World War II Stories |
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| Massengale,
Marshall J. - Staff Sgt. PROMOTED - Staff Sgt. Marshall J. Massengale U. S. Army now stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington, has just been promoted to his present rank and is in charge of the motor pool division of his company. He is the son of W. M. Massengale, Eureka, and has been in the service three years. Nine months of this time was spent in the Panama Canal Zone. Russell, Simpson I. - Pvt. RECEIVES MEDAL - Pvt. Simpson I. Russell, U. S. Army, somewhere in the Pacific, recently was awarded a good conduct medal for active military service. He entered the armed forces Nov. 6, 1942. His wife, Mrs. Bessie Russell, resides at Roane, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Russell, resides at Roane and his parents Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Russell, reside at 712 North Thirteenth street, Corsicana. A brother, Pvt. Buford Russell, U. S. Army Engineers, has been on active duty for the past 17 months. Miller, Roy - Sgt. IN MARSHALL INVASION - Sgt. Roy Miller, U. S. Army Infantry stationed in the Hawaiian Islands for the past six months participated in the recent successful invasion of the Marshall Islands according to a letter received by his wife, Mrs. Flora Miller, 415 West Tenth avenue. The sergeant said in his litter that "we are now in possession of the Marshall Islands" and that he was one of the first U. S. soldiers to put foot on Jap soil. He said the battle was terrible but that he came through without a scratch. He has been in the service three years. COMPLETES TRAINING - Wallace I. Tomlin, 17, U. S. Navy, s-2-c, has recently been on furlough after completing boot training at San Diego Calif. A graduate of the Emhouse high school he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Tomlin, Emhouse. A brother, T-Sgt. Aubrey C. Tomlin and a brother-in-law, Second Lieut. Paul R. Bagget, are both with the United States Air Force. Shivers, Edward Burnett - s-2-c OVERSEAS - Edward Burnett Shivers, 18, U. S. Navy s-2-c, is now overseas somewhere in the South Pacific with the amphibian forces according to information received recently by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Willie Shivers 104 South Thirty-Fourth street. A graduate of the Corsicana High School, he entered the services December 18, 1943. VISITED RELATIVES - Fred (Buck) Mabry, Jr. USN, former resident of Corsicana, now on leave, Sunday was a guest in the home of his aunt, Mrs. J. H. Douglas, 921 West First Avenue. His mother, Mrs. Joe D. Stewart, now resides at Dallas. Stationed at New York, Mabry has seen two years of service in the Atlantic. He attended the Corsicana high school. Washburn, Charles W. - s-2-c RETURNS TO BASE - Charles W. Washburns, S-2-C, U. S. Navy, has returned to his base at San Diego, after spending a ten-day furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Washburn, 1616 West Twelfth Avenue. A graduate of the Corsicana high school he was attending Hillsboro Junior College when he entered the service in January 1944. He is specializing in radio. RECEIVES SILVER WINGS - Walter Hayes Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hayes, 518 West Second avenue, has received his silver wings and graduated as a flight officer from the Advanced Two-Engined Pilot School, Pecos Army Air Field it was announced by Col. Henry B. Fisher, commanding officer. He is a former student of the Corsicana high school. Harris, Jerrell Max "Jerry" - c-1-c ANNAPOLIS APPOINTMENT - Jerry Harris c-1-c, U. S. Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walker Harris, Streetman, has been nominated as a candidate to the U. S. Naval Academy by Congressman Luther A. Johnson of Corsicana. A graduate of Streetman High School, and ex-student of Texas A. & M. College, Harris entered the Navy, Jan. 2, 1942, and has almost completed a seven months course in fire control school at San Diego, Calif. He is a grandson of J. I. McCary of Richland and Mrs. S. T. Harris of Streetman. Gaines, Oscar Derwood - s-2-c VISITED PARENTS - s-2-c - Oscar Derwood Gaines, 18, U. S. N. R., has gone to San Diego Calif., for future service after spending a leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Gaines, Corsicana, Route [?]. He entered the Navy May 16, 1944 and took his first ten weeks training at Camp Wallace, Texas. A former football player with the Mildred High School Eagles, Gaines graduated in 1943. Welch, Joe Robert - s-2-c RETURNS TO SHIP - Joe Robert Welch, U. S. Navy, s-2-c, pictured above with his son, Robert Earl is now serving on an aircraft carrier somewhere in the Pacific after spending a 15 day furlough visiting his wife and son, 620 North Fourteenth street and his mother, Mrs. George Frederick, Blooming Grove. He entered the service Feb 10, 1944, and has been stationed in the Hawaiian Islands. Burleson, Van G. - Pvt. INVASION VETERAN - Pvt. Van G. Burleson, 22, U.S. Army, participated in the recent invasion of the Marshall Islands, according to a V-mail letter recently received by his sister. Mrs. W. D. Pillans, Streetman. He was also with the troops occupying Attu and Kiska during the 1943 Aleutian campaign. In the service since July 1943. Pvt Burleson has been overseas since April 1943. He attended Streetman high school. Stationed in Hawaii prior to the Aleutian and Marshall campaigns he has now been returned to this base, according to latest information received by relatives. McCulloch, Leamon Earl. (Cotton) - S. Sgt PRISONER OF WAR - S. Sgt. Leamon E. (Cotton) McCulloch, 21, U. S. Army Air Forces, is a prisoner of war of the German government, according to a telegram received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leamon L. McCulloch, Purdon, Route No 1. A veteran of 12 combat missions he was first reported missing over Poland Feb. 24, 1944. He is an assistant engineer and waist gunner on a B-17. A '42 graduate of the Blooming Grove high school, Sgt. McCulloch entered the service December 1, 1942 and has been overseas since November 1943, stationed in England. --- Purdon Soldier Is Missing In Action
