Soldier News continued - 1943

Ernest Ness Missing in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, November 4, 1943

Mrs. Betty Patchen Ness, of Susquehanna, has received a telegram from the War Department informing her that her husband, Lieut. Ernest R. Ness, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest H. Ness, Susquehanna [PA], is missing in action somewhere in the Southwest Pacific area.  He is listed as missing since Oct. 22.

 

Corp. Gerald McNeely Dies of Wounds & Ernest Ness Missing in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, Dec. 2, 1943

 

A Susquehanna correspondent says that the War Department has confirmed the death of Corp. Gerald McNeely, 24, son of Mrs. Cora McNeely, Irving street, Susquehanna [PA], of wounds suffered Oct. 9 in the African campaign.  He was a graduate of Oakland High School and enlisted in the Army 14 months previous to his death.  His wife resides in Johnson City.  Also surviving is a sister, Mrs. Harry Tice, of Susquehanna.

 

Second Lieut. Ernest R. Ness, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Ness, of Susquehanna, is also among those reported to be missing in the Southwest Pacific. The aviator was graduated from Susquehanna  High School and later attended Purdue University.  He is married to the former Betty Parchen, of Susquehanna.  They have one child.

 

Adrian Rose Awarded Two Citations

Bainbridge News & Republican, November 11, 1943

 

Adrian J. Rose, M.M. 2/C Seabees Amphibian Forces, USNR, brother of Mrs. Paul Landre, of Bainbridge, has been awarded two citations; one from the U.S. Navy and one from the British Navy, for bravery beyond the call of duty, on the beach at Salerno, Italy.  He was operating a bulldozer, preparing a beachhead for troops and machinery, when they were attacked by very heavy shell-fire from German positions beyond the beach, and planes strafing at 20 feet.  One of the shells exploded on the blade of his machine, killing several nearby sailors behind him, and a number just leaving the landing barge. However, he continued until his job was completed and the beachhead was established which took one and a half hours.  Machinist's Mate Rose has a wife and two children living in Binghamton.  The citations were sent to his father, Clarence Rose, of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY].

 

Mrs. Catherine Mott Receives Letters from Buddies of Missing Son

Bainbridge News & Republican, December 2, 1943

 

Mrs. Catherine Mott, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], R.D.1, mother of Leon R. Mott, F.1/C, USN, who was reported missing in action on the ill-fated U.S.S. Strong, has received the following letters from buddies of Leon's as a result of a letter she sent to a Navy magazine requesting information concerning Leon:

 

Reese H. Tucker, S.F. 3/C

U.S. Naval Hospital

San Diego, Calif.

Nov. 20, 1943

Dear Mrs. Mott,

I saw your request in Our Navy Magazine and as your son, Leon R. Mott, was a personal friend of mine I give you this information.  We were together on the Strong for a long time and I can assure you that he was liked by everyone on board.

 

I'll try to tell you as near as I can just what happened.  We were covering landings on New Georgia Island the night of July 4th.  We were torpedoed in that action and your son was in the forward engine room or the fire room and so far there has been no one save from either.

 

I don't know how to tell you this but have done my best.  I know how you must feel and my sympathy is with you all.  I want you to knowh that he was doing his duty, an dlost his life so doing.  I know it's your loss and a loss to the Navy but Heaven's gain.

 

James I. Avery

Fire Controlman 3/C

U.S.S. Laws

U.S.N.R.S. Harbor Island

Seattle, Washington

Nov. 9, 1943

Dear Mrs. Mott,

I've seen in Our Navy Magazine about your son, thought I would let you know that I knew him or I think I do.  I knew just about everyone on the Strong.  I was on it at the time it was sunk.  If he died, he had an easy death, but I think that just about everyone got off safely, except a few that got on the island.  That may be where he is.  Don't give up hope as yet.    I hope this little note will help you a lot, because I know how Mothers are.

 

Lawrence Getter & Clarence Carmen Join Navy

Bainbridge News & Republican, December 2, 1943

 

Lawrence Getter and Clarence Paul Carman, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], volunteered their induction and have been accepted in the U.S. Navy Nov. 27, and will leave for Albany on Saturday.

 

Lawrence, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Getter, of North Main street, underwent an operation last Summer to make it possible for him to be accepted in the service.  He has been employed at the Scintilla Magneto Co. for more than a year.

 

Paul, the son of the late Rev. Clarence Carman, also was employed at the Scintilla before entering the service.  Paul's wife, Mrs. Arlene Carman, will continue her position at the Scintilla.

 

Lt. Gorge Ewald Has Thrilling Experience in Italy

Bainbridge News & Republican, Dec. 9, 1943

 

Lt. Gorge Ewald, who spent several summers at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Gibson in Oneonta, was shot down recently in Italy, but his only "injury" was a bee sting--received after he had clambered out of the plane when it crashed, according to word reaching here.  "That's adding insult to no injury!" the veteran aerial navigator and bombardier wrote his father.

 

In the letter home Lt. Ewald wrote:  "We were hit by flak in both gas tanks over the target, started leaking like a sieve, the right engine quit; we headed back to sea, turned back south past Naples, crossed over the Isle of Capri, picked an airport south of Salerno, headed down like an elevator, almost out of gas; hit the runway at 175 miles an hour, couldn't stop, ploughed a couple hundred yards through shrub, hit a ditch, bounced 50 feet back into the air, came back on one wing, broke off the wheels, threw off the motors, burst into flames as soon as we stopped while we all piled out."