Soldier News continued - 1945

Sgt. C. Adrian Bush Killed on Iwo Jima

Bainbridge News & Republican, March 22, 1945

 

 

PLT SGT. C. Adrian Bush

 

The frist Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] boy to lose his life in the Pacific Theatre of war was reported during the battle of Iwo Jima, the toughest conflict of Marine history.  Platoon Sergeant Clarence Adrian Bush, 5th Division, U.S. Marines, was killed in action on the fourth day of this epic battle, Feb. 22, his 21st birthday, according to a telegram received last Thursday afternoon by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Bush, from the War Department.

 

Platoon Sergeant bush enlisted in the Marines Dec. 11, 1942, and took his basic training at Parris Island, S.C. where he was awarded the Red Medal for expert rifleman.  He then was transferred to the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Ill, where he took a mechanics course.  Later he was sent to Quantico, Va.  While there he received instruction in Light Artillery, completing this course as high man of his class after which he was promoted to Corporal.  He was then sent to Camp Pendleton, Calif., where the 5th Marine Division was being formed.  While here he served as Acting Sergeant doing various specialized duties.  Upon completion of this assignment, he sailed for overseas where he was promoted to Sergeant, and later to Platoon Sergeant.  Upon the arrival of the Division at their new base in the Pacific, Adrian received further special training in Motor Transport.  from this undisclosed base, the division went directly to Iwo where they distinguished themselves so gallantly.

 

Adrian was born in Binghamton although his parents were living in Cadosia [Delaware Co., NY] at the time.  They moved to Bainbridge in 1928 where Adrian attended Bainbridge High School, graduating with the class of 1940.  He then attended the Sidney Vocational School for Metal Arts for one year, later becoming assistant instructor which position he held until he joined the service.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Mar. 22, 1945]

 

Sgt. Louis Ferguson Awarded Bronze Medal

Bainbridge News & Republican, March 29, 1945

 

Sgt. Louis Ferguson, of the 77th Division in the Philippines, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service on March 6.  He sent the medal, together with his Good Conduct Medal, to his daughter, Roberta Ferguson, South Main street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY]. Sergeant Ferguson took part in the invasion of Guam, as well as the invasion of Leyte. Sgt. Ralph D. Corbin, Cpl. Truman Backus and Pvt. Jack diamond, husband of Marie Lese Diamond, are also members of the 77th Division. 

 

Lt. David Harvey Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, Mar. 8, 1945

 

Lt. David Harvey, bombardier, husband of Dorothy Moyer Harvey, of Meadville, Pa., and a former resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], was killed the fore part of last week in a plane crash about a mile from his base.  A military funeral was held at Tonawanda last week Wednesday.  Just two weeks before the fatal crash, his brother was reported missing in action. 

 

William Smith Promoted

Bainbridge News & Republican, Mar. 22, 1945

 

An Eighth Air Force Fighter Station, England--The promotion of William F. Smith, of Bainbridge, N.Y. [Chenango Co.], from the grade of private to private first class has been announced by Lt. Col. Lucian A. Dade Jr., of Hopkinsville, Ky., commanding officer of the 56th Fighter Group.  Pfc. Smith is an aircraft armorer with his crack P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Group, top-scoring fighter outfit in the Eighth Air Force.  He maintains the .50 caliber machine guns with which the planes are armed.  The 56th, a unit of major General William E. Kepner's Second Air Division, has destroyed 841 German planes--675 in aerial combat and 166 by strafing Hun airdromes.  Before he entered the Army Air Forces, Pfc. Smith was employed by the Borden Company in Bainbridge, N.Y.  His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clair Smith, live at 44 Green Lawn Avenue, Bainbridge.