Soldier News continued - 1944

Wilfred Mesic Killed in Action in France

 

First Class Private Wilfred C. Mesic, 22, son of Charles Mesic, Afton [Chenango Co., NY], has given his life in action in France, according to word received by his sister, Mrs. Josephine Griswold, of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], from the War Department.  Reported killed Oct. 1, the infantryman had entered that country from Italy early in August.  In a letter dated three months before his death, he said he was in good health.  The Sidney High School graduate had been in the service since December, 1942, and was assigned overseas last July.  Besides his father and sister, he is survived by a second sister, Mrs. Walter Brown of Tully, and a brother, Carl Mesic, of Plattsburg. [Bainbridge News & Republican, Nov. 2, 1944]

Mrs. Melville Griswold, of Sidney, has received word from the War Department that her brother, Pfc. Wilford C. Mesic of the U.S. Army, was killed in action Oct. 1, in France.  He entered service in December, 1942, and was sent overseas in June of this year.  He was 22 years old and was graduated from the Sidney High School in 1941.  Previous to enlistment he was employed at the Scintilla Magneto Division.  He is survived by his father, Charles Mesic, of Afton; two sisters, the one mentioned with whom he made his home, and Mrs. Walter Brown, of Tully;  also a brother, Clark Mesic, of Plattsburg.  [Bainbridge news & Republican, Nov. 30, 1944]

 

Pvt. Adam E. Bryden Killed in Action, James Ryan Seriously Wounded

Bainbridge News & Republican, November 2, 1944

 

A second Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] boy has made the supreme sacrifice, and another has been seriously wounded in the European Theatre of War, defending the freedom of people throughout the world.  Killed in action in France on Oct. 7 was Pvt. Adam Eugene Bryden, 19, son of Mrs. Shirley Lee, of Front street, according to a telegram received Saturday night from the War Department; Seriously wounded in Germany on Oct. 7, was Capt. James F. Ryan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. Ryan of South Main street, according to a telegram received last Wednesday forenoon, Oct. 25. 

 

Private Bryden left the States on his 19th birthday, July 3, arriving in Italy a few weeks later.  The young infantryman was then sent to southern France, where he became a member of General Patch's 7th Army.  He entered the service in January of this year and received his basic training at Camp Blanding, Fla.  Eugene was born in Deposit [Broome Co.,  NY] on July 3, 1925.  He moved to Bainbridge six years ago, where he attended Bainbridge Central School, and during this time made many friends.  Before entering the service he was employed at the Dry Milk Co.  Survivors, besides is mother, are his wife and infant daughter, Doris Jean, of Afton; and his grandmother, Mrs. Hattie Gladstone, of Hamden.  Arrangements are being made for a memorial service, date to be announced later.

 

The extent of Captain Ryan's wounds are unknown.  However, on Monday, two days before the arrival of the telegram from the War Department, his parents received the following cablegram from him:  "Coming along okay.  Best wishes to all.  Love, James Ryan."  Apparently the young officer thought his parents had already been notified of his injuries by the War Department at the time he sent his wire.  Captain Ryan, of the heavy artillery, is a member of the 30th "Old Hickory" division of sharpshooting Southerners.  For outstanding ability as an officer on the battlefield in Normandy, he was promoted to captain in the fore part of July.  Captain Ryan performed a miraculous feat when he led his battery to safety, without a single casualty, when surround by the enemy.  The young captain, who was member of the Officers' Reserve Corps, was called to active duty Aug. 1, 1941. He had been in England since March prior to the invasion of France.  The many friends of Captain "Jim" and his family are anxiously awaiting word of his speedy recovery. 

 

Letter Received from Capt. James Ryan

Bainbridge News & Republican, November 9, 1944

 

Captain James F. Ryan

 

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. Ryan, of South Main street, received the following letter last Saturday from their son, Captain James F. Ryan, who is confined to a hospital in England as a result of wounds received in battle on Oct. 7, in Germany.

