Monday, August 18, 2014

Soldier News continued - 1945

Emerson Dedrick Missing in Action
Bainbridge News & Republican, May 3, 1945
 
 
 
Major E.H. Dedrick, USMC
 
Marine Major Emerson H. Dedrick, 26, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Dedrick, of South Side, Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY], is reported missing in action in the Pacific.  A native of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Major Dedrick was serving with a Corsair fighting squadron.
 
Pfc. Roland Pratt Veteran of Sixth Army Group
Bainbridge News & Republican,  May 10, 1945
 
6th Army Group, Germany--Veteran doughboys of the 142nd Infantry Regiment, experiencing some of their hardest combat in more than 350 days of battle, recently broke through the Moder Line at Oberhoffen, captured Wissembourg, and slashed their way through strong Siegfried Line defenses.  These 36th Division Infantrymen, among the most battle-weathered troops in General Jacol L Devers' 6th Army Group, fought for three days against completely-manned Siegfried defenses but smashed through to get in on the kill of two German armies in the Saar Basin.  they observed their second anniversary overseas by boosting their total of Germans captured to 10,000.
 
Commanded by Col. George E. Lynch, of Orlando, Fla., the men of the 142nd achieved a spectacular record in Italy and France where they stormed strongly defended beaches, waged difficult mountain warfare, and effected rapid thrusts deep into enemy territory.  Rugged fighting in Italy saw them among first Americans to battle on European soil when they waded ashore at Salerno.  They took the treacherous heights of Mount Maggiore and on Mount Castellone beat off a force of 1,000 Germans with 400 men. Playing a key part in one of the most brilliant maneuvers of the war, they infiltrated enemy lines two miles to take heights overlooking Velletri, opened the gates to Rome, and became the first unit to pass through the capital city. 
 
From the beaches of Southern France, these doughfeet sped north and smashed remnants of the German 19th Army trying to break out at Montelimar.  First to pass through Lyon, they captured Remirement, historic Koenigsburg Castle, St. Marie Pass and Selestat.
 
Members of the regiment include:  Pfc. Roland C. Pratt, 47 Pearl street, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]
 
Earl Clark Jr. Awarded Medal
Bainbridge News & Republican, April 19, 1945
 
 
Pfc. Earl Clark, Jr.
 
Pfc. Earl D. Clark, Jr., of the 1st Div., 1st Army in Germany, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl D. Clark, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious achievement the latter part of March.  Private Frist Class Clark was in the regular Army prior to our entry into the war, and he has served in North Africa, Italy, and also took part in the invasion of Normandy. 
 
Strasnicsak & Branham Accepted in Navy
Bainbridge News & Republican, April 19, 1945
 
Two more local 17-year-olds have been accepted in the Navy. They are Frank Strasnicsak, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harman Strasnicsak, and William Branham, son of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Branham.
 
Cpl. Frederick Gunther Part of Unit Receiving Award
Bainbridge News & Republican, April 19, 1945
 
Seventh Medical Deport Company, with the Seventh Army in France - The unit of which Cpl. Frederick Gunther, of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], is a member, was recently awarded the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque in an appropriate ceremony "somewhere in France."  The citation stated in part:
 
"The 7th Medical Depot Company is awarded the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque for superior performance of duty in the accomplishment of exceptionally difficult tasks in Southern France.  Following the landing in Southern France, personnel of the 7th Medical Deport company established beach medical supply dumps in forward areas where such supplies would be readily available for issue to combat troops."
 
Lt. Col. A.J.D. Guenther, Commanding Officer of the unit, praised the work of the men, and commended their efforts which had earned official recognition.  The 7th Medical Depot Company has served in Africa, Sicily, Italy and France; and has retained a high percentage of its original membership who formed the company at Fort Sam Houston, Tex. 
 
Pfc. Leonard Cone Returns to States
Bainbridge News & Republican, May 3, 1945
 
Pfc. Leonard G. Cone, son of Mrs. Ida M. Cone, of Brackett Lake, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], and husband of Mrs. Cecile Cone, of 152 9th street, Leominster, Mass., is stationed at the A.G. & S.F. Redistribution Station, Camp Butner, S.C., and is now assigned to a processing company No. 2.  Private Cone was recently returned after 32 months overseas in the European theatre of operations where he served as a machine gunner. He holds the Purple Heart medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Good Conduct Medal, European ribbon with six battle stars, American defense ribbon with one star, and the American Theatre Ribbon.
 
Pfc. John Bruce Killed in Action
Bainbridge News & Republican, May 10, 1945
 
The 43rd Oneontan to die in World War II, is Pfc. John F. Bruce, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bruce.  He was killed in action on Luzon Apr. 17, the War Department revealed in a telegram to his parents.  Pfc. Bruce was wounded in the Philippines Feb. 8 and had been back on duty three weeks when he was killed.  He enlisted in the Army Oct. 18, 1942 trained at Camp Roberts, and was sent overseas from there.  He had been 22 months in the Philippines.
 
Pvt. Joseph Salamacha Missing in Action
Bainbridge News & Republican, May 10, 1945
 
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Salamacha, of Unadilla Forks, have received a telegram from the War Department stating that their son, Pvt. Joseph Salamacha, is reported missing in action in Germany since Apr. 13.  Private Salamacha enlisted and entered the service Oct. 11, 1944, and was in the 80th Infantry division under General Patton.  He was born in Burlington [Otsego Co., NY], 18 years ago and went to Unadilla Forks [Otsego Co., NY] to live with his parents about four years ago.  Since entering the service, he had spent one short furlough with his parents.
 
Alfred Corgan Missing in Action
Bainbridge News & Republican, May 10, 1945
 
Pfc. Alfred C. Corgan has been reported missing in action in Germany, according to word received by his father, Anson Corgan of Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY].  In a War Department telegram received Thursday, Mr. Corgan was informed that his son has been missing since Apr. 12.  He was serving with the 101st "Screaming Eagles" Paratrooper Infantry.  Inducted form Walton Feb. 11, 1944, he was assigned overseas Dec. 1.  His wife resides in Poughkeepsie. 
 
Lt. Mary Lou (Cornell) Lewis in Prison Camp
Bainbridge News & Republican, May 10, 1945
 
Friends of Lt. Mary Lou (Cornell) Lewis, a former teacher of physical education at Hancock Central School [Delaware Co., NY], have received word that she left California last July for an overseas destination.  In a recent letter she write about prison walls and window bars and her cell.  Her husband is somewhere in the North Atlantic with a destroyer escort.  Mrs. Lewis is now in the Philippines in what is thought to be a liberated camp.
 
Pfc. John Moffat Killed in Action
Bainbridge News & Republican, May 10, 1945
 
Mrs. Pauline Church Moffat, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], has received word from the War Department that her husband, Pfc. John B. Moffat, 31, was killed in action in Germany Apr. 17.  Private Moffat also leaves a nine-month-old son, John Edward.  He had been overseas since January serving with General Patton's army.
 

 
 
 
 
 



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