Soldier News - April 1942

44 From Bainbridge Get Draft Induction Call

Bainbridge News & Republican, April 9, 1942

 

Forty-four of Bainbridge's [Chenango Co., NY]young men will be called into the service of their country shortly, according to the latest bulletin on Induction Call No. 24, received from the Local Draft Board No. 445 at Oxford.  Although this may seem like a large number of men selected from this one community, it is to be remembered that these selectees are chosen in accordance to their order numbers.

 

Bainbridge can already claim to its credit at least 65 young local youths who are serving their flag.  Many of this number did not wait to be drafted but enlisted and several of them were in service even before the war began. 

 

In looking over the records of our boys in the service, Bainbridge can well be proud of them, and we can expect the same from all those who will soon be in uniform.  With this latest call revealed, our town is growing steadily aware to the fact that there is a war going on in which we are fighting.

 

Sgt. Fenner on Furlough

Bainbridge News & Republican, Apr. 9, 1942

 

Sgt. Charles Fenner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Fenner, is now spending a 15-day furlough at his home here.  Sgt. Fenner, a graduate of Bainbridge Central High School, Class of '40. enlisted in the United States Air Corps in August of 1940 and was sent to Denver, Cal., where he was attached to the  37th Bombardment Squad at Lowry Field, Hugh Bombardier School, for six months.  He then was transferred to Scott Field, Ill., where he attended radio school and on graduating from the school, immediately became an instructor.  Sgt. Fenner is still stationed at Scott Field and, in addition to his regular duties, is enrolled in the Liberal Arts course at McKendree College. 

 

Local Enlistments

Bainbridge News & Republican, Apr. 16, 1942

 

William Burton, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Burton, of this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], has enlisted in the U.S. Army and will leave for camp the latter part of the months. 

 

Marshall Moore, son of Hiram Moore, of this village, has enlisted in the U.S. Navy and will leave for his station in about 10 days. 

 

Pvt. Jeffers in Air Corps

Bainbridge News & Republican, Apr. 23, 1942

 

The News has received a card from Pvt. Kenneth Jeffers, formerly movie operator at the old Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] Theatre, notifying us that he graduated Apr. 14 from Scott Field, Ill. and is now stationed with the 93rd Bombardment Group, as a first operator on a B-24.  Pvt. Jeffers is located at Barsdale Field, Ill.  Barsdale Field is the world's largest airport, consisting of 22,500 acres and is located outside the city of Shreveport, La.  Kenneth is highly enthused over his new work and comments on the beautiful scenery at the Field.

 

Pvt. Sam Schou on Furlough

Bainbridge News & Republican, Apr. 23, 1942

 

Pvt. Sam Schou, who was on furlough until Sunday, was in Norwich Monday night on his way to Utica to visit his wife and children.  Mr. Schou, former Dairy Farmers' Union leader, had arranged a few speaking dates to oppose the plan of the Dairy Farmers' Union becoming affiliated with the United Mine Workers' Union, but he received a telegram from Camp Lee, Va., ordering him to return immediately as his company was moving. 

 

James Patrick Weir Receives Army Commission

Bainbridge News & Republican, Apr. 23, 1942

 

On Wednesday morning, April 15, 1942, Second Lieut. James Patrick Weir was graduated from the Officers Candidate School for Engineers at Fort Belvoir, Va.  He was temporarily assigned to duty at the engineers Replacement Training Center at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.  Lieut. Weir spent two days at the home of his mother, Mrs. Ruth Weir, in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], before reporting for duty in Missouri on Monday. 

 

Letter Received from Ronald Miller

Bainbridge News & Republican, Apr. 23, 1942

 

Mr. and Mrs. William Miller on the Guilford-Oxford road [Chenango Co., NY] have received a letter from their son, Ronald Miller, who sailed from March Field, Calif., around Jan. 12.  About Feb. 28 they received a cablegram stating he had arrived, but it did not state what destination he had arrived at.  This letter just received gave his address as care of the U.S. Consulate, Karachi, India.  The letter was brief, but stated he was well.  It was a great relief to Mr. and Mrs. Miller to hear this much from their son. 

 

Coach Wheeler in the Army

Bainbridge News & Republican, Apr. 30, 1942

 

Larry Wheeler who has been the coach of the Sherburne High School [Chenango Co., NY] for the past 13 years, has been ordered to Ft. Wright, Washington, where he will have a first lieutenant's rank in the physical education program of the Army. 

 

Howard Phelps Promoted

Bainbridge News & Republican, Apr. 30, 1942

 

Private First Class Howard Phelps has been promoted to the rank of corporal.  Corp. Phelps is stationed at Ft. Dix, N.J.

 

Draftees Accepted

Bainbridge News & Republican, Apr. 30, 1942

 

Of the boys in our village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY] who left Thursday and Friday morning for Selective Service, all were accepted but three. Those that went from Binghamton after their final physical to Fort Niagara, induction center, were Francis Yale, Paul Shelton, Morris Winchell, Frances and Harold Eastwood, J. Alfred Cooper.