THE DOGTOWN NEWS Issue No. 3 ST. LOUIS, MO. May, 1945
Motor Machinist’s Mate Second Class James Shaw. 2123A Prather ave., Silver Star.
Bronze Star: S-Sgt. Vernon Parrish. 5845A Hampton ave., Air Medal.
For gallantry in action. Sgt. Victor R. Greco, 5760 West Park ave., has been awarded the Silver Star Medal, a Seventh Army dispatch announced yesterday. Greco also holds the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Purple Heart.
Staff Sgt. Louis Myers, 21, ball turret gunner on a Flying Fortress, has received the fourth Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, an Eighth Air Force dispatch announced. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Barnett Myers, 1507 Fairmont avenue.
Tech. Sgt. Raymond M. Runnels, 21 radio gunner on a heavy bomber, who has been reported a prisoner of the German Government, has received the Air Medal. He is the husband of Mrs. Bridget Runnels, 1321 Ripple Street.
Combat Infantry Badge: Pfc. Edward F. Peterman, 5941 West Park ave.
Commendations: Pfc. Emil M. Mataya, 6423 Wade. Ave.
Pfc. Martin Seevers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Seevers, 1407 Tamm avenue, is a member of the Nineteenth Engineers Regiment in Italy, which maintains roads and bridges and constructs fortifications for the Fifth Army. The unit has seen combat at Kasserine Pass, in Tunisia and at Cassino and removed enemy mine fields enabling other units to pierce the Gothic line.
Pfc. Jack Coldberg, 6543 Berthold st., anti-tank infantryman in Germany, recently reverted to his civilian hobby and directed a soldier musical in which he conducted the band and sang.
-------
Pfc. John (Bud) Carney has received the Combat Badge and the Bronze Star Medal. His brother Tucker still in the Philippines on a D.E. and Jim Carney is now at Paris Island in he Marines.
Lt. Howard J. Parmenter, 22, pilot of a medium bomber, has been missing in action in the Southwest Pacific since Feb. 28. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Parmenter, 6333A Clayton avenue.
-------
John Mollick
Jack Roth
Robert Tatum
Gene Ward
Phillip Schwable
John McCauley
William Diefenbach
Louis Kinker
Charles Spicuzza
Glen Hinkelbin
Leonard Kirwan
Joe Daniels
Jeremiah O’Shaughnessy
Joseph Schmeiderer
Marine Sgt. Leroy R. Jennings, wounded in action on Iwo. His uncle, Joseph Wideman, lives at 6819 West Park Ave.
Pfc. Vincent R. Cutelli, an infantryman, has received the Bronze Star for combat achievement in the Philippines when, together with two other soldiers, he succeeded in fighting off five enemy attacks from his position in front of a tunnel. He is the brother of Charles Cutelli, 6557 Manchester.
Capt. W.W. Dolan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray R. Dolan, 7400 Parksdale ave., Clayton, lead bombardier of a bombing group in England, has been commended for precision bombing. His group participated in a successful attack on German-occupied Le Bourget airdrome outside Paris and his plane was credited with 10 direct hits on main buildings and the control tower.
St. Louisans have been putting their rechanneled energies to work the past year to aid in the dispatching of 1212 combat missions by their P-47 Thunderbolt fighterbomber unit of the Ninth Air Force. Cpl. Charles Gallaher, 6211 Victoria ave., a plumber before he entered the Army and was assigned his job as a quartermaster clerk, is with this outfit.
-------
Staff Sgt. James F. Roach, 21, previously reported missing in action in Belgium. Is a patient in an Allied hospital, his wife, Mrs. Marie A. Roach, 6431 West Park avenue, has been informed by the War Department.
Staff Sgt. Albert L. Egsicker, 24 radiogunner on a bomber, previously listed as missing in action over Germany since March 3, has written his wife, Mrs. Mary Louise Egsicker, 6224 Oakland avenue, that he was captured by the Germans and since released to the Allied Advance.
