World War II Stories

MUSTANG PILOT IS NOW IN ENGLAND
With Eighth Air Force Fighter Station, England - Capt. Robert H. Cheney, Jr., of Corsicana, Tex., has been assigned as a P-51 pilot to the Eighth Air Force Fighter Command group led by Col. Roy W. Osborn, of San Antonio.
He escorts England-based U.S. heavy bombers on strategic missions over Germany and Nazi-occupied Europe and strafes enemy ground targets ahead of our invading armies.
A graduate of Corsicana high school and Southern Methodist university, he was awarded his wings and commission on Oct. 31, 1941, after receiving primary training at Santa Maria, Calif., basic at Randolph Field, Tex., and advanced at Kelly Field, Tex. Prior to being sent overseas in August of this year, he was an instructor at various fields.
Capt. Cheney was an agent for the Dallas Morning News before he entered the service in March 1941. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hood Cheney, reside at 1542 West Fourth Avenue, Corsicana. He has a brother, Michael, and a sister, Billie Anne.

CORSICANA NATIVE IS CHIEF OF STAFF - Headquarters South Pacific Base Command - Colonel Eugene C. Johnston, native of Corsicana, Texas, has been named Chief of Staff to Major General Frederick Gilbreath, Commanding General of the South Pacific Base Command with headquarters in New Caledonia.
Colonel Johnston, came here from the San Francisco, Port of Embarkation, where he was on duty nearly two years after serving in the G-1 (personnel) Section of the General Staff and in the Personnel Division of the Army Service Forces, Washington. He was graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1920.
Mrs. Johnston lives at 1539 Francisco Street, San Francisco.
The South Pacific's mission in the ever-tightening ring against Japan is, principally, rehabilitation of troops and supply of material to soldiers on more active fronts. As chief of staff, Colonel Johnston aids in putting into effect the orders of the Commanding General so that completion of these missions may be effected.

FAMILY HEARS FROM W. M. TAYLOR, Jr. - Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Taylor, 1445 West Second avenue, have recently received a letter from their son, Lt. Wm. M. Taylor, Jr., located with American base forces, somewhere aboard, stating that he is feeling fine and fighting the same way. The letter does not state, due to censorship rules, where he is located, but he says they are going to "do the job here well and come back to the good old U. S. A."
The letter had been opened by the censor as stickers proclaimed, and stamped as passed by the censor.

COMMISSIONED - James Franklin Ballew, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Franklin Ballew, Frost, Texas, Route 1, graduated recently from the Naval Air Training Base, Corpus Christi, and was commissioned an ensign in the U. S. Naval Reserve, according to Naval Air Training Center information. He received his preliminary flight instruction at the Norman, Okla., Naval air base. Each Naval aviator is an expert flyer, navigator, areologist, gunner and radio operator. They fly carrier-based or land based planes in Combat zones or at Naval Air Stations at home and abroad.
[note: son of Jacob Franklin "Frank" Ballew & Mary D. Lindsey - View Clipping]

CORSICANA DAILY SUN - FRIDAY NOV 13, 1942
Accepted as Naval Cadet.
James Franklin Ballew son of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Ballew of Frost, has been selected for training as a Naval Aviation Cadet and will be ordered to active duty shortly.
He graduated from Blooming Grove high school in 1942 and was a member of the football, basketball and baseball squads. __

AWARDED MEDAL - An Eighth AAF Bomber Station, England -- Technical Sergeant John W. Watkins, 19, of Barry, Texas, top turret gunner on the Eighth Air Force Flying Fortress "Formation flo," has been awarded the Good Conduct Medal for exemplary service and conscientious attention to duty. Sgt. Watkins, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Watkins of Route 1, Barry, attended Barry High School, where he played baseball and football. He enlisted in the AAF in December, 1942, and received his gunner's wings July 21, 1942.

HOME ON FURLOUGH
Tech. Sgt. J. W. D. Watkins, 20, U. S. Army Air Forces veteran of 28 missions over enemy Occupied Territory in the European Theatre of Operations, is at home pending a 21-day furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Watkins, Barry, Route 1.
An engineer-gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress, Sgt. Watkins wears the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Meal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and a Presidential Citation ribbon.
"The flak looks pretty bad when you see it all around you and the shrapnel pounding the sides of your plane makes lots of noise," the veteran gunner observed with a smile and added, "it makes no difference how high you are or how cold it is, you certainly warm up when the fighters start at you - you don't need that heavy flying suit - you get hot as a fire-cracker."
"You are nervous and scared until you fire the first round at the enemy - then you get steady - your fear leaves you and you really start to fighting he said.
Stationed with the Eighth Air Force somewhere in England.

