Harold P. McAlexander

March 16, 1944

SERVICES ACCEPT TEN OF ELEVEN SENT TO BLANDING

Eleven men from here went to Camp Blanding Monday for their physical examination and acceptance or rejection for service. Only one was rejected.

Those accepted for service are Clark Luke, William Bryan, Jimmie Hargett, HAROLD McALEXANDER, James Miller, Virgil Decker, Herbert Gray, Richard Cantrell, Joseph Dorenstreich, George Arnold Shamblen, Jr., and Hoke Cobb Minor.

Jimmie Hargett, HAROLD McALEXANDER and Herbert Gray are scheduled for navy, Cantrell for either army or navy, the others for the army except Shambled who was rejected.

Since Blanding is no longer a camp for induction, these men, when next called, will go to Atlanta, Ga. for induction. Since McALEXANDER and Hargett are in the last half of their senior year in high school, it is expected that they will be allowed to finish before being called into service.

Each of these men are Flagler county registrants except Gray, from Hastings; Minor from Georgia; and Dorenstreich from Brooklyn.

May 25, 1944

Three members of the graduating class who will exchange their caps and gowns for "shoot suits" are Ray Mercer, Jimmie Hargett and HAROLD McALEXANDER. Danny Rodgers who is a member of the junior class will also be leaving soon after the close of school to be inducted into the army.

June 22, 1944

HAROLD McALEXANDER, graduate of this year's class at Bunnell High is now in the navy at Camp Peary, Va.

July 6, 1944

Also a letter from HAROLD McALEXANDER, now in boot camp at Camp Peary, Williamsburg, Va. Harold is already bragging about the fine company to which he is attached saying, "We had been here exactly one week when my company and six others had dress inspection on the drill field. My company was judged best. The other companies had been here for six weeks.

The other day we challenged four of the six-weeks-old companies in a competitive drill. Yesterday we had the drill and we were judged best. Out of a possible 20 points we got 18.

The companies in B-8 area are having a race to see who can buy the most war bonds. At the present time our company is leading this drive. If we win we will get a six-hour pass to Williamsburg. This is an honor because very few companies are allowed to leave their restricted area while in boot." (That's fine, Harold. We hope you and your company continue to win. Write again)

October 12, 1944

Seaman HAROLD McALEXANDER, recently enlisted in the Navy, is now in yeomen’s school at San Diego, California.

November 2, 1944

A letter from HAROLD McALEXANDER, in San Diego. Mac said: “Well, here I am out in sunny (so the chamber of commerce says) California, going to a yeoman school. My course will last four months, but will pass quickly as I enjoy my subjects.

I read in The Tribune where John F. Clements was stationed with the Marines here. Would you send me his address. Perhaps I could find '"him.”

(We are sending the address Mac, pronto.)

November 16, 1944

Mrs. J. W. Malphurs, grandmother of Seaman HAROLD McALEXANDER, with the Navy at San Diego, Cal., has a bad case of pneumonia, but "is having the best of care and expect to be well soon."

December 21, 1944

Have a letter from HAROLD McALEXANDER who was at San Diego for several weeks, but is now at sea with one of Uncle's fighting ships. Harold writes: “I am working in the office as a yeoman striker. I like my job fine but I've been too seasick the last few days to do much of anything except feed the fish.

Our laundry is done free, cigarettes are only fifty cents a carton, and we have a nice soda fountain aboard. We get, of course, the best of navy chow. It is really a nice outfit.

I'll be glad when by back issues of The Tribune catches up with me. Tell everyone hello for me."

(Well, Harold, sorry to learn you were seasick, but we know that by this time you are OK.)

April 5, 1945

From Yeoman HAROLD McALEXANDER, aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific, comes our first letter this week. Harold writes: "Well, how is good old Bunnell getting along these days? We are having wonderful weather here and it reminds me of Florida weather.

I'd give anything to be able to get my dog and gun and go hunting. When I was home I didn't think much about the good times I had, but lately I've been thinking the past over.

I get The Tribunes quite regularly. I am very sorry to learn about all the boys being wounded, killed, or missing. Our enemies will certainly get what they have coming to them when the Yanks catch up with them. Every last one of them should be shot.

I must stop for now. Give my regards to everybody."

July 26, 1945

A letter from HAROLD McALEXANDER who is in the Pacific on an aircraft carried that was recently identified as one of those giving Tokyo a rake over. "Just a line to let you know that I'm still thinking of good old Bunnell.

I read with great interest the Tribunes, which I receive quite regularly. It certainly does a person good to read about his hometown, his friends, etc. And more especially interesting to me is the items of other boys in the service.

I graduated from High School just a little over a year ago. Isn't it funny that in just a short year one can see so many foreign countries? The boys who graduated with me, Jimmy Hargett, Ray Mercer, and George Clegg have been around quite a bit, too. I will enjoy sitting down and talking with them after we get back home.

I thoroughly enjoy my job. I work in the V-4 division office with two other yeomen. The senior man expects to be transferred soon, so when he does leave, I will be in charge of the office. We have 146 men in the division, and they are a bunch or swell guys.

Well, I have a little work to do, so I'll close for now. Tell everyone hello for me. A sea going sailor."

November 8, 1945

Well we have one letter this week, and it is from HAROLD P. McALEXANDER, yeoman third class aboard the USS Ranger - a flattop now at Pensacola. Harold writes:

"Well, my ship has finally anchored in a beautiful Florida port. We arrived at Pensacola on the 31st of October, having come from New Orleans.

But to go back a little. We left a west coast port on the first of October, arrived at the Panama Canal on the 9th, left there the 13th, arrived at New Orleans the 16th, and left there the 30th for Pensacola.

I have traveled quite a bit during the month of October, and enjoyed every minute of it. On the way to Panama we hit some rough weather, and I frankly admit, I got seasick.

While in New Orleans, I was granted a five-day leave. I flew home and truly intended to stop by The Tribune office and see you, but there were so many things to do, and only five days until …. I just didn't.

Old Bunnell looked good to me, although it has changed quite a bit since my last leave 13 months ago.

I think we will stay in Pensacola quite sometime to participate in the training program 'they have set up here."