As Bolles welcomed back alumni this weekend on the 23rd and the 24th of April, it is interesting to remember what Bolles alum were doing  right after graduation during WWII. Instead of going to college and preparing to be professionals, they were being prepared for war.

A Bolles Bugle article written in 1944 provides news of recent Bolles graduates and where the war has taken them.

The article reports good news of rescued and recovering service members from the Bolles community The article reports that “John Mead who was reported missing in May, has cabled his family that he is in Italy but cannot give out any information yet.” It is also reported that Pat Henry, a pilot, crashed over France and was “badly injured and is now in a hospital in England.” Jerry Kodatt, a paratrooper, was injured but had recovered.

However, there is a report of a death of someone in the Bolles community, The article tells of a Bolles faculty member who was killed during the course of the war. This faculty member was Coach Christenbury, who was killed in an un-named explosion in San Francisco, most likely referring to the infamous Port Chicago explosion.

As graduation of another class of senior nears, we must remember how seniors in the 1940’s were being sent off to war. This report is on of contrast as it reports news how families have received news of their loved ones being recovered, as well one who will never see his family again.