Page 2
Paul Pursley
Mrs. L. McKibbon
Mary Dwyer
George Alexander
Lou Belleville
Ed Behring
Walter Coshow
Kathleen Moran
Bernard Huff
Red McVey
Arthur Nischwitz
Henry Reutter
Bill Corbett
Paula Capelli
Martin P. Moore
Roy Grey
Bill Thompson
Vernon Smith
Jess Lay
Mitchell Scherzinger
John E. Thomason
Red Corbett
Doc Myers
Bud Gruner
Rolla Williamson
Margaret Wack
Bernice Rapp
James Dwyer
Iris Tatum
Bud Gray
Andras Braun
John T. Surgalski
Charles Moser
Tom Saxton
James Brown
W. Tevis
Marie Knichel
Joe Haragan
Elmer Weissflug
John O’Shaughnessy
Leo Fleming
J.H. Wack
George Hall
Gus Kies
Charles Brady
Harry Wagner
Mary Gallaher
E.G. Clark
Mamie Kelly
J. Hrubey
Mrs. M. Mayor
Gene Dyer
Benny Sudgen
Estelle Hammerschmidt
Walter Droege
Dave Leahy
Charles McVey
Bob Friedrich
Hugh McVey
Lou Haenichen
Catherine & Red McVey
John Cutelli
Art Schmitz
Louis Smith
Banty Schurwan, Jr.
James Carmody
Ann O’Shaughnessy
Tom Mowry
T.E. Dailey
John Eichner
Corky Kehm
Arnold Clegg
Banty Schurwan
John J. Kelly
R.M. Eggleston
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence
Catherine Doyle
Pete Palumbo
Bud Corcoran
George Jennemann
Curt Hathaway
------------------
There is no charge for this publication; its purpose is to be mailed to servicemen by their friends at home. Address all news and inquiries to
DOGTOWN NEWS
C/O WHITE HOUSE TAVERN
6286 Clayton Avenue
St. Louis 10, Mo.
------------------
The service flag hanging in the Brady’s window on Ripple Street has four stars. All of Mom Brady’s Boys being in the Service.
Corporal Mike has been in the Army three years. He was in the invasion of France with the 461st Amphibious Force. Has been in France, Belgium, Holland and is now stationed in Germany.
MT/Sergeant Eddie has been in the Marine Corps three and a half years. After twenty-one months of service in the Southwest Pacific, he was returned to the states and is now stationed in San Diego, California. The Air Group in which he served, was given the Presidential Citation and Ed received two gold stars for major engagements. Corporal Bob is now in the Philippines with the Aviation Engineers. Has been in Australia, Netherland East Indies, Wakde and Biak Islands. He is now on the island of Luzon. Bob has been in the Army three years, two of which haven been spent over sears. Pfc. Tom has been in the Army eighteen months and is now attached to the Stark Hospital as an attendant on a hospial train. He was married in March and his wife, the former Estelle Conlon, is with him in Charleston, South Carolina.
Cpl. Norman M. Brady, 461st Amphibian Trk. Co., APO 228, P.M., New York, N.Y.
MT/Sgt. Edward J. Brady, Hq. Sq. M. F. A. W. C. Flight Section, Hanger No. 41, Naval Air Sta., San Diego, California.
Cpl. Charles Brady, Co. C. 863rd Engr. Avn. Bn., APO No. 75, P.M., San Francisco. Calif.
Pft. Thomas F. Brady, Rec. & Evac./ Det., Stark General Hospital, Charleston, South Carolina.
We salute Mrs. Walden for her contribution to our Fighting Forces. All of her children are in the service.
Fred is now in Germany with the Bomb Disposal Group. He served eighteen months in the Aleutians with the same outfit. Upon completions, received letters of commendation from the President.
Bob, serving in France with a Replacement Group, has been in the Army three years, has been overseas one year. He spent two years in Camp Barkeley, Texas where he was well known for his articles in he local papers.
