Thursday, August 21, 2014

Soldier News continued - 1945

Pfc. Henry Hamlett's Unit Receive Citation
Bainbridge News & Republican, May 17, 1945

With the 100th Division of 7th Army in France:  The 325th Medical Battalion of the 100th Division has been awarded the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque for its superior performance of duty during its service in France.  The battalion, commanded by Lt. Col. E.J. Genetti (601 E. Sellar street) Bessemer, Mich., provided medical care and supplies in the division's fighting in the Vosges Mountains region of the western front, and the bitter struggle for the hinge of the German-held Maginot Line fortress system at Bitche.  In the 100th Division order commending the battalion and its men, the citation read:
 
"By direction of the President...the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque is awarded to the 325th Medical Battalion for superior performance of duty and achievement of a high standard discipline."
 
The 100th (Century) Division, of which the 325th Medical Battalion is a part, was one of the four divisions praised by Lt. Gen. Jacob L. Devers, Sixth Army Group commander, for stopping the German counter-offensive on the Seventh Army front in January, "Your great accomplishments," Gen Devers' commendation read, "forced the enemy to give up the offensive action on your front.  Inflicting great losses to strong elements of three divisions, you have successfully protected an important sector in the Hardt mountains."
 
Pfc. Henry Hamlett, R.D.1, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], is a member of the 325th Battalion and contributed to its winning the Meritorious Service unit Plaque. 
 
Major Richard Forsyth Returns to Civilian Life
Bainbridge News & Republican,  May 24, 1945
 
Springfield, Mass.:  Maj. Richard J. Forsyth, officer in charge of the service department at Springfield Armory, leaves today for Fort Devens and a return to civilian life, at his own request.  He has been stationed at the Armory for more than five years.  Maj. Forsyth, born in Millers Falls, Mass., was valuation engineer for the public service commission of the State of New York at the time he was called to active duty in February, 1940, in the grade of captain.  He was first commissioned in the Ordnance reserve in 1926, and was promoted at the Armory in 1941.  In addition to his principal duty, Major Forsyth also served the Armory as Signal Officer, Post Engineer, Equipment Budget Officer, and Mileage Administrator.  He purchased the Valley House Hotel in South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], in 1944, which his wife has been managing pending his return there to make his permanent home.
 
Pvt. Socrates Nellis Released from German Prison
Bainbridge News & Republican, May 24, 1945
 
Pvt. Socrates Nellis, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Rexford Silvey, R.D.3, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], who has been a prisoner in Germany since last December, has been released by the British and U.S.A., according to an Ex-prisoner of War Card received from Socrates by the Silveys last Friday.  He stated that he would be home soon.  Socrates who was confined to a prison camp near the Baltic Sea, is the first of the four Bainbridge prisoners in Germany to report of release.
 
Mary Gough Promoted to Rank of Major in ANC
Bainbridge News & Republican, May 24, 1945
 
Major Mary Brennan Gough, of Endicott [Broome Co., NY], chief nurse at the Charleston Port of Embarkation Station Hospital, has been promoted from the rank of captain, Brigadier General James T. Duke, Port Commander, announced today.  She is the first Greater Endicott woman to earn that rank.  A graduate of Fifth Avenue Hospital School of Nursing, New York City, in 1931, Major Gough was a private duty nurse until enlisting in the Army Nurse Corps in July, 1942.  She was on duty at the Fort Dix, N.J., Station Hospital, and served in the European Theatre as chief nurse of medical hospital ship platoon prior to her present post here in December, 1943.  Major Gough is authorized to wear the American Theatre and European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre service ribbons.  She was promoted to First lieutenant in May, 1943; and to captain in April, 1944.  The wife of Emile Gough, an executive in Sesac, Inc., New York City, she is the daughter of Joseph Brennan, who now resides with his son, Joseph F. Brennan, Jr., 312 Adams avenue.  Major Gough also has another brother, Pvt. Patrick Brennan, formerly of Endicott, now stationed in Washington, who served in World War I and re-enlisted for this present conflict.  Her nephew, First Lieut. Joseph J. Brennan, son of the Endicott man, is stationed in Europe.--From the Endicott Daily Bulletin, May 19, 1945--Major Gough, originally of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], is a niece of Thomas Collins, West Main street. 
 
