The Hard Hat Years

What was with the hard hat and underwear outfit? Do I remember correctly that when he and mom went to the bank to make the final house payment, that is what he wore? The rest of the group looks much better: Dad and Daisy, Rick, Scott, Steve, Pat, Brody, Mom. The picture was taken in the backyard in Tempe. Someone tell me what year it is....

Woodstock

Woodstock
October 30, 1945

MaryJane Hansen married Ralph G. Davitt on Oct 3, 1945. They honeymooned at Niagara Falls.

It looks like dad's family got together with them. Maybe this is the first time they met Ralph's wife?

Uncle Alan is wearing a cassock, so he is probably in the seminary--perhaps he was in Woodstock and that is why they went there? Okay, wait. I just looked it up. Woodstock College was a Jesuit seminary from 1869 to 1974. At this time, it was located in Woodstock, Maryland, west of Baltimore. So they did go there to visit him.

Ralph G. and MaryJane Hansen Davitt

Ralph, Joe
Alan, MaryJane, Bob

Bob, Alan
Joe, their mother, Ralph

Bob, Alan, Joe, Ralph

Ralph, and MaryJane, Dot and Joe

Golfing in Japan

Here's some photos of Digger on the golf course in Nagoya, Japan. The hat was light pink with black dots and black pom pom.

The Davitt Dinner Table

Before Mom and Dad bought the Danish teak dining table and chairs, this was the dinner scene. Russell Wright American Modern dinnerware, crocheted glass cozies, Yellow Ice Formica kitchen chrome table set, and Eternally Yours silverplate service by Rogers Brothers.

This is in the dining room of the house dad bought in Falls Church. Pretty Patty is playing with her rosary beads. Maybe it is Sunday?

Jefferson Memorial

When we lived in Falls Church, Virgina, we did a bit of sightseeing. Mom would pack lunches of peanut butter sandwiches and carrot sticks, we'd all pile in the two-toned (yellow and white) Ford station wagon (with a Thunderbird engine, dad always added) and head for the mall. No, not the shopping mall, THE MALL in Washington D.C., where the Smithsonian museum is located.

(Verso: Jefferson Memorial, Jan 1960)

I did not like these trips. It was cold. The parents were tense. Somebody (Greg) was always getting in trouble. We had to look at a lot of boring stuff in cases. (Okay there were a FEW interesting things.)

And I had to wear a hat that made me look like Olive Oyl.

Uncle Bob Was In the Navy

and came to visit me (Terry) when I was 3 weeks old. 9/12/46Terry - I came with Grandma Davitt to the Baptism. I believe she was the Godmother and I the Godfather but checked the records. Some things I can recall - Grandma Davitt was a bit put out as she was offered no cup of tea upon arrival- it was unlike her - but it was her first trip in a plane! I remember at the Christening when the priest asked the name - (meaning the newborn) she responded with a loud, "Mary Davitt" - wherein your Father promptly corrected her - so you could have been named Mary if the Priest was not paying attention.

I was a Midshipman at Fort Schyler at the time - thus the uniform. When I graduated with a Third Mates License they also gave me a Ensign's Commission in the USNR (US Naval Reserves.) I paid for it years later when I was recalled into the Navy during the Korean War and made a Gunnery Officer on repair ship in Sasebo, Japan - but that is another sea story.

Did you know that the davits (they lift the lifeboats) aboard seagoing vessels was invented by a Davitt in 1810 and still holds a patent in England? The Royalties are still passed along to the heirs to this day - but with a condition - as long as that Heir is involved the the Maritime Trades - That's why I went to a Maritime School in order to keep the Royalties being awarded. I can not reveal the amount I receive yearly - because it would void the award. So don't reveal this situation to anyone - because it is not true. Amen - False Chapter 2 to come.
Love -Uncle Remus

Flight Suit and Shades

Dad looked like this a lot. I liked his flight suit and in true Digger fashion, he demonstrated the functions of the many pockets and pouches for Greg and me often.

This picture is tagged: Jacksonville, North Carolina, 24 Apr 53.

