Evening star., 1943-11-09
Back From the Wars

capt. cecil tblackle) Brewer, "A,
U. S. M. c., just back in Washing
ton from nine and a half months in
Guadalcanal and New Georgia
Island, sat relaxed In a chair watch
ing his 9l2 month -old son Boots, :"
whom he had never seen before
cooling over black and white teddy
bear in play pen.
While the strains of the Halls
Of Montezuma" came over the radio,
Capt. Brewer told how four Ameri-
can planes, one of which he was
plotting, each shot down Jap
plane. But he spoke reluctantly, be-
cause all he wanted to do was talk
about little Boots"
Hes a smart boy" he said and
added, hes big rascal. too"
I'VE caught them fiat" he said
when urged to talk about the flying
mission. He explained that the
japanese planes were below them
and probably weren't aware of their
presence above.
Didn't Lose Plane.
On another mission. he related,
his squadron and another downed
nine Zeros without single loss
of our own
When asked whether he holds any
awards, he modestly said, Yes. the
Air Medal"
"It was nothing" he explained.
"All I did was lead a few bomber
escorts to New Georgia and Bou-
gainville on some Missions he said
He wasn't certain of the time he
received the decoration. but believed
it to be some time in March or
April"
Pausing {. few moments he sud-
denly leaned over and picked up
a snail bottle Boots was pl lying
with. Looking at the label, he set
the bottle on nearby desk.
Likes Cod Liver Oil.
Laughing, he said. Il think that
Boots is the only baby that likes
his cod liver oil"
AS the seconds licked by he
watched his son play and then
said softly, Hes mighty fine boy
and is certainly worth fighting for.
Replying to a question regarding
American air superiority in the
Solomons, Capt. Brewer said many
statements had been made which
gave the impression that the Ameri-
cons had air supremacy in that area.
He declared, however, that the
American fighter planes and pilots
are superior to the japanese, but
they need plenty more Oh. there.
ANY one who has been out there will
confirm that"
In between missions he and his
friends would go to crude theaters to
see motion pictures He recalls
"Gentleman Jim" very we'll.
Il saw it four times" he confided
Urges More Letters.
He touched on entertainment very
lightly, but recommended that
every one send as many letters as
they can to troops overseas,
The boys live for mail and pic
lures" he said. Even if you haven't
anything to write about, write any
way he urged, for it is still mail
from home"
He first saw his son in snapshots
which his wife, the former Miss
Patsy Kelsey, sent to him.
He graduated from Western High
School in 1887 After completing
two years in the Georgetown Uni
versity foreign service school, he
enlisted in the Marine Corps Re-
serve.
Capt. Brewer attended the Navy
Flight School in Pensacola, Fla,
from February to August, 194l, when
he received his commission as a
second lieutenant in the reserve.
Three months ago he was trans
ferred from the Marine Reserve to
the regular Marine Corps with the
same commission, but received a
temporary promotion to a captaincy.
which he now holds.
Married in 1942.
He was transferred to the West
Coast in August, 1941, and he stood
there until his order came to re-
port for active duty three days after
~ Il Y1-x-