Saturday, November 29, 2014

Soldier News continued, 1944

Sgt. Reginald J. Fyffe Wounded in Action

Sgt. Reginald J. Fyffe, Walton [Delaware Co., NY], R.D.1, was one of the 179 sick and wounded veterans admitted to the Army's England hospital at Atlantic City, N.J. last week. The patients were speeded there by plane and hospital train from all major theatres of war.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 31, 1944]
 
Sergt. Reginald Fyffe, former feed merchant in this place [Sidney Center, Delaware Co., NY], who was wounded in France June 16 when the bone in his left arm was shattered, is back in the states and is at present in the Army's England Hospital in Atlantic City for treatment.  [Binghamton Press,  Aug. 24, 1944]
 
Pvt. Basil Shaver Killed in Action
 
Mrs. Ella Shaver, of Andes [Delaware Co., NY], was notified by the War Department on August 8 that her husband, Pvt. Basil Shaver, had been missing in action in France since the 18th of July  On the 14th of August she received a second telegram stating that he had been killed in action, July 18.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 31, 1944]
 
Walton [Delaware Co., NY]:  Latest Delaware County casualty in World War II is Corp. Basil Shaver of Andes, who was killed in action in France July 18, the War Department has advised his wife, Mrs. Ella Shaver.  Corporal Shaver, who observed his thirty-eighth birthday May 20, served in the navy from Aug. 1, 1928 to Aug. 1, 1934, and later was employed by the Delaware county Highway Department.  He joined the army March 13, 1942, and left for England in February, 1944.  He was a member of a tank battalion.  Surviving are his wife; mother, Mrs. Karaline Shaver, Andes; a sister, Mrs. Frank Griffen, Delhi, and an uncle, William Sutton, Maryland.  [Binghamton Press, Aug. 31, 1944]
 
Sgt. George S. Hannah Killed in Action
 
A veteran of 16 years in the Army, Sergt. George S. Hannah, 36, son of Hugh J. Hannah, of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], was killed in action in France Aug. 2, according to a War Department message which had been received Saturday by his father.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 31, 1944]
 
A veteran of 16 years in the army, Sergt, George S. Hannah, 36, son of Hugh J. Hannah, 64 Plymouth Street, Norwich, was killed in action in France Aug. 2, according to a War Department message which had been received today by his father.  A member of the 76th Division, Sergeant Hannah was with the first infantry invasion forces on D-Day.  He was educated in Norwich schools and then enlisted in the army with which he had 16 years to his credit at the time of his death.  He is survived by his wife, the former Miss Ruby Lee whom he married in Baltimore last September; also his father and two sisters, Lieut. Lillian Hannah, army nurse also serving in France; and Mrs. John Plunkett, Rome, N.Y.  [Binghamton Press, Aug. 26, 1944]
 
Two Vicinity Soldiers Killed in Battle
James Telford & James Panaro
 
Word was received a few days ago of the deaths in action of two more Delaware County men, Private James F. Telford, of Walton [Delaware Co., NY], and Corporal James Panaro, of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY].  The message to Private Telford's mother, Mrs. Ray Telford, received Monday read:  "The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your son, Private James F. Telford, was killed in action on Aug.  6, in France.  Letter follows.  Ulio, Adjutant General."  Corporal James Panaro was killed in action in the South Pacific, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Panaro, of Sidney, were informed Thursday, Aug. 17.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 31, 1944]
 
Private James Telford was killed in action in France on Aug. 6, according to a telegram received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Telford.  He entered the armed forces on Aug. 16, 1943, and had been overseas only a short time, crossing the English Channel with some of the first troops to establish foothold on the French shores.  His parents had their last letter from him on July 31, which told of tough going with the armies forging ahead from the channel coast, but said that he was back from the front and at that time enjoying a rest from the fighting.  Born in Walton, Private Telford attended the local schools, and spent his entire life in the village.  Besides his parents, a brother, Howard Telford, also of Walton, survives him.  [Binghamton Press, August 24, 1944]
 
Sidney [Delaware Co. NY]:  Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Panaro of West Main Street received a telegram from the War Department Thursday announcing that their son, James Panaro, had been killed in action in the war in the Pacific against Japan.  The announcement said that a letter would follow with more details.  Corporal Panaro enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on May 4, 1942.  He received his basic training at Parris Island and while there received medals for shooting.  He was then transferred to Quantico, Va., for radio schooling.  When he was graduated, he was promoted to first class private. As he was the only one out of 80 students to score 100 percent, he was given the choice of staying at Quantico as an instructor, or going overseas.  He decided to go into active service.  From there he was sent to New River, N.C., and then to California.  He had been overseas about 16 months and had seen considerable action.  While on Bougainville he obtained a few souvenirs for himself and his family.  Corporal Panaro was a graduate of Sidney High School and was an employee of the Scintilla Magneto Division.  Word also has been received from the War Department of the promotion of his brother, Corp. Carl J. Panaro, to the grade of sergeant.  Sergeant Panaro is an airplane mechanic in an organization receiving schooling in combat techniques at the Harvard Army Air Field, Harvard, Nebr., 2d Air Force heavy bombardment training installation.  [Binghamton Press, Aug. 19, 1944]

The Bronze Star Medal was awarded posthumously to Cpl. James M. Panaro, U.S.M.C.R., by Capt. Robert L. Raclin, officer in charge at Marine Corps District Headquarters, Albany, at Sidney Wednesday morning at 11:30 o'clock.  The award was received by the parents of the late Corporal Panaro, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Panaro, 8 West Main Street. The following citation was presented:  "The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Bronze Star Medal, posthumously, to Cpl. James Panaro, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for services as set forth in the following citation:  'For heroic achievement while serving with the 3d Tank Battalion, 3d Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Marianas Islands, July 26, 1944.  Acting as an advance reconnaissance man for the tank, Corporal Panaro voluntarily exposed himself to intense continual enemy rifle fire and machinegun fire in the Mount Tenjo Road and completely disregarding his own personal safety, rendered invaluable service to the tank commanders by his accurate and efficient guidance.  Corporal Panaro's splendid initiative, dauntless courage and unselfish devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S.Naval Reserve."  Corporal Panaro enlisted in the marine corps on May 4, 1942.  He received his basic training at Parris Island and while there received medals for shooting.  He received training at Quantico Va., and at New River N.C., He had been overseas about 16 months and had seen considerable action.  He was a graduate of Sidney High School and a former employee of the Scintilla magneto Division.  Mr. and Mrs. Panaro received the Purple Heart awarded their son, posthumously, about three months ago.  They will also receive the Asiatic Pacific Area Medal at a later date.  [Binghamton Press, March 29, 1944]

Pfc. Kelsey Peck Receives Purple Heart
Bainbridge News & Republican, August 31, 1944

First Class Private Kelsey Peck, son of Mr. and Mrs. Corbin Peck, Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], was recently awarded the Purple Heart as a result of being wounded in Normandy, France, June 14.  For several weeks no one had heard from him and then his parents received a letter enclosing the Purple Heart.  He is the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Peck, who formerly lived in Roxbury.  He has been in the Army nearly four years, having enlisted in September, 1940.  On July 28 he had been overseas for two years.  He was in the invasion of North Africa in November, 1942, and later in Sicily.  He had been in England since last December until D-Day, June 6.  He has two sisters, Mrs. Paul Shafer and Mrs. James Hinkley, of Roxbury; a brother, Max Peck, of Delhi, and a brother and sister, Daryl and Joyce, with their parents, in Sidney. 

 

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