HOME ON FURLOUGH - Pfc. Albert W. Watkins, 36, U. S. Army, Infantry, is home on a 21 day furlough visiting his wife, the former Miss Lillian Bryant, Blooming Grove, and parents, Mr. and MRs. Mack Watkins, Barry. Entering the service Dec. 3, 1943, Pfc. Watkins has been overseas 13 months in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations participating in the invasion of Sicily and the fighting at Salerno. A graduate of the Barry high school, he will report for reassignment August, 6 at Ft. Sam Houston.

IN AUSTRALIA - Sgt. James B. (Buddy) Shook, 20, U. S. Army, is now stationed somewhere in Australia and getting along fine according to information received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Shook, 812 South Beaton street. A graduate of the Corsicana high school he entered the service in December 1942, and has been overseas since June 1943. Previous to enlistment Sgt. Shook was employed at the State National Bank.

REPORTS TO MIAMI - Petty Officer First Class, Billy M. Bowden, 26, U. S. Navy, left August 10th for Miami, Florida, where he will receive several weeks training before reporting for active duty with the Atlantic fleet. Yoeman Bowden, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Bowden, Corsicana, was stationed with the Navy Recruiting Office at Dallas for the past two years. Mrs. Bowden will make her home with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Breithaupt, for the duration.

VETERAN 36th DIVISION - Cpl. Robert Earl Armstrong, 24, 36th Division, 133rd Field Artillery, veteran of the North African and Italian campaigns arrived in the states September 1, and is now home spending a 24 day furlough with his wife, Gladys Ruth Armstrong, Mildred, and parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Armstrong, 1104 West Eleventh avenue. Entering the service Nov. 1940 when the National Guard was mobilized and federalized, Cpl. Armstrong landed on the beaches at Salerno and fought through the Italian campaign until Rome was captured and passed. He has been awarded the good conduct medal and wears the campaign ribbon with three stars. He attended the Navarro high school.

WITH 36th DIVISION - Pfc. Sam L. Wilson, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Wilson, Richland, Route 3, was mobilized with the National Guard here in 1940 and is with the 36th Division in Italy. He is in the field artillery and has seen much action. He was recently hospitalized due to illness but writes his parents that he is doing well. He is a graduate of the Richland high school.

MISSING OVER FRANCE - First Lieut. Jay V. Thomson, U. S. Army Air Forces, Anacostes, Wash. has been missing in action over France since July 14, according to information received by friends here. He received his primary training at Corsicana Field, Class 43-C basic at Waco and advanced and his wings at Aloe Field, Victoria. Lt. Thomson had been in England since October, 1943, had completed 60 missions before D-Day, and had won the Congressional Air Medal and five Oak Leaf Clusters. A pilot of a P-47, he had one plane shot up and several hits on the new ship.

BROTHERS MEET IN ITALY - Cpl Alma R. Trent, 30, Field Artillery, and Sgt. Leonard M. Trent, 20, Signal Corps, held a reunion somewhere in Italy July 20, according to information received by their parents, Mrs. and Mrs. H. H. Trent, Kerens. This meeting was the first time the brothers had seen each other in two years. Cpl. Trent has been in the service three years and overseas two years. Sgt. Trent has been in the service two years and overseas one year. Both are graduates of the Kerens high school.

SECOND OAK LEAF CLUSTER TO AIR MEDAL IS AWARDED - An Eighth AAF Bomber Station England, May 1 - (Special) - Staff Sgt. Dewey L. Rhoads, 20, 623 North Beaton street, Corsicana Texas, has been awarded the second Oak Leaf Cluster to his Air Medal.
The presentation was made by his group commander, Col. Hunter Harris, Jr. He is the waist gunner on the ship "Picadilly Ann" at this Eighth AAF Flying Fortress base in England.
Sgt. Rhoads is the son of Mrs. Ruth Rhoads of the Corsicana, Texas address.
Prior to entering the AAF in November, 1942, Sgt. Rhoads, a Corsicana high school graduate, was employed as a stock clerk. He received his gunners wings in July 1943.
The citation reads "For exceptionally meritorious achievement, while participating in five separate bomber combat missions over enemy occupied continental Europe. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by Sgt. Rhoads upon these occasions reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

