Soldier News Continued - 1944

Pfc. Earl A. Terry Missing in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 31, 1944

 

Pfc. Earl A. Terry

 

Mrs. Frances Prouty, of Bennettsville [Chenango Co., NY], received a telegram from the War Department Aug. 3, stating that her son, Pfc. Earl A. Terry, was missing in action in France.  Pfc. Terry was a member of the ninth Infantry.  He entered the service in February, 1940, and received his training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Camp Bullis, Texas, Leesville, La., and Camp McCoy. Wis., and he went overseas Sept. 21, 1943. 

 

Meehan Family Casualties

Bianbridge News & Republican, Aug. 31, 1944

 

Sgt. William Meehan, of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], has been reported missing in action.  He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Meehan, of Delhi, who have had two other sons on the casualty list.  T/5 Lawrence T Meehan, of Sidney, was wounded in action and is in the Rhoads Veteran Hospital at Utica, where his condition is reported good.  The other son, Clarence Meehan, of the Navy, lost his life in a ship explosion off the coast of North Carolina in 1942.

 

Pfc. George Moran Injured in France

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 31, 1944

 

Pfc. George H. Moran, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Moran, 80 Mary street, Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], formerly of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], has been slightly wounded in the invasion of southern France, according to word received by his parents from the War Department.  An infantryman, Pvt. Moran was wounded Aug. 7, shortly after the invasion began.  He had been overseas since late last year and in the service since March, 1942.  Nature of his wounds was not learned.  He is a former student of Bainbridge Central High School and a former employee of the Dry Milk Co., in Bainbridge.  Private Moran has a brother, S/Sgt. James Moran, who was stationed in England when word was last received from him. 

 

Maynard Wentworth Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, September 7, 1944

 

"Killed in action" was the message received by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Daugherty, early Saturday morning, stating that their son, Staff Sgt. Maynard Wentworth, was killed in action, somewhere in France, on Aug. 12.

 

For the second time the grim reality of the bitterness of war, has struck home to another Guilford family, and to the community.  Only a brief time before Sgt. Wentworth went across he enjoyed a brief furlough home, little realizing this was the last time.  Sgt. Wentworth was 25 years old, a graduate of Guilford Central School.  Since entering the service he has been stationed on the west coast, until he went across.  At that time he was at Fort Meade, Md.  He was in the Anti-tank division.  He was one of our most popular Guilford boys, prominent in athletics when he was in school.  Surviving are the parents, and a sister, Mrs. Alma Brown, of Johnson City.  To the bereaved family we can only extend our heartfelt sympathy.  Words are inadequate at such a time to express our true feelings.

 

Letter from 1st Lieut. Patchen

Bainbridge Republican, September 7, 1944

 

Mr. and Mrs. Earle V. Benedict, of R.D.3, Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], received their first letter Tuesday morning from their son, 1st Lieut. Donald J. Patchen, who has been a war prisoner in Germany since May 19, 1944.  the letter follows:

 

May 31, 1944

Dear Mom and Dad,

Hope you've received my post card by the time you get this.  I'm quite all right and starting to get a nice suntan.  Of course, it isn't like home but it could be a lot worse.  Am getting plenty of rest and the food is good but not any too plentiful.  The biggest share of it is sent to us by the Red Cross and also our clothes. Right now the weather is beautiful so we don't worry about getting our clothes dirty, for we wear just shoes, socks and shorts.  We do our own washing and also cooking.  Should make some girl a nice wife after this is over. 

 

I can receive as many letters as anyone cares to write me, but I can only write three of these letters and four post cards a month.  I can also receive only one clothing and food parcel and two tobacco parcels every two months.  It will take letters about three months to get to me.  Food is about the most important thing but I expect the Red Cross can tell you all about it.

 

Please don't worry about me       for I'm quite all right.  Wil write all my letters to you.  Say hello to everyone for me.   Love, Don

 

1st Lt. Charles Blust Seriously Wounded

Bainbridge News & Republican, September 7, 1944

 

Mrs. Henry Cheesbro, Jr., received a telegram Monday morning of last week stating that her brother, 1st Lieut. Charles Blust, of the Tank Destroyers, had been seriously wounded in France.  Later in the week, Miss Jean Blust, a sister who is residing with Mrs. Cheesbro, received a letter written Aug. 25 from Lieut. Blust stating that he had been hit in the hip and stomach with shrapnel on Aug. 13, and that he had undergone an operation on his stomach in a hospital in England, and was now out of danger.  He said that he expected to see them in the near future.  1st Lieut. Blust, who has been in the Army for nine years, was stationed in Hawaii at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and shortly after returned to the States where he attended Officers' candidate School at Fort Sill, Okla.  He went overseas around Christmas time and had been stationed in England previous to the invasion of France.