Soldier News continued, 1944

Henry Dayton Promoted to 1st Lt.

Bainbridge News & Republican, July 6, 1944

Henry Dayton, of Stamford [Delaware Co., NY], has just been promoted to First Lieutenant.  Hank is a Flying Fortress pilot who has flown more than 100 missions over Germany and Nazi-occupied Europe, and has been cited, etc.  He is more than six feet, and rugged.  A "bra lad," as the Scotch would say.  Hank always left his gym shoes in the locker room at Stamford when he was attending school and on the off nights when he couldn't attend and there was a newcomer with small feet who needed a pair of gym shoes, it was always the delight of Ralph Jones, custodian, to bring out Hank's shoes and lay them before the popping eyes of whoever was in need of a pair.  The shoes were size 15.  They didn't cost Hank anything for legend has it that he got them from a city store window which advertised they would be free to anyone who would fit into them and wear them out of the store.  Hank wore them all through his Stamford High School days.

 

Cpl. Michael O'Neil Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, July 6, 1944

 

Cpl. Michael J. O'Neil, 25, of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], was killed in action during the invasion of France, according to a War Department notification received by relatives.  A former employee of Dunn-McCarthy, Cpl. O'Neil had been in the Army since May, 1941.  After serving 23 months in Panama, he was sent to England last January.  Cpl. O'Neil was a graduate of East Junior High School and St. Paul's and [was] the son of Patrick J. O'Neil.  His mother died shortly before he was sent overseas.  Other survivors are a brother, Joseph, and four sisters, Mrs. Anna Muller, Mrs. Theresa Meno and Marguerite and Catherine, all of Binghamton.

 

Pvt. Angelo Stento Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, July 6, 1944

 

Pvt. Angelo J. Stento, 19, was killed in action in Italy on June 1, according to War Department telegram received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Stento, of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY].  Pvt. Stento, who was attached to an infantry unit since his entry into the service in September, 1943, was wounded twice on the Anzio Beachhead, but the cause of his death was not disclosed.  He received his basic training at Fort McClellan, Ala., and has been overseas since February.

 

Letter from Doris Stead with Red Cross in England

Bainbridge News & Republican, July 6, 1944

 

June 10, 1944

Dear Don [Stead-brother of Doris Stead],

At last a chance to write you a long letter, will try to explain to you what my outline of work is and of little details you might be interested in.  We work closely with the Army; in fact, they are so glad to have a few American girls over here, that they will do anything for us.  I had ice-cream today that was given us at camp, the first I've had since May 2.  The English people reckon their weight by stones rather than pounds.  One stone is equivalent to 14 of our pounds.  The other night we were invited to a party given by a Brigadier Gen. Travis.  It was certainly an experience one would never get elsewhere, and I am not the least bit sorry I ever came into the A.R.C.  As for time off, we get one day a week off; ours is Sunday. Each month we get one long week-end (two days), once every four months we are allowed one full week which gives you a chance to travel.  My aim is to go to Scotland.  Right now I am in the town N. of London.  We have had a few alerts, a few German planes go over, but from now on we can expect any sort of retaliation.  The queer part of it is, until almost midnight it is still light here, leaving only five hours of darkness at night.  We are six hours ahead of New York time. That was one of the invasion difficulties with only five dark hours in which to make initial landings. The Navy and Army and Air Force had to dig in and do everything possible to get a foothold and beachhead.

 

Our Clubmobile is called the Minneapolis.  There is one named for each state in the Union, and when they run out they start using outstanding cities.  The Clubmobile is a Green liner bus made over into a canteen.  We have a driver, a Englishman, who lends a hand with our doughnut machine.  In the front part of the Clubmobile, you have the kitchen.  As you go in the front side door you see a built in sink cupboard, then a big bowl of mixing dough (built in).  This bowl holds 20 pounds which we mix at one time with our hands.  Great sport!  Then comes the doughnut machine itself which is a wonderful bit of mechanism.  All around the rest of our kitchen we have working spaces, bins for flour, coffee, sugar and rack after rack for stacking doughnuts.  All we have to do is weigh the flour carefully in 20 pound batches and mix, after which it is transferred by hand to a big can on the side of the doughnut machine.  We use tons of grease to fry the doughnuts in.  Then comes the dough from the can through a cutter into the hot grease.   There is a fan-like revolving instrument which carries our doughnuts through various compartments until they are done.  This machine turns out one dozen per minute.  We make  1,500 to 2,000 doughnuts each morning.  While we are cooking the G.I.'s are in and out, help us cook, talk with us, laugh and joke.  They like the coffee and doughnuts, but I guess they like a chance to relax and laugh and joke among themselves.  I never tried to get used to so many faces and names in my life before.  We see thousands of men each day.  I keep a little book and try to write down a fellow's name and something that helps me to remember him.  Each fellow seems to think you will remember him (naturally), and is quite insulted next time if you have forgotten him.  All in all the day just isn't long enough.  I've tried to explain the kind of life I lead.

With love, Doris.