Albert A. Chaplis a.k.a Albert Bundza (1910-1968)

Albert A. Chaplis was born 24 November 1910, in Massachusetts, the son of Anthony Chaplis and Margaret Cekaitis, Lithuanian immigrants, who came to Boylston, Massachusetts about 1907-1909. On the 1930 Census both of Albert’s parents worked in a bicycle accessories shop.

It is unclear when Albert enlisted in the military service. He was listed as a soldier on the 1930 Census stationed at Luke Field, Honolulu, Hawaii. The 1930 Census shows Albert A. Chaplis listed as a solider in Hawaii under the name of “Albert Bundza.” He is listed as 21 years old. Bundza is a name that Albert’s fiancé Ingeborg is supposed to use when she writes him. In a letter of 30 Sept 1935, Albert tells Ingeborg to write him as “Albert Bundza” his military name, and direct mail to him at the Medical Depot, Fort Armstrong, Honolulu, Hawaii, so he’ll get her letters quicker. All others are to write to him at an off-base P.O. Box under the name of Albert A. Chaplis. Albert was still in the military and in Hawaii when the correspondence offered here took place (1935-1937), however, one of his earlier letters mentions that he had “previously” been in military service, thus this period of correspondence may be a second tour of service for him. He is stationed at the Medical Depot’s warehouse at Fort Armstrong, where he and some others oversee medical supplies.

From the correspondence, we learn that Chaplis had previously served in the military prior to the beginning of this correspondence. One letter written to Inge (27 July 1935) refers to him enlisting in 1929 and sailing out of New York. The 1930 Census shows him at the age of 21 as a soldier stationed in Hawaii. That tour of service appears to have finished, and he enlists again, as he shows up again in military service when this correspondence offered here takes place (July 1935 to July 1937). His earlier military service may have been in the air service, as his first letter to Ingee states “I’m in the medical service but will try to get back to the air service as soon as I reach the Islands. You don’t know how easy it is here for men with former service.”

Albert Chaplis married on 25 Nov 1939, to his correspondent Ingeborg “Ingee” Marie Backholm. She was born on 12 March 1917 in Boylston, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of machinist Oscar Backholm and his wife Adella W. Gadda, of Boylston. Both of Ingeborg’s parents were born in Finland. The Worcester, Massachusetts area contains a large Scandinavian immigrant community. During the correspondence Chaplis writes to Inge at several addresses at Boylston, Morningdale, and then mainly at Shrewsbury, all towns bordering Worcester on the east and northeastern borders.

At the time of their marriage, Albert was working as a salesman, his wife was doing housework. They were both living at Boylston when they married, but they were married at Worcester by clergyman John A. Eckstrom. When the 1940 Census was taken, Albert was working as a machinist for Wyman-Gordon. The census states he only went to school as far as 8^th grade. He appears to have worked for Wyman-Gordon the rest of his life, showing up in the Worcester city directories working with them in 1954 to 1962. Wyman-Gordon designs and manufactures complex metal components. Founded in 1883 as a manufacturer of crankshafts for looms, it has a long history of making forged metal components, particularly for the aerospace industry. In 1940, Albert’s wife worked housework for a private family. In 1935 they were living in the same house. Ingeborg’s mother was living with them. Albert and his wife had at least three children: Russell A., Robert O., and Richard A.

Albert J. Chaplis died on 10 July 1968 and was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery, Boylston, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Chaplis’ wife, Ingeborg, died on 1 December 2003. She was buried with her husband.

Fort Armstrong, Honolulu, Hawaii

Fort Armstrong is located at Honolulu, Oahu and was built on fill over Ku-akau-kukui reef in 1907 to protect Honolulu harbor. It had one named Battery, and was spread over 64 Acres named Battery Tiernon, which had two pedestal mounted 3-inch M1903 guns from 1911 to 1943. The original garrison was the 1st Coast Artillery Company followed by the 104th Mine Co. operating the harbor mines. Also stationed there was the 185th Coast Artillery Company.