The Corsicana Daily Sun - Mon., May 1, 1944
Submitted by Diane Richards

MISSING IN ACTION - Staff Sgt. Dewey L. Rhoads, 20, U. S. Army Air Forces, left waist gunner on the famous Fortress Picadilly Ann, son of Mrs. Ruth Rhoads, 623 North Beaton street is reported missing in action over France since June 19, it was stated in a telegram from the war department received by his mother Friday. Recently awarded his second Oak Leaf Cluster to Air Medal, Sgt. Rhoads, a 1941 graduate of the Corsicana high school, volunteered for service in November 1942. He received his gunner's wings in July 1943. Stationed at an Eighth AAF Bomber Station, England, the gunner has completed a large number of missions over enemy occupied territory.

WITH BOMBER GROUP AWARDED AIR MEDAL - With a 12th AAF B-26 Marauder Bomber Group in Corsica - Staff Sgt. Donald D. Abernathy of State Orphans Home Corsicana, Texas has been awarded the Air Medal for "meritorious achievement", it was announced recently from headquarters of Maj. Gen. John K. Cannon's 12th AAF.
Overseas since August, 1942, Sergeant Abernathy has 35 combat missions in the Mediterranean theater as a Marauder radio operator-gunner. Twenty-two years old, he entered the army in July, 1940.

NEIL D. CLARD, IN FRENCH INVASION, RECEIVES AWARD
Flight Officer Neil D. Clark, son of Mr. and Mrs. N. G. Clark, Dawson, and a member of the 438 troop carrier group, has received medals for outstanding service in the Air Forces. For participating in D-Day over Normandy F-O Clark was awarded the Air Medal. Later he received the Oak Leaf Cluster for action on D-Day in Southern France.
Following is a copy of his Presidential Unit Citation: "The 438th Troop Carrier Group. For outstanding performance of duty in action against enemy on 5th, 6th and 7th of June 1944. On these dates members of Group Headquarters and of the 87th, 88th, 89th and 90th Troop Carrier Squadrons of the 438th Troop Carrier Group accomplished 131 powered aircraft sorties and 50 glider sorties, fearlessly approaching their objectives through a barrage of anti-aircraft fire to lead the Troop Carrier spearhead of the Allied invasion of Europe in the greatest airborne operation in the history of world aviation. Despite adverse weather conditions, personnel of this group unflinchingly discharged their paratroops and released their gliders with extreme accuracy while flying at dangerously low altitudes and minimum air speeds. Functioning as a perfectly balanced team, the 438th Troop Carrier Group, by its successful accomplishment of these missions in such a gallant and distinguished manner, rendered outstanding service to the Army Air Forces."

HOME ON FURLOUGH - Marvin Crowe, Jr. 18, U. S. Navy, s-2-c, is at home on a nine day furlough visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Crowe, Corsicana. A graduate of the Corsicana high school and a member of the 1943 Tiger football team, Crowe took his boot training at Camp Wallace, Texas.

MISSING IN ACTION - Sgt. William D. Loftis, 20, U. S. Army Air Forces, B-17 Flying Fortress tail gunner, is missing in action over Germany since October 7, according to a message from the war department received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Loftis Purdon Route No 1, former Corsicana residents. A graduate of the Corsicana high school, Sgt. Loftis entered the service February 1943, and has been overseas since August 1, 1944.

KILLED IN ACTION - Sgt. William D. Loftis, 20, tail gunner B-17 Flying Fortress, was killed in action over Germany October 7, according to a telegram received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Loftis of Pursley, formerly of Corsicana, Tuesday. The telegram stated: "Report now received from German government through the International Red Cross states your son Sergeant William D. Loftis who was previously reported missing in action was killed in action seven October over Germany. The Secretary of War extends deepest sympathy Letter follows" Two brothers are in the service, Lt. Marcus Loftis, B-24 pilot, Tucson, Ariz., and Seaman First Class Chester R. Loftis, U.S. Navy, Air Forces ground crew, San Francisco, Calif. A letter was recently received by Mrs. Loftis from Mrs W. E. Hopkins, Kingsville, Texas, stating she had received a letter from another crew member that the plane in which Sgt. Loftis and her son had been seen to catch afire, but that it appeared the pilot had the craft under control. A graduate of Corsicana High School, Sgt. Loftis entered the armed forces in February 1943 and had been overseas since August 1, 1944.