 

Oct. 25, 1944, England

Dearest Mother and Dad,

I hope by now you've received the notification of my being wounded, also my cablegram.  I pray that you haven't been too greatly worried because it could be a lot worse.  I'm feeling in pretty good shape presently and although it looks like quite a long stay in the hospital everything will be o.k. in time.  Now for what details I can give you.  I was hit while in Germany, from there I was evacuated by ambulance and train to Paris then flown here by transport.

 

You may write me ... because I believe I'll be here long enough to hear from you.  Incidentally chances are that I'll be sent to the States for final treatment, so have the welcome mat ready (ha ha).  I'll write air mail as soon as I get the opportunity.  All my love dear Mother and Dad, please don't worry and regards to all.

 

Your loving son, Jim

P.S. You should see the other guy!

 

Memorial Service for Pvt. A. Eugene Bryden

Bainbridge  News & Republican, November 9, 1944

 

A Memorial Service for Pvt. A. Eugene Bryden, son of Mrs. Floyd W. Lee, of Front street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], who was recently killed in action on the Western Front of Europe, will be held next Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock in the local Methodist Church.  This is the first service of its kind to be held in Bainbridge during the present war.  The pastor, the Rev. Harry E. Brooks, will be in charge.  The American Legion Post will attend in a body.  The choir will sing under the direction of Mrs. Charles Arnold.  Donald Loomis will be the soloist. The address of the occasion will be given by the Rev. Ernest C. George, of Otego former pastor of the local Methodist church, who was the officiating minister at the marriage of Eugene Bryden and the former Leta Mae Jones, of Afton.  Private Bryden is survived by his mother, his wife and infant daughter, Doris Jean Bryden.  The public is invited to this service.

 

Ralph Corbin Awarded Combat Badge

Bainbridge News & Republican, November 9, 1944

 

T/4 Ralph D. Corbin, Radio-Operator, son of Mrs. Laura T. Corbin, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], was recently awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge for outstanding service and exemplary conduct against the enemy during the battle of Guam, American possession in the Marianas.  To this soldier it means wading ashore from an outlying reef, digging in mud, climbing mountains and crossing thick, hot jungle to close with the Jap. 

 

At 35 his background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in music.  Corbin was a Band Director at Bainbridge Central School, Bainbridge.  In the Army since March '42 the sarge has served with the 307th CT of the 77th "Statue of Liberty" Division.  This New York Division was seasoned by Louisiana swamps, Arizona and California deserts, amphibious, mountain, and jungle training before its entry into combat.

 

Pfc. Donald Silvernell Missing in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, November 16, 1944

 

Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Silvernell, Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY], received a telegram from the War Department on Saturday stating that their son, Pfc. Donald Silvernell, has been missing in action since Oct. 26.  Early this month the parents were notified that this son was wounded in action Oct. 16.  In a letter Pvt. Silvernell said that he had suffered a shrapnel wound in his cheek and was in the hospital four days, then returned to duty.  Pvt. Silvernell is 20 years old and was with the Seventh Army in France.  Mr. and Mrs. Silvernell have a younger son also in the service.

 

Louis W. Finch Missing in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, November 16, 1944

 

 

S/Sgt. Louis W. Finch

 

Staff Sergeant Louis W. Finch, of Bainbridge R.D.2 [Chenango Co., NY], a top turret gunner on a B-24 Bomber, is reported missing in action in the Italian Theatre of War since Oct. 23, according to word received by his wife, Doris Sherman Finch, from the War Department.

 

Staff Sergeant Finch entered the service on January 29, 1943.  He received his training at Buckley Field Armorer School, Colo., and the Harlingen Gunnery School, Tex.  The young sergeant had participated in major attacks on such strategic targets as the Ploesti Oil refineries, the Herman Goering Tank Works, the Szolnoh Railroad, Hungary, the Szeged Railroad, Hungary, and other important targets in Hungary, Germany, France and Italy.  He had just been awarded the Air Medal and Oak-Leaf Cluster.  After graduation from Deposit Central High School, he was employed as a machinist at the Casein Co., Bainbridge.