Soldier News continued - 1942

Ivor Bosket Sees African Action

First Eye-Witness Report of American Invasion

Bainbridge News & Republican, December 24, 1942

 

Ivor Bosket

 

The first eye-witness report of the American invasion of Africa by a Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] boy, was given us last week when Ivor Bosket, Pharmacist's Mate, son of Mr. and Mrs. Merle Bosket, and assigned to one of the convoys that carried out the epic November invasion, came home for the weekend after having completed an ocean voyage of several thousand miles.

 

Ivor related some of his adventures to us and left us his American Flag arm band which all the invading American troops had to wear to distinguish them from the other races that are now in the "Dark Continent."

 

Participating in the actual action of the invasion, Ivor was given his baptism by fire and came through undaunted and even more anxious to get back into the fight and get it over with quickly.  Ivor also showed us some pictures of Casablanca, key city in the invasion, snaps of the architecture and culture of that African city, and a Vichy African French newspaper.

 

A remarkable incident was told us by Ivor.  While en route to Africa, he was topside one day and ran into Victor Holbert.  Victor is now with the invasion forces in Africa and Ivor's news of this Bainbridge boy was the first his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Holbert, had heard of their son for several months.  The delight of the two boys upon meeting, knew no bounds and they saw each other a great deal during the rest of the trip. 

 

Ivor was filled with praise for the comradeship, brotherly feeling and mutual aid shared by all our sailors and soldiers and could tell of many battle scenes which brought out the helpfulness of the boys to each other but an experience such as he has gone through is best left undiscussed until the war is won and similar scenes are banned forever.

 

Ivor has now returned to his home port, all set for further adventures and the best wishes of everyone here go with him. 

 

Sailor Bosket's trip to Africa was the second made by personalities in Bainbridge.  Milton Robbins, formerly employed by the local G.L.F., although not a local boy, has lived here for some time and has become one of us, was also a participant in the African Invasion.  Bainbridge boys go on and on to carry out town's spirit and efforts towards winning this war.  God keep them all and may the spirit of Christmas be ever in them, whether at home, at camp or overseas. 

 

Clifford Smith Selected for Advanced Training

Bainbridge News & Republican, December 17, 1942

 

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis M. Smith, of R.D.1, have received the following letter from their son's Commanding Officer in the U.S. Navy and we have reprinted it to illustrate the marvelous system of home communication the Armed Forces have set up and also shows the individual interest taken in every one of Uncle Sam's Service men.

 

Clifford Smith is the Navy man and has a brother, Stanley, in the Army.  The letter follows:

U.S. Naval Training School

Machinist's Mate

North Dakota School of Science

Wahpeton, N.D.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Smith,

As you probably known, your son has been selected for advanced training as a Navy man.  He has been enrolled at this school for this purpose.  During the 16 weeks he will be here, he will be given a specialized course of shop instruction and related class instruction which will prepare him to work for an advanced fireman's and machinist's mate's rating.  This letter is to assure you that we are intensely interested in giving him valuable training.  Upon successful completion of the course, he will be eligible for promotion in rate and pay.  He will have an education in skill which will increase his value to the Navy and be of great value to him upon his return to civilian life. 

 

Since his selection for further training calls for congratulations to him, and because many of his friends may not be aware of the opportunities within the Navy for education in special trades, it is suggested that you might furnish news of his progress to your local newspaper and generally inform your neighbors.  In the event that any news is published, I would be very happy to receive a copy of the item. 

 

Please feel free to write us for any information you may desire regarding his welfare or  his progress in school.

Sincerely yours,

George Fender, III

Lieut. Commander, U.S.N.R.

Commanding Officer