Anthony and Charles Umsted Reported Missing in Action
Bainbridge News & Republican, January 18, 1945
Two soldiers from the Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY] area have been reported missing in action, according to word received from the War Department Friday. They are: Pfc. Anthony C. Drago, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Drago, and Pvt. Charles Umsted, son of Mrs. Charlotte Umsted and the late Dr. C.V. Umsted, of Worcester.
Henry MacDonald Killed in Action
Bainbridge News & Republican, January 18, 1945
Sergeant Henry J. MacDonald, formerly of Hamden [Delaware Co., NY], was killed in action in Germany on Oct. 8, the War Department recently informed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James W. MacDonald, now living at Long Eddy. He was a veteran of many years of service in the Army and had been through the North African campaign, the invasion of Sicily in 1943 and the invasion of Normandy in June, 1944, with the First Division. Sergeant MacDonald had been in the Army about 14 years.
Mrs. Charles H. Eldred has received the following information concerning her nephew, Maj. John G. Hughes, who is quite well known in this area:
With the 4th Armored Division in France--Maj. John G. Hughes, 27, husband of Mrs. June D. Hughes, 200 North Main street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., executive officer in an armored infantry battalion, has been cited for meritorious achievement in actual combat and awarded the Bronze Star Medal by Maj. Gen. John S Wood, commanding the 4th Armored Division.
The citation reads in part: "During the period 15 September to 7 October 1944, the battalion was in a defensive position in the vicinity of Arracourt, France, under extremely trying circumstances. Maj. John G. Hughes displayed constant courage and leadership. During the period, the battalion was under constant observation of the enemy who frequently placed the positions under heavy artillery and mortar fire, and enemy night patrols harassed the positions. Maj. Hughes made frequent visits to company and platoon positions, determining their needs, also paying visits to the individual soldiers in their foxholes, bolstering their morale. Frequent rain, misty and cold weather made conditions additionally worse and Maj. Hughes' constant, noteworthy leadership greatly helped the men and officers to accomplish their mission."
Graduate of Staunton Military Academy and Lehigh University, Maj. Hughes had previously been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. Commissioned a first lieutenant on Sept. 26, 1941, he was promoted to captain on June 1, 1942, and moved up to his present rank on July 1, 1944.
Second Lieutenant Myron L. Carl, of North Afton [Chenango Co., NY], bombardier on a 15th A.A.F. B-24 Liberator Bomber, has been awarded the Air Medal for "Meritorious Achievement in Aerial flight while participating in sustained operational activities against the enemy." Lieutenant Carl has participated in 15 major attacks against such strategic targets as the Blechhammer synthetic oil refinery, Germany, the Oswiecim synthetic oil refinery and other important targets in Austria, Germany, Italy and Hungary. After graduation from Cornell University, Lieut. Carl was employed as a machinist for Bendix Scintilla Corp., Sidney. He entered the Army on June 15, 1942 and received his commission at Carlsbad, N.M., on May 20, 1944. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Carl, live near North Afton.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Foster, of Front street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], have received the Purple Heart Medal which was awarded to their son, Pfc. Howard J. Foster, for wounds received in Germany on Nov. 29, Private Foster is still confined to a hospital in England.
Ensign George S. Ives, USNR, who has just returned from overseas duty, is spending a leave with his parents, Assemblyman Majority Leader Irving M. Ives and Mrs. Ives, of Norwich and Albany. Ensign Ives, executive officer on an L.C.I., served in the Mediterranean Theatre and with the Atlantic Fleet. He enlisted in the V-7 program in Dartmouth College three years ago, and entered active service after his graduation with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. The young naval officer, who has been on active duty about 20 months, is a grandson of Mrs. George I. Skinner, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].
