Saturday, October 11, 2014

Soldier News continued - 1943

Capt. Clifford Keeler Dies
Bainbridge News & Republican, July 15, 1943
 
Capt. Clifford R. Keeler, a native of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] and former Binghamtonian, died while on a special mission in the Southwest Pacific area, according to a telegram received by his mother, Mrs. Hugh V. Kelly, of East Orange, N.J., as she arrived in Norwich to spend a vacation with relatives.  Captain Keeler, 29, left for the Pacific area March 1.  He was aboard a Navy ship on a special mission for the Army when his mother last heard from him.  A War Department telegram reporting his death was sent to his wife, who resides in Washington, D.C., and who relayed the report to his mother in Norwich.  The telegram reported that Captain Keeler "had died" while in the war zone, but did not state whether he was killed in action or succumbed to natural causes.

PFC John DiSerio Japanese POW
Bainbridge News & Republican, July 15, 1943

PFC John D. DiSerio of the U.S. Marine Corps, Friday was reported a prisoner of the Japanese in the Philippine Islands.  Son of Mr. and Mrs. Victor E. DiSerio, of Vestal, R.D.1, the 22-year-old Marine enlisted in May, 1940, and was in the Cavite Islands when Pearl Harbor was attacked.  He was reported missing in action in May 1942.  A brother, Pvt. Dominick DiSerio, is with the Army at the Fort Worden, Wash.

PFC John Miller Dies as POW
Bainbridge News & Republican, July 22, 1943

Mrs. Hazel H. Miller, of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], has received word from the Japanese Government through the International Red Cross that her son, PFC John A. Miller, who was previously reported a prisoner of war, died in the Philippine Islands.

Ruth Weir Receives Call from Son, Lt. James Weir
Bainbridge News & Republican, July 22, 1943

Mrs. Ruth Weir received word last week that on Monday evening, July 12, at 8 o'clock, her son lieut. James P. Weir, would call her on the telephone from overseas, destination unknown and for Mr.s Weir to be waiting to receive the call.

Promptly at 8 o'clock Monday night, Mrs. Weir was notified by the New York City overseas operator that contact was being made and she would speak with Lieut. Weir shortly.  Although she was called several times, nothing materialized only a faint "Hello" from her son twice.  At 10:30 the call was cancelled and Mrs. Weir was told to be ready for the call again Tuesday night, the same time. At 8: o'clock the call came through, and in a very few minutes, contact was made and Mrs. Weir and her son were talking.  The reception was excellent, her son's voice being easily recognized.  They talked freely and interruptedly for several minutes, his sisters, Miss Bernice Weir and Mrs. Harold Winsor, also speaking with him. The conversation was mostly of a jovial nature, which is easier on such an occasion, when a soldier son is overseas.  It was a wonderful occasion for Mrs. Weir to be able to speak with her son  He has been out of the States for 14 months.  He is a graduate of the O.C.S. at Fort Belvoir, Va. 
 

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