Bud, believing the Army had enough Walden support, joined the Navy and is now in the South Pacific.
Ruth, not to be outdone by her three big brothers, joined the Waves and is now stationed in Washington, D.C.
Cpt. Fred M. Walden, 9th Bomb Division, A.P.O. 140, P.M., New York, N.Y.
Sgt. Bob Walden, 490th Repl. Co., A.P.O. 67 P.M., New York, N.Y.
Ruth A. Walden, S. 2/c Waves Quarters –D- Bldg. 29-242, Mass and Nebraska Avenues. Washington 16, D.C.
Gene Martinea, U. S. Navy; Bob Houlihan, U.S. Navy; Frank Houlihan, U.S. Army; Bob Cold, U.S. Navy; Dick Wack, U.S. Coast Guard Bob Wack, U.S. Army; Ray Jennemann, U.S. Navy; Mel Lucas, U.S. Navy; Jack Jones, W. S. Army; John Eichner, U.S. Army; H. M. Weissflug, U.S. Navy; George H. Wilsman, U.S. Navy; Jos. Porter, U.S. Army; Ed. Kirwan, U.S. Navy Joe Kirwan, U.S. Army R.L. Jennings, U.S. Marines; Joe F. Hart, U.S. Army; M.J. Conslik, U.S. Army; Frank S. Relja, U. S. Marines; Paul Morrisey, U. S. Army; Bud Morrisey, U.S. Army; John Diavastes, U.S. Army; Bud Reese, U.S. Army; Gus Theodore, U.S. Army; Henry Reutter, U. S. Navy; George Hall, U. S. Navy; Vernon R. Carr, U. S. Navy; Thurl Zundel, U.S. Navy; Norman L. Picker, U.S. Navy.
Captain John C. Morrisey, Jr., returned to Jefferson Barracks with other liberated Prisoners of War recently. He and Marge Hoffert were married April 28th at St. Thomas Aquin Church
Private Jeremiah O’Shaughnessy, Co. A. 300th Infantry. Jerry, who has lived and was liked by all in Dogtown, was killed in action in Germany April 10th. We will all miss him very much. We wish to extend our sincere sympathy to his family.
Page 3
A.J. Maloney, Y. 1/C
U. S. C. G. R., Co. O. U. U.,
C. C. M. M. D., Navy 728,
Box N. F. P. O., New York, N. Y.
Art is now in Italy serving with the Coast Guard Merchant Marine Hearing Unit as a Court Reporter. He has visited Salerno, Sorento, Pompeii and Castellamaca. He marvels at the beautiful scenery of Southern Italy. His one ambition is to visit the Holy Father in Vatican City.
Louis W. Maloney, Mo. M. M. 1/C,
U. S. S. L. C. I. 63
F.P.O. San Francisco, Calif.
Art’s brother is in the Philippines. He has been overseas 27 months, has taken part in the Lingayen Gulf invasion.
Arnold Rudolph, Jr., F 1/C
( E. M. ) 18th Special Naval Constr. Batt.
c/o F. P. O., San Francisco, Calif.
Arnold is with Jerry Koester in the Pacific. Arnold was formerly a Budweiser beer driver and is known in the neighborhood. Jerry’s address is G. G. Koester, C. M. 1/C. 18th Special Naval Cons. Batt. Sec. 1. F. P. O., San Francisco, Cal.
Sgt. Cushman Evans,
Personal Office,
63rd Infantry, A. P. O. No. 6,
P. M., San Francisco, Calif.
Received Dogtown News. It brought back memories and names to my mind. Nice reading of George Hall, Larry Stamps and Mike Brady. Mike is in the kind of outfit that really came in for a lot of use when we hit here.
Edw. T. Hense, S. F. 1/C
U. S. S.-L. S. T. 914
F. P. O. San Francisco, Calif.
Back in the South Pacific for the second time
Pvt. Wm. H. Hense, 37622272
Sqd. 1-4-, 2135 Base Unit, Tyndall Field.
