Soldier News continued - 1943

Walter Stapleton & John Beiling on Death List

Bainbridge News & Republican, Sept. 23, 1943

Sullivan County [NY] has two  more names on the fatal list of World War II--Walter Stapleton, 50, of Monticello, and John J. Beiling, 32, of Liberty.  Both died at sea, in service with the Navy, Stapleton of a heart ailment, and Beiling of injuries suffered in line of duty.  Death of the latter was announced in a Navy Department telegram to his father, George Beiling, of Liberty.  He was buried at sea, with Naval honors.

 

Marshall Stoutenburg Japanese POW

Bainbridge News & Republican, Sept. 23, 1943

 

Mr. and Mrs. James Stoutenburg have received a card from their son, Marshall Stoutenburg, signed in his own handwriting, from a Japanese prison camp.

 

Sheridan Spoonhower Killed While on Duty

Bainbridge News & Republican, Sept. 23, 1943

 

Soldier Sheridan Spoonhower, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Spoonhower, fo R.D.3, Susquehanna [PA], whose death in the Army was noted a few days ago, was killed while on duty 80 miles from Camp Beale, Calif.  He was riding at the head of a motor column when the motorcycle he was riding skidded on a curve, hit a pile of rocks and threw him from the vehicle. 

 

Gunnar Wahlberg Promoted

Bainbridge News & Republican, Sept. 30, 1943

 

Gunnar H. Wahlberg, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Wahlberg, of R.D.1, Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], was recently promoted from the rank of 2nd Lt. to that of 1st Lt. in the United States Army Air Corps.  Lt. Wahlberg attended the Delhi State School, Delhi, and has served as an officer at Victorville, Calif., Hobbs, N.M., Roswell, N.M., and Deming Army Air Base, Deming, N.M.

 

Sgt. Carl Wells Rewarded for Heroism

Bainbridge News & Republican, Sept. 30, 1943

 

The Soldiers' Medal for Heroism has been awarded to Sgt. Carl W. Wells, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland Wells, of Greene [Chenango Co., NY], who is now stationed with an armored division in the Mediterranean theatre of war. 

 

While driving in a convoy on a Tunisian road, it is reported, the camouflage net on his tank burst into flames just above the engine compartment, endangering the personnel inside the tank.  The tank was brought to a halt and after many attempts to subdue the flames, Sgt. Wells saw that the fire extinguishers being used could not stop the fire. He then reached with his bare hands into the flaming net, without regard for his own safety, the report said, and threw the net clear of the tank.  By this action he saved the tank from serious damage or possible destruction.  He suffered severe burns on his left hand, forearm and thigh.

 

Sgt. Wells is a nephew of George Wells, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], who was killed in the Spanish American War and for whom the local Spanish American War veterans' post is named.  Sgt. Wells' parents are also former Bainbridge residents.

 

Helen Averell in Washington

Bainbridge News & Republican, Sept. 30, 1943

 

Among the Women Reservists now on duty with the Navy in the Nation's capital is Helen C. Averell, Sp. (S) 3/C, wife of Capt. Herbert Averell, and daughter of Mrs. A.L. Clark, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]

 

As an enlisted woman in the C.S. Naval Reserve, Helen C. Averell is one of several thousands of women who have bee assigned to Washington to serve as direct replacements for Navy men, releasing them to fight at sea with the fleet.  Groups of women in trim blue Navy uniforms are now an established part of the Washington scene and both the city and the Navy have made the newcomers feel at home. 

 

Women Reservists in the Capital have proven their value not only as replacements for men, but as trained Naval personnel doing jobs in their own right; they are fulfilling responsible assignments in every type of Naval work.  All enlisted women on duty here are quartered by the Navy in special barracks where living is comfortable, friendly and typically Navy.  In their liberty hours, they are free to visit the many places of interest around the Capital and to enjoy the social opportunities open to men and women in the armed services.

 

She enlisted in the Navy on March 22, 1943, and received her recruit training at Hunter College.  Before entering the WAVES she was employed as a teacher at the Utica Country Day School, New Hartford; also had a position with the Oneonta Girl Scout Council, Oneonta.  She has been connected for several years with the Girl Scout organization, leader of troops, day camp director in Oneonta for two summers.

 

Myron Carl Enrolled as Aviation Cadet

Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 19, 1943

 

Maxwell Field, Ala.--Myron Lyon Carl, son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac L. Carl, Afton [Chenango Co., NY], is now enrolled as an aviation cadet in the Army Air Forces Pre-Flight School for Pilots at this field, located on the outskirts of Montgomery, the capital of Alabama.  Here the new class of cadets is receiving nine weeks of intensive military, physical and academic training preparatory to beginning their actual flight instruction at one of the many primary flying schools in the Army Air Forces Southeast Training Center.