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Corsicana Daily Sun - Sat., May 13, 1944 Garner, John Joel - Lieut. Col. LIONS CLUB SPEAKER - Lieut. Col. John J. Garner, decorated with the Silver Star for gallantry in action at Salerno, Veteran of two wars, serving with the famous 36th Division for nearly a quarter of a century, was the speaker at the regular meeting of the Lions Club Tuesday. Now home on leave, the officer will report to Ft. Sam Houston soon for re-assignment. (Photo by Tessie Dickeson). Patrick, William H., Jr. - 1st Lt. CORSICANA PILOT OF FLYING FORTRESS BRINGS CRIPPLED SHIP SAFELY BACK TO
BASE AWARDED AIR MEDAL - Lt. Wm. H. Patrick, Jr., Flying Fortress pilot, somewhere in England, U. S. Army Air Forces, received the decoration of the Air Medal April 8. A graduate of Corsicana High School, Lt. Patrick is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Patrick 618 West Fifth avenue. The citation included: "For exceptionally meritorious achievement while participating in five separate bomber combat missions over enemy occupied continental Europe. The courage, coolness, and skill displayed by this officer upon these occasions reflects great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States." CORSICANA PILOT DECORATED - At an English AAF Bomber Base England - Captain William H. Patrick, Jr. son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Patrick of 618 West Fifth Avenue, Corsicana, Texas, is being decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross by Col. William M. Reid, command officer of this heavy bomber group. The citation accompanying the presentation of the award read in part: "...for extraordinary achievement while serving as pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress during combat missions over Nazi Europe. The 22-year old pilot has participated in many of the Eighth Air Forces successful daylight bombing assaults on vital industrial targets and military installations in Germany and the enemy-held countries of Europe. A graduate of Corsicana High School, he attended the U. of Texas for two years. Captain Patrick was employed by the Beauchamp-Patrick Co., of Corsicana, as a book-keeper before joining the Army Air Force. Notes:
Parker, Eulin - T-5 PURDON SOLDIER RECEIVES PURPLE HEART DECORATION Cunningham, Dan B. - First Lieutenant DECORATED - 15th AAF in Italy - First Lieutenant Dan B. Cunningham, 22, bombardier on a Flying Fortress operating from an advanced air base in Italy, is being presented the Air Medal "for meritorious service and achievement in serial flight" by Col. Paul L. Barton, left, group commanding officer. Lt. Cunningham, son of Mrs. Maggie Blake, 1104 West 4th Ave., Corsicana, Texas, has flown 40 combat missions over Nazi-held territory, and has received the Oak Leaf Cluster to his Air Medal by order of Maj. Gen. Nathan F. Twining, commanding general of the 15th Air Force operating in Italy. Lt. Cunningham, a member of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, attended Corsicana High and the University of Texas where he majored in International Trade Relations, prior to his enlistment in the Air Corps, Lt. Cunningham, recently promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, received his wings and commission at Ardmore, Oklahoma. COMMISSIONED - Charles Albert Deveny, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Deveny, 1723 Woodlawn avenue, received his degree in meteorology at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California Tuesday and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. Charles graduated from Corsicana High School in 1941, as valedictorian of his class making an average of 97 1/2 for the entire four years while in high school. He attended Hillsboro Junior College and majored in mechanical engineering, while there he made the highest average in the Engineering Department. Attending the University of Texas, he was also an honor student there, and his name appeared in the highest group on the honor roll, ranking in the top one percent. While in school at the University, Charles volunteered for service in the Army Air Corps. He was sent to the University of New Mexico to study premeteorology. After completing this course, the Government sent him to the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, for further study in advanced meteorology. Lieutenant Deveny will spend a few days at home with his parents before being sent to his next assignment. Meador, Louie H. - Cpl. DECORATED - Cpl Louie H. Meador, 25, 36th Division, has been awarded the
Bronze Star Medal according to information received by his wife.
