52 Ancestors: Unusual Source - U.S. War Rations

My parents, Gordon and Gerry (Martin) Levy, met at Fresno High School in about 1943 - dad was a senior, Mom was a sophomore.  Shortly after my dad graduated in June,1944 he went away to Stanford to start his college career.  Of course, Mom missed him terribly so she did what people did in those days, she wrote letters to her man.  With social media and e-mail today, those hand written letters are virtually non-existent but, fortunately, my dad inherited the "pack rat" gene and saved the letters she wrote to him.

Gerry Martin and Gordon Levy, c. 1944

They look so young in this photo but it would have been about the time they were writing to each other.  Note:  My mother apparently did not have the "pack rat" gene as I haven't located any of the letters he wrote to her.

My latest project has been transcribing the letters she wrote to him and I've learned a lot about my mother from these letters.  I could research for years and years and without this unusual source I would never have learned details about her cousin Norma, whom she spent a lot of time with, and Norma's parents, Winnie (Dick) and John Hoey.  And who would have guessed her overuse of the exclamation point!!!!!!  But most of all, I would have never understood just how much this young woman who had just turned 16 loved my dad. ♥

As I transcribed letters yesterday, I came to a very interesting section where she wrote on September 2, 1944:

Just went down to get the steaks!!!  Beautiful 2 inch thick T-bones!!!   This isn’t common knowledge but we don’t have to pay the points until we get them!  Also I think the place should be reported to the A.P.A. for the prices they charge!!  Not because they’re high but because they’re so low!!!!  Please don’t think we’re too awful – we’re not you know!!!

Of course my radar went up as I typed the part about common knowledge and then - what?  Points?  So I did what any person in 2021 would do and immediately started researching.  And sure enough, I started learning about meat and cheese rationing in World War II.  

I came across a blog at www.sarahsundin.com that was very interesting.  On March 29, 2018 she wrote this:

Rationing of meat and cheese was an important part of life on the US Home front.  A complex and constantly changing system kept grocery shoppers on their toes.

The United States produced meat and cheese for her civilians and military, and also for her Allies.  During World War I, food shortages were a serious problem, with hoarding, escalating prices, and rushes on stores.  When World War II started, the government reduced deliveries to stores and restaurants, instituted price controls, and urged people to voluntarily reduce consumption.  Britain had already instituted a point-based rationing system and had found it effective, so the United States decided to implement a similar program in 1943.  Rationing made sure everyone got a fair share.

Did Mom or Dad ever talk about this?  While I knew there had been rationing, I didn't really think about the fact that it could have affected my parents or even grandparents.  But, apparently, it had.

And the blog went on to say:

War Ration Books Two, Three, and Four contained blue stamps for processed foods and red stamps for meat, cheese, and fats.  Each person received 64 red stamps each month, providing 28 ounces of meat and 4 ounces of cheese per week.  The stamps were printed with a number for point value and a letter to specify the rationing period - such as C8.  Rationing calendars in newspapers declared which stamps were current and for how long.  To prevent fraud, the stamps had to be torn off in the presence of the grocer.  Stamps were good for one, two, five, or eight points, with "no change" given, so the shopper had to be careful to use the exact number of stamps.  The system was simplified on February 27, 1944, when plastic tokens were issued as change.

Each cut of meat was assigned a point value per pound, based not on price or quality, but on scarcity.  These point values varied throughout the war depending on supply and demand.  "Variety meats" such as kidney, liver, brain, and tongue had little use for the military, so their point values were low.  On May 3, 1944, thanks to a good supply, all meats except steak and choice cuts of beef were removed from rationing - temporarily. 

You can read her complete blog HERE

And then it hit me - I'd seen War Ration Books somewhere around my house so I went on a hunt to find them.  There they were - the property of my husband's maternal grandparents, Pearl (Grumer) and Marcus Burket Byrd.

Pearl (Grumer) and Marcus Byrd, date unknown

I have to laugh - "Do not lose it".

Never pay more than the legal price - how did you know what was legal?

My mother's letters to my dad have proven to be an unusual source and I had no idea the things I'd learn.  Who knew?