Air Force Command, England: Cpl. Harold I. Smith, of R.D.1, Afton [Chenango Co., NY], is a key man behind the scenes of the supply war in Europe. Serving with a station complement squadron at an Air Service Command depot in England, he is working long hours wrestling with thousands of complex problems that arise in keeping equipment moving to the men of the combat air forces. A soldier since January, 1943, he has been overseas for 15 months. He attended Bainbridge High School and in civilian life was employed by the Scintilla Magneto plant. He is the husband of Barbara B. Smith, of R.D.1, Harpursville. Two of Corporal Smith's brothers are also in the service, Lt. Robert F. Smith in Italy and Fayette l. Smith, Jr., S 1/C AOM, in Florida. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fayette L. Smith, of R.D.1, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].
With the Twelfth Air Force: S/Sgt. Donald K. Wheat, husband of Rita S. Wheat and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Seth T. Wheat, of 11 Evans street, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], has been promoted to the grade of Technical Sergeant, according to an announcement from the Headquarters of Major General John K. Cannon's Twelfth Air Force. T/Sgt. Wheat is an Aerial Engineer in a veteran troop carrier group, affectionately called "Cerny's Circus" after its colorful commanding officer, Colonel John Cerny, of Harrison, Idaho. Wheat's group has been cited for distinguished service in the China-Burma Theater of Operations, and has played an important part in the invasions of North Africa Sicily, Italy and southern France. His group's work includes dropping of paratroops, towing gliders, evacuating wounded and the carrying of supplies up to the front lines. Wheat wears the Distinguished Unit Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African Middle East Theater Ribbon with three campaign stars. T/Sgt. Wheat attended Bainbridge High School, Bainbridge.
First Lieut. Frederick C. Keech, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Keech, Harpursville [Broome Co., NY], currently is assigned at this station of the A.A.F. Training Command as a student in the Officers' Maintenance and Engineering course. Lieutenant Keech is a veteran of 10 months' overseas service, having participated as a pilot in the Italian Theatre of Operations. The maintenance and engineering course is an intensive period of five months training given to students selected on the basis of their experience and technical knowledge. Pilots retain their flying status and upon graduation receive the additional qualification of maintenance and engineering officers. Lieutenant Keech received his commission Oct. 1, 1943.
Maj. John Hughes Awarded Bronze Medal
Bainbridge News & Republican, January 25, 1945
Mrs. Charles H. Eldred has received the following information concerning her nephew, Maj. John G. Hughes, who is quite well known in this area:
With the 4th Armored Division in France--Maj. John G. Hughes, 27, husband of Mrs. June D. Hughes, 200 North Main street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., executive officer in an armored infantry battalion, has been cited for meritorious achievement in actual combat and awarded the Bronze Star Medal by Maj. Gen. John S Wood, commanding the 4th Armored Division.
The citation reads in part: "During the period 15 September to 7 October 1944, the battalion was in a defensive position in the vicinity of Arracourt, France, under extremely trying circumstances. Maj. John G. Hughes displayed constant courage and leadership. During the period, the battalion was under constant observation of the enemy who frequently placed the positions under heavy artillery and mortar fire, and enemy night patrols harassed the positions. Maj. Hughes made frequent visits to company and platoon positions, determining their needs, also paying visits to the individual soldiers in their foxholes, bolstering their morale. Frequent rain, misty and cold weather made conditions additionally worse and Maj. Hughes' constant, noteworthy leadership greatly helped the men and officers to accomplish their mission."
Graduate of Staunton Military Academy and Lehigh University, Maj. Hughes had previously been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. Commissioned a first lieutenant on Sept. 26, 1941, he was promoted to captain on June 1, 1942, and moved up to his present rank on July 1, 1944.
Myron Carl Awarded Air Medal
Bainbridge News & Republican, February 1, 1945
Second Lieutenant Myron L. Carl, of North Afton [Chenango Co., NY], bombardier on a 15th A.A.F. B-24 Liberator Bomber, has been awarded the Air Medal for "Meritorious Achievement in Aerial flight while participating in sustained operational activities against the enemy." Lieutenant Carl has participated in 15 major attacks against such strategic targets as the Blechhammer synthetic oil refinery, Germany, the Oswiecim synthetic oil refinery and other important targets in Austria, Germany, Italy and Hungary. After graduation from Cornell University, Lieut. Carl was employed as a machinist for Bendix Scintilla Corp., Sidney. He entered the Army on June 15, 1942 and received his commission at Carlsbad, N.M., on May 20, 1944. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Carl, live near North Afton.
