Local News Items Pertinent to Dec. 7, 1941

Oneonta, Liberty Men Killed in Hawaii

Bainbridge News & Republican, Dec. 18, 1941

 

The war in this area comes close to home with the announcements from the war department of the deaths of soldiers from this section.

 

"The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your father, William W. Merithew, was killed in action in defense of his country at Hickam Field, territory of Hawaii, Dec. 7th."

 

This was the telegram sent to six-year-old William Merithew, Jr., notifying him that his father, a corporal and formerly of Otego [Otsego Co., NY], had been killed in the first battle of America's new war.

 

William, Jr., resides in Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY] with Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Edmunds.  His father was born on a farm near Otego and spent all his life there until he enlisted two years ago last November with Headquarters squadron, 11th bombardment, at Hawaii.  Surviving Corporal Merithew, in addition to his small son, are an aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth Matteson; a cousin, Miss Estella Matteson; another aunt, Mrs Vianna Jacobs; a half-brother, James Fuller, of West Oneonta; and an uncle, Reuben Merithew.

 

Another area casualty reported was Pvt. Clarence E. Hoyt, of Liberty [Sullivan Co., NY], who was stationed at Hickam Field with the Air Corps.  He was killed Sunday. 

 

Danforths Safe After Japanese Attack

Word Received from Those in War Zone
Bainbridge News & Republican, Dec. 18, 1941

 

Cablegrams have been received from Honolulu that Dr. and Mrs. E.P. Danforth and Mr. and Mrs. George Neff, Mrs. Neff the former Miss Dorothy Harman, are safe following the surprise attack on Honolulu by the Japanese Dec. 7.

 

Mrs. Henry Cheesbro, Jr., Pearl street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], has two brothers in the service at Hawaii, one at Pearl Harbor and one at Schofield Field.  the News has no report on them at press time.

 

Pvt. Carlton Kinch, Co. "M" 35th Infantry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clark Kinch, of the Bainbridge-West Bainbridge road, is stationed at Schofield Field, and no report was available at the time of publication.

 

The safety of Lieut. and Mrs. John J. VanderZee, stationed at Hickam Field, has not been verified.  Mrs. VenderZee is a niece of Mrs. H.V. Dunham, of this village.