52 Ancestors: Newest - More Letters

This weeks' blog prompt, Newest, immediately brought to mind the newest project I have to get started on - more letters to sort, organize, and transcribe.  And what I'm reminded of is that while my dad had the packrat gene, my mom, apparently, did not.  As evidenced by the stack of letters I'm starting on.

My dad, Gordon Levy, graduated from Fresno High School on June 9, 1944 - just three days after D-Day.  I can imagine the school and town was buzzing with news from Europe but I hope people were able to pause for a minute to recognize those graduating or with other special events going on in their lives.  

Gordon Levy, c. 1944

Dad must have left to start his college life sometime before July 8, 1944.  I'm not sure why he moved to college so early - did he take summer school classes or just want to arrive early so he could settle in before classes started?

This is where the letters come in - just like his parents, he saved everything - letters, letters and more letters!

Of course those closest to my heart (and probably his) were letters from his future wife and my mother, Geraldine Martin.  Mom graduated in 1946 so I know she must have been devastated when he went away to college.  But she filled her time by writing letters.

I've got the letters sorted by sender or receiver and all put into date order.  Now the task is to transcribe them all.  Just like with the letters between my grandparents, I feel a little bit like I'm "spying" but in my heart I know they held on to these letters so that one day someone would find them and enjoy them.  If only Mom had saved the letters that Dad wrote.  Don't worry, she got the packrat gene later in life but didn't seem to have it in 1944.

Here's the first letter she wrote to him.

Mr. Gordon Levy

Box 1431

Stanford University

California

Saturday, July 8, 1944

Dearest Gordon –

Boy was I glad to know where I could write to you.  I wasn’t expecting to know before Monday but am sure glad I can write before that.  I hope you’re as glad to get my letter as I am to write it.  I don’t write very interesting or exciting letters but I’ll try my best.  I wish I could write things the way you can.  For instance, I could never have written anything as nice as what you’d written in my owl.  If I’d known what you’d written maybe I wouldn’t have written the dumb stuff I did.  I wish I hadn’t but it can’t be helped.

Yesterday I got the car and Marty, Kathy, Jackie, Norma, Gwen, her cousin and I went out to the El Rancho swimming.  I got all nice and brown – but still hope to get browner!!  We had a lot of fun – at least I did!

Last night we went out to dinner with a friend of Shel’s.  I nearly hit the roof when I heard about it ‘cause I was dead tired but that’s all the good it did me!  Anyway we had a good dinner and no dishes to wash!!!

Tonight Susanne Atinger is having a party.  We’re all going to have dinner over there and should really have fun.  After the party all the gals are going to Norma’s to stay all night.  Norma got three watermelons for us to have a midnight snak [sic] around two-thirty!!!!  Tomorrow we want to go swimming – hope we can.

All kinds of awful things are happening to my friends – at least I think they’re awful.  First of all Phil and Bob broke up again, which doesn’t really worry anyone, then Norma and Bob are sort of made at each other.  And to top it all off with Marty simply hates Bud.  As if that isn’t enough to worry about I have to miss you so darn much I don’t even care what happens to them.  Darling I miss you so darn much the only person who could possibly interest me would be the postman but today even he couldn’t.

Well from the way I look at it Norma and I should really have fun at Santa Cruz.  Marty, Ann, Phil and maybe Kathy will be there at the same time.  Then too Norma and I are going to have a room all to ourselves.  I can hardly wait til August!!  Long time away though!!!

I wish I knew what and how to write to you.  I guess there isn’t much anyone can say when they feel the way I do.  I can’t write very sweet letters – I’ve never had anyone to write them to before.  About the only thing I can write is what I have – and to tell you (whether you like it or not I don’t know) that even though I act awfully silly at times I really do love you.  For some reason I don’t think you’re going to appreciate that!  You think I’m too young I know but I wonder if when you were as old as I am you felt you were too young?  I’m sorry but that is the way I feel.  I hope you don’t mind me saying so too much.

Well guess I’d better start getting cleaned up.  It’s almost six now and I’ll have to dash if I expect to be at her house at six-thirty.  Please try and write fairly often.

All my love –

Gerry

P.S.  Could you please send me John’s address?  I’d love to write to him if it’s alright with you.

Not too much news, especially since I'm not sure who any of those friends she mentioned are.  This is the second time I've heard her mention him thinking she was "too young".

