The day-to-day concerns of cadet-midshipmen during the war are lost to the fog of time; however, sometimes a cache of letters such as those between William Edwin Douglass and his parents surface. In his correspondence, there are mundane such as sending regards to family, stress-filled words on income tax questions on the money earned as a cadet during his sea time, and his worries about being able to endure the stress of training. These ninety pages follow William’s tenure at Kings Point from his first night in New York in August 1943 up until his graduation in October 1944. Bookending his correspondence are his recommendation letters, and a letter inquiring about him purchasing Midships – the Academy yearbook.
The “good boys” tell us to stay out of the upperclassmen’s sight […]
William E. Douglass
Wednesday, November 11, 2015 GENEVA — William Edwin Douglass, age 91, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015, at The Sanctuary of Geneva.
Bill was born on August 10, 1924, to Frank Crosby and Ruth (Fredericks) Douglass in Augusta, Ga. Bill was a lifelong resident of Jefferson. He was a 1942 graduate of Jefferson High School and earned The Eagle Scout Award. He attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, before accepting a congressional appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy, graduating in 1944.
A World War II Veteran, he completed several trips crossing the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. He was the owner of Douglass Lumber Company for over 40 years. He served on the Jefferson Village council, and was a Jefferson Firefighter. Bill was a Past President of the Jefferson Rotary Club, Ohio Lumbermen’s Association and the Ashtabula Builders Association. He was a life member of Ashtabula Elks Lodge #208.
Bill is survived by five children: [redacted]; and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Jeanne; former wife, Winifred; his sister, Elizabeth Ann [Betsey] Munves; and a grandson.