Sgt. W. D. Loftis Funeral Rites Held On Monday

Funeral services for Sgt. William D. Loftis, 20, were held from the Corley Funeral Chapel Monday afternoon with burial in the Hamilton cemetery. The rites were conducted by Rev. Jack Goff, pastor of the North Side Baptist church.

Native of Corsicana and graduate of Corsicana High School, Sgt. Loftis was killed in action over Germany, October 5, 1945, while serving as a tail gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Loftis, Pursley; five brothers, Marcus J. Lofits, Austin; Vernon L. Loftis, Temple, Wayne R. Loftis, Cameron; Mickey and Artie Loftis, both of Pursley; four sisters, Mrs. Cecil Humbert; Miss Mary Frances Loftis, both of Pursley; Mrs. Lester Humbert and Mrs. Lawrence Nichols, both of Corsicana, and grandmother, Mrs. W. D. Loftis, Pursley.

Brothers and brothers-in-law were pallbearers.

The American Legion and Texas National Guard conducted military rites at the grave.

Notes:

Tech. Sgt. Jerome Mims, returned from 30 months overseas with the Army Air Forces in the Southwest Pacific theater of operations, has arrived in this country and will visit his mother, Mrs. Bertha Dew of Corsicana.

Naval Aviation Cadet Roy B. Long, son of Mr. and Mrs. L Long, formerly of this place but now of Corsicana, has been transferred to the Naval Air Station at Corpus Christi, after successful completion of the primary flight training at the Naval Air Station, Lambert Field, St. Louis, Mo.
Rob B. Long started his naval career by attending the Naval Pre-flight School at Athens, GA. He was transferred on April 23, 1943.
After three months intermediate flight training at Corpus Christi, Long will pin on his wings as a naval aviator and be commissioned as ensign in the Naval Reserve or a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve.

SPEND FURLOUGH HERE - Corp. Cecil Griffith, 19, mechanic in the U. S. Army Air Corps, has returned to his station at LaJunta, Colo., after spending a furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. Griffith here. He has been in the service about two years.

IN NEW GUINEA - Sgt. Louis B. Daniel, 21, U. S. Army Infantry, is now stationed in New Guinea and has participated in a number of the major battles in this theatre of war. He is the son of Mr. and MRs. L. B. Daniel, 1326 West Thirteenth avenue. Prior to entering the service in April 1943, he attended the Corsicana high school. Sgt. Daniel has been overseas ten months. A special commendation for the unit of which Sgt. Daniel is a member, was recently issued by General MacArthur in which the general expressed "admiration for the splendid conduct of the campaign east of Aitape *** the operations were planned with skill, were executed with great determination and courage and were crowned with great success."

BOMBARDIER - Charles T. Roundtree, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Roundtree, Dawson, recently completed an intensive eighteen weeks of training as a bombardier-navigator and was graduated a second lieutenant from the Army Air Forces Training Command's school at Midland. Already skilled as aerial gunners, the men who win their wings as bombardiers in the Army Air Forces today are real triple-threat members of the deadly aerial combat teams. Lieut. Roundtree attended John Tarleton Agriculture College prior to entering the service.

THREE FRIENDS IN NAVY
Pictured above are three Corsicana boys, inseparable companions prior to their entry into the U. S. Navy. Bobby Dew, 20, U. S. Navy, Med. Det., now serving in the Aleutians, has been overseas since Dec., 1943. A graduate of the Corsicana High School and a member of the Tiger football team in '41 and '42, he entered the service July 1, 1943. He is the son of Mrs. Bertha Dew, 1125 West Seventh Avenue. Jack C. Hitchcock, 20, U. S. Navy, Seaman, 2-c has been in foreign service since November, 1943, and is now serving in the South Pacific theatre of war. Prior to entering the service in July 1943, he attended Corsicana High School. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Hitchcock, 1510 West Collin. Fred Kesinger, Jr., 18, Seaman 2-c, U. S. Navy is now serving in the South Pacific theatre of war where he has been for the past month. A 1943 graduate of the Corsicana High School he entered the service June 24, 1943. He was quarter back on the Tiger football team in '41 and '42, and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kesinger, Sr. 205 Hardy.