The Army mission in Hawaii was defined in 1920 as “the defense of Pearl Harbor Naval Base against damage from naval or aerial bombardment or by enemy sympathizers and attack by enemy expeditionary force or forces, supported or unsupported by an enemy fleet or fleets.” Fort Armstrong continued under the occupation of the Coast Artillery until September 15, 1922. It was reserved for military purposes by a series of Executive Orders in 1930 and was described as the Fort Armstrong Military Reservation. When the Coast Artillery Headquarters moved to Fort De Russy it was abandoned by the U.S. Army by 1950 and is now part of a container port facility.

Fort Armstrong in Honolulu included the Hawaiian Quartermaster, Medical and Signal Depots, as well as the U.S. Army Transport Docks. It was named in honor of Brigadier General Samuel Chapman Armstrong. It was here at the Medical Depot that Albert Chaplis was stationed during his time in Hawaii.

        Sample Quotes:

“Cook St, Morningdale, Mass, June 16, 1935

Dear Al:

Well, I suppose you are wondering what the hell I’m writing to you for? Why don’t you drop a guy a line once a year? How is everything with you are you married, got any kids, how many? How are all the tar babies down there, send a few up here to keep me company.

Al, I wish you would do me a favor, it’s only a small one, I think. I’d like to get a grass skirt. I’d like to give it to my queen for her birthday., that’s what she wants and I can’t get one any place that I know of. I wish you would do this favor for me. Please send it (if you can) as soon as you can and get that braid or whatever you call it you know, what they hang around their neck. Tell me what it cost and I’ll send the money as soon as you want it, beforehand, or send it C.O.D., any way chose to send it. Well thanks in advance anyhow if you can’t get it please write anyhow. Same old Bum, Bunny”

“Cristobal, Canal Zone, August 5 [1935]

Ingee Dear:

About two hours ago we all got a pass that is good until 11 tonight. It’s only 10 now, so we all have about 13 hours tog around this God forsaken place. We left New York the 30^th of July and it took us six days to get here. Tomorrow we cross the Canal and we will all get a pass again on the Pacific side of the Canal. We are on the Atlantic side now. The real hard part of foreign service is the boat ride. There isn’t a thing to do but lean over the rail and watch the waves. We will have 10 days of sailing before we reach San Francisco…

There isn’t much doing here now but tonight all the clubs and cabarets will be opened, all night life will begin, including the bad girls, who will give their bodies to the ones who have the price. I assure you darling that I’m keeping away from them. I haven’t much money anyway…

Well, I haven’t much more to write now, but will write from the other side…I love you, Al”

“Edgemore Lodge on Lake Quinsigamond, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, August 31, 1935

Al dear,

I received your letter last Tuesday after much delay. I was mis-sent to West Springfield…

Mother and Eskil came down here last Thursday night with the package you sent to me. Al dearest, I want to thank you for the kimono, but its much too nice to use. At least I think so. When I opened it, well dear, I knew that you must think of me some time, or you wouldn’t have sent or rather given me such nice things as you have…

Last Thursday night we had a stag party here of 22 men. Some of them were orderly and quite a few were jus the opposite. Some of them pulled their chairs out and cornered us so we couldn’t move either way. I asked one of them if he wanted something, I don’t remember what it was, and this is the answer he gave me ‘What the h-ll do I want that for, I want you honey!’ So, I answered him ‘It’s too darn bad!’ He was plastered so I didn’t pay any attention to him. There were several others that tried to be funny too…

Last night we served a party of 250 people chicken dinner. We didn’t mind it at all, as they were an orderly crowd. It was a Swedish Lodge. All the Johnsons from Morningdale were here and many other people that both Bertha and I knew….