When we first moved to the area, we lived at Topsail Beach. We had an apartment on the second floor of a duplex. Sand everywhere--no lawn. From the bedroom Greg and I shared, you could see dolphins jumping in the ocean. We stayed there for about 6 months, I think, and then moved to a small house.

That is where the Magic Box became part of our lives. It was a small white box. Dad would bring it down from the shelf every few days, say, "Alla Gazam Gazay-bo" and tap the box. Inside would be a piece of gum, candy, or a penny. The ice cream truck would come down our street every day at the same time. If we saved up the pennies until we had five, we could buy a Popsicle. I remember getting little squares of Chiclets gum and Life Saver candies.

Regis News Item

Terry Davitt's Wedding

From left to right: Digger, Greg, Terry, Moose (our best man,) Mike, Terry Rauh, Mike Rauh (Mike's sister's boys,) Pat's hair bow, G'ma Hansen (Erika Hansen), Rick, MaryJane.

Medal of Valor - 50 Missions

According to Strategic Bombing in World War II: The Myths and the Facts, by Stewart Halsey Ross, "US Bomber crews had only about a 25 percent chance to complete their tours unscathed."

Flak and Seat Protectors for WWII by Uncle Bob

(verso: Me again, 6-1-43, R2)

The data on the blog brings back certain memories that Ralph told me. He had a metal plate and put it under his seat. There was great fear that flak would hit under the plane and hit the pilot in a vital area. His plane was borrowed on a mission and the pilot returned with many thanks and an indented metal plate that saved his life and a happy marriage.

(15th Air Force B17s over Zwolfaking A/D. Vienna. July 1944)

The crew had the same idea and had metal plates placed on the side of the plane for the side tail gunners, one for the belly gunner and for the tail gunner. Ralph was unaware of the plates.

When a loaded plane is about to take off with a bomb load the pilot has to figure out the trim of the load - it is done with something that looks like a slide ruler - calculates the fuel and bomb load and makes adjustments for take off - I guess trim the tabs on the wings - etc. Ralph made the adjustments not knowing the added weights - he had trouble getting off and used all of the run way with extra power and a prayer.

After that - the extra weight was removed - I do not know if he kept the seat - I would have - maybe a thinner metal.

There was another story on the plates. The tail gunner always carried one of his baby's shoes for good luck. He built himself plates all around him in the tail and also had it arranged that when he was in the tail he would pull a plate behind him so he was fully boxed in. On a mission a bullet was shot in one of the open corners - bounced around and went out another corner. It also shot through the baby shoe. Incidentally accorded to Ralph the tail gunner was Shelly Winters first husband !!

And that's the rest of the story - From the guru on the mountain UB

R3:Mack P. Mayer, Dittus, Davitt, Lund,
R2: Joseph C. Vowels, Thomas C. Monroe, Finnigan,
R1: Walter C. Keegan, Dawkins, Setzer

.....................
"'Flak' stands for Flieger Abwehr Kanonen: no word was more dreaded among Allied bomber crews than this during the air war between 1939–45."
Flieger= Aircraft
Abwehr=defense/interception/repulsion
Kanonen=cannon/flexible or movable gun

Someone Suggested a Purple Heart...

I don't know where this came from. It was in the scrapbook. I bet he loved it. But what are the months of rest referring to? I never heard that he was hospitalized...?

Double Divot Diggin' Digger Davitt

I know you will all recognize this picture. Mom had it in a frame on her dresser for years. I always thought the straw hat was unbelievably awful. Dad liked it cuz it let the air in. He (and mom) played a lot of golf in Japan. They had Japanese caddies and got waited on hand and foot at the clubhouse. Remember how he would give you those karate chop back rubs? He always got them at the golf club...that's where he learned it. And this is where he got the nickname, Digger.

Big Picnic in Japan

How typical is this picture? This was taken at the "company" picnic. Mom was pregnant with Steve. You can see me to the left of Dad, with Ponytail Patty facing me. (I am wearing my favorite dark-green and white checked shirt and red shorts) I don't see Greg. Needless to say, Digger is in charge of kids' games and he's getting us all in order. In that straw hat. This was my first three-legged race and sack race. There was a HUGE wooden slide at this park. We stayed there all day and into the night.

Shutterbug on the Bridge