PARATROOPER - Pfc. Louis W. Dickson, U. S. Army, is now stationed at Ft. Benning, Ga., in the parachute troops. A 1941 graduate of the Purdon high school, he entered the service March 4, 1943, first serving at Ft. Lewis, Washington. Prior to entering the army he was connected with the K. Wolens department stores.

NAVIGATOR - Second Lieut. Jerry T. Stockard, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. Todd H. Stockard, Frost, has completed the navigation course of the AAF Training Command at Ellington Field, and has been awarded silver wings. He is now ready to lead AAF bombers to the crumbling defenses of Axis-held Europe.

IN MERCHANT MARINE - Perry Slaughter, 18, seaman, U. S. Merchant Marine, son of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Slaughter, 215 South Twentieth Street, is now stationed at St. Petersburg, Florida. A graduate of the Corsicana high school, he has been in the service six months. Slaughter, according to newspaper clippings, is prominent in boxing bouts being staged at the camp fighting in the 125 pound division. He is reported to have won all his bouts to date.

RETURNS TO DUTY - Perry Slaughter, 19, quartermaster in the Merchant Marine, has returned to his base for further overseas duty following a visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Claud Slaughter. He has been in the Merchant Marine about a year and has made trips to Italy, England and other sections of the war zone. He was in the convoy from England to France on D-Day. He is a graduate of the Corsicana high school.

BROTHERS IN ARMY - Pfc. Thomas M. McPherson and Pfc. Frank E. McPherson, U.S. Army, have received their sailing orders at the same time, with Thomas reporting at a New York embarkation point and Frank at a San Francisco embarkation station. The brothers were home on furloughs together last July while Frank was at Ft. Monmouth and Thomas was at Camp Bowie. They are sons of Mrs. McPhearson of Corsicana and the late F. E. McPherson.

SOMEWHERE IN ITALY - Pfc. Ben M. Price, Coast Artillery stationed somewhere in Italy for the past 15 months,is getting along fine and expects to come home soon, according to information recently received by his mother, Mrs. A. M. Price, Purdon, route No. 1, Prior to entering the service over two years ago, he attended the Dawson high school. He is enjoying excellent health and weighs 185 pounds according to letters received.

IN THE NAVY - Walton A. Poe, apprentice seaman, enlisted in the Navy on June 23, this year and is now stationed at San Diego, Calif., for his training. Walton is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Poe, Navarro, and graduated from the Mildred high school with the 1943 class. He writes that he likes the Navy and that he is doing fine.

BROTHERS IN SERVICE - Pvt. Paul D. Rogers, U. S. Army Air Forces, and Cpl. Cecil L. Rogers, 23, U. S. Army Amphibious Forces, are the sons of Mrs. Frankie Rogers, 1913 West Thirteenth Avenue. Paul has recently returned to his station at Dover, Delaware, following a ten day furlough spent with his mother. Recently completing training as an armorer, he is scheduled to go to gunnery school soon. He entered the service July 15, 1943. Cecil is now serving in the Pacific Theatre of operations. He entered the service May 12, 1943. His wife and son reside at Houston.

BROTHERS IN SERVICE - Warren K. Hart, 18, and Amos F. Hart, 20, brothers, both with the rating of s-1-c, now serving in the United States Navy, are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Hart, 220 West Mulberry, Sherman, former residents of Corsicana. Both are graduates of the Corsicana high school. Warren recently graduated from the Naval Air Technical Training Center at Norman, Okla., and will be transferred to another base where he will finish gunnery. Amos is now stationed at San Diego, Calif., where he graduated from torpedo school June 16. He is to be sent to a destroyer base for further training.

BOMBER PILOTS - Two Navarro County men, recently completed advanced training, have been commissioned second lieutenants and received their silver wings as bomber pilots. They are Edgar J. Glenn, Jr. Blooming Grove, graduating from Blackland Fields, Waco; and William J. Daniel, Kerens, graduating from the Altus Okla., Army Air Field. A record breaking total of combat pilots, including 271 Texans received their wings in simultaneous graduation ceremonies at eleven Southwestern advanced flying schools of the AAF Training Command.

