*****
June 24, 1947
Mr. James Murphy
23 Crescent Avenue
Beverly, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Murphy:
This is to inform you that the Acousticon hearing aid ordered for you on June 16, 1947 has been received in this office. Before it can be delivered to you, it will be necessary for you to report here for a test fitting in the Ear Clinic. Please report directly to the Prosthetic Appliances Sub-Group on the third floor, and bring this letter as your authority.
Enclosed you will find transportation from Beverly to Boston and return for this purpose. It is suggested that, for your own convenience, you report as early in the day as possible and on any day but Saturday.
Yours very truly,
STEPHEN J. DALTON, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
Veterans Administration
Boston, Massachusetts
*****
June 26, 1947
To whom it may concern:
This is to certify that James Murphy of 27 Crescent Ave., Beverly, Mass., was of sound body before the recent conflict, hereinafter referred to as World War II.
Since we were exceedingly close friends before World War II and attended grammar school and high school together, I had ample opportunity to notice any disabilities he may have had and which the Marine Corps examining physician may have missed. At school (Rial [sic] Side School, Briscoe Junior High School and Beverly High School -- all in Beverly, Mass.) we had periodic eye, ear, nose and throat examinations, and the aforementioned James Murphy and I had friendly arguments over which of us had the finer vision and hearing. More often than not, Jim's better than average eyes and ears would be victorious. This competition lasted until we both entered the Service.
But now we both attend Boston University, the war is past, and the pride we took in our sight and hearing is also of the past, for Jim has lost a good bit of his. There is nothing so obvious as one who has poor vision in a classroom, as he squints from the front row to see what is written on the blackboard. Poor hearing is just as obvious when one has to repeat, in some instances, what an instructor has said so that his best friend may keep up on the lecture.
When you are closely associated with a person, you can give many instances such as these, but these alone should be sufficient to prove the point.
Clifford M Fellows
*****
September 24, 1947
To whom it may concern:
As an air crewman in the same squadron as Mr. Murphy, at the same time, and in the same capacity, that of a turret gunner, I feel qualified in speaking in behalf of Mr. Murphy concerning the placement of the 50 caliber machine gun located in the turret of a Grummen "Avenger" (TBF) torpedo bomber.
The above mentioned machine gun is situated approximately seven inches from the left ear of the turret gunner. The bolt and chamber are even with the head of the operator. It is very possible that a man flying in such an exposed position, subjected to the constant roar of the engine (from which there is no protection) and the added din of the exploding shells could very readily cause deafness.
Broken ear drums were not uncommon in the type of work were [sic] engaged in. When you take into consideration a dive starting at an altitude of anywhere from 17,000 feet to 9,000 feet and diving at an 80 degree angle with accelerated speed up to 390 knots with a pullout at 3,000 feet, deafness both temporary and permanent are very possible.
I myself on more than one occasion have encountered temporary loss of hearing.
Thomas E. Mullen
*****
September 30, 1947
The turret gun on a TBF is set almost even with the left ear. In my opinion when fired, it deafens the turret gunner, and this deafness remains a few moments after the gun has ceased firing.
The changes in altitudes while diving in the TBF did definitely deafen me. The only way I could clear my ears was either to blow my nose or crack my jaws.
In my opinion the accidents in which James Murphy was in could injure his sight and impair his hearing.
James Murphy and I were both turret and radio gunners respectively in Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 134, (VMTB-134) from September 1943 until July 1944.
I, the undersigned, hereby swear that the above statements are to the best of my knowledge.
John F. Dumelle (392389)
*****
I certify that while in the Marine Corps from September, 1942 to October, 1945, I had much experience in the type of work as James Murphy had while [sic] his service. I say that it is very likely his hearing was affected by his flying. At the time we were sent overseas we were not properly equipped with headgear and since the 50 caliber machine gun rests beside the turret gunner's left ear on a Torpedo Bomber, it is very likely that an exploding cartridge could injure the gunner's ear.