At the party last Wed., they had a colored orchestra and they took 16 pkgs of cigarettes, but the men on the committee when they heard about it, just opened their music cases and there they were. If you could have seen those colored fellows when they found out that the case was empty. They evidently thought that we took them, or told on them because of the dirty looks they gave us…

Best regards for you from all…Yours Ingee”

“Sept 16, 1935

My Dear Ingee,

Being in the mood to write yesterday resulted in a letter that was torn up last night for fear it would drive me mad if I mailed it…We left Frisco on Aug 22^nd & got here the 28^th. Three hours out the sea got so rough and as tough as I am to sea travel, I was really sick…There wasn’t a person on board ship the first day out of Calif that wasn’t sick. All of the cans were full, get it? But all that is over with now. Of all the medical men on board five of us were sent to this depot at Fort Armstrong, truly a wonderful place now that it is changed since I last saw it. You see, I spent at least six months here the first time I was over here. It wasn’t so bad then, but now it’s almost perfect. There are fourteen of us here, seven work in the office and the others here in the warehouse. The warehouse is supposed to be a storage place for all medicine and medical supplies. Every now and then an order comes in and we fill it out. Every now and then we all sweep up the floor. It’s a bad gamble on who does the least work, the office crew or the warehouse men. We have wonderful sleeping quarters and a nice reading or recreation room, nice radio and Victrola, good books and still better easy chairs to relax. We all get up at 6:30 sweep out from under our beds, mop around and dust. After that breakfast. We then have over an hour to lounge around until 8 o’clock when we go to work. Our working hours are from 8 to 11:45 and we are through for the day. An hour’s rest after dinner and then a friend and I go out and have a real strenuous game of tennis. It really is good exercise. After that cool off and then a hot and cold shower. I believe we (I do anyway) work harder during our own time than we do during our regular working hours. After supper I take a walk around this place and then go to the show. If it wasn’t for the show, I wouldn’t know what to do during the evenings. Of course, I could go out and get a black girl and try to enjoy myself, but I couldn’t. After the show I go right to bed. That is how I’ve spent my time here so far with the exception of two nights. I went out with a former girlfriend whom I met here before. She is too pretty, but she’s a Jap. Her brother worked with me over at Luke Field where I was stationed before. But no girl will ever take your place be assure of that…Al

Anthony Bundza, Hawaiian Medical Depot, Fort Armstrong, Honolulu, T. H.”

“Fort Armstrong, Oct 10, 1935

My dear Ingee:

Thanks a lot for your most pathetic letters and your interesting newspapers. I received both yesterday. The next mail boat to leave here for the states will sail on the 18th of this month, so I have plenty of time in which to answer your letters. Nothing has happened around here to write about, with an exception or two. Last night a well-known movie star attended our show. His name is Edward Arnold. His latest picture is ‘Diamond Jim.’ He was treated like a human being and not as one to be molested…Last week a friend and I bought a new sail boat and now instead of playing tennis we shall attempt to be sailor…Today I got into what may be serious trouble. A sentry at the main gate called me a name and I let him have one. Tomorrow it will be brought to my Captain’s attention. It will be up to him whether I get tried, or not. Ever since I’ve left home, I’ve continually have got myself into scrapes. This is the most serious. I didn’t tell you before but while in Panama I paid a fine for resisting a Panamanian copy who tried to pick me up for driving on the wrong side of the road…Ever since I’ve been here, I don’t care what happens. For some reason or other I’m not myself. I don’t talk to any of the fellows here who work and sleep with me. They all don’t know how to take me and I’m glad of that. It leaves me to myself. It’s no use telling you that I will be home soon because I believe I will not. Even if I did go home after my tour of duty here expired, I would only go out somewhere again…I want you to try and forget about me. I’ve told you that so many times and now I mean it. You will think that I am being hard on you. My dear, I can’t help it. You do mean so much to me, but I’m not going to ruin your life as I’m doing mine. It’s in me, I want to visit the waste lands of this earth. There is so much to see and life is so short that everything must be done in a hurry…Aloha to all, Al”

“Sunday Eve., October 13, 1935

Hello Al:

I don’t think Fritz told you I opened his letter you sent him, but I was anxious to hear the news. Thanks for all the cards you sent u. Bertil wanted to know who sent the card with the Hawaiian girl on it, and I told him you did. ‘Is that Al’s new girlfriend?’ he asked. ‘Yes, I guess it is I told him,’ Well her face is dark he said and what has she on her head and around her neck. Isn’t Al coming back to Ingee? Is he going to keep that girl? I told him be better write ask you…

Oh, by the way, you wrote you had a sunburn, you had better get tanned so you’ll look like your new girlfriend. Is it good pickins, or do they all look alike?

