Soldier News continued - 1943

Douglas Gardner Assigned to Ordnance Replacement

Bainbridge News & Republican, February 18, 1943

 

Douglas Gardner, who left Bainbridge, to be inducted into the Army, was recently assigned to the Ordnance Replacement Training Center, in Aberdeen, Md., where he will receive his basic military training.  After he has completed the basic instruction period of four weeks, Private Gardner will be assigned to a detailed course in one of the many highly technical schools of the Ordnance Dept. Here, the new soldier discovers who really "passes the ammunition," for the men of the Ordnance Dept. are charged with the responsibility of furnishing and maintaining all combat weapons and vehicles.  Soldiers selected for service with the Ordnance Replacement are considered fortunate as only two per cent of the men in the Army can hope to be assigned to it.  Due to the importance of this branch of the service, rank and ratings are higher than in any of the other ground forces.  Gardner was formerly employed by the Scintilla Magneto Co., Sidney.

 

Pvt. Delvin De Forest Missing in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, February 18, 1943

 

Pvt. Delvin De Forest, 24, of Sidney Center [Delaware Co., NY], and nephew of Bert De Forest, of this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], was reported missing in action a month ago in North Africa, and no word has since been received to the contrary.  Delvin was born in Bainbridge and is the son of the late Frank De Forest. 

 

Robert Parsons completes Basic Training

Bainbridge News & Republican, February 25, 1943

 

U.S. Naval Training Station, Newport, R.I.:  Robert H. Parsons, 20, of Pruyn Hill, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], recently completed his basic Naval training at this station and will attend school for Ship's Cooks.  He attended Bainbridge Central High School, where he played baseball, football and basketball.  He had been employed by the Casein Company of America.  He is married to the former Amy Palmer.  A ship's cook must be able to supervise and prepare food for cooking, operate all cooking apparatus, inspect provisions, plan menus, be responsible for food shortage, estimate provisions, and take charge of the galley. 

 

Virginia Blakeley to Receive Basic Auxiliary Training

Bainbridge News & Republican, March 4, 1943

 

Aux. Virginia C. Blakeley, of R.D.#2, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], has arrived at the Third Training Center of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps to receive her basic training as an Auxiliary.  Her four-weeks intensive training will include Close Order Drill, Army Supply Procedures, Company Administration, Map Reading and other subjects designed to prepare her to step into an Army job now held by an able-bodied male soldier who will thereby be released for duty on the fighting fronts.  On completion of her training, she will be assigned to duty at an Army post, or be sent on to a WAAC specialist school.  Or she may be selected to go to Officer Candidate School.  Over 100 jobs are now being filled by WAACS. among them are:  bakers, camera technicians, chauffeurs, classification specialists, clerks, cooks, draftsmen, librarians, machine record operators, stenographers, telephone operators, truck drivers, typists and weather observers.  The Air Corps alone is using women soldiers to fill 25 highly specialized jobs.  Auxiliary Blakeley one of thousands of patriotic American Women who have offered their services to their country is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Blakeley.

 

Donald Patchen Enrolled as Student Officer

Bainbridge News & Republican, March 4, 1943

 

Donald Jay Patchen, Route 3, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], is now enrolled as a student officer in the Army Air Forces Pre-Flight School (Pilot) at Maxwell Field, located on the outskirts of Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, where he is receiving an intensive course in ground training.  Upon completion of his instructions here he will be sent to one of the primary flying schools in the Army Air Forces Southeast Training Center for the first phase of his flight training.  Cadet Patchen is a graduate of Bainbridge Central High School and was an employee of Bendix Corporation when he was accepted as an aviation cadet in the Army Air Forces, Jan. 2, 1943, at Mitchell Field.