Soldier News continued, 1944

Corp. Tech. Howard Stevenson Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 29, 1944

Corporal Technician Howard Rexford Stevenson, of Equinunk, Pa., a son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Stevenson, of Equinunk, was killed in action in faraway New Guinea on June 4, according to an official telegram on Sunday from the Secretary of War to the widow, Mrs. Mary Fortunate Stevenson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fortunato, of Cadosia.

 

Staff Sgt. Floyd Hickling Missing in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 29, 1944

 

Staff Sergt. Floyd L. Hickling, 28, was listed by the War Department Friday as missing in action in Italy since May 12, according to an official notification received by his wife, Mrs. Verna Hickling, Binghamton.

 

Letter from Carl Osterhout

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 29, 1944

 

Here I am now in Washington, D.C.  I don't know for how long, but as far as I know for some time.  It is very nice here; it is much better than Brooklyn, even though it was nearer home.  The weather is warm and the nights are cool.

 

As far as I know now, duty is here all right.  At least it sounds good.  At first I thought I was being sent over again, but we are relieving some men who have been here four years so they can have their chance.  All we do now is escort high officials around the country and even overseas; so I expect a lot of traveling but will return here after each trip.  I also parade on special occasions, even escort our President.  I may like it for a while but I'm not sure.  Our commandant of the U.S.M.C. lives with us here and he is the highest man in the Marine Corps, and things are really G.I., and like the old Marine Corps used to be.  Every day we have school on everything, so we will know all there is to know about weapons and the Marine Corps.

 

We all have to dress "just so" and I don't "mean maybe" but it is nice as you look like a million after you are all dressed up and you are that way from 4 o'clock until the next morning at 7:45 that is if you don't go to bed.  We are issued all the clothes the Marine Corps has, Blues and all.

 

Well, I must lcose now as I have to clean my shoes and make them shine as well as everything else.  What a job!.....

 

As Ever, Pfc. Carl R. Osterhout

 

Sgt. Raymond Gregory on First Home Furlough in Seven Years

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 29, 1944

 

Enjoying his first home furlough in seven years, Sgt. Raymond Gregory, 29, is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Gregory, at North Guilford [Chenango Co., NY].  He is enjoying a 20-day furlough   He has been stationed in the Hawaiian Islands for the past seven years and was at Pearl Harbor on that fateful day of Dec. 7, 1941.  Sgt. Gregory, a baker, was at Scofield Barracks, where they made more than 3,000 loaves of bread a day, and now bake many times that amount.  His schedule, he said, has been a 12-hour day with one day off a month.  He has left the island, previously, but once, and that was to go to another island, where an air base was being built and his outfit supplied bake goods.  Sgt. Gregory leaves June 27 to start the return journey to his post. 

 

 Clifford Loudon Completes Training

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 29, 1944

Clifford R. Loudon has completed his course at Physical Instructing School, Bainbridge, Md., and has received the rating of Sp. (A) 3/C.  He has been assigned to the Naval Base at New Orleans and will resume his duties from there.  Mr. and Mrs. John R. Loudon, Mrs. Clifford Loudon and daughter, Marcia, have just returned from the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Piret, in New York City, where Petty Officer Loudon met them on a few hours' leave.

Lt. Myron Carl Graduates

Bainbridge News & Republican, July 6, 1944

Boise, Idaho:  Myron L. Carl, son of Isaac L. Carl, of R.D.1, Afton [Chenango Co., NY], has just recently graduated as an Aviation Cadet and received his wings as a 2nd Lieutenant according to word received from Gowen Field, Idaho, where he is stationed.  Lieut. Carl, before he entered the Army June 15, 1942, was a student and also employed by the Bendix Scintilla Corp, of Sidney.  The lieutenant now acts as a bombardier on one of the B-24 bombers at the Idaho air base.

St. James Epply's Searchlight Chosen for Exhibit

Bainbridge News & Republican, July 6, 1944

Sgt. James Epply, of the Anti-Aircraft, New York City, was honored when his searchlight was chosen for the big Army exhibit in New York City recently to promote the sale of bonds in the 5th War Loan Campaign.  The exhibit covered 10 blocks and displayed every type of American weapon used in the war, as well as German, Japanese and Italian.  Sgt. Epply stated it was interesting to note how much superior our weapons were to those of our enemies.  The exhibit was so successful that a similar one is being shown in Chicago.

Harold Barnard Graduates

Bainbridge News & Republican, July 6, 1944

U.S. Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Fla.:  Harold Barnard, son of Mrs. Earl H. Barnard, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], recently graduated from Aviation Radio School here and was promoted to Seaman First Class in the U.S. Navy.  Entering the Navy Nov. 22, 1943, he received his recruit training at Sampson, before being transferred to the Naval Air Technical Training Center here.  Barnard is now a qualified Aviation Radioman and is scheduled for Operational Training.  He will probably see future service as a Naval Aircrewman.