From: mpcgram-owner@papermoneyworld.net on behalf of MPCgram [mpcgram@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 8:35 AM To: mpcgram@papermoneyworld.net Subject: MPCGram 1456 ------------------------ / MPC Gram News Letter / ----------------------- =========================================== MPC GRAM =========================================== Vol 7, no 1456 Tuesday May 8, 2006 Book Review by David Klinger A book with the unusual title  SOUR M.A.S.H. AT SEA  is the latest addition to my library of military related tomes. It was written by a Supply Corps Officer by the name of Walter "Bud" Stuhldreher. He served aboard the hospital ship USS Haven during the closing days of the Korean War. He was assigned  duty as the ship's Disbursing Officer (viz. paymaster). One chapter in his book relates to an unusual MPC conversion day (C-Day) which took place in 1954. Ensign "Bud" had been briefed into the details of the procedures for use of MPC.  But, what he had not known was that hospital ships were not allowed to moor at piers in war zones, and that they were also not allowed to communicate classified information. These rules, from the Geneva Conventions, would impact on the events of this Navy C-Day in 1954. During May of 1954, the USS Haven was anchored at harbor, in Inchon, Korea. One morning a fellow officer rushed in to Bud's stateroom to relate an announcement he had just heard on Armed Forces Radio that all MPC had to be exchanged today for a new series , or would become worthless!  According to Bud's account he went to his  C.O. and said   "Captain, as I see it, you don't really have a choice. You simply are going to have to let me take the crew's money away from them. By tonight, there can't be a single cent in anyone's pockets, not even the wounded men in the hospital !"  Of course, because of his isolation, and communications rules, Bud had not known of the C-Day, and did not have a supply of the new series of MPC to exchange. "By radio, we soon learned that the Army at Ascom City would issue us the new script [sic]. Also, after a vicious argument, they agreed to remain open until we could get there to pick up the new series." But first, there was the necessity of a "reverse payday", where money would have to be taken from the 500 man crew and like number of patients, which included soldiers from "a half dozen countries."  Of particular concern to Bud were "the twenty-or-so Turkish soldiers" who were know by the crew to be "uncooperative, at best".  At 1330, the announcement of a reverse payday was announced. All went well, except for the Turks. "They howled with anger"- but finally all the MPC was collected.  "There were no poker games that night."      Then, Bud departed, by boat, then truck, with six armed guards from Inchon to Ascom to buy $200,000.00 of the new money. They didn't return until late that night.  "The next day, at 1000 a normal payday was held and the new MPCs were exchanged for the pay chits. - - -  The Turks could not believe their good luck." Bud never mentioned which series of MPC were involved.  But , based on the dates, it was an exchange from series 481 to 521. The report of Turkish, and other foreign soldiers, using MPC aboard a US Navy ship is also news to me. Bud ends the chapter with this claim: "This was the only payday in the history of the US Navy, where money was taken away from sailors!" *********************************************************** Championship Question Corner Question: What Canadian City had Victory bond promotiona reichmarks? Question 116. Yesterday's Question: Overprints stating "withdrawn from circulation September 18th 1941" appear on notes of what bank? Question 115. Answers: Bank of England Comments from the field: There probably were some comments on this question, but I have not yet found them in the 5662 unread messages in the Gram box (see excuses below). [Ed.] ========================================== Editorial ========================================== As many of you know, time does fly. Every single day I have intended to get a Gram out. There has been plenty to publish, just not enough time. Well, possibly it is not really a matter of time. That excuse usually is just that an excuse for lack of motivation, energy, often money or whatever. I suppose that applies to me too. I have had the time. Probably I have not had the energy or motivation as I worked on other projects. I apologize to everyone one (and yes, we will extend subscriptions.) I mentioned earlier downsizing my warehouse. That is just about finished. I was working there a few days ago and realized that I should have a small shelf in a certain place. I looked around and saw that I had just the perfect lumber available. Then I realized what the lumber was and laughed. It was a wooden create in which MPC Series 691 was shipped. It was purchased at a Fest auction and is a prized part of my collection. I laughed not only because I realized that I certainly would not cannibalize it to make a shelf, but also because I realized that I had just completed a reenactment. You can be sure that most of the wooden boxes that delivered MPC (and ALL that delivered MPC to Vietnam) were cannibalized in the way that I imagined at that moment. In the artillery we used wooden ammunition boxes because that is what we had in finance they used MPC boxes because that is what they had. If it is not a law of war, it is at least a law of soldiering. ========================================== Mail Call =========================================== Dear Gramsters, We were informed of the passing of Past ANA President Florence Schook at the age of 88. Florence also served as President of the Central States Numismatic Society and the Michigan State Numismatic Society.  She served for many years on all three of these boards and advanced many educational programs, especially YN (Young Numismatists).  Florence also had a great impact on the numismatic direction of these important organizations.  We will always remember Florence for her tireless work while serving on the boards of the above three organizations.  