And then there's a box of letters from his parents and brother, Rob.  

Here's the first letter from his mother.

July 9, 1944

My dear Gord,

We were so happy to hear from you that you had arrived in Palo Alto O.K.  I phoned Mr. Combs to tell him.  Am anxious to receive a letter from you telling all details.  If you do sleep on a porch hope you have adequate covers; if not use your overcoat.  Am wondering just what your room is like and if it is satisfactory for your requirements.

Shall send your shirts and coat hangers tomorrow.  I found a new undershirt in your drawer.  I’ll enclose it in package as you might want it.  Am enclosing two $5 bills in this letter.

It certainly is lonesome without you and now the phone never rings.  The weather was hot Friday but today it is very cool.

I just wrote a letter to Rob.  Don’t forget to write to him occasionally.

Grandma says to tell you she misses you “awful”.  She leaves for S.F. Wed – then we will be alone. 

Last night the Pollack's and Bruckner's were here for a game and it seemed so funny for you not to come in at 1 or 1:30. Tonight we are going out to Uncle Leon’s for a little while so Grandma can tell them good-bye.  Dad worked most of the day today out in the yard.  Bet you are glad you don’t have to set the table, wipe the dishes or work in the yard.

Hope you passed the English A test satisfactorily.

Let us hear from you real soon.

Bushels of love from Daddy and your Loving Mother.

Sunday aft.

Remember you can phone us whenever you feel like it.  If we don’t answer a little after six remember we may be out to dinner and will be home a little later.

I remember when my first daughter started college and she joined a sorority.  She talked about the "sleeping porch" and I was confused as to how or why girls would sleep on a "porch".  Apparently, my grandmother was confused, as well, and I laugh that she reminded him to use his overcoat.  

My grandfather worked in the yard?  In all the years we visited their home I never, ever saw him work in the yard.  And, apparently, my dad also spent some time working in the yard which was something he didn't do much of as we were growing up.  He liked to plant flowers but other than that, we always had a gardener (Tom and his son, Kyoshi) to maintain the yard.

And then Sig sent a very business-like letter.  In fact, it was typed on Levy Bros. stationery and had the familiar notes at the bottom showing Sig dictated the letter, someone else typed it.

July 10, 1944

Dear Gordon:

Enclosed herewith please find signature cards for your bank deposits.

You can sign your name above mine on both cards and take them to your bank unless you have signed them properly up there.

You understand if you get your account below $100.00, I believe, you pay a service charge and also if you draw too many checks you will have to pay a service charge.

Sorry you did not receive your bike, but it was sent out O.K. and you should have it by now.

No doubt you are getting well settled and I hope you are enjoying it.

Love from all

Dad

SL:mm

Enc. 2

Dad was a good son and wrote letters to his parents.  The first letter I found from him was August 12, 1944 sent to them at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.  My hunch is that for the first month he was away he phoned and then wrote letters while they were on vacation.

August 12^th, 1944

Dear Folks:

The mail service is still good.  I received the letter you wrote Thursday night yesterday (Saturday) morning.  It sure brought back the memories…The Grove…eating at Lindy’s….taking in a show at Hollywood…waiting on pins and needles for Rob who was supposed to come at 8 but never got there until 10:30 (that’s Rob)….sitting all afternoon watching the clock, waiting for a room….breakfasting in the Coffee Shop…trudging down to Magnin’s, Mom to look, Dad to smell the perfume…making the next stop at Bullock’s so Pop can say “hello” to the floor-walker…trying to get a free peek at the pretty girls in the swimming pool…getting write-ups in the LA Times…going down to see the Civilian Defense chief.  Yes, there all a part of the vacations of the past, and they’ll be a part of the vacations of the future.

Spent a quiet week-end…taking in a show and resting with the boys.  Found out that somehow I got a B on the Western Civilization exam and I know that I got 73% on the Poly Sci test.  Considering that the highest grade was 88% out of a class of 110, it might be worth a B…I really don’t know.

Got a letter from Sheldon Lewis…he’ll have a commission in about three months.  That lucky guy!!  Oh yes – I bought a sweater at Roos Bros. and charged it…just so you’ll know who’s corrupting the account in Palo Alto.