Sgt. Louis Ferguson Wounded
Bainbridge News & Republican, May 24, 1945
 
Sgt. Louis Ferguson, infantryman of the 77th Division, was wounded in the right arm and left thigh on May 5, according to word received by his daughter, Roberta Ferguson, from the government.  Sergeant Ferguson, who holds the Bronze Star Medal, was apparently wounded on Okinawa.
 
Pfc. Howard Foster on Furlough
Bainbridge News & Republican, May 24, 1945
 
Pfc. Howard J. Foster, who returned to Camp Upton Convalescent Center, L.I., from a hospital in England less than a month ago, is spending a 15-day furlough here.  Private Foster, who was a member of the 26th Infantry, 1st Division, was wounded twice on Nov. 29, 1944, near Achean.  He was shot in the left shoulder blade and lung by a sniper in the morning of that day and because of the intensity of the German fire the medics were unable to reach him until nearly nightfall during which time he was hit by shrapnel in the left upper arm.  The first medic attempting to rescue him was instantly killed.  Howard than was taken to a field hospital and later flown to England by plane.  During his stay in England he was visited several times by his brother, S/Sgt Victor Foster, who is stationed with the Air Force in England.  Private Foster wears the Purple Heart Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, E.T.O. Ribbon with two battle stars, and the combat Infantryman's Badge.  He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Foster, of Front st6reet [Bainbridge Chenango Co., NY]
 
Sgt. Carl Daniels Killed in Action
Bainbridge News & Republican, May 24, 1945
 
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Daniels, of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], received a telegram from the War Department recently reporting that their son, Sgt. Carl Daniels who had been reported missing in action, had been killed in action August 12.  Sgt. Daniels was on his 11th mission on a Liberator bomber, on which he was a top turret gunner.  He had been in combat only two weeks, having landed in England July 1.  He had taken a refresher course in Iceland for two weeks and started his first mission August 1.  During the few days of combat duty he was the wearer of three Oak Leaf Clusters and had earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Presidential Citation and Air Medal.  Sgt. Carl Daniels was born in Sidney Aug.  9, 1916, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Daniels.  He graduated from Sidney High School in 1934.  He was employed in the Scintilla Magneto plant before entering the service Jan. 15, 1943.  His engagement to Miss Millicent Cresson, of Windsor, had been announced just a year ago.  Surviving are his parents, three brothers and a sister.
 
Pvt. Charles Merton Finch Killed in Action
Bainbridge News & Republican, May 24, 1945
 
Private Charles Merton Finch, of Ivanhoe, Town of Masonville [Delaware Co., NY], was killed in action in Germany on Apr. 14.  The report of his death was received by the family one day last week.  About a week before, a message had been received that he was missing in action on the date mentioned.  Private Finch was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Merton Finch, of Trout Creek, and his life had been spent in that vicinity.  When inducted in July, 1944, he was employed at the Scintilla plant as a tool and experimental room machine operator.  He volunteered for service in June, 1944.  Private Finch received his basic training at Fort McClellan, Ala., and was home on furlough at Christmas time.  Soon after he went overseas he was assigned to a regiment in the 1st Army, which was in the thick of the fighting on the Elbe River.  He was married at Johnson City June 20,  1937, to Miss Beatrice Gifford, of Masonville.  She survives, as do his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Merton Finch, and a sister, Mrs. Daniel Baker, of Trout Creek.  He was 29 years of age.  Charles Finch was a young man of fine character, liked and respected by all who knew him.  Previous to entering the employ of the Scintilla in 1939, he had engaged in general trucking and farming. His death will be mourned.


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