Mrs. Eunice Meador 600 North Ninth street. IN THE NAVY - Marvin E. Hamilton, 18, former Corsicana Daily Sun newsboy, is in the U.S. Navy and is stationed at Mare Island, Calif. He entered the service in February 1944. He attended Corsicana high school before moving to Arizona where he lived when he enlisted in the navy. Bivin, Caxton R. - Sgt. VISITED HOME - Sgt. Caxton R. Bivin, Battery A, 133rd Field Artillery, 36th Division, Fifth Army in Italy recently received a week-end pass and visited interesting places in Rome including Vatican City. Sgt. Bivin has escaped injury thus far, according to a letter to Mrs. Bivin who resides here. The sergeant was federalized with the local Texas National Guard units in November, 1940, and went overseas, April 1, 1943 landing at Salerno Beachhead Sept. 9, 1943. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Bivin, 1201 West Thirteenth avenue, Corsicana. Almond, Walter M. - Sgt. WOUNDED TWICE - Sgt. Walter M. Almond, Dawson, U. S. Army, husband of Mrs. Josephine Almond of Dawson Route 2, was wounded June 12 and Nov. 11, 1944, with the famous Ninetieth Division. He is back with his division. Sgt. Almnd has been awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster award. A recent package received by Mrs. Almond contained German articles including a dagger, a purse containing coins, four medals and parts of uniforms. Wilson, William L. - Col. DECORATED - Col. William L. Wilson, 42, U. S. Medical Corps is pictured above as he was being decorated with the Legion of Merit in Washington recently. The son of Rev. and Mrs. W. B. Wilson, 2012 West Collin street, the officer was the honor student in the graduating class of Baylor Medical School, June 1926. He entered the service immediately following graduation. Visiting his parents here two weeks ago., Col. Wilson has since been assigned to foreign service. The citation for Col. Wilson follows: "For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service. As Medical Staff advisor of the Commanding General, Service of supply and later as Chief of the Hospitalization and Evacuation Branch, Headquarters, Army Service Forces, he displayed tireless energy, great resourcefulness and military attainment of high order in solving with sound judgment perplexing problems of hospitalization and evacuation of members of the armed forces. Through his tact, professional efficiency and devotion to duty, he laid the ground work through which our troops are being hospitalized and evacuated efficiently from the theaters of operations. His exceptional common sense, devotion to duty and loyal services were of inestimable value to the Commanding General, Army Service Forces." His wife and two children reside in Washington. Crawford, James N. - Pfc. ARRIVES IN ENGLAND - Cpl. James N. Crawford, U. S. Army, has written his mother, Mrs. R. L. Crawford and Peggy Roberson, Corsicana, that he has arrived in England and is doing fine. He states that it is a very pretty country. Cpl. Crawford is a '43 graduate of the Corsicana high school. Entering the Army in July 1943, he received his training at Camp Wolters before leaving for overseas duty. WOUNDED IN ACTION - Mrs. Nora E. Crawford, Corsicana Route 3, has received a telegram from the war department stating that her son, Pfc. James N. Crawford, infantry U. S. Army, had been seriously wounded in action in France on July 12. Pfc. Crawford is a graduate of the Corsicana high school and entered the services in July 1943 and has been overseas about seven months. He landed in France on D-Day according to information received earlier by his mother. He was recently awarded the expert infantryman's badge. Kessinger, Fred Jr. - Seaman First Class TELLS OF LEYTE FIGHTING - Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kessinger have received a
message from their son, Seaman First Class Fred Kessinger, Jr. stating
that he was a member of the invasion forces on Leyte Island on the second
day that it has been rough going since that time, and that it had been
days and nights since they had had any sleep. His parents had not
had direct word from him in six weeks. WINS WINGS - Charles W. Kessinger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Cosigner, 822 West Thirteenth Avenue, has successfully completed the Army Air Forces Advance Flying School training at Williams Field, Chandler, Arizona. He has been appointed a flight officer in the Army Air Corps. He is a former student of North Texas Agricultural College, Arlington, Texas. Onstott, William Carl - s-2-c
