Soldier News continued - 1945

Lieut. Donald Patchen Awarded DFC Medal

Bainbridge News & Republican, March 29, 1945

 

 

Lt. Donald J. Patchen

 

First Lieut. Donald J. Patchen, Mustang fighter pilot, who has been a war prisoner in Germany since May 19, 1944, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement and heroism in aerial combat and for the destruction of one enemy plane.  The medal was received here last week by his mother, Mrs. Earle Benedict, who has also received the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, which have been awarded to her son.  The citation follows:

21 February 1945
Dear Mrs. Benedict:

I have the honor to inform you that, by direction of the President, the Distinguished Flying cross has been awarded to your son, First Lieutenant Donald J. Patchen, Air Corps. the citation is as follows:

 

"For extraordinary achievement and heroism in aerial combat and the destruction of one enemy airplane over enemy occupied Continental Europe.  The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieutenant Patchen has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers.  His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

 

Since this award cannot be formally presented to your son at tis time, the decoration will be presented to you.  The Distinguished Flying Cross will be forwarded to the Commanding General, Second Service Command, Governor's Island, New York, who will select an officer to make the presentation.  The officer selected will communicate with you concerning your wishes in the matter. 

 

Sincerely yours, Robert H. Dunlop, Brigadier General, Acting the Adjutant General

 

Last week Mr. and Mrs. Benedict received the following letter from their son, 1st Lieut. Patchen, from a German prison camp:

 

Dear Mom and Dad,

First I want to thank you for the cigarettes.  They came Thanksgiving Day, and that was really great.  As yet I haven't received any other parcels but am hoping I will soon.  My mail has been rather scarce, but a letter now and then helps a lot.  I haven't been writing much for there is nothing to tell you.

 

I'm as well as can be expected, hardly happy, but with so much to look forward to, I know, with a little patience, that my reward shall make up for any sacrifices I have had to make.  Please don't worry, for your son is learning fast how to take care of himself.  I have but one thing to ask of you and that is to be waiting here for me when all this trouble has been settled.  I'm afraid this letter is a bit uncommon for me but perhaps that is why I don't write more of them.  Please, both of you, stay as you are, for there are no others like you anywhere.

Love, Don

 

Corporal Richard Prentice Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, March 22, 1945

 

Mr. and Mrs. George Prentice, of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], have been notified by the War Department that their son, Corporal Richard Prentice, was killed in action in Germany on Feb. 27.  He enlisted in the Army about six years ago and had seen action in North Africa, Italy and France.  His parents, two brothers and four sisters survive.

 

Pfc. Socrates  Nellis is German Prisoner

Bainbridg News & Republican, March 29, 1945

 

Mr. and Mrs. Rexford Silvey, of R.D. 3 Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], received a telegram from the War Department Friday stating that their grandson, Pfc. Socrates Nellis, who had been reported missing in action in Belgium, on Dec. 18, 1944, was a prisoner of war in Germany.  Private First Class Nellis is the fourth Bainbridge boy to be reported as a prisoner in Germany.  Others are S/Sgt, Edward Peckham, aerial Engineer; 1st Lieut. Donald J. Patchen, Mustang pilot; Pfc. Earnest E. Meade, of the Airborne infantry.

 

Doupe Brothers Reunited

Bainbridge News & Republican, April 8, 1945

 

 

Pfc. Edward W. Doupe and his brother, Cpl. Harry M. Doupe, were reunited recently in the Philippines after a separation of more than two and one half years.  They entered the Army in November, 1942, and they never seemed to get back to Binghamton at the same time when they were stationed in the States.  Then they went overseas.  Edward in April, 1943, and Harry the next month.  Edward heard that Harry was stationed on the same island with him in the Philippines; they were serving 20 miles apart.  Edward went looking and finally found his brother.  Edward's wife, is the former Margaret Payne, of Bainbridge, who is living temporarily in Binghamton while she teaches in Vestal.  They have a 19-month-old son, Gary Edward.  Harry's wife resides in Binghamton.

 

Gunnar Wahlberg Promoted to Captain

Bainbridge News & Republican, April 8, 1945

 

First Lieutenant Gunnar Wahlberg, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], of the Army Air Corps, was promoted to Captain last week.  Mrs. Wahlberg, the former Wilburn Holbert, who had been spending the past three weeks with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Holbert, left Sunday evening for Tampa, Fla., where she will join her husband.  Then they will go to Mississippi. 

 

Pvt. Robert J. Callen Wounded

Bainbridge News & Republican, April 8, 1945

 

Pvt. Robert J. Callen, 19, of the U.S. Marine Corps, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Callen, of Afton, has arrived in the states to recuperate from wounds received on Iwo Jima.  He is under treatment in a naval hospital in California for shrapnel wounds of the right arm and back.

 

Pfc. Donald Lockwood Wounded

Bainbridge News & Republican, April 8, 1945

 

Marine Pfc. Donald Lockwood, 21, was wounded by a Jap bullet in action March 10 at Iwo Jima.  In a letter to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lockwood, of Windsor [Broome Co., NY], Private Lockwood told of the casualty and said he was being evacuated and taken to a hospital.

 

Merton Secor Returns from 5 Years in Service

Bainbridge News & Republican, April 8, 1945

 

Corporal Merton W. Secor is returning from 60 months overseas in the Southwest Pacific theater of operations.  He arrived at Camp Dix March 24, and will have an extended furlough at his home in that village, where he will visit his mother, Mrs. Merton D. Secor.