One of my father's fellow officers--just as newly minted as he from an ROTC class of '41--was Herb Schiff, who became one of his best friends. It was a friendship that lasted until my father's death in 2010. Herb is, I believe, the last surviving officer of the 898th Engineers who remained on Ascension 1942-1944. He isn't well and is in skilled nursing in Sarasota but he's on his way to age 92. I recently found this letter he wrote my father about their experiences. No date on the letter but it appears to have been sent before one of my father's trips back to Ascension. 1986? 1992? Something like that.
Lieutenants Schiff and Chapman on Ascension. The relentless sun of the equator turned them both brown. My father said his lips grew swollen and cracked and you can see that in this photo.
"Dear Ash,
For stories about Ascension Island, you undoubtedly have the following--
Pilot to Tower: I'm coming in.
Tower: Where are you?!
Tower, in surprise: You've landed in the wrong direction!
Pilot: Sun was in my eyes.
