Clarence H. Krousbien letter to Dr. Henry Milton Whelpley - February 24, 1919
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Bay Ridge Brooklyn, [New York] [February] 24, [1919] [Henry Milton] Whelpley Dean, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri Dear Mr. Whelpley: You have by this time received my hastily written letter of [February] 22 and now for a more explicit one. When I first enlisted in June 21, 1918, and shipped as hospital apprentice 3rd class, I fully intended to remain in the Medical Corps. Then I did not know that that was not a rating but soon found that it is the first step toward a rating and four steps to get that rating. There was a college
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man who also enlisted at the same time and though he knew nothing but a little first aid and had no knowledge of drugs at all, he was made Hospital Apprentice 1st class. This seemed not quite fair with me so when I reached Mare Island [California], I said nothing about being attached to the M.C. and chose to take a chance as seaman. After spending three weeks in Goof Camp (Isolation) I attended the Preparatory Radio School for six weeks but was so anxious to get in the fight, which if I continued at Harvard Radio School would be impossible for it requires three to four months, that I gave it up
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Asked to be sent to sea on a destroyer. After standing by for two or three weeks my wish was finally fulfilled and with two of my chums was detailed to the destroyer [USS Chew]. This ship was under construction at the time and although we expected to leave at any tine we were sadly disappointed for not until the first part of December did we leave for the eastern coast. The trip through the Panama Canal was well worth the wait however it does hurt to think you haven’t been “over there.” So you see Mr. Whelpley now that the rumpus is
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over there is no use of me staying the navy. And if I can help it I’m not going to stay in it. This has been my first real chance for discharge and I’m anxious to get my application and affidavit in as soon as possible. You can greatly oblige me by sending the affidavit and I thank you most heartily for what you can and have done. Yours truly, C H Krousbein. Receiving Ship Bay Ridge Brooklyn, [New York] Barrack C-21 [New York]
Details
| Title | Clarence H. Krousbien letter to Dr. Henry Milton Whelpley - February 24, 1919 |
| Creator | Krousbien, Clarence H. |
| Source | Krousbien, Clarence H. Letter to Dr. Henry Milton Whelpley. 24 February 1919. Dr. Henry Milton Whelpley Collection, 1826-1929. A1737. Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | Clarence H. Krousbien sent this letter to Dr. Henry Milton Whelpley. Dr. Whelpley was the dean of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and editor of the Meyer Brothers Druggist magazine. Krousbien detailed his military service and explained how he ended up on the USS Chew. This letter was written on Y.M.C.A. letterhead. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; Destroyer (Ship) |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; USS Chew |
| Site Accession Number | A1737 |
| Contributing Institution | Missouri History Museum |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond those allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Missouri History Museum: 314-746-4510 |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. Contact the Missouri History Museum's Permissions Office at 314-746-4511 to obtain written consent. |
| Date Original | Febraury 24, 1919 |
| Language | English |