Am sending you a clipping from today’s Telegram. You said you only worked 4 hrs. a day. Here’s a chance, you better work fast the other 20 hours a day. I expect there are lots of boys working with you and they’ll all subscribe to one paper or another, so you can get enough dolls for all your ‘China Babies,’ they all looked cute on the card. I wouldn’t care for 14 of them. You had better leave them there and not transport them to this good U.S.A…Edith”

“60 Windsor St, Worcester, Mass, October 13, 1935

Greetings Al,

Very glad to hear from you and will try to write a few lines, but have less to gab about than you have…

Thanks for the picture postals from here and there. If you think a couple of these sundried Susies would keep, ship a couple air mail to that Lady Killer of the Red Top Inn, Eky…

Quite surprised at the collection of China babies you got in your short stay in Frisco. Tell me how you did it. They must come by twos and threes to be so much of an even size. Well congrats anyhow, but you better not bring them back with you…

Well so long until next time, Fritz”

\

      “Nov. 1^st, 1935

      My Dear Ingee:

      Received Len’s envelope this morning with the license renewal blank but what the hell is the matter that he didn’t write me a line or two…

     I really don’t know what to write about, nothing ever happens around here to write about, unless we go out and cause something to happen. Last night sure was hell on some of the boys, having money in their pockets, they all went out, some got good and drunk, while most of the others went to see the girls who charge a good sum for their love. You know the girls I mean. This town certainly is full of them and on the Army and Navy payday their prices go up. So far, they haven’t got a cent of mine, but maybe they all will – soon. No doubt you will feel a little sore at me for telling you that, but it can’t be helped, so that’s that. And now get this straight. I told you that when I come home, I do not intend to live at home, even for all my foolishness with money, I still can save enough. When I get home, I will have enough for a while and if I cannot get work within the time allotted for my reenlistment, three months I will reenlist. You don’t know how sorry I am for leaving Ft. McKinley in Maine. Although work was a little harder up there it certainly was and is a better place than any army post over here. The only real thing over here is the weather and the wonderful scenery. I really don’t know why but I earnestly believe that I will stay in the Army until I’m retired or kicked out…

     By the way, I feel all right, there is nothing wrong with me, but we’ve got to face a few things. My absence for two years will be some thing you may or may not bear, maybe there could be another girl, over here that would cause me to be discharge here. There are so many things that might happen that it isn’t right to be assured of each other. Oh, I love you all right dear, but what’s the use of waiting for me to come home. Why not go out with any fellow that asks you, do anything you want to do, I don’t care what you do. There are times when I feel like being with any women and doing everything, I’m able to do. You’ve got to understand me when I say things like that. A male can stay away from a female just so long as he can, but when he feels that he must have a women’s love, well, he goes after it. Maybe that’s why there are a lot of men in jail because they got what they wanted by force. Please don’t think I’m a damn fool for writing like this. Do you remember that night at Rocky or the night before I left? Maybe I did make a fool out of myself those nights and other nights, but it was in me. What did it get me? An almost certain dislike for myself and for you…All my love, Al”

“Sunday at 10:00 AM Dec. 8^th [1935]

      “My Dear Ingee:

     And once again your old boy friend tired out from this morning’s activities will try to write so that this letter will make the boat tomorrow instead of the 14^th. Just about ten minutes ago my chum and I came back from the docks after watching the arrival of our Vice President Garner. He passed right by us and while he was passing for the newspapermen, we snapped a few pictures ourselves. If they come out you will be sure to get one or two…

      On the level dear, you’re right when you say that it’s about time that I knew that I was wasting time. I’m 25 now and when I come home, I’ll be 27. I have nothing to show for my age, only a few pictures of foreign lands, a wealth of talk about the same places and some other things. But still, I cannot do anything about it because I’m in the army, a place where all have to take what comes along. I also have ambitions, but I’m in the wrong place to realize them…Al”