John Kuzma (461438 USMCR)
*****
November 14, 1947
Affidavit:
I, James M. Justice, do solemnly sear that the following statements are true.
I was a turret gunner in squadron V.M.T.B. 134 with James Murphy. We were gunners in a torpedo bomber which participated in strafing, torpedoing and glide bombing runs. These runs involve fast dive and pull outs, which sometimes cause injuries to the ears. These injuries are caused by the change of air pressure in dives and of the roar of the engines and the shooting of the 50 caliber machine gun. This gun is located right beside the left ear. This noise caused your eart to ring for about an hour after the flight.
I was with James Murphy from boot camp until my discharge in October 1945. This includes stateside and overseas duty.
I hereby believe these statements to be true, to the best of my knowlege.
James M. Justice
*****
November 22, 1947
To whom it may concern:
I, Michael F. Dunn, was in the same squadron as James Murphy from June, 1943 to August, 1944. The squadron was VMTB-134. James Murphy and I flew in the same crew in the states and overseas in combat at (1) Consolidation of the Solomons, (2) Bismarck Archipelago Operation, (3) attacks on Jap positions on Bougainville, (4) Defense of Piva Yoke (second battle of Torikina) and also at Hellzapoppin Ridge, Rabaul and airfields in the New Ireland and New Britain area, plus shipping strikes and patrol missions. On all combat missions we were involved in dives starting at altitudes of 18,000 to 9,000 feet at an angle of 70 to 80 degrees with accelerated speeds up to 400 knots with a pull-out starting at 3,000 feet and straightening out to level flight at tree-top heights. This was done so that the enemy's anti-aircraft guns couldn't track our planes effectively.
After a combat mission of this type I found myself unable to hear as I normally could. Other gunners of VMBT-134 said they also experienced periods of temporary deafness after combat missions. I know that the combat missions that James Murphy and I went on together did affect his hearing. I lived with him day and night and I noticed that his hearing was impaired from combat missions. The flight personnel of our squadron were not given periodic flight physcial checkups during our tour of duty overseas.
Sincerely,
Michael F. Dunn
*****
Daddy wrote this note on the outside of the envelope containing the Hearing Affidavits: #7 Concussion slip after hit on back of head by Twin 30's in a dive in a Hell Diver when pilot neglected to inform me and he had knowledge of faulty mechanism in lock of 30's.
I believe this is referencing this memorandum. Green highlighted areas indicate handwritten sections of the form.
Medical Department
U.S. Marine Corps Air Station
El Centro, California
Date: 3-12-4? (I think 45, but the paper separated at the crease, tearing the number.)
Memorandum to Commanding Officer - M.A.G. 42.
Subject: Grounding of Murphy, James (?) Corp. Note: (?) is an initial in parenthesis I can't make out.
1. It is recommend that the subject man be temporarily relieved of duty involving flying. - until further notice
Remarks: - Complaints of persistent headaches.
Bill Kantola (?) L + (MC) U.S.N.
Flight Surgeon
Dr. Ne?? duty
A copy of a second Memorandum slip from El Centro reads as follows:
3-8-??
MEMORANDUM TO COMMANDING OFFICER
Subject: Grounding of Murphy, J??????????
1. It is recommended that the subject named ???? be temporarily relieved of duty involving flying. For a period of ??????.
Remarks: Concussion
Bill Kan?????
Flight Surgeon
*****
Daddy also had slipped an index card into the Hearing Affidavit envelope that read:
Pelew Island When skirts are as brief as they wear in Pelew.
Lord North Island
Belt -- Hat -- Fishline -- Cord -- Ear ornaments
bracelets -- Fish hooks -- Triton shell horn -- skirt
dipper -- Adz Dish -- was derswand (That can't be right, but that's what it looks like. Really.)
Capt. Geo. Nichols in 1801.
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