Soldier News continued, 1944

Lawrence T. Meehan on Casualty List

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 4, 1944

The official casualty list published a few days ago contains the name of Lawrence T. Meehan, of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], technician fifth grade in the Army, as among those wounded in action.  He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Meehan, of Delhi.  A brother, Clarence Meehan, U.S. Navy, lost his life when the gunboat Plymouth was sunk off the coast of North Carolina in the summer of 1942 from "an underwater explosion."  Two other brothers, William and Edward, are in the Army.  Lawrence Meehan has been in Italy.

 

Lt. Harry Sturdevant Missing in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 4, 1944

 

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Sturdevant, Livingston Manor [Delaware Co., NY], received word from the adjutant general Sunday that their son, Lieutenant Harry Sturdevant, is missing in action over Germany.  Lieutenant Sturdevant was a Liberator pilot and according to the telegram has been missing since Apr. 8 when his plane failed to return from an attack on Germany.

 

Kenneth Gurney is Sole Survivor

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 11, 1944

 

Mrs. Jessie Gurney, of Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY], has received a letter from her son, Kenneth Gurney.  Last week she learned that he had been wounded in action.  Sgt. Gurney writes that the bomber he was on crashed with another plane in mid-air, and that the other nine members of the crew were killed.  Sgt. Gurney bailed out and received a fractured hip.  He is now in a hospital in England.  Word was also received from a former member of the crew, who had just previously been transferred to another outfit, that he attended the funeral of the nine members of the ill-fated bomber, who were buried with military honors.

 

S/Sgt Paul Robek Completes 30 Combat Missions

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 11, 1944

 

S/Sgt. Paul J. Robek, of the 8th Air Force in England, has received the following commendation from his commanding officer:

 

"It affords me great pleasure to commend you upon the completion of your operational tour in this theatre.  Your courage, coolness, and tenacity of purpose in the face of the most determined enemy opposition reflect great credit upon yourself and the Army Air Forces. The example you have set will always live as a goal for succeeding combat crew members of this command.  As you leave this group and go on to other duties you have the appreciation of the entire staff for a job well done."

 

S./Sgt. Robek has completed has tour of operations, having 30 combat missions over occupied Europe to his credit.  He is being retained in England as an instructor in gunnery of new crews for a period of three months after which he expects to be sent back home.  S/Sgt. Robek wears the Air Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

 

Lt. Howard Phelps Brings Disabled Bomber to Safety

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 11, 1944

 

Sgt. Greg Mangin, the one-time Davis Cup star and national indoor tennis champion from New York, is the oldest gunner in the 15th Air Force bombardment group.  On a recent raid, an ack-ack gun started sending aces up his way.  When Sergeant Mangin recovered consciousness he found the tail turret full of smoke, a large dent in his flak suit, and cracks in his goggles from flak splinters that had penetrated the window of his position.  "Luck was with me, though," he related.  "I had glass splinters in my eyes and couldn't see very well.  Two engines were disabled, but our pilot (Lieutenant Howard W. Phelps, 7 Medford street, Binghamton [Broome Co., NY]) got us back safely."  Greg got into the war the hard way.  At 35, he was too old to be a pilot, navigator or bombardier.  He finally succeeded in talking his way into aerial gunnery.  Lt. Phelps is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Phelps, former residents of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].

 

Bryce Wilcox Arrives from Europe

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 11, 1944

 

Bryce Wilcox, Mo.M.M. 1/C, who has been in the European War Theatre for more than a year, arrived in the States Apr. 26, and is spending a 30-day furlough with his wife in Oneonta and relatives in Bainbridge.  First Class Petty Officer Wilcox took part in the Tunisian operations and the invasion of Sicily and Italy.  "During the landing at Salerno, things were mighty tough, but all of our crew escaped with no injuries."  He stated further that he had a distant view of the volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.  When asked about the activities of the Red Cross, he declared they were doing a fine  job in both North Africa and England.  First Class motor Machinist's Mate Wilcox has two older brothers in the service.  Lt. William Murray Wilcox, U.S. Army, of the Pacific War Theatre, and Boyd Wilcox, U.S. Navy.

 

Lt. Kenneth and Capt. Douglas Keeler War Casualties

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 11, 1944

 

Lieut. Kenneth Keeler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Keeler, of 13 Division street, Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], has been reported missing in action since Apr. 13 in a flight over Hungary, according to word received here yesterday by his parents.  Lieutenant Keeler was co-pilot of a flight of B-24s, of the 15th Air Force based in Italy.  He has been overseas since the middle of December, and according to the last letter received by his parents, has flown 22 missions.  He was a recipient of the Air Medal.  Sixteen days ago, Mr. and Mrs. Keeler were notified by the War Department that their elder son, Maj. Douglas Keeler, has been killed in action in the South Pacific.  He was reported shot down on Apr. 21.  Major Keeler, after nearly 13 months service in the South Pacific Theatre, had turned down a chance to come home in favor of transferring to the Marine Corps first Mitchell Medium Bomber Squad.  He was second in command of the squadron and had led two raids on the Japs base at Rabaul before being shot down.  Both Lieutenant Keeler and his brother, Major Douglas Keeler, were graduated form Sidney Central School.  Lieutenant Keeler was employed at the Scintilla plant in Sidney before entering the air corps.