Soldier News continued, 1944

Lt. Malcolm MacGregor Missing in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, October 19, 1944

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest C. MacGregor, of Delhi [Delaware Co., NY], have been advised by the War Department that their only son, First Lieut. Malcom MacGregor, 21, is listed as missing in action over Germany.  In a telegram from the Adjutant General's office, Mr. and Mrs. MacGregor were informed that their son's airplane, a B-24 Liberator, failed to return from a mission over Germany on Sept. 27, Lieutenant MacGregor was a bombardier.  Lieutenant MacGregor had only three more missions to complete before he would have been eligible for a leave.  In a recent letter to his parents, he mentioned that he expected to be home before Christmas.  His engagement to Miss Elizabeth Evenden, of Delhi, was announced a few months ago.

 

Robert McNeil helps save A&P Canning Plant

Bainbridge News & Republican, October 19, 1944

 

Robert D. McNeil, 24, 29 Court street, Norwich, F 2/C, at the United States Naval Training Center at Sampson, recently volunteered to help save Western New York's tomato pack, half of which had been allocated to the armed forces.  The Chenango County sailor, who has completed boot training, was among the volunteers released by the Navy on special leaves to ease the manpower shortage at the A&P canning plant in Brockport.  The Navy men lived at a Rochester hotel, received regular wages and were transported daily by bus to the plant for work.  The Navy men worked side by side with regular employees, school and college students, housewives, business men and war workers who are volunteering either part time or full time during the four-week peak period of the pack.  More than 4,000,000 bottles of ketchup are expected to be packed at this plant alone for the armed forces.

 

Sgt. Elmer Lowe Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, October 19, 1944

 

Mrs. Ernest E. Lowe received a message Saturday morning, Oct. 7, stating that her son, Gy. Sgt. Elmer E. Lowe, had been killed in action in the Southern Pacific.  He was the son of the late Ernest E. Lowe and Katharine Kent Lowe, and was born May 12, 1911, at Sherman, Pa.  The family moved to Deposit [Delaware Co., NY] in March, 1919.  Sgt. Lowe graduated from the Deposit High School in June, 1929.  He was active in sports, being a member of the basketball team.  After his graduation, he was employed by the Prudential Insurance Company, of Newark, N.J., from July, 1929, until his enlistment in the USMC, on Oct. 28, 1940.  During this period he gained well-deserved promotions and advancements in the office where he worked.  Sgt. Lowe completed his training, after enlistment, at Parris Island and left for overseas duty April 6, 1942.  He held the rank of corporal, sergeant, platoon sergeant, and gunnery sergeant.  His four-year enlistment would have been completed this month.  He was a member of the Y.M.C.A. in Newark, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church and Sunday School of Deposit.  He is survived, besides his mother, by a sister, Lieut. Emily Lowe, A.N., of Fort Slocum; a brother, Russell K. Lowe, of New Berlin; a nephew, Russell K. Lowe, Jr., and a niece, Susanne Lowe. The deepest sympathy of the entire community is extended to Mrs. Lowe and her family in the loss of a faithful, trustworthy son and brother.

 

Pvt. Kenneth Meader Cited for Bravery

Bainbridge News & Republican, October 19, 1944

 

Private Kenneth Meader, rifleman, of Hancock [Delaware Co., NY], recently was authorized to wear the Distinguished Unit Badge as one in a company of 85th "Custer" Division infantrymen who held a strategically important hill against severe attacks of a numerically superior enemy on the 5th Army front in Italy.  Lieut. Gen. Mark W. Clark, 5th Army commander, presented streamers to the company, identifying it as having been awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation.  Private Meader is the son of Mrs. Anna Meader, of Hancock.  He attended the Hancock High School and entered service in June, 1943.

 

S/Sgt. John N. Hill Returns After 55 Missions in Pacific

Bainbridge News & Republican, October 19, 1944

 

S/Sgt. John N. Hill, after serving 14 months in the South Pacific as an aerial engineer on a B-24 Bomber, arrived in the States Sept. 28, and came to Bainbridge Monday night to spend a few days.  Staff Sergeant Hill wears the Air Medal with two Silver Clusters, the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with three Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, and a Presidential Citation for first raid over Truk.  He has completed 55 missions, all were made in the same plane that the crew left the States in, "Pistol Packin' Mamma."  This veteran plane is credited with being the fastest plane in the group and has 8 Jap planes to her credit.  John has one plane to his credit. On one of the missions over Truk, the nose turret of the plane was shot away, 94 holes were counted in the gas tanks, No. 2 propeller was bent like a cork screw, and a shell hit the side of the plane, knocking down most of the crew, however, "Pistol Packin' Mama" returned ot her base.  Staff Sergeant Hill has taken part in missions, besides Truk, over Tabaul, Palau, Admiralty Islands, Guadalcanal, Munda and many other targets.

 

Pfc. William Wagner Awarded Purple Heart

Bainbridge News & Republican, October 19, 1944

 

Mrs. Alta DeForest Wagner has received the Purple Heart Medal for her husband, Private First Class William Wagner, who was killed in France June 30.  Also a Memorial signed by President Roosevelt.

S/Sgt. Harry Smith Wounded in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, October 19, 1944

Mr. and Mrs. Clair Smith, of Greenlawn avenue [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], received a telegram from the War Department Saturday, Oct. 7, stating that their son, S/Sgt. Harry M. Smith, had been wounded in action Sept. 22, in Holland.  On Monday of this week, they received a letter written by a Red Cross worker, saying he was able to move his arm some, also that his other wounds were healing nicely.  He stated further that he has been awarded the Purple Heart Medal which he has sent home.