Fosters Receive Son's Purple Heart Medal
Bainbridge News & Republican, February 1, 1945
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Foster, of Front street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], have received the Purple Heart Medal which was awarded to their son, Pfc. Howard J. Foster, for wounds received in Germany on Nov. 29, Private Foster is still confined to a hospital in England.
Ensign George Ives Home on Leave
Bainbridge News & Republican, February 1, 1945
Ensign George S. Ives, USNR, who has just returned from overseas duty, is spending a leave with his parents, Assemblyman Majority Leader Irving M. Ives and Mrs. Ives, of Norwich and Albany. Ensign Ives, executive officer on an L.C.I., served in the Mediterranean Theatre and with the Atlantic Fleet. He enlisted in the V-7 program in Dartmouth College three years ago, and entered active service after his graduation with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. The young naval officer, who has been on active duty about 20 months, is a grandson of Mrs. George I. Skinner, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].
Cpl. Harold Smith Helps Supply Troops
Bainbridge News & Republican, February 1, 1945
Air Force Command, England: Cpl. Harold I. Smith, of R.D.1, Afton [Chenango Co., NY], is a key man behind the scenes of the supply war in Europe. Serving with a station complement squadron at an Air Service Command depot in England, he is working long hours wrestling with thousands of complex problems that arise in keeping equipment moving to the men of the combat air forces. A soldier since January, 1943, he has been overseas for 15 months. He attended Bainbridge High School and in civilian life was employed by the Scintilla Magneto plant. He is the husband of Barbara B. Smith, of R.D.1, Harpursville. Two of Corporal Smith's brothers are also in the service, Lt. Robert F. Smith in Italy and Fayette l. Smith, Jr., S 1/C AOM, in Florida. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fayette L. Smith, of R.D.1, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].
Donald Wheat Promoted
Bainbridge News & Republican, February 1, 1945
T-Sgt. Donald K. Wheat
With the Twelfth Air Force: S/Sgt. Donald K. Wheat, husband of Rita S. Wheat and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Seth T. Wheat, of 11 Evans street, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], has been promoted to the grade of Technical Sergeant, according to an announcement from the Headquarters of Major General John K. Cannon's Twelfth Air Force. T/Sgt. Wheat is an Aerial Engineer in a veteran troop carrier group, affectionately called "Cerny's Circus" after its colorful commanding officer, Colonel John Cerny, of Harrison, Idaho. Wheat's group has been cited for distinguished service in the China-Burma Theater of Operations, and has played an important part in the invasions of North Africa Sicily, Italy and southern France. His group's work includes dropping of paratroops, towing gliders, evacuating wounded and the carrying of supplies up to the front lines. Wheat wears the Distinguished Unit Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African Middle East Theater Ribbon with three campaign stars. T/Sgt. Wheat attended Bainbridge High School, Bainbridge.
Lieut. Frederick Keech Engineering Student
Bainbridge News & Republican, Feb. 1, 1945
First Lieut. Frederick C. Keech, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Keech, Harpursville [Broome Co., NY], currently is assigned at this station of the A.A.F. Training Command as a student in the Officers' Maintenance and Engineering course. Lieutenant Keech is a veteran of 10 months' overseas service, having participated as a pilot in the Italian Theatre of Operations. The maintenance and engineering course is an intensive period of five months training given to students selected on the basis of their experience and technical knowledge. Pilots retain their flying status and upon graduation receive the additional qualification of maintenance and engineering officers. Lieutenant Keech received his commission Oct. 1, 1943.
No comments:
Post a Comment