Soldier News continued - 1942

Letter from Edward G. Pixley

Bainbridge News & Republican, February 5, 1942

 

Camp Gordon, Ga.

January 25, 1942

Dear Editor,

I have meant to convey to you long ago how much I appreciate your thoughtful gesture of sending me the "home town paper.  My failure to acknowledge receipt of the editions, all of which I have received promptly and intact, is intensified by the pleasure and enjoyment I derive from its reading.  My address, you will note, has been changed recently, however, the paper has arrived with no appreciable delay.

 

You are undoubtedly interested in such things as my occupation, how I like it and my attitude since this country has become involved in the general hostilities.  I am a mechanic in the 20th Field Artillery Battalion which is a unit of the Fourth Motorized Division, which, incidentally, was the first completely  motorized division of the U.S. Army.  I am quite well satisfied with my work since I was employed as a machinist prior to joining the U.S. Army and have always pursued an occupation dealing with machinery.  As to my attitude since the scurrilous attack by Japan upon the U.S., I can say that like all the rest of the boys here, I am waiting not so patiently for the time when I can have a hand in dealing a blow that will be distinctly felt by the enemy.

 

Camp Gordon is a brand new camp, located near Augusta, Ga.  It is modern in all details and very comfortable and pleasant.  The weather here varies from slightly below freezing to balmy summerlike days.

 

Please accept my sincere thanks for your generosity and the assurance that I look forward anxiously every week for the safe arrival of the "Bainbridge News."

 

Very truly yours,

Edward G. Pixley

Service Battery, 20th FA Bn., APO No. 4

Camp Gordon, Ga.

 

Carl Osterhout Joins Marines

Bainbridge News & Republican, Oct. 22, 1942

 

Carl Osterhout, formerly employed as meat cutter in the local Grand Union, has enlisted in the Marines and left, Monday, for Parris Island, S.C., where he will receive his preliminary training.  Carl is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wallen Osterhout, of Hancock, and a graduate of Hancock Central High School;  he has two brothers serving in the Army.  Pvt. Osterhout is the second Marine to be joyfully claimed by this village--Pvt. Robert Knowles being the first. 

 

Victor Foster Joins the Army

Bainbridge News & Republican, October 29, 1942

 

Victor Foster, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Foster, left on Oct. 14 for service in the United States Army.  Victor, who attended Bainbridge Central High School was employed by the Scintilla Magneto Corp. for the past four years.  Prior to his departure for service, two departments at the Scintilla presented Victor with a gold watch for remembrance.   

 

Garfield Lloyd Promoted

Bainbridge News & Republican, November 5, 1942

 

Word has been received here that Garfield Lloyd, who was previously employed here in Bainbridge for about a year before his induction, was promoted to a First Class Private on Sept. 10.  P.F.C. Lloyd was inducted into the Army on Feb. 23, 1942, and he is now stationed at Camp Shelby, Miss.

 

How Boats are Named

Bainbridge News & Republican, November 12, 1942

 

It might interest some of the local sailors and soldiers to learn how the boats in Uncle Sam's Navy are named.  We ran across the following item and it interested us.

 

"Battleships are named for the states, cruisers for the cities, destroyers are named for deceased naval and marine corps officers and enlisted men, former secretaries of the Navy and congressmen who have been closely identified with naval affairs; mine sweepers are named for birds, submarines for fish and oil tankers for rivers in oil producing states; repair ships are named for mythical characters or places; gunboats for islands and cities; navy tugs for Indian tribes; transport ships for famous battles; supply ships are given synonyms for cold, and hospital ships are given synonyms for kindness; aircraft carriers are named for famous fighting ships and important battles of our early American history."

 

Robert Gordon and Roswell Monroe Join Navy

Bainbridge News & Republican, November 19, 1942

 

Two school-boy chums and neighbors, Robert Gordon, son of Mrs. Lester Stead, North Main street, and Roswell S. Monroe, son of Dr. and Mrs. R.M. Monroe, of North Main street, enlisted in Binghamton on Nov. 2 in the United States Navy and left Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] for service on Armistice Day.  The spirit which is possessed by so many of our local boys who have already left or are planning to do so is typified by the enlistment of these two boys who have been close friends for many years.

 

Robert, "Bob" to his many friends, graduated from B.C.H.S. with the Class of '41 and while in school was active in many extra-curricular circles.  He was a member of the school Band, Press Club, Latin Club, acted in the Senior Play, was Circulation Manager of the Senior Year Book, and was also an engrossed Chemistry student.  Following his graduation from school, "Bob" worked in the Casein Laboratory up to the time of his enlistment.

 

Young Monroe, known to his friends both as "Junior" and "Roz," is also a graduate of the local high school, Class of '40.  While in school he was a member of both the Band and Glee Club, and also active in Press Club.  He was basketball manager for one year and a member of the Echo Staff.  "Roz" was also active in dramatics, taking part as one of the leads in the Senior Play, "Enchanted April" and a dramatic one-act play, "The Echo" which won the League Contest for the local school.  After graduating from the local school, "Roz" attended the Rochester Mechanics Institute for one year and the following year, he worked in the I.B.M. at Rochester, returning to Bainbridge to work in the Scintilla prior to enlisting in the Navy.

 

The best of luck is wished for these two popular local boys who have gone to add their efforts to those of all the other Bainbridge fighting men.