Soldier News continued - 1945

Pvt. Kimbal Thomson Shot in Both Legs

Bainbridge News & Republican, January 11, 1945

Private Kimball Thomson, of Walton [Delaware Co., NY], who has been wounded twice in action in France and hospitalized in England since Sept. 24, suffering from machine gun wounds and with both legs broken, is back in the United States.  On Sept. 7, Private Thomson was wounded about the head and face by shrapnel, but was back with his outfit in three days.  He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Oak Leaf Cluster.  Private Thomson is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Thomson, of Sanford [Broome Co., NY].   He was employed by the Camp  Milling Co., of Walton, before induction in the Army and received his basic training at Camp Blanding, Fla.  He has been in France with Co. K, 318th Infantry.  After being  wounded the last time he was flown to England, where he underwent an operation on Sept. 28.  He has both legs in casts and is in the Holleran Hospital, New York City. 

 

Lawrence Darlin Promoted to Sergeant

Bainbridge News & Republican, January 11, 1945

 

An 8th Air Force Bomber Station, England:  Lawrence E. Darlin, son of Mrs. Frances P. Darlin, 12 Pearl street, Bainbridge, has been promoted from corporal to sergeant, it was announced by Lt. Col. Robert W. Fish, commanding officer of this base.  Working in the headquarters of the heavy bombardment group operating from this base, Sgt. Darlin is charged with the responsibility of taking care of all the records of the men in his squadron.  Their service records, pay rolls and furlough applications all pass through his hands for entries and notations.  A graduate of Oneonta High School, Sgt. Darlin was employed by Borden's Casein Co. of America at their chemical testing laboratory at Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] before he entered the Army in October, 1942.  His wife, Mrs. Beatrice Irene Darlin, lives at Wells Bridge [Otsego Co., NY]. 

 

Donald Patchen Member of Famous Fighter Group

Bainbridge News & Republican, January 18, 1945

 

 

Pictured above are:  1st Lieut. Donald J. Patchen, seated second from the left:  standing at right is Col. Don J.M. Blakeslee

 

1st Lieut. Donald J. Patchen, Mustang fighter pilot of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], son of Mr. and Mrs. Earle V. Benedict, who has been a prisoner in Germany since May 19, 1944, was a member of the famous 336th Fighter Group of the Army Air Force.

 

The 336th Fighter Group of P-51 Mustangs is a part of the 8th A.A.F. commanded by Col. Don J.M. Blakeslee, of Fairport Harbor, Ohio.  The leader is Lt. Col. James A. Clark, Jr., of Westbury, L.I.  This squadron was formed by the transfer of three Eagle Squadrons from the R.A.F. to the A.A.F.  These were three squadrons of American pilots who had been flying for the English.  They were joined by other fighter pilots form America, one of whom was 1st Lieut. Donald J. Patchen.

 

During March, 1944, Col. Blakeslee established an 8th A.A.F. record in the E.T.O. by destroying 158 enemy aircraft, probably eight more and damaging 52.  This was the largest number of enemy craft destroyed by one group in one month.  By April 1 the score reached the 300 mark.  On April 10 the Blakeslee group broke all records in the E.T.O. boosting the score of kills to 403 in a strafing mission over France.  This day brought the group a triple-tiered crown for having the highest scoring group, the No. 1 Ace, Capt. Don Gentile, and the record of 31 kills in a single mission.  By April 29, this Fighter Group had destroyed 348 enemy aircraft in the air and 155 on the ground.  This total of more than 500 destroyed made them the first U.S. group in the European Theatre to achieve such a record.

 

These operations had taken "the Birdmen" over Poland, Czechoslovakia, Paris, Berlin, over Hitler's beer hall shrine in Munich near Switzerland, the Pyrenees, and the tulip fields of Holland.

 

Lt. Burnard Page Safe in China

Bainbridge News & Republican, January 18, 1945

 

Following weeks of anxiety, the Erford Page family, of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], have received definite information that their son, Lt. Burnard Page, is safe somewhere in China.  Word had been received that he was missing in action, Nov. 11.  He was on a bombing mission with one of America's largest bombers when the plane was apparently forced down.  Mrs. Page has received a letter from the wife of one of the pilots, stating the crew was safe among Chinese guerillas.  Word had been relayed from the radio technician, a member of the crew, thence to the pilot, who in some way was able to send word to his wife, it is understood.

 

Earl Emeott Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, January 18, 1945

 

Fred Gerow received a telegram Monday stating that his nephew, Pfc. Earl Emeott, 23, father of two children, had been killed in action Dec. 23 with the 318th Infantry in Luxemburg.  Private First Class Emeott entered the service in June of 1944 and arrived overseas the latter part of October.  Another brother, Pfc. Fred Emeott, 19 was killed in February in Italy.  They are sons of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Emeott, of Saginaw, Mich.  Mrs. Emeott is Mr. Gerow's youngest sister.

 

Burton Inglis Seriously Hurt in Navy

Bainbridge News & Republican, January 18, 1945

 

Lieut. (j.g.) Burton F. Inglis, USNR, husband of Georgina Selzer Inglis, mathematics instructor of Bainbridge Central High School, was seriously injured Tuesday afternoon of last week as a result of an accident while on a shake down cruise in the Atlantic.  Lieutenant Inglis was rushed to the Naval Hospital at Annapolis where it was found that the bone over his right eye was shattered, right cheek bone shattered, a severe gash over right eye, a compound fracture of both bones of his right arm, top of his right ear was torn off, also flesh in back of ear, where it was necessary to do plastic surgery, a dislocated right hip, and multiple bruises about his neck and shoulders.  He expects to be confined to the hospital for at least three months.  Mrs. Inglis went to Annapolis Wednesday night and stayed with her husband until Sunday.

 

Margaret Davy Leaves for Active Duty

Bainbridge News & Republican, January 18, 1945

 

Margaret Mertz Davy, who enlisted in the WAC in October, was called to active duty Wednesday and will take her basic training at Camp Oglethorpe, Ga.  Pvt. Davy's husband, S/Sgt. Warren B. Davy, United States Marines, returned from the Pacific area recently after spending 22 months with the combat forces.  He is now stationed in Florida.