Soldier News continued - 1943

Lt. Sparr Wert Killed in Plane Accident

Bainbridge News & Republican, July 8, 1943

 

A War Department message to Mr. and Mrs. D. Sparr Wert, of Aaronsburg, Pa., announced the death of Lieut. D. Sparr Wert, their son, aged 26, in North Africa on May 15.  He was killed in an airplane accident, details of which could not be learned.  Lt Wert was a bomber pilot and participated in the Tunisian campaign.  Where the bomber fell was in a thinly populated section and there were apparently no witnesses who could give information regarding the accident.

 

1st Lt. Rowland Hill Jr. Awarded Posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross

Bainbridge News & Republican, July 8, 1943

 

Col. C.P. Kane, Commanding Officer, Rome Air Service Command, will present the Distinguished Flying Cross posthumously to the parents of 1st Lt. Rowland G. Hill, Jr.., Air Corps, who was killed Dec. 7, 1942, while on a bombing raid in the Far Eastern theatre of war.  The award will be made Sunday afternoon t 3 P.M. in the Methodist Church, Margaretville, N.Y.  At the specific request of Rowland G. Hill, Sr., the presentation will be a simple affair.  Participating will be members of the Margaretville American Legion Post, personnel of the city's fire department, the pastor of the Methodist church, and Col. Kane and members of his staff.

 

According to the citation accompanying the award of the DFC, Lt. Hill was lead navigator in a flight of bombers.  His mission, which was carried out successfully, was to raid enemy supply and troop concentrations from low altitude.  In part, the citation states:

 

"The entire flight was severely and effectively attacked by enemy fire.  This officer was hit in the back by a large shell fragment that caused his death before the day was over.  Prostrate, helpless, and mortally wounded, this officer, with only his consciousness to serve, navigated his plane from deep in mountainous enemy territory to an advance friendly base  His extraordinary heroism and completely unselfish devotion to duty is an inspiration to our armed forces and is worthy of the finest traditions of the Army Air Forces."

 

Lt. Hill had previously been awarded the Silver Star, and has also received the Order of the Purple Heart posthumously.

 

Recently, his father received a letter from Major General Claire Chennault, Commanding Officer, 14th Air Force.  The letter states in part:

 

"Dear Mr. Hill--Your son, 1st Lt. Rowland G. Hill, Jr., served under me from the time he arrived in China until his death in combat against the enemy.  Lt. Hill participated in action against the enemy on several occasions and at all times acquitted himself with honor both to the service and to himself.  His loss has been keenly felt as an officer and gentleman, by all those who had the pleasure to serve with him.  May we all gain strength and courage from his sacrifice which was not in vain."

 

The brief, but impressive ceremony, which is scheduled to take place will include an invocation by the Reverend Thell, reading of the citation and presentation of the award by Col. Kane, and the Reverend Arnold will then speak briefly and conclude the ceremony with a benediction.

 

Robert Smith Enrolled as Aviation Cadet

Bainbridge News & Republican, July 8, 1943

 

Maxwell Field, Ala., Robert Fayette Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fayette Smith, of Route 1, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] is now enrolled as an aviation cadet in the Army Air Forces Pre-Flight School for Pilots at Maxwell 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.  Cadet Smith was a student at Rochester Mechanic Institute when he entered the U.S. Army where he had served three months and received 10 hours dual flight instruction as an aviation student when he was accepted as an aviation cadet in the Army Air Forces, June 1, 1943, at Maxwell Field, Ala. 

 

James Riley Joins Navy

Bainbridge News & Republican, July 8, 1943

 

James Riley, 17, son of Mrs. Anna Riley, and one of the most popular boys of the village, entered the U.S. Navy Monday.  "Jimmy" graduated from Bainbridge Central High School last month and immediately started plans to enter the service.  While in school he was most prominent in athletics, playing football, basketball and baseball.  His older brother, Ralph D. Riley, F 1/C, has been serving with the Pacific Fleet for some time.