Soldier News 1943

Myron L. Carl Gets Call to Service

Bainbridge News & Republican, March 4, 1943

 

Another Bainbridge boy who enlisted in the college reserves has been called to active duty.  Myron L. Carl, son of Mr. and Mrs. I.L. Carl, who enlisted in the Army, college reserves, June 15, 1942, was called to report at Bainbridge, Feb. 26, and left for Atlantic City on that date.

 

He graduated with the Class of 1938 from Bainbridge High School and later entered Cornell University where he was in the final semester of his senior year. While at Cornell he served as instructor in meteorology and since the declaration of war, he has studied subjects related largely to the war effort. 

 

The government has asked that the various colleges grant degrees to seniors who are called at this time.

 

Winfred Michel, 17, Joins Coast Guard

Bainbridge News & Republican, April 29, 1943

 

One of the youngest boys from Bainbridge to enter the Armed Forces is Winfred Michel, 17, only son of Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Michel, of Pearl street.  Winfred, who enlisted in the Coast Guard about two months ago, has been called for active duty and left Tuesday for Cleveland, where he will report Thursday. 

 

The young Coast Guardsman was a senior at Bainbridge Central High School.  While in school, he took part in many school activities.  He was a member of the band for three years, and a member of the Glee Club.  He played baseball and basketball and was a junior fireman.  Winfred has the best wishes of his classmates and friends as he enters the service of the U.S.A.

 

Charles Mott Joins Navy

Bainbridge News & Republican, April 29, 1943

 

Charles Robert Mott, local high school student and the son of Mrs. Ralph Mott and the late Mr. Mott, enlisted in the U.S. Navy, Monday and was accepted and sent directly to a training station.  Charles is a younger brother of Leon Mott, F 1/C, U.S. Navy, who is serving with the Pacific fleet. 

 

Former Resident Plane Crash Victim

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 13, 1943

 

 Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Jeffers, a former projectionist at the Town Hall Theatre, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], was one of the 14 killed May 3, in a plane crash in Iceland in which Lt. General Frank M Andrews, commanding general of Army troops in the European theatre lost his life.  Sgt. Jeffers who was an aerial gunner. was recently decorated for meritorious service in North Africa.  He enlisted in September 1940 at Oneonta, and following his basic training at Jefferson barracks, Mo., he was assigned to the Air Force.  Last Fall he was sent to England and later to North Africa. 

 

Sgt. Jeffers was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Allan Jeffers of Oriskany Falls, and he came to Bainbridge with Mr. and Mrs. Donald Mullen when they opened the Town Hall Theatre.

 

There was one survivor of the crash, Staff Sgt. George A. Eisel, of Columbus, Ohio, who was injured but not seriously.  Giving the first detailed report of the plane crash he stated the craft hit a mountain.   It was believed all died.  Poor visibility is believed [to have ] caused the crash. 

 

P.F.C. Earl Clark Is Injured in Africa

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 20, 1943

 

P.F.C. Earl D. Clark, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Clark, of North Main street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], who is serving with the fighting forces in Tunisia, has been wounded, but not seriously, according to a letter received by his parents written Apr. 26.  Earl was hit by shrapnel on the left side of his head during the terrific struggle with the Germans and Italians on Apr. 21. 

 

P.F.C. Clark enlisted in the regular Army on Sept. 19, 1940 and was stationed at Fort Wadsworth and Fort Devens, Mass., during his stay in the States.  On Aug. 5, 1942, he landed in Scotland where he remained until the troops left the British Isles for the Invasion of North Africa.  Earl, and another Bainbridge boy, P.F.C. Harry Mulwane, were with the invasion forces, and Harry was reported missing for several days but later was accounted for. 

 

In the envelope of Earl's letter was a goodly amount of sand from the African desert.  His letter follows in part:  "I received your letter the other day and was very glad to hear from you.  I got wounded the 21st of April.  I was hit on the left side of the head by shrapnel.  It was not serious.  I did not have to go to the hospital.  I am still with my company and my head is coming along very good.  The going here is tough.  They are putting up a stiff fight."

 

Jean Slocum to Conduct Red Cross Work Overseas

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 20, 1943

 

Miss Jean Slocum teacher of physical education in the Bainbridge Central High School for the past three years, will enter the Red Cross organization as assistant program director about the middle of June.  Her new appointment will take her overseas where she will work in a camp among able-bodied men who are anticipating front line service.  Miss Slocum will go to Washington, D.C., for a brief training and indoctrination period.

 

Miss Slocum will be the third member of her family to enter the war service.  Her sister, Lt. Anne Slocum, is a nurse serving in England, and her brother, Pvt. Allan Slocum, is at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. 

 

Miss Slocum has served as the staff of girls summer camps for seven or eight years, being in charge of swimming, life saving and water front work.  She will be replaced at the school by Miss Lurlene Gilbert of Ithaca College, a sister of Mrs. Emil Best.