Soldier News continued - 1943

Sgt. Truair Halbert Missing in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 19, 1943

Mrs. Truair Halbert, Jr., of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY] received word last week Wednesday from the War Department announcing that her husband, Sgt. Truair (Bunker) Halbert, was missing in action.  Sgt. Halbert was a gunner on one of the U.S. bombers reported lost over Kassel, Germany, July 30.  Previous to his enlistment he was employed at the Scintilla Magneto, and played the position of third base on the Sidney Cardinals baseball team.

 

Pvt Robert Kingsley Injured in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 19, 1943

 

Pvt. Robert Kingsley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Kingsley, Sr., of Front street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], who was in the thickest fighting in Tunisia, was also with the invasion forces in Sicily. Because of an injury, Robert has been sent back to North Africa from Sicily.

 

David Blakeley & Robert Lee Join Navy

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 19, 1943

 

Two more Bainbridge youths are in the U.S. Navy.  David Blakeley, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bryce D. Blakeley, of Bainbridge, [Chenango Co., NY], R.D.2, and Robert Lee, 17, son of Wilbur Lee, of Johnson street, passed their final physical examinations in Albany Tuesday and left immediately for the Naval Training Station at Sampson.

 

Both lads, popular high school students, were very active in school activities.  "Dave" played football, basketball and baseball.  He was a member of the band, press club, Latin club, town baseball team and an auxiliary fireman.  He was manager of the football team in 1939, and also took part in dramatics.

 

"Bob," who was a member of the graduating class in June, was president of the Senior Class.  He played football, basketball and baseball.  He was a member of the boxing and wrestling team, of the press club, glee club, band and Latin club, also of the town baseball team.  He was an auxiliary fireman.

 

Milton R. Simonds, Jr., 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Simonds, of West Main street, passed his final physical examination for the Seabees the same day in Albany, but was sent home to await call through his local induction board within the next month.

 

Robert Christy Joins Marines

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 12, 1943

 

Robert Christy, 17, son of Mrs. Rosamond Christy, of North Main street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], passed his final physical examination for the U.S. Marine Corps last Friday in Syracuse and was sworn in.  Robert a student in Bainbridge Central High School, was a member of the football, basketball and baseball teams.  He makes the sixth Bainbridge boy to enter the Marine Corps.  Others already serving include Cpl. Robert Knowles, Cpl, Carl Osterhout, Pvt. Renwick Ned Parsons, P.F.C. Clarence Adrian Bush, and Cpl. Leo Terry.

 

Charles Fenner Assigned to 1548th Army Service Unit

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 12, 1943

 

S/Sgt. Charles Arthur Fenner, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Fenner, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], has been assigned to the 1548th Service Unit of the Army Specialized Training Program at the University of Kentucky, in Lexington.  The unit is in charge of Col. B.E. Brewer, University of Kentucky commandant and commanding officer of the soldier-trainees located on the campus.  The course, which will parallel to a certain extent normal freshman work in engineering, will include, in addition to the engineering subjects, work in physics, mathematics, chemistry, English, history, geography, physical education and military science.  Regular members of the college staff are serving as academic instructors.  Enlisted men are housed at the residence halls on the campus and eat at the Commons in the Student Union building.  The cadet system of control is in effect.  Friends and relatives wishing to visit these men are asked to go to the Student Union building upon arrival on the campus, where an information desk has been established for the men in service. The men will then be notified of their callers, after class periods are over.  No man will be called from class or drill to see visitors.

 

Lt. Harry Odell Missing in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 12, 1943

 

Lt. Harry Odell, one of the most popular young men ever brought up in Margaretville [Delaware Co., NY], is missing in action over Europe since July 28.  Lt. Odell was a navigator on a bomber.  A government message giving this information was received by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Odell, Sr., his parents, there Thursday.