The Anthony Love Letters, Part 1: Meet the Anthonys

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“USN LCDR (Ret.) Morris Duane (M.D.) Anthony, cherished father, passed away on October 7, 2004 in Colorado Springs.  M.D. was preceded in death on July 17, 2004 by Helen, his devoted wife of 65 years.” [1] When I start researching an artifact, I never know where that journey will lead.  Call me a hopeless romantic, but I smiled at the humble glimpse and insight I got into this 65 year love story, that started with some letters from World War II and a photo of a sailor and his loving wife.

M.D. Anthony was born on July 25, 1919 in New Hampton, Missouri [2] to Alman and Laura Anthony. Alman was a farmer. [3] In neighboring Bethany, Helen Pauline Rinehart (the daughter of Sylvester and Adelaide Rinehart) was born on May 16 of the following year. [4] At some point, the two met and were married on October 8, 1938 in Potosi, Missouri by Minister M. B. Hubbard. [5]

In 1940, the newlyweds were doing “office work” at a hatchery in Ottumwa City, Iowa [6] when M.D. enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 13. [7]  By December 31st, Radioman 3rd Class Morris D. Anthony reported to Naval Receiving Station, Norfolk, Virginia for duty. [8] He was likely in training when Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese earlier that month.

Photo

His initial assignment was to the USS New York, BB-34, the lead battleship of her class conducting escort operations in the Atlantic in 1942.  By the middle of 1942, he was assigned to DD-456, the USS Rodman.  Sometime that year – in Boston, Massachusetts – M.D. and Helen had their portrait made.  From 1943 until the end of the war, he would be assigned to Destroyer Squadron 22 in the South Pacific Theater and would serve on the USS Pringle, DD-477, the USS Saufley, DD-465 and the USS Renshaw, DD-499. On September 17, he was assigned to the Fletcher-class destroyer USS Waller, DD-466.  [9] While onboard the Waller, Radioman 1st Class Morris D. Anthony would write the eight letters which accompanied the portrait in this post.

USS Waller

USS Waller off the coast of San Francisco, California on October 17, 1944
(Photo Courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command)

Something about the U.S. Navy resonated with M.D. and Helen Anthony.  Helen’s obituary remembers her as “a Naval wife—facing the challenges of frequent moves throughout the U.S. and abroad and rearing children while M.D. was deployed.” [10] Morris Anthony would serve in the Korean War and Vietnam War “earning numerous medals and awards for his exemplary performance.” [11] He and Helen travelled the world together during that period of their marriage.  Hometown newspapers on Missouri reported on the globetrotting couple.

In September 1953, “Morris D. Anthony is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Anthony, New Hampton, Mo., after returning from duty in Japan.  He is stationed at San Diego.” [12] On November 28, 1954 it was reported after he earned his commission, “Ensign Morris Anthony, who is receiving special training with the navy at Jacksonville, Fla. Is visiting his wife at Bethany, Mo., and relatives near New Hampton, Mo.  He will report to Chicago.” [13] In 1961, Lieutenant Morris D. Anthony and his wife Helen were living in Sigonella Naval Air Station, Sicily, Italy while he was serving with Patrol Squadron 16. [14] The Albany Ledger reported in 1964 that the Morris family had returned from a three year tour of duty in Morocco and were enroute to Chicago, Illinois. [15] Lieutenant Commander Morris Anthony was heading the Supply Support Branch, Provisioning Division, Naval Electronics Supply Office at Great Lakes Naval Station. [16]

In 1969, Lieutenant Commander Morris D. Anthony retired.  He opened Stout Realty in New Hampton, Missouri.  In 1978, M.D. and Helen moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. [17]  Both obituaries recognize the strength of the couple’s Christian Faith and they were active leaders in Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church for the next 26 years of their lives.  Helen sang in the choir and volunteered at Every Home for Christ and participated in the Women of the Word ministry at the Radiant Church Assembly of God. [18]

The letters M.D. wrote to Helen will be released on the anniversary of the day they were written.  Each letter will have a historical perspective on what actions the USS Waller had taken part in between the letters.  The letters were written on:

March 28, 1944 (Part 2)

April 30, 1944 (Part 3)

May 4, 1944 (Part 4)

May 6, 1944 (Part 5)

May 8, 1944 (Part 6 & 7)

May 9, 1944 (Part 8)

July 18, 1944 (Part 9)

The method of releasing these letters over the next three months is symbolic of the waiting thousands of families had to endure before the rise of digital communications.  Letters during World War II (and other wars until modern times) may arrive in clusters or out of order.  Likewise a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine may wait weeks for the next word from home.  If I was able to determine when these letters arrived in Helen’s hands, I would release them on the anniversary of that date.  But, I hope you enjoy seeing this glimpse into their love story as much as I have.

SOURCES:

  1. Obituary. The Gazette.  Colorado Springs, CO.  October 10, 2004.  Accessed online 8 Mar 2020.  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100843609/morris-duane-anthony
  2. Ibid.
  3. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.

Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.

  1. Obituary. The Gazette.  Colorado Springs, CO.  July 20, 2004.  Accessed online 8 Mar 2020. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100843926/helen-pauline-anthony
  2. Ancestry.com. Missouri, Marriage Records, 1805-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007.

Original data: Missouri Marriage Records. Jefferson City, MO, USA: Missouri State Archives. Microfilm.

  1. Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.

Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.

  1. Ancestry.com. U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Original data:  The National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Missouri, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 8

  1. Ancestry.com. U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.

Original data: Muster Rolls of U.S. Navy Ships, Stations, and Other Naval Activities, 01/01/1939-01/01/1949; A-1 Entry 135, 10230 rolls, ARC ID: 594996. Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Record Group Number 24. National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

  1. Ibid.
  2. Obituary. The Gazette.  Colorado Springs, CO.  October 10, 2004.  Accessed online 8 Mar 2020.  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100843609/morris-duane-anthony
  3. Obituary. The Gazette.  Colorado Springs, CO.  July 20, 2004.  Accessed online 8 Mar 2020. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100843926/helen-pauline-anthony
  4. St. Joseph News-Press/Gazette. St. Joseph, Mo.  September 13, 1953.  Pg. 33.
  5. St. Joseph News-Press/Gazette. St. Joseph, Mo.  November 28, 1954.  Pg. 17.
  6. St. Joseph News-Press/Gazette. St. Joseph, Mo.  March 12, 1961.  Pg. 12.
  7. “Local News Items.” The Albany Ledger.  Albany, Mo.  July 30, 1964.  Pg. 9.
  8. St. Joseph News-Press/Gazette. St. Joseph, Mo.  October 18, 1964.  Pg. 18.
  9. Obituary. The Gazette.  Colorado Springs, CO.  October 10, 2004.  Accessed online 8 Mar 2020.  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100843609/morris-duane-anthony
  10. Obituary. The Gazette.  Colorado Springs, CO.  July 20, 2004.  Accessed online 8 Mar 2020. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100843926/helen-pauline-anthony

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