COMMENDED - Pfc. James D. Taylor, 19, U. S. Marine Corps, is shown just after he received a letter of commendation from his commanding officer somewhere in the South Pacific. The letter signed by the commanding general of the Second Division, was awarded Taylor for his gallantry in carrying a Marine sergeant to safety on Tarawa. Stranded with the sergeant and a Marine corporal in front of the Marine front lines, Taylor and the corporal carried their wounded buddy to safety, despite heavy Jap fire. Taylor who has two brothers in the Army, lives at 903 South Seventeenth street, Corsicana.

BROTHERS IN SERVICE - Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Gipson, Corsicana, have two sons in the armed service. Pvt. Alton Ray Gipson is stationed in Alaska and Robert L. Gipson MM 1-c U. S. Navy is in New Zealand. He has been overseas 16 months. Mr. and Mrs. Gipson also have two sons-in-law in the service. They are Pvt. James D. Attaway, Army Medical Corps, overseas, and Corp. Arthur D. Boswell, Army Signal Corps stationed in New Guinea.

IN ENGLAND - Staff Sgt. E. M. Hopwood, Jr., 22 and Sgt. James Ellett, Jr., 20 both in the U. S. Army, now stationed somewhere in England, send the above picture home to show they are getting along fine and that the country agrees with them. The picture was received by the staff sergeant's wife. Both non-coms have been in the service about one year and both graduated from the Corsicana high school. They are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Hopwood, 1101 North Commerce street, and Mr. and Mrs. James Ellett, 1104 West Fifteenth Avenue.

IN THE ARMY - Pvt. Jimmie D. Capeheart, U. S. Army is now stationed at Camp Fannin, Texas, A graduate of the Navarro high school, he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Capeheart, Angus.

THREE BROTHERS IN SERVICE - Pictured above, .... are Pfc. George Milton Hair, Pfc. Alex Eugene Hair and Cpl. Lonnie T. Hair, sons of A. F. Hair, Eureka, all members of the armed forces. George has arrived somewhere in England, according to information received by his wife and daughter, Carolyn, who reside in Corsicana. He entered the service April 6, 1944, and trained at Camp Robinson, Ark. Alex is somewhere in Australia. Entering the service in October 1941, he has been overseas since May 1942. Lonnie entered the service in February 1943, and has been overseas since May 1944. He is now somewhere in New Guinea. All attended Mildred high school.

COMMISSIONED - Dan B. Cunningham, son of Mrs. I. T. Blake, and George O. Nokes, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. G. O. Nokes, have been commissioned second lieutenants in the Army Air Forces after completing bombardier training at the Carlsbad, N. M. Army Air Field. Leut. Cunningham is a former student of the University of Texas, Austin, and Lieut. Nokes is a former student of Baylor University, Waco, and the University of Texas.

IN THE ARMY - Pvt. Jennings B. Paschal Jr., 19, U. S. Army is now stationed at Camp Callan, San Diego, Calif. A former Corsicana high school student he was a member of the 1942 Tiger football team. He entered the Army December 31, 1943, and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Paschal, 904 West Sixteenth avenue.

IN ITALY - Cpl. E. A. Patterson, U. S. Army Air Forces, is now stationed somewhere in Italy. The son of Mrs. E. A. Patterson, he has been in the service for 18 months and has been on active duty overseas since the first of the year.

MISSING - Hershel A. Daniel, 19, S-1C, U. S. Navy, is missing in the Pacific Area. He was a gunner on a Navy bombing plane. A telegram from the Navy recently telling of the seaman's missing did not reveal the date. A graduate of Corsicana High School he entered the Navy July 1, 1943, and has been overseas since May 1944. His wife and parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Daniel, Reside here.

IN THE NAVY - Robert Henry Peacock, 19, seaman 2-c, U. S. Navy, is now stationed at San Diego, Calif., where he is taking a course of special training. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Peacock, Powell. His wife, the former Miss Ruby Lee Standard, resides in Corsicana. Prior to entering the service in December 1943, he attended the Phillips Chapel and Powell schools.

ON LEAVE - S1-C Cornelius C. Carroll, U. S. Navy, stationed on a hospital ship in the South Pacific the past 21 months, is home on a 30-day leave visiting his mother, Mrs. Sallie Carroll, 908 West Seventeenth avenue. Seaman Carroll enlisted in the Navy, Feb. 1, 1942, and this is his first leave. Prior to entering the Navy, he was employed in Corpus Christi.

