Roy,

You just set off that light bulb again. How about some comments about personalities you met or saw while in the service? For instance, my company commander's name was Bill Rigney who once pitched for the Chicago White Sox back in the late 30's and early 40's.

As I recall, he was a 1st class petty officer while I was in boot camp but when I saw him on my return from boot leave, he was a Lt. Commander. Talk about your promotions!! I think he was married to the daughter of the owner of the Chicago White Sox whose name escapes me right now. Later, after the war, I read where they got a divorce. While I was in boot camp Rigney brought in Bill Dickey and Charlie Keller, Yankee baseball players for us to talk with.

Overseas, I ran into Anton Kristoforidis (sp) who was once light heavyweight boxing champion. He stood in the chow lines just like all of us lower life forms. Also, Phil Rizzuto was on a Navy baseball team stationed on Samar.

I recall that Joe E. Brown, a pre-war comedian, visited our island for a performance and, of course, Bob Hope. At Great Lakes we attended "Happy Hours" to see Eddie Peabody, the banjo king and Glen Gray and his Casa Loma orchestra, and, oh, yes, Lawrence Welk, and Wayne King, the Waltz king. There were others but I can't think of them right now.

Bob Harrison