I suppose you and the younger set had quite a nice time…and how was the blonde??  You’re getting me all excited…tell me all.  If you see Rob again…tell him that I’ve given up all hope of ever hearing from him…also tell him that “We’ve got the axe.”

Here’s hoping your vacation continues to keep in the traditional form… Pop, don’t play too much golf on the pee-wee course!!  It’s too bad Louie Slater isn’t there to show you the town.

I wish I could have a Lindy’s steak…but the Stanford Bowl in Paly is the best I can do…

Love, Gord

POP:  I got a notice from the President’s office about the college program for air corps men like me.  I talked to the professor in charge here who sent me to the Colonel in command of the troops here.  The colonel said that the only benefit would be to become orientated with the army and men with the same goal as myself.  The courses are just the average freshman course….and I wouldn’t stay at Stanford.  I think I’d just as soon stay here and enjoy myself while I can.  There’s no reason to go before I have to.  Agree?

POP?  He called him POP?  I had to laugh that even back then, Rob was late.  It seemed like we experienced that a lot as we were growing up.  

And then there is a box of letters from various people, most of the names of which I don't recognize.  Those will be last in line for transcribing.

I'm excited to spend some time with these letters - I'm glad winter is approaching so I can type away during the long, dark days.

I have so many projects to complete but this is the newest and I'm excited to get started.

52 Ancestors: On the Map - Stanford University

This week's blog prompt is On the Map.  Last week I wrote about my dad attending Stanford University - you can read it HERE.  As I was preparing the post, I scanned a map of Stanford in 1941 that I found in his things and intended to include it but - I forgot.  Was it that damn age thing or did I 'intentionally' forget so I could put it in the blog this week?  I like to think it was the latter.

Here's the map from 1941.  It was folded neatly so not sure if this was just some sort of memento or if he actually used it.

I'm pretty sure my dad lived in Buchanan Hall when he first arrived in 1944 but I don't see it on this map.  I found a map for the present day but I don't see it here, either.

From Buchanan Hall, he went to Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.  I remember him telling me that people suggested he not join that fraternity because it was too "Jewish".  I don't see it on either map but I did find a photo of it from the 1949 yearbook.

During the 1944-1945 academic year, Dad was an Associate Sports Editor for the Stanford Daily.  That's him on the left with the crazy sweater.

1947 Stanford Daily Staff

He stayed a member of Phi Sigma Kappa until he completed his MBA studies but I'm guessing once he graduated in 1949 he no longer lived in the house.  But he was the first-term president, a role he must have loved because he was always serving in one way or another throughout his life.

Here's the portion of the page showing some members of Phi Sigma Kappa in 1949.  I remember as kids my sister and I would pour over the pages looking for missing students and scream with delight when we'd find the Indian (they were the Stanford Indians in those days).  Poor Norman Miller must have been sick the day photos were taken but the Indian was only too happy to take his place.

Dad always liked to be on the Debate team and in 1947, he was a member of the Delta Sigma Rho team.  Here he is, second from right.  

1947 Stanford Debate Team - Delta Sigma Rho
H. Hawkes, M. Gray, Professor Emerson, J. Soares, G. Levy, M. Thompson

Dad may not have been "on the map" but he did have the map!

52 Ancestors: Back to School - Gordon goes to Stanford

As I've been organizing the ephemera that my family saved, I ran across some interesting things related to my dad's college experience at Stanford University.  One item I come across nearly every day is this Stanford jacket that hangs in my closet - it prompts a smile even though I wonder why I keep it and how much more dust it can collect.

Dad was a proud Stanford grad

Dad graduated from Fresno High School in June, 1944 and by July was off to start the next phase of his life at Stanford University.  I found MANY letters that Mom wrote to him beginning July 8, 1944 but I don't know why he moved onto campus so early.  And there are also lots of letters to him from his parents.  What's interesting, though, is that Mom apparently didn't have the "save everything" gene because I haven't found one letter that he wrote to her.

Dad received a scholarship of $400 for his freshman year.   That equates to about $6,000 in today's dollars and with tuition now over $50,000 per year, that would still leave a lot for a family to manage.  

