Pan-Alaska news, Vol. 2, No. 1, February 1, 1944

              Ingrid Bergman Flies North to Entertain
U. S. SIGNAL CORPS PHOTO
Ingrid Bergman Alights from a Plane In Anchorage
From one end of the world to the other, wherever there are fighting fronts, and boys who need to laugh, just as they need food and ammunition, Broadway, Hollywood and Radio send their stars.
Boarding a plane at Boeing Field one morning in December, was Ingrid Bergman, star of the American screen since her first picture in this country, in 1939, when Hollywood lured her away from fame in her native Stockholm for a role opposite the late Leslie Howard, in Intermezzo. With her were four popular radio and screen entertainers. They were bound for Alaska, under the auspices of USO Camp Shows, Inc., to put a little zip into the holiday season for the lads stationed there.
Piloting the plane were Pan American’s Capt. G. W. Ashley, and his co-pilot, Baird Wallace. Said Baird, of the tall, blonde actress, “She was even more attractive than on the screen, and very charming. She had just enough accent to be right.”
The troupe included Nancy Barnes, accordionist, Joan Barton, singer and pianist,
Marvel Andre, dancer, and Neil Hamilton, veteran of show business.
Miss Bergman, on her five-week tour of Alaskan military bases, won the hearts of thousands of servicemen as, graciously, she danced with everyone who asked her-, reenacted scenes from Casablanca and For Whom the Bell Tolls. At Fort Richardson, Christmas Eve, she attended midnight mass at the crowded post chapel, the next day toured the camp in an old-fashioned four-seater sleigh drawn by an army jeep, greeting everyone she met with the Swedish Merry Christmas, “God Jul.”
Her first trip by plane out of the country, Miss Bergman became a member of the Short Snorters, as they flew high over the blue Pacific Ocean. This was at the instigation of Baird Wallace, who considered her initiation into the Club the most subtle way of obtaining her autograph.
“She was a wonderful passenger,” he said, “1*11 take her again, anytime she wants to go—that is, if my wife, Judy, will let me.”
"PETE” GREGOR TAKES OVER MAINTENANCE DUTIES
Today the Alaska Division extends its official words of welcome to PETER GREGOR, as he assumes his duties here as Maintenance Superintendent. The 3-star gold service pin he wears proudly in his lapel, makes him the first 15-year man to work in our Division.
“Pete” Gregor’s career with Pan American has been one of color and rich experience, dating back to January 15, 1929, when he was employed by the Eastern Division at Miami. Since then, his work has carried him over every air-route PA flies her planes, except the Alaskan. “I am eagerly awaiting my first trip up North,” he said, “and my assignment to this Division pleases me greatly.”
This is Gregor’s fourth visit to Seattle, the first three being when the Boeing Clippers were under construction. He made the initial flight in one of these planes to New York, when she was completed. Mr. Gregor assisted in the organization of PA bases at Panama, Argentina, and Brazil, and of the Atlantic Division, where he has been since 1937 as Chief Inspector. “Last year I was home a total of only four months,” he said ruefully, “I spent most of my time in Florida, Africa and Europe.”
His wife and 14-year-old son will remain in the East, until Gregor achieves the impossible—finds a house for them to live in.
The Least We Can Do ...
"All too often throughout the country there has been a tendency to consider the purchase of war bonds less important as the likelihood of victory comes nearer to being a reality. We all have members of our families, friends or fellow employees on the war front, and there is no relaxing for them and there must be none for us either. The least we can do is to purchase war bonds. . ..
"May I also take this opportunity to congratulate you (Alaska Division) on your good showing during 1943 and express the hope you can do even better in 1944."—J. T. Trippe.