Panama City, Florida
Bill, Ed’s brother, is now going to Gunnery School after being transferred from Turner Field Ga., where he worked with the ground crew.
T Sgt. R. G. Saxton, 17071879,
340 Bomb Ga. (M) 489 Bomb Sqdn.
A. P. O. 650. c/o P. M. New York, N. Y.
Bob says: “I know practically everyone who is mentioned in the last issue. Ed Buckley and myself hope to get together soon. I know right where he is in Italy so I will get to see he and Andy.”
Private John Lawrence, 37611386
Co. C., 142nd Inf.
A.P. O. 36, c/o P. M., New York, N. Y.
John met Jack Weaver at the Red Cross in Paris last winter. Also sees Joe Rigney, another St. James boy. I hear from Al Nerviani (the villain of St. James’ stage). He keeps me informed on the progress of the war on his side of the globe.
Your newsboy can’t remember when this happened before – St. Patrick’s Day without a St. James’ show. I never knew, but perhaps you did.
Father O’Connor was not pastor of St. James' Parish until recent years, although he has acted in that capacity ever since the late Father Casey was stricken.
Apparently Mr. Bissick put the Irish curse on the drug store when he sold out – the place has changed hands twice since. The current owner is Bill Doherty. He should fit in. Wonder if he’ll hold still for that “touch” the boys always had of a Saturday night.
One of the big town’s remarkable improvements is the new playground on the corner of Clayton and Graham Avenues. Our thanks to the Gratiot family for their kind donation and our compliments to the Memorial Congregational Church for its supervision in cleaning up a former eyesore. When I questioned the fact that I may have been seeing double I was told it really was the Roccio twins home on furlough – two blues – sounds like they’re in the chips.
The mad rush to the drug store of a Thursday afternoon or evening for smokes.
The Civilian Defense Unit, which meets once a month and continues to go through the routine of medical aid – just in case.
The engagement of Miss Dorothy Moore to T/Sgt. Robert Wack – she definitely represents the ear-pleasing lyrics of the current hit tune, “Moore and Moore”. Announcement of the wedding plans of a former resident of long standing, the date – May 26, the place – St. James’, the bride-to-be Rita Ward – still as eye-pleasing as ever.
The Bobby Marshall’s are infanticipating any day now.
“Daego Jim” Brady driving two teams of horses along the main stem advertising hayrides. All dressed up in a clean sweat-shirt.
The dress parade of the local beauties each Sunday morning going to church.
The resemblance the “Polack Clipper” (Johnny the barber) bears to George Raft when wearing a hat. He swears (I should stop there) that haircuts are going to be $1.00 without conversation and 65 cents with.
Things we miss most around town – Larry Stamps feeding dimes to Malachy McGuire while he crows like a roaster. . . . “Buster” O’Connell’s cherubic grin while sitting in a card game drawing money from every pocket.
Charley Gallagher, the handicapper, scrutinizing a football parlay card.
F. J. “Bonecrusher” Brady’s constant chatter as he draws one.
Randall Dwyer’s gall stone and wisdom tooth act.
The weekly bouts of John Griffin and Larry Stamps.
Sunday night sessions at the White House with Tom Rowan at the piano. John “Mickey Mouse” Barry knocking off a few Irish ditties. Bud Layton vocalizing on “Danny Boy”.
Whatever became of the guy who used to dance and sing on the bar and tables – probably married.
We couldn’t help hearing Jack Loobey, the owner of the Hi-Pointe Moving and Express, asking George Alexander’s advice about screening the “Hi-Pointe Hotel” so that Festus Signagel wouldn’t be bothered by the flies.
Page 4
Richard Metz, S 1/C
1st Div. U. S. S. Lunga Point C. V. E. 94
F. P. O., San Francisco, Calif.
I have been in the South and Central South Pacific for seven months and have been in three engagements, Leyte, Luzon and Iwo Jima. There were a number of ships alongside of ours and I always looked for one of the boys, but no luck. Last fellow I met was Bill Conroy in Bremerton last year.