After about six weeks, Dad apparently discussed joining the Army Reserve Corps.  It's interesting to note that based on his military records, he enlisted on 1 July, 1944 and entered into the Army Air Force on 16 June, 1945.  I hope he let G.F. Sensabaugh know that he would not be joining them.

After 18 months in the Army Air Force, Dad was back at Stanford to finish his studies.  

Dad was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity and even saved a statement from June, 1948.  As our first grandchild heads off to college this week, I'm sure her parents would love to see the first housing statement look like this.  Look at that - 35 cents extra for a towel!

On 5 February, 1948, the College Entrance Examination Board mailed him a "ticket" to take the Law School Admission Test on 28 February, 1948.  I vaguely remember hearing about him wanting to go into law but I would have buried that in my mind if I hadn't found this.

And just a month later, his results were in the mail.  Law School 617 was Stanford University which, apparently, was the only school he had his results sent to.  Thankfully, there was an interpretation of scores on the back so I could figure out how he'd done on the exam.

It's hard to read but with a score of 451, it looks like only 32% of candidates received a lower score for that testing period.  I'm guessing that's why we never heard much about Law School and why he decided to obtain a MBA from Stanford, graduating in 1951.

He also obtained his college transcript, which may have been used to gain entrance into the Business Administration program.  It's hard to read but I see a few "C's" there, proof that he wasn't always perfect.  But boy did he strive to be and instilled that in us during our school years.

Way down on the right side it says Advanced Standing, 3/47: Allowed 6 q.u. for military service which is why he had no classes/grades for 1945-1946 or the fall quarter of 1946.  

And here's his diploma to prove that he successfully completed the program.  I remember this hanging on the wall for years - he must have been very proud.

It never occurred to me that while my parents were married in September, 1950, he didn't complete his MBA until April, 1951.  I knew they stayed in Palo Alto for the first year or so after they were married so this must be why.  

Stanford will always hold a very special place in my heart since both Mom and Dad graduated from there.  And we spent many, many Saturday afternoons watching their beloved team (Indians at the time) play football.  I'm so glad I came across these things!

Gordon Levy
Stanford grad 1949

A bittersweet day

Today is Father’s Day – a day to focus on the dads in our lives.  But at some point, it becomes a tough reminder of the years that have passed without our dad.  And in my case, this is the 8th year that I have had to rely on just memories of my dad.  Fortunately, I also have a lot of photos to help me remember him in a wonderful way. 

Here’s a nice family photo from 1931-1932.  Left to right, Wilton Gunzendorfer, Robert Levy, Loraine Gunzendorfer Levy, Sig Levy, Abraham Gunzendorfer, Bertha Schwartz Gunzendorfer.  And that little guy in the front is my dad, Gordon Levy.



Dad was such a cutie!  Here he is in 1933 when he was 6 years old. 



And again in 1933 with his mother, Loraine Gunzendorfer Levy, and brother, Robert Levy. 



Dad must have gotten a football and/or uniform for Christmas in 1937 - he’s all decked out and ready to play!  It looks like this was taken in the backyard of their home in Fresno.



Dad and his brother, Robert Levy, posing in the backyard in September, 1947.  Even though they lived quite a distance from each other as they raised their families, they always remained close.  At the end of their lives they talked on the phone every day!



After graduating from Fresno High School in 1944, Dad went off to Stanford University in Palo Alto.  Here he is leaving for Palo Alto on May 15, 1949 – I hope he took more luggage with him!



Graduation from Stanford University – June 19, 1949.  Lots of photos with different family members.  Here’s dad and his grandmother, Bertha Schwartz Gunzendorfer.



And with his Uncle Wilt Gunzendorfer.



Look at this group – Bertha Gunzendorfer, Dad, Mom (Gerry Martin), Robert Levy.



Dad was always a star to us – here he is hanging out with his good bud, Bob Hope.  I’m just teasing, he didn’t know Bob although it looks like at some point in his life he shared some golf tips with him.



Dad liked to have fun but I sure can’t figure out what they’re doing here. 



And some nice photos of Dad later in life.



This may have been one of the last photos taken of Dad before he passed in 2005.



I miss my Dad every day and am so thankful to have such wonderful memories (and photos!) of him.  Happy Father’s Day, Dad!