A Man of Honor: Everett M. Saunders

by Katelyn Olson, HCHM College Intern

This post is researched and written by Katelyn Olsen, who in interning at HCHM this summer. She will be a junior at Bethany College in Lindsborg and she is a great help to us this summer.
The family of Everett M. Saunders recently donated a complete navy uniform worn by Saunders while he served as a cook in the U.S. Navy.  This post highlights the collection, but more importantly, the man who wore it.

Joining the Navy

Born in Missouri on March 11, 1926, Everett M Saunders enlisted to join the US Navy in February 1944 during the Second World War. He was stationed at several places including Lido Beach, Camp Bradford and Norfolk, VA.

Everett M. Saunders

Ship’s Cook & Purple Heart

On his ship, he began as Ship’s Cook  Third Class Petty Officer, and later rose to Second Class. Being a part of the Naval Amphibious Forces, Everett would be placed under heavy enemy fire shuttling soldiers and marines to the shores. The Amphibious Forces were highly instrumental to WW2’s Pacific Theater, enabling US forces to land at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and many others. 

Even though they were advised that the war was over and that they were not in enemy territory, Saunders’ ship was bombed and set on fire. He sustained serious injuries to his leg, Everett was then honorably discharged and received a Purple Heart.

“The Ruptured Duck”

Before leaving his ship, Everett received a small patch called “The Ruptured Duck”. The patch displayed an eagle with its wings spread surrounded by a wreath stitched in yellow. It was given to men and women service members who had been honorably discharged, in transit it meant that MP’s could see that they were simply discharged members in transit and not anyone who was AWOL. The patch also offered benefits after service was completed, it meant that one could wear their uniform for thirty days after leaving, as there was a clothing shortage at this time. The “Ruptured Duck” got its name after service members noted that the symbol more closely resembled a duck than an eagle. This began the phrase “They took off like a ruptured duck…” which referred to personnel after they had left. 

Ruptured Duck Patch

Everett M. Saunders’ Uniform.

Life After the Navy

After Everett Saunders was discharged in June 1946, he married Lucille Willems in San Francisco, California, where they lived until moving to Newton, Kansas in 1972 to live out the remainder of their lives. 

Everett & Lucille Saunders 

In 1960, the same year his son, Dave was born, Everett bought  a Ford F100 truck. Dave and Terri  still have the truck at their home in Arizona.

Everett with son, Dave and the 1960 truck

In Newton, he worked for a time at Hesco Office Furniture. He retired from Precision Pattern in Wichita, where he built high-end aircraft furniture, including furniture that was installed on Air Force One.

After Lucille passed away in 1998, Everett remarried in 2004 to Jean Jackson. According to his family, the newspaper named him as a good and fair landlord for his properties in Newton.

Everett & Jean Saunders

In 2015, Everett had the opportunity to go on the Kansas Honor Flight, for that particular flight he was the most decorated person attending. His family recalled this meaningful event.

“Jacque accompanied him. Dave and I (Terri) took a red-eye from Arizona to beat their flight to Baltimore and surprise him at the welcoming ceremony at the airport. It was quite the experience. We were so fortunate to share the moment with him.”

Terri, Everett, & Dave

Also in 2015, the American Legion restored and replaced all of his medals.

One of Everett’s favorite activities included cooking. It was his tradition to make Thanksgiving dinner for his family, something he was able to do until the very end of his life. Everett passed away on September 9, 2021 at the age of 95. Everett Saunders would always be remembered for his love of cooking and creating meals for everyone, as well as his service in the Navy. 

His family lovingly donated his uniform to the Harvey County Historical museum, where we can tell his story and display the uniform, which contains: Two jackets, a pair of slacks, a winter coat, two hats, and a pair of swim trunks. 

Swim Trunks, U.S. Navy. Wool, 1940-46

His stepdaughter, Jacque Wedel, graciously allowed us to copy pages from Everett’s cookbook, The Cook Book of the United States Navy 1940, which he used as a navy cook.  The well used cookbook, complete with grease stains and  notes by Everett, includes some interesting recipes.

 

 

Sources:

  • Thank you to the Saunders family: Dave & Terri Saunders & Jacque Wedel for providing information and family photos.
  • Saunders, Everett M. Obituary. Harvey County Now, 15 September 2021.

 

Stuff We Love: Volunteering at the Canteen

This week’s post is based on memories shared by Vere English, HCHM Board Member, for the exhibit, Stuff We Love. Vere picked a photograph of the ladies that served at the Red Cross Canteen during WWII.  This was just one of several groups of women that would meet the trains and provide snacks for the troops as they came through Newton.

Photograph of Red Cross Canteen No. 9 1942

Red Cross Canteen No. 9, 1942

Red Cross Canteen No. 9, 1942 Regina Starr is on the far right, by the mixer.

As a boy, Vere remembers traveling to his grandmother’s house about once a week to visit. His aunt, Regina Starr (also a teacher at McKinley), would tell stories of her volunteer work at the Canteen in Newton during World War II. She would mention the piano that the soldiers signed, but even more importantly, the music that they would play on it. According to her, some were “quite good and entertaining.”

Interior of USO Canteen, Newton, Ks, ca. 1945.

Interior of USO Canteen, Newton, Ks, ca. 1945.

Sometimes a soldier might stay a little too long in the lounge eating cookies and playing the piano. They would have to run after the departing train and jump on. Some lost their hats in the process. For shorter stops, the women from the Canteen would walk along the trains with huge wicker baskets full of cookies and the soldiers would reach out of the windows to grab a few.

Canteen Food Cart, American Red Cross Canteen, Newton, ks, 1945.

Canteen Food Cart, American Red Cross Canteen, Newton, ks, 1945.

Vere also remembered coming to Newton on Saturday nights with his family. They would park the car near the tracks and watch the trains go past. For a 10 year old boy, it was fascinating to watch the train cars loaded with war machinery and troops go by. Vere recalled that the trains ran 24 hours, both ways.

Do you have memories of the canteen?