this world to bury one’s self on a place miles from nowhere. Don’t do it son.

Winnie surely looked grand when I saw her. She is a dear girl. I shall be glad if Helen can get to California. She is so thin here, but she is feeling pretty good.

I must be closing. Give Mr. & Mrs. Duke my best regards. They certainly must be nice people. Was that place you visited Xmas a resort of some kind. You are indefinite. The Lords blessings on you my dear is our constant prayer.

Lovingly, Mother