AWARDED WINGS - Paul T. Flynn, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. F. Flynn, 2804 Park Row, Corsicana, has successfully completed the Army Air Force Advanced Flying School Training at Williams Field, Chandler, Ariz. The pilot has been commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. Lt. Flynn is a former student of North Texas Agricultural College Arlington.

WINS NAVY CROSS - Rear Admiral Robert B. Carney, had of Admiral Halsey's "dirty trick department," was awarded the Navy Cross for his work in the Second Philippines sea battle Oct. 23-26.

FOUR BROTHERS IN SERVICE - R. L. Cunningham of Blooming Grove, has four sons in the United States Armed Forces. They are Pfc. James Raymond Cunningham, 30, ground crew, U. S. Air Forces, stationed at Bakersfield, Calif. He entered the service March 4, 1943. Cpl. Selwyn Dale Cunningham, 26, U. S. Infantry, now stationed in North African Theatre of war. He entered the service June 19, 1941. Pvt. Marion La Don Cunningham, 23, ground crew U. S. Air Forces, now serving in England, entered the service Nov. 12, 1941. Aviation Cadet Dan Blake Cunningham, 21, entered the service in February, 1943, and is stationed at Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Blooming Grove Times, Friday February 12, 1943

Pvt. Raymond Cunningham, of California, and sister Mrs. Sam Morton, of Stinnet, came in Sunday to visit their father R.L. Cunningham and Mr. and Mrs. Francis McGovern. This is Raymond’s first visit since he went into the service a year ago.

FLIGHT OFFICER - Hugh L. Wood, 1510 West Second avenue, recently completed his advanced training at Elington Field where he received his wings and was given the rating of Flight Officer. He is a bomber pilot.

PROMOTED - Billy Stokes, 24, U. S. Navy, has been promoted to the rating of 2-c petty officer, according to information by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Stokes, 608 West Park. Entering the service in December 1943, he is now stationed at Pensacola, Florida, with the Naval Air Corps. A graduate of the Corsicana high school, Stokes also was a member of the Tiger football team. Prior to entering the service he attended the University of Texas.

PROMOTED - Hugh Gene Brown, U.S. Navy, has recently been promoted to the rating of Aviation Machinist Third Class, according to information received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Mills 2103 West Second Avenue. Petty Officer Brown entered the service March 23, 1943, and is now connected with the Ground Training School at Cabaniss Field, Corpus Christi. Prior to entering the service he was crew chief at Corsicana Field. He attended Corsicana high school and was a member of the band.

OVERSEAS - Lieut., John Wayne Mitchell, son of J. W. Mitchell, Barry, writes that he is half around the world now. being stationed somewhere in the Pacific area. The food is good he reports and his is well. Lieut. Mitchell graduated from Barry high school and did his college work at North Texas State Teachers College, Denton. He received his military training at Sheppard Field Wichita Falls; Chanute Field, Illinois; Miami, Florida, Officers Training; Pratt and Whitney, Hartford, Conn., and Smyrna Air Base Smyrna, Tenn. He is now an engineering officer in the Air Corps.

COMMISSIONED - Lieut. Thomas Shivers, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. P. Shivers of 1424 West 5th Avenue, Corsicana, Texas, was a member of the 44-a class of aviation cadets to graduate from the Army Air Forces Pilot School (Advanced 2 Engine) at George Field, Illinois, on January 7. He received the silver wings of a flying officer and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Air Forces. Lieut. Shivers entered pilot training last July, and attended flying schools at Benettsville, S. C. and Sumner, S. C., before his graduation at the advanced flying school at George Field, Illinois.

VISITED PARENTS - Lt. Alvin J. Marks, 23, U. S. Army Air Forces, has returned to La Junta Army Air Field, Colorado, following a leave spend with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Marks, 1224 West Fourth avenue. Lt. Marks recently won his wings and was commissioned at La Junta where he completed advanced training in the famous Mitchell bombers. A graduate of the Corsicana high school and the University of Texas, Lt. Marks took flight training in California, Texas and Colorado. He made an exceptionally high record at La Junta where thirty-four Texans were members of his graduation class.

IN AIR CORPS NOW - Billy Lamar Gillen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Drew Gillen, Blooming Grove, is with the medical detachment in the air corps and is located at Ft. George Wright, Spokane, Washington. He enlisted in September, 1942. Billy is a graduate of the Blooming Grove High school and attended A. and M. College during the summer term in 1942.