Patch, Alexander M. - Major INVASION COMMANDER - Gen. Alexander M. Patch (pic above) commands the Allied force attacking southern France. Benson, William F. - Pfc. DECORATED - Pfc. Wm. F. Benson, Artillery, 36th Division, has been awarded a Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement in combat, June 18, 1944, in Italy, according to a citation received from Major General John E. Dahlquist, commanding general, by Mrs. Lela Benson of Corsicana, mother of the soldier. The citation said that Private Benson, a volunteer member of a forward observer detail traced a liaison line shattered by artillery and small arms fire 600 yards over open terrain constantly subjected to fire, repaired the line and returned to his observation post, thereby relieving pinned down units. He has been in the armed forces since local Texas Guard units were mobilized in November 1940. Jordan, Wiley E. - Sgt. VISITING HOME - Sgt. Wiley E. Jordan, 22, United States Marines, is visiting his sister, Mrs. W. L. Harris, 812 South Commerce street, after spending 34 months in the Pacific area. He will report back to El Centro, Calif., for re-assignment after the expiration of his leave. Sgt. Jordan is the son of W. W. Jordan, Donie, Texas, Route 1, and formerly resided at Acquilla, Hill county Texas. The Marine participated in many of the important engagements. Dean, William A. - Commander LED "FIGHTING TWO" ON FIRST MANILA RAID - Comdr. William A. Dean of Houston, Texas, is squadron leader and ranking ace of the Navy's Squadron Two which participated in the first air assault on Manila Sept. 21. Before the Manila raid he had destroyed 11 Jap planes. Markings at right on his plane are for fighter bomber and strafing sweeps against the enemy. McMillan, James E. - Pvt.
GRAVE OF A MARINE - Pictured above is the grave of Pvt. James E. McMillan, 19, son of Mrs. Alma Womack, 501 North Commerce Street, killed in combat somewhere in the Southwest Pacific, January 2, 1944. He volunteered for service October 20, 1942, while a senior in the Corsicana high school. The picture was sent by the Marine's mother by Capt. James G. Triebel, U.S.M.C. and shows only a small part of the well cared for cemetery. The name of the Corsicana Marine shows plainly in the photograph on the cross in the foreground at the left of the guard. Notes:
---- KILLED BY JAPS - Pfc. James E. McMillan, 19, U. S.
Marine, was killed in action in the Southwest Pacific area,
according to a telegram received by his mother, Mrs. Alma Womack,
501 North Commerce street. Volunteering October 20, 1942, while a
senior in Corsicana High School, he sailed for foreign duty in June,
1943. The time or place of the death of the Marine was not disclosed
in the message received Thursday night. Surviving are his mother, a
half-brother, Gene Allen Womack, Corsicana; grandfather, G. E.
Ewing, Sr., and four uncles, W. G., J. F. and H. J. Ewing, all of
Corsicana, and G. E. Ewing, Jr., U. S. Army, Sheppard Field.
----- GRAVE OF A MARINE - Pictured above is the grave of Pvt. James E. McMillan, 19, son of Mrs. Alma Womack, 501 North Commerce Street, killed in combat somewhere in the Southwest Pacific, January 2, 1944. He volunteered for service October 20, 1942, while a senior in the Corsicana High School. The picture was sent [to] the Marine's mother by Capt. James G. Triebel, U.S.M.C. and shows only a small part of the well cared for cemetery. The name of the Corsicana Marine shows plainly in the photograph on the cross in the foreground at the left of the guard. Notes:
---- Pfc. J.E. McMillan Body Is En Route Home For Burial Notes:
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Bruce, Herman - Cpl. CORPORAL BRUCE RECEIVES AWARD OF BRONZE STAR - Cpl. Herman Bruce, 26,
Battery A, 133d Field Artillery Battalion 36th Division U. S. Army, has
been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for gallantry in action, according to a
citation signed by Major General Fred L. Walker, U. S. Army, commanding,
received by his mother, Mrs. Lena Bruce, 639 North Thirteenth street. Holley, Harold Rivers - Pfc. VETERAN PACIFIC FIGHTING RETURNS Edmundson, Noel W. - T-Sgt. T-SGT EDMUNDSON, FORTRESS GUNNER, GETS DECORATION - An Eighth Air Force
Bomber Station, England -- Technical Sergeant Noel W. Edmundson, 21-year
old engineer and top turret gunner on an Eighth Air Force B-17 Flying
Fortress, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for
"extraordinary achievement" while on heavy bombing attacks of
German military and industrial targets and in support of Allied ground
forces.
Homer L. Wood
--- PFC. HOMER L. WOOD FUNERAL
SERVICES HELD ON SATURDAY
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February, 2020
Edward L. Williams