Soldier News, December 1942

Bainbridge Soldier Serving in Africa

Bainbridge News & Republican, Dec. 3, 1942

 

Mr. and Mrs. Earl Clark received a letter Saturday afternoon, from their son, P.F.C. Earl D. Clark, Jr., stating that he is safe and well and in North Africa with the A.E.F. which recently invaded that territory, opening a second front and breaking the enemy's plan to secure military control of North Africa and using it as their base to launch an attack against the continental United States.

 

Previous word from their son had informed the Clarks that on being shipped from this country, he had been stationed in England and Scotland.

 

Saturday's letter stated that Earl found everything very strange and the people hard to understand.  The days are very hot and the nights are very cold.  Earl enjoys his work with Uncle Sam but his poignant phrase reveals his inner thoughts, "One thing is certain, I'm a long way from home."

 

Earl is the first Bainbridge boy we are aware of who has landed in North Africa with the historic invasion troops. 

 

Service Men, Wives, Parents to Be Guests

Bainbridge News & Republican, Dec. 3, 11942

 

All Presbyterian service men at home on furlough and all wives and parents of service men will be special guests at the morning service next Sunday at the Presbyterian Church.  A special service is being planned by the Rev. Paul L. Carpenter, and a Service Honor Roll containing the names of the 24 Presbyterian men in the armed forces will be presented.  The day will be observed as War-Time Service Sunday.  Pledges and contributions to the Presbyterian War-Time Service Fund will be received and dedicated. This is part of the nationwide campaign of the Presbyterian Church to raise $1,000000 to meet the extraordinary demands for Christian service on behalf of our soldiers and sailors, defense workers, and victims of war abroad.

 

Presbyterian men now serving in the armed forces include:

LaVere E. Wallace

Alvin W. Hayes,

Donald K. Wheat

Walter J. Roider, Jr.

Edward G. Pixley

Paul Doolittle

George Arakelian

Corwin Marble

Robert C. Bouck

F. Winsor Casey

Richard Parsons

Rolland Peckham

Bruce Hill

Lee Neish

Frederick Neidlinger

Edgar Hayes

Earl Neidlinger

Dr. Ben L. Dodge

Paul Sherman

Roswell S. Monroe

Richard Doolittle

Donald Patchin

Ted Searles

C. William Butler

 

Leo I. Terry enlists in the Marines

Bainbridge News & Republican, Dec. 10, 1942

 

Leo I. Terry, of 60 S. Main street, Bainbridge, enlisted recently in the swelling ranks of the United States Marine Corps at Syracuse.  He was sworn into the Leathernecks by Major Harold Colvocoresses, USMC (Ret'd), officer in charge of the Central New York Recruiting District.

 

The Bainbridge youth left last Saturday for training, and is now undergoing six weeks of comprehensive military instruction at Parris Island, S.C., the Marine's eastern training station.  His training will include firing of many modern weapons, use of the bayonet, and fundamentals of combat.

 

Upon completion of his "boot camp" training, he will be assigned to one of the many branches of the Marine Corps according to his individual abilities and preference.

 

Leo, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Terry, of this village, attended Bainbridge Central High School, and was formerly employed in the local Fader's Restaurant. 

 

The best of luck is wished for Leo.

 

Renwick Ned Parsons Joins the Marines

Bainbridge News & Republican, Dec. 10, 1942

 

Renwick Ned Parsons, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Parsons, of this village, has enlisted in the Marines, and now awaits his final examination.

 

"Ren" enlisted in the Marine Corps at the same time young Leo Terry did, but was temporarily deferred until he had a tooth problem corrected. 

 

Born in Bainbridge, "Ren" has lived here all his life and attended B.CH.S., leaving a few weeks ago to enlist.  While in school, he played football, baseball, basketball, participated in track meets, playing in the band and was a member of the Press Club.

 

"Ren" has a brother, Robert, who enlisted in the Navy and left Tuesday.

 

Best of luck, Ren! You will be Bainbridge's fourth Marine!

 

 

Unadilla Marine is Killed in action

Bainbridge News & Republican, Dec. 10, 1942

 

A Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY] boy, Cpl. Donald Gross, of the U.S. Marine Corps., has been killed in action, according to word received by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Orra Gross, last week Wednesday.

 

The young Marine was graduated from the Unadilla Central High School with the Class of 1937 and the year previous he was judged state winner for the 4-H Club as being the healthiest boy for the state and went to Chicago Ill., to compete in the national contest.

 

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Nov. 3, 1939 and was stationed at various camps in this country until he was sent to foreign service about eight months ago.