Soldier News -- Continued

Bruce Weeks Returns from Pacific

Bainbridge News & Republican, Apr. 27, 1944

 

 

Bruce M. Weeks, BM 1/C, USN

 

Bruce M. Weeks, BM 1/C, USN, who recently returned from the Pacific Combat area, spent last week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. Ray Weeks. Petty Office Weeks was one of the first boys from Bainbridge to enter the Navy prior to the war, enlisting in December, 1939.

 

Lt. Howard W. Phelps Brings Disabled Bomber to Safety

Binghamton News & Republican, May 11, 1944

 

Sgt. Greg Mangin, the one-time Davis Cup star and national indoor tennis champion from New York, is the oldest gunner in the 15th Air Force bombardment group.  On a recent raid, an ack-ack gun started sending aces up his way.  When Sergeant Mangin recovered consciousness he found the tail turret full of smoke, a large dent in his flak suit, and cracks in his goggles from flak splinters that had penetrated the window of his position.  "Luck was with me, though." he related.  "I had glass splinters in my eyes and couldn't see very well.  Two engines were disabled, but out pilot (Lieutenant Howard W. Phelps, 7 Medford street, Binghamton) got us back safely."  Greg got into the war the hard way. At 35 he was too old to be a pilot, navigator or bombardier.  He finally succeeded in talking his way into aerial gunnery.  Lt. Phelps is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Phelps, former residents of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]. 

 

Richard Edson Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 18, 1944

 

First Class Seaman Richard W. Edson, 18-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Edson, Sr. of Union Center [Broome Co., NY], has been listed killed in action in the Atlantic. 

 

Myron Carl Receives Commission in US Air Corps

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 25, 1944

 

Aviation Cadet Myron L. Carl, son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac L. Carl, Afton [Chenango Co., NY], was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Air Forces May 20 after completing bombardier training at the Carlsbad (New Mexico) Army Air Field.  Lieutenant Carl now becomes one of the Army Air Forces new "triple-threat men"--airmen who have completed instruction in dead-reckoning navigation and aerial gunnery in addition to the regular bombardiering course.  As an officer in the Army Air Forces ready for active duty, his destination is not disclosed.  He is a graduate of Cornell University, Ithaca.  

 

Lt. Donald Patchen is Missing in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 1, 1944

 

 

Lt. Donald J. Patchen

 

Lieut. Donald J. Patchen, Mustang fighter pilot, of Bainbridge [Chenango  Co., NY], son of Mr. and Mrs. Earle V. Benedict, has been reported missing in action over Germany according to a telegram received by his mother from the War Department early Wednesday morning.  The telegram reads:  "The Secretary of War desires one to express his deep regrets that your son, Lieut. Donald J. Patchen, has been missing in action since the 19th of May over Germany.  If further details or other information are received you will be promptly notified.  Dunlop, Acting Adjutant General"

 

Lieut. Patchen, who has been overseas since the early part of the year, was a member of the fighter group commanded by Col Donald J.M. Blakeslee, of Fairport, Ohio, which set new AAF records for the destruction of enemy aircraft during the month of April.  With a claim of 207 victories, 112 on the ground Col. Blakeslee's group broke all previous records for enemy aircraft destroyed during a 30-day period.  This pushed the group's total to above the 500 mark, the highest of any group in the European Theatre of Operations (348 ground--155 Air for 503!).  On Apr. 8 the same group of Mustang pilots accounted for 31 German craft in the air, the most enemy planes ever destroyed on one mission by a fighter outfit operating over Europe. 

 

Lieut. Patchen, a former graduate of Bainbridge Central School, was one of the newest arrivals in this outfit  Besides his numerous raids over German occupied territory, he had participated in escort missions over Berlin.  Lieut. Patchen is the third boy from Bainbridge to be listed as missing in action since the outbreak of the war.  S/Sgt Edward Peckham was the first service man to be listed and was later accounted for as a prisoner of war in Germany.  Leon Mott, S 1/C, who was on the ill-fated destroyer Strong, was the second listed as missing.  All the friends of Donald and his parents anxiously await further news and hope and pray for his safety.