Soldier News continued, 1944

David Craig Promoted to Corporal

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 1, 1944

David A. Craig, of Otego [Otsego Co., NY], now serving as aerial engineer with the 11th AAF in the Aleutian Islands, has been promoted to corporal   His wife resides at Otego, and his parents, the Rev. and Mrs. David Craig, Sr., live in Roxbury.  Cpl. Craig was inducted at Fort Dix, N.J., Nov. 16, 1942, and has served for six months with the 11th AAF, first air raiders to hit the Japanese homeland since Gen. Doolittle's famous Tokyo raid in 1942.  The Otego soldier has received the European theatre ribbon, the Good Conduct medal and the Asiatic-Pacific ribbon.  Prior to entering the service Cpl. Craig was employed at the Scintilla Magneto Division, Sidney.

 

Reward for Rescued Aviators

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 15, 1944

 

Flier nets 20 Gallons Ice-cream.  That is the pay-off for rescued aviators in the South Pacific.  Each flier from the U.S.S. Saratoga who is shot down and subsequently picked up by a destroyer and returned to the carrier nets a reward of 20 gallons of ice-cream.  The ice-cream goes to the destroyer crew which rescues the airman.  According to Lt. Commander Kenneth Chapman, of Everett, Wash., there is keen competition to perform the rescue service.  This veteran of service on the Saratoga states further that flier morale is boosted by the eagerness of rescue crews.  "Throughout the entire fighting force ice-cream is proving its value both as a nutritious food and as a morale builder," adds Milton Hult, President of the National Dairy Council.  "As a part of the mess the men are given ice-cream at least once a week whenever possible.  In addition, ice-cream is available in post exchanges and ship service stores and often the ingenuity of the men is responsible for still other supplies of their favorite food."

 

Cpl, Larry Frink Has Band in North Africa

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 29, 1944

 

Cpl. Larry Frink of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] has organized an orchestra called the Rhythm-Airs in North Africa and has had the privilege to play for many entertainments there.  In a letter to his mother, Mrs. Grace Frink, of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], which follows, he tells of his band's organization and activities.

 

 

 

North Africa

Dear Folks,

I am sending you a picture of our North Africa band.  If you look it over you will see I am playing the bass viol.  We have managed to keep our band together and play at the U.S.O., officers' clubs, also other entertainments among other outfits to spread a little American cheer in this far away, lonesome corner of the earth.  It give us something to occupy our minds, and is the one bright spot over here.  On May 9, they took our band by plane to Oran to play for a big naval entertainment.  We had a very nice time.  It is reported now that we will play on a broadcast to be heard back home.  I hope this is true.  We are going to make some records from new music we just received.  our music stands we built out of odds and ends which don't look too rough in the picture.  The lettering we did by hand.  We are quite pound of our band. 

 

I have been in the hospital with an injured knee but am back with my outfit now and feeling fine--I guess the rest was good for me.

 

I received a very nice letter from my former boss, J..Singmaster, of the Casein Co.  I enjoyed his letter a lot--it was very nice of him to write to me.  It was a nice place to work and they are all fine people there.

Larry (Cpl. Larry Frink)

 

Sgt. Carl Reinertsen Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, July 20, 1944

 

Sergeant Carl A. Reinertsen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Reinertsen, of Bovina Center [Delaware Co., NY], was killed in action June 7 in France.  He entered service on Nov. 15, 1940, and in August, 1942, was sent overseas to England, and from there to North Africa.  He had been in the North African and Sicilian campaigns and was wounded in Sicily, for which he received the Purple Heart.  He returned to his company and shortly after was sent to England, where he entered a hospital for infection in his neck.  Memorial services for Sgt. Reinertsen were held at the United Presbyterian Church in Bovina Center, Sunday, July 16.  Sgt. Reinertsen was born Jan. 2, 1919.  He attended Delaware Academy, Delhi [Delaware Co., NY], and has worked on farms in Andes and Bovina before entering service in November, 1940.  He was in the 18th Infantry, First Division.  Surviving are his parents; four brothers, Sigurd in the Army, Robert in the Navy, Leif and Walter, living in Bovina Center; and four sisters, Mrs. Thelma LaFever, of Unadilla, Ethel, Edna and Gladys, all of Bovina Center.

Sgt. Duane Rood is Safe

Bainbridge News & Republican, July 20, 1944

The family of Sergeant Duane Rood, of Hancock [Delaware Co., NY], was greatly relieved when a War Department message received July 11 by his wife, who is living in Detroit, Mich., stating that he was missing in action was followed by one the same day that Sgt. Rood was safe.  The first telegram received July 11, in the morning by Mrs. Duane Rood, stated that Duane had been missing in action since June 23.  Mrs. Rood told her mother-in-law in a telephone conversation that she had received a telegram from Duane stating that he was O.K. and told her "Don't worry."  This telegram was dated June 27.  At noon on Tuesday, July 11, the Roods of Hancock received an official communication that stated that Duane was safe.

S/Sgt Albert Townsend Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, July 20, 1944

Word has been received by Mae Martin, Sidney, that her brother, S/Sgt. Albert Townsend, age 26, of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], was killed in action on June 6, in France.  S/Sgt. Townsend has been overseas since July, 1942.  He saw action in Africa and Sicily and received the Purple Heart for injuries received during the African campaign.  He is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Mae Martin, Mrs. Arthur Lee, Mrs. Carlyle Weyrauch, and five brothers, Charles Townsend, Marshall Townsend, Robert Townsend, now serving in the Merchant Marines, Pvt. Howard Townsend, stationed at Camp Blanding, Fla., and Pvt. Kenneth Townsend, who has been overseas since January, 1944.