Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles and the occasional radio broadcast delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile. Also visit our general discussion thread.

So Bosley Crowther is not a big fan of Cecil B. DeMille.

“The Story of Dr. Wassell” is available at youtube.

“The Story of Dr. Wassell”

So Bosley Crowther is not a big fan of Cecil B. DeMille.

Mr. Crowther was relieved of his post at the New York Times over his unwillingness to acknowledge the popularity of the movie Bonnie and Clyde, which he panned repeatedly when it was initially released in 1967, and subsequently.

From Bosley Crowther's review: [Dr. Wassell], by simple devotion and ingenuity, performed one of the greatest personal feats of this war - a feat which received the highest tribute from President Roosevelt in his fireside chat on April 28, 1942.

I located a transcript of that fireside chat. Here is the part about Dr. Wassell - HJS:

I should like to tell you one or two stories about the men we have in our armed forces:

There is, for (instance) example, Dr. Corydon M. Wassell. He was a missionary, well known for his good works in China. He is a simple, modest, retiring man, nearly sixty years old, but he entered the service of his country and was commissioned a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy.

Dr. Wassell was assigned to duty in Java caring for wounded officers and men of the cruisers HOUSTON and MARBLEHEAD which had been in heavy action in the Java seas.

When the Japanese advanced across the island, it was decided to evacuate as many as possible of the wounded to Australia. But about twelve of the men were so badly wounded that they couldn't (not) be moved. Dr. Wassell remained with them, (these men) knowing that he would be captured by the enemy. But he decided to make a last desperate attempt to get the men out of Java. He asked each of them if he wished to take the chance, and every one agreed.

He first had to get the twelve men to the sea coast -- fifty miles away. To do this, he had to improvise stretchers for the hazardous journey. The men were suffering severely, but Dr. Wassell kept them alive by his skill, and inspired them by his own courage.

And as the official report said, Dr. Wassell was "almost like a Christ-like shepherd devoted to his flock."

On the sea coast, he embarked the men on a little Dutch ship. They were bombed, (and) they were machine-gunned by waves of Japanese planes. Dr. Wassell took virtual command of the ship, and by great skill avoided destruction, hiding in (small) little bays and little inlets.

A few days later, Dr. Wassell and his (little) small flock of wounded men reached Australia safely.

And today Dr. Wassell (now) wears the Navy Cross.

Because I was visiting my father and sleeping on the couch, and sitting up late watching his B/W TV with rabbit ears, and the fact that he had to wake up and go to the bathroom and had to walk past the TV to get there (while in his boxers), I learned that he was on the U.S.S. Marblehead.

As he walked by, he saw Dr. Wassell being portrayed and commented on his connection, I never got much more from him over the years, related to the Marblehead, just a few little bits and pieces.

“They met in Moscow”? Is that the story of Obama’s parents or grandparents?