Soldier News continued - 1945

Private Ralph Terry Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, Mar. 1, 1945

The seventh Bainbridge boy has paid the supreme sacrifice for his country;  killed in action in Germany on Feb. 9, was Private First Class Ralph R. Terry, 33, son of Mrs. Frances Proutey, of R.D.1, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], according to a telegram received from the War Department Saturday afternoon.

Private Terry entered the service in February, 1942, where he was assigned to the coast artillery.  About a year ago, he was re-assigned to the infantry in which unit he was serving at the time of his death.  After completing his training at Camp Gordon, Ga., he went overseas in January, 1945.

Born Feb. 20, 1911 in Bainbridge, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Terry.  Before entering the service he was employed by Frank Lewis & Sons.  Besides his mother, he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Egbert Riley, of North Sanford; two brothers, Pfc. Earl Terry, who has been reported missing in France since June 19, 1944, and Wayne Terry, of Bennettsville; two half-sisters, Mrs. Elwood Gregory, of Vallonia Springs, and Mrs. Douglas Bailey, of Bainbridge; and two half-brothers, Charles and Fred Proutey. 

 

Cpl. Paul Risedorph Serving with Hospital

Bianbridge News & Republican, March 1, 1945

 

 

Cpl. Paul Risedorph

 

Cpl. Paul Risedorph, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Risedorph, is serving with the 35th Evacuation Hospital in Luxembourg.  He has supported three major campaigns for which he wears three bronze campaign stars.

 

Ensign Guy Leonard Awarded Navy Wings

Bainbridge News & Republican, March 8, 1945

 

Ensign Guy Leonard

 

Ensign Guy Leonard who graduated recently from the Naval Flight School, Pensacola, Fla., is now receiving advanced training at Lauderdale, Fla.

 

Pvt. Kimbal Thomson One of Nine Alive

Bainbridge News & Republican, March 15, 1945

 

 

Kimbal Thomson

 

Private Kimbal Thomson is with his wife and family at their home on East street, Walton [Delaware Co., NY], says the Reporter, while he has a furlough from Tilton General hospital at Fort Dix, N.J.  He is recuperating from wounds received in action in France Sept. 24, 1944.  His left leg is in a cast and will remain so for a time to give nature a chance to rebuild the bone splintered by a machine gun bullet.  It is possible that bone grafting may be necessary, but the army doctors believe the injury will heal of itself.  A machine gun bullet broke the bone in his right leg between t he knee and ankle, but this was a clean break and is doing nicely, although Private Thomson wears a brace on the member. 

 

On Sept. 7, on Patton's swing across France, Private Thomson had been injured when hit by three fragments of a mortar shell, but was out of the lines only four days.  This was at St. Argentine in France. 

 

On Sept. 24, 1944, his company had taken a small village in the Metz-Nancy sector from the Germans.  the men were tired out, but volunteers were sought to go and take a nearby hill where German machine guns were located.  Twenty-six men, including Thomson, volunteered.  They found that German strength had been underestimated and after the American boys had gone into the dense woods the Germans let them have it with the hidden machine guns.  Only nine of the 26 came back alive; three of them unhurt.

 

Private Thomson lay wounded for five and a half hours before the men of L company, 318th Infantry, stormed the woods in force and drove out the Germans.  Thomson was given first aid by the medics and carried back of the lines to the main hospital tent some 15 miles to the rear.  He was operated on and later was flown to England.  He was returned to the states later, arriving in New York on Jan. 3.

 

Private Thomson speaks very highly of the army medics and doctors.  He is to report back on March 26.  The only Walton boy he saw after boarding ship for overseas with Hugh Bodiot.  He has the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Good Conduct Ribbon and the European Theatre of Operations Ribbon with Bronze Star.

 

Cpl. Henry Soules Missing in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, March 22, 1945

 

 

Cpl. Henry Soules

 

Cpl. Henry Soules, infantryman with the First Army, has been missing in action in Germany since March 1, 1945, according to a telegram received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Soules, Sunday morning from the War Department.  Corporal Soules received his training at North Camp Hood, Texas; Camp Carson, Colo.; and Fort Jackson, S.C., before leaving the States for overseas the latter part of November, 1944.

 

Nazi Prisoners Give $3,800 to Red Cross

Bainbridge News & Republican, March 15, 1945

 

Camp Campbell, Ky., March 12--One German prisoner of war at Camp Campbell, Ky., asked to contribute to the Red Cross.  The matter was referred to the War Department in Washington, which gave an official O.K.  Other prisoners soon followed the precedent set by the one prisoner, and contributions poured in for a total of $3,800.  Each prisoner had given from savings from the daily 80 cents earned by those who are employed.