Nancy served with Florence on the ANA Board, and I served with her on the CSNS Board.   This dynamic and hard working numismatist was the recipient of all the major awards of the aforementioned organizations.  Florence will be greatly missed by her thousands of friends from all over the U. S., and World.  She will be forever in our thoughts and memories.  With love, prayers and sympathies to the Schook family.  Sincerely, John and Nancy Wilson, Ocala, FL.  PS  MSNS Exhibit Chairman Frank Passic provided information that at www.findagrave.com you can view a photo of Florence Schook, which was provided by Coin World and Beth Deisher.  PPS Also at this site you will find information on Dr. George Heath  John and Nancy Wilson =========================================== Calendar =========================================== 2006 The London Paper Money Fair has moved to: Victory Services Club, 63 Seymour Street, off Edgware Road, Marble Arch London and the dates are: May 7, July 2 and Nov 26. see: www.britishnotes.co.uk or www.londonpapermoneyfair.co.uk June 1-3 Long Beach, mini fest to be announced 16-18 June Memphis 1-14 July ANA summer seminar 16-20 August ANA convention, Denver September 14th-16th, Long Beach, mini fest to be annuonced The World Paper Money Fair, organised by the London chapter of the IBNS will be September 30/October 1 at the new venue: Hotel Russell, Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London.  see: www.ibnslondon.org.uk Oct/Nov Pcda St Louis ========================================== for dealer Hot Contact list, ANA MPC museum holdings and other static information please click this link: http://www.papermoneyworld.net/Gramattichments.htm ========================================== 2006 scholarship fund Donations of cash and numismatic material will be gladly accepted. Generally the numismatic material is auctioned at MPCFest, but might be sold via ebay or other places. Your scholarship donations help the hobby by sending qualified individuals to the ANA summer seminar military money class. Except for unavoidable charges like ebay fees, 100% of your donation goes to scholarships. Donations are now being accepted for the 2006 scholarship fund. Applications are also being accepted for the 2006 scholarships. Donors to 2006 scholarship fund: Sue McCarty (list pending) Contact me at: "Marcus Turner" mail to: maturner@indy.rr.com Checks should be made out to the "Military Numismatists Scholarship." or Marcus Turner Marcus Turner PO Box 191 Danville, Indiana 46122 USA Contributors to the 2005 scholarship were: Ed Hoffman, Warner Talso, RA Medina, John & Nancy Wilson, Keith & Sue Bauman, Dan Freeland, Tom Koch, Doug Bell, Cuneyd Tolek, David Seelye, Brian Giese, Larry Smulczenski, Joe Boling, Dick & Loretta Freyser, Mark Watson, John Cheney, Roger Urce, Harold Kroll, Al Glaser. (also Memphis Belle note purchasers and summer seminar participants. irie Harris, Robert Connell, William Benton, Ed Beaman, Frank Clark, Howard A. Daniel III, Dick and Loretta Freyser, Dan and Kathy Freeland, Jack Hunter, Harld Kroll, Tim Kyzivat, Leo May, Robbie Robinson, Joel Shafer, Neil Shafer, Larry Smulczenski, Steve Swoish, Roger Urce, Ron Waddell, Pam West, John and Nancy Wilson, Adolf Witzke, Wendell Wolka. IMPORTANT SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION Additional information can be found at the link below. We encourage everyone to print copies of this information and distribute it to those who might be interested. Further you are encouraged to e-mail the pdf document to anyone you see fit. Thank you http://www.papermoneyworld.net/news/Military Numismatists Scholarship Fund 2003.pdf Scholarships from the ANA: See the following location for an application for financial aid to the summer seminar: http://www.money.org/sumsemfin.html ========================================= POST / BASE EXCHANGE(PX/BX/NEX) Dump your dupes! Your classified advertisement for items for sale, purchase or trade will be run here for free. Send your ads to the gram. This service is for everyone, most humble dealer or most advanced collector. The point is to make the gram more interesting. In all cases confirm your order via email first. WANTED SECTION: Collectors may submit lists of items wanted for their collections for listing here. Dealers and collectors who have these items, are then encouraged to list them for sale in the above section as a reply. Wanted listings will run for a period of 1 month. ============================================= MPC Gram Staff: Publisher, editor: Fred Schwan fred@papermoneyworld.net; Subscription Manager:Doug Bell- doug@papermoneyworld.net Tuesday Columnist : JoeBoling- JoeBoling@aol.com Friday Columnist: Warner Talso: wtalso@aol.com Fest Auctioneer: Larry "Ski"Smulczenski - skitex@cox.net, Critic:Harold Kroll - HARBONS@aol.com Scholarship Coordinator: Marcus Turner- marucs@papermoneyworld.net; Webmaster and Technical Advisors:Doug Bell "Wiz" - doug@papermoneyworld.net Russ Walsh - russ.walsh@gte.net Fact Checker: Warner Talso -Calendar Coordinator: John and Nancy Wilson -The Boss: Judy Schwan MPC Gram is published by BNR Press and papermoneyworld.com as a free service to the community of military money collectors. Your suggestions, criticisms, complaints, editorial contributions, letters, and even praise are very welcome. The entire contents including linked illustrations are copyright protected by the publishers. In the case of contributors, the copyright is protected on behalf of the creators. Please send all correspondence regarding the gram to MPCgram@yahoo.com. Thank you very much for your participation. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com mpc gram mail list To subscribe to a list, send a mail message to "imailsrv@papermoneyworld.net" at this address with the following in the body of the message: subscribe mpcgram your_full_name To unsubscribe from a list, send a mail message to "imailsrv@papermoneyworld.net" at this address with the following in the body of the message: unsubscribe mpcgram if you have any problems please report then to doug@papermoneyworld.net