Soldier News continued - 1945

Unit of S-Sgt Victor Foster Commended

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945

1st Base Air Depot, Warrington, England:  V-E day found S/Sgt Victor Foster, of 10 Front street, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on the job, helping to ready more combat planes and equipment for immediate action wherever they might be needed.  S/Sgt Victor Foster, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Foster, 10 Front street, Bainbridge, is one of the crack Air Service Command team who pitched in to back the air assaults that help knock Germany out of the war.

 

Commending their battle-backing efforts, Brigader General Morris Berman.  Commanding General of the Base Air Depot Area, Air Service Commend, declared:  "These soldiers of the Base Air Depot Area have, since their work began, dispatched 415,000 tons of air corps supplies, assembled and modified 12,000 combat planes, and repaired or overhauled more than 30,000 aircraft engines.  "Every soldier, whatever his job, contributed materially to the magnificent, final result, I commend them, and I know that whatever their next task, they will fulfill it with credit to themselves and their country.

 

S/Sgt Foster has been overseas since September, 1943, and joined the army in October, 1942.  He was employed by the Scintilla Magneto Co. Sidney.  He attended Bainbridge Central High, Bainbridge.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945]

 

T/Sgt. Edward L. Peckham Released from Prison

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14 1945

Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Peckham of East Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], were overjoyed to receive the news that their son, T/Sgt. Edward L. Peckham, who was taken prisoner on his first mission over Germany on June 26, 1943, had been released.  He was an aerial gunner on a B-17, stationed in England.  He was reported missing in action on July 5, 1943.  Sgt. Peckham lived with a French family for seven weeks and while on his way to the Spanish border, attempting to escape back to England he was captured.  He was confined to a civilian prison for seven weeks and then moved to an Army Prison Camp.  He was reported a prisoner of war Oct. 31, 1943.  After spending nearly two years in the German Prison Camp B-17, all the allied prisoners were forced to leave the camp on Apr. 8, 1945, when the Russian forces were within 40 miles of the camp, according to a letter received by his parents Saturday morning.  He stated that they were forced to march 200 miles in 18 days and were at the German Austrian border when released by the Americans on May 3.  He arrived home on Thursday night.

  

Donald Quinney Enters Officer Candidate School

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945

 

Donald L. Quinney, husband of Barbara Campbell Quinney, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], has entered the Field Artillery Officer Candidate school at this post.  Upon completion of the 17-week course he will be commissioned as a second lieutenant of field artillery in the Army of the United States.  Candidate Quinney, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold W. Quinney, 50 Grove street, Carbondale, attended Scranton keystone Junior College.  The Field Artillery Officer Candidate course is part of the Field Artillery School where thousands of officers and enlisted men have received training in artillery techniques.  More than 25,000 men have been commissioned as officers following gradation from the Officer Candidate school alone and are now fighting the enemy in all theaters of operation establishing the United States field artillery as "the best in the world."

 

Frank Cole Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945

 

A 9th Air Force Bomber Base in Belgium:  For extra-ordinary achievement in aerial flight against the enemy, over a period of nine months, the Distinguished Flying Cross has been awarded to S/Sgt. Frank W. Cole, of Rockdale, Town of Guilford [Chenango Co.], aerial gunner.  The airman is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ora Fisk, of Rockdale, His wife resides at 53 Willow street, Sidney [Delaware Co., NY].    Praising Sgt. Cole's aerial proficiency as engineer-gunner in a B-26 Marauder of the U.S. 9th Air Force, the citation points out that on one occasion, the Sergeant was responsible for the safe landing of his airplane, after the interior of the bomber had been in flames, which were extinguished by the Rockdale flier.  Sgt. Cole wears the Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters in addition to the D.F.C.  Formerly a machine operator at the Scintilla Magneto Division, Sidney, the Sergeant attended school in Mt. Upton and entered the Army at Binghamton.  He received his gunner's wings at Tyndall Field. Fla., in November, 1942.

Bush Family Receives Letter of Sympathy

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945

Irvin Bush, of R.D.3, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], has received the following letter of sympathy in the loss of his son, Plt./Sgt. Clarence Adrian Bush, USMC, who was killed Feb. 22, 1945, on Iwo Jima, from his commanding officer:

United States Marine Corps Regimental Headquarter and Service Battery
13th Marines, 5th Marine Div.
c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.

Mr. Irvin Bush, R.D.3, Bainbridge, New York

Dear Mr. Bush,
By this time you have heard through official channels of the death of your son, Clarence Adrian, in action on Iwo Jima, but as his commanding officer and fellow Marine, I wish to express to you the deep sympathy which I, and all his comrades, feel for you in your loss.

Clarence's death occurred on the morning of February 22nd while a member of a patrol engaged in cleaning out snipers which were endangering the lives of us all in that area.  He was hit by sniper fire and died instantly without pain.  Clarence was buried with full military honors in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery.  The service was conducted by a chaplain of his faith.  I and many others of his comrades visited his grave and also attended the memorial services which were held for our dead. 

I had been Clarence's Battery Commander for many months and I knew him to be a fine outstanding young man.  His professional ability was demonstrated by his rapid promotion, his loyalty and devotion to duty, by his life which he gave for us and his country.  For him, and for the others we left on Iwo Jima we will always feel the loss of their comradeship and the sorrow for their loved ones.  But the strength which they have given us through their sacrifice will enable us to bring a quicker and more lasting peace.

Please do not feel obligated to answer this letter, but if there is anything I can possibly do for you please let me know.
Sincerely, Hugh B.G. Long