Soldier News continued

Letter from Major Edward P. Danforth

Bainbridge News & Republican, December 28, 1944

Dr. and Mrs. Edward Danforth received a V-Mail letter written Oct. 28 from their son, Major Edward Prince Danforth, of the Philippines, which arrived in its original state last week.  It was stamped on the front "unsuitable for printing."  The letter apparently had been soaking wet and the ink was smeared considerably.  Major Danforth writes in part:  "Up until last night I've been getting two hours sleep in twenty-four.  Yesterday was the first chance I had to get into some clean clothes.  Professionally I have never had more to do in my life.  I just hope and pray that I can help some of our boys who are doing a marvelous job."

 

Pvt. John Kark with the 399th Infantry Regiment

Bainbridge News & Republican, December 28, 1944

 

Sixth Army Group, France:  The 399th Infantry Regiment of the 100th (Century) Division set some kind of record for the speed with which it said goodbye to the East River and said hello to the Rhine.

 

Some of the men in the regiment marched down Fifth Avenue in New York City to help inaugurate the 5th War Bond Drive, and they were in action on the U.S. 7th Army front in Eastern France when they read about the results of the same drive.

 

Arriving in France on Oct. 20, the men, commanded by Colonel Andrew W. Tychsen of Haddonsfield, N.J., spent several days assembling their equipment and regaining their land legs.  Then came the order to move up, and for three days and nights the regiment rolled toward the front.  The men dismounted from their vehicles one night, and the next morning they were in the line.  They had relieved a veteran regiment that had seen service in Sicily, Italy, Anzio and Southern France.  Their sector was one of the toughest along the entire front.  Ste. Barbe, was densely wooded and mountainous, with an almost jungle-like undergrowth impeding progress.  But the 399th fought its way against a fanatic enemy, against countless land mines and booby traps, and against terrain and weather obstacles that favored a well-entrenched enemy.

 

While the French army drove to Strasbourg in enveloping movements from the north and south, the 399th helped smash the Nazis backward toward the Rhine, and soon won a reputation for being an experienced, hard-driving, relentless fighting unit.

 

Among the members of 399th is Pvt. John H. Kark, of Harpursville [Broome Co., NY].

 

Pfc. John Parsons Jr. Home on Re-enlistment Furlough

Bainbridge News & Republican, March 21, 1946

 

Pfc. John Andrew Parsons, Jr., arrived at the home of his parents, Mayor and Mrs. John A. Parsons, Sunday night on a re-enlistment furlough, and will report for duty March 30 at Fort Snelling, Minn.  Private Parsons entered the Army Aug. 21, 1941 and served with the Air Force for three years and then was assigned to the 1924th Aviation Engineers a few months before sailing for the Pacific Theatre.  He served on detached service with the 282nd Coast Artillery on Saipan and Okinawa, receiving his discharge on the latter island, Nov. 11.  On Nov. 12, he re-enlisted and left for the states within a few weeks.  He holds the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with one star, American Theatre Ribbon, Pre-Pearl Harbor Ribbon and Victory Medal.  Mrs. Parsons, Sr., who had been visiting her son and daughter-in-law, arrived home Saturday accompanied by her daughter-in-law and granddaughter, Judy.