Soldier News continued - 1944

Hitler Described by Nephew

Bainbridge News & Republican, Jan. 27, 1944

"Hitler is a paranoiac, a person suffering from a chronic mental disorder which represents itself in a delusion of one's own greatness," his nephew, William Patrick Hitler, told Binghamton people last Thursday.  "I have been asked many times if I think my uncle is dead."  Mr.  Hitler said, "My only reply is that there could never be another like him," he added, "He is sold himself on the idea he is an ascetic and has surrounded himself with a Von Ribbentrop, a clubfooted Goebbels, a drunken Ley and a morphine addict Goering to prove it.  Hess, the mystic, is no longer, of course, a close associate."

 

Mr. Hitler first met Adolf Hitler in 1929 at the Nuremberg Congress in Germany.  It was there that he realized that his uncle was more than a political leader.  People fought to touch him, and some women who had shaken his hand refused to wash their own hands.  Those who did wash their hands kept the water in a bottle in their homes, the nephew said.  The people of Germany have no will of their own, their morale is bad, but Hitler will not hesitate to turn machine guns upon them if they turn against him, he said.  A possible revolt of the people of Germany is as absurd as a revolt in the American Army, he added.

 

PFC George Brown Jr. Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, January 27, 1944

 

Mr. and Mrs. George Brown, of Unadilla Forks [Otsego Co., NY], have received word by telegram from the Adjutant General, that their son, P.F.C. George Arthur Brown, Jr., was killed in action in Italy on Dec. 20.  Inducted into the Army Nov. 28, 1942, he served at Camp Upton, received his basic training at Camp Croft, S.C., and was at Camp Edwards, Mass., before the going overseas in April, 1943.  He saw action in North Africa and was among the first troops to land in Italy.

 

Sgt. Bruce Hill Awarded Good Conduct Medal

Bainbridge News & Republican, January 27, 1943

 

Sgt. Bruce H. Hill, of 31 Pearl street, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], of the Antiaircraft Artillery School at Camp Davis, N.C., has just been awarded the Good Conduct Medal by Brigadier General Bryan L. Milburn, commandant of the school, for having completed three years of active federal military service or completed one year of continuous active federal military service while the United States is at war and having demonstrated exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity.  the Good Conduct Ribbon, red in color and three stripes on each side, will be issued in lieu of the Medal.  This award is one that is cherished by all enlisted men in the Army as it is his mark of achieving that much of perfection that is asked of him by his government during wartime.

 

Richard Wright Enlists in U.S. Navy

Bainbridge News & Republican, January 27, 1944

 

Richard J. Wright, 17, son of Mrs. Rexford Wright and the late Mr. Wright, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], was accepted in the U.S. Navy Jan. 4 and is now in boot training at Sampson.  Richard was employed at the Dry Milk Co. before his entry into the service.

 

Letter Received by Mrs. McPherson on the Loss of Her Son

Bainbridge News & Republican , January 20, 1944

 

Below is a copy of the letter received by Mrs. Giles McPherson from the Secretary of War, Henry Stimson:

 

Dear Mrs. McPherson,

At the request of the President I write to inform you, that the Purple Heart has been awarded posthumously to your son, Private Roland McPherson, Infantry, who sacrificed his life, in defense of his country. 

 

There is little that we can do or say to console you for the death of your loved one.  We profoundly appreciate the greatness of your loss for in a very real sense the loss suffered by any of us in this battle for our country, is a loss suffered by all of us.  When the medal, which you will shortly receive, reaches you, I want you to know that with it goes our sincerest sympathy and the hope that the Victory of our cause, will finally lighten the burden of grief.

 

Sincerely your,

Henry L. Stimson

 

Pvt. Roland McPherson met death in Sicily only a few weeks ago.  Only recently, Mrs. McPherson suffered a further loss, her husband passed away two weeks ago.