Pvt. Herb C. Goshen
127th AACS. Sq. Sta. 201
P. M., New York, N. Y.
Herb has been sent to enchanting India but according to his views he wouldn’t trade all of it for one little spot in Dogtown.
Corporal Robert Kelly.
Stationed in Iceland, went to England on furlough last March. He met his brother Bernard and they were together for three days. It was a year and a half since the boys had seen each other.
Cpl. Bernard Kelly,
925th Ord. H. A. M. Co., A. P. O. 667,
P. M., New York, N. Y.
Cpl. Robert Kelly,
173rd Port Co. T-C, APO 860
P. M., New York, N. Y
We heard from Al Schmitz, one of the ex-mechanics of Dogtown. He said that the Navy is a swell outfit. All they do is stick needles in you and work you. He said he doesn’t like work and as for the needles, well, that’s censored. His address is:
A. W. Schmitz, ASV6
P. S. N. T. C. Co. 445
Great Lakes, Ill.
We heard from Bob Wolken, who was in the Iwo Jima campaign. He is in a rest camp, and for a little while all he has to do is read letters, drink beer, and play poker. His address is:
Pvt. R. T. Wolken, Jr.,
Co. Hq. Plt. S & S Co., 5th Ser. Bu.,
5th Marine Div.,
c/o F. P. O., San Francisco, Calif.
J. D. Walsh, E. M. 3rd Class,
ATB Camp Bradford,
Norfolk, Va.
Dolan was home for five days, and he left April 5th. During one of our sessions we decided to have some unofficial officials of “Dogtown”, so by unanimous vote (of the ten people in the part) the officials are:
J. D. Walsh, E. M. 3rd Class, --- Police Commissioner
R. H. Houlihan, E. M. 3rd Class --- Sanitary Engineer
Warren Meiffert --- Dog Catcher
W. A. Droege, Jr. --- Mayor
Send any complaints in care of this paper and they will be forwarded to the officials involved.
R. H. Houlihan, E. M. 3rd Class
Sec. 82 Billet B (413-2),
Princeton University.
Princeton, N. J.
Bob was home for thirty days from Guam. He left April 28th for V12 training in Electrical Engineering at Princeton U.
Cpl. F, H, Houlihan
2539 AAFBU, Sec. C,
Foster Field, Texas.
Frank was home for ten days, and he left April 25th for Texas. Bob, Frank, Bob Coad and I went to a party given by Mrs. Holden, which was a real session.
R. B. Coad, ARM 3rd Class
VT 86 c/o FPO
San Francisco, Calif.
Bob was home on leave after a tour of duty aboard a carrier in the So. Pacific. He paid a visit to Japan’s Inland Sea as a Radio Gunner on a TBM. We would like to express our sympathies to Bob and the Family for the loss of their dear Grandmother Coad.
Lt. J. P. Dolan
2533 AAF Base Unit,
Goodfellow Field,
San Angelo, Texas,
Jack was home for ten days before reporting to his new assignment in Texas.
Sgt. J. Eickner, 17075950
Co. B. 89th Sig. Oper. Bu.,
Fort Benning, Ga.
John got home for a few days at the right time to see some of his old buddies who were home.
Richard Wack, SC 2/C
U. S. S. Admiral W. L. Capps A.P. 121.
Div. S., Sect. 1
c/o F. P. O.,
San Francisco, Calif.
Dick was in town for a few days and naturally he had a few beers with John Eickner, Bob Coad, and the boys and girls at Whitehouse
One of Dick’s brothers, Marine Pvt. Art Wach, was in charge of a machine gun crew on Iwo Jima. He went in with the first wave on “D” Day and was in on all of the fighting until the island was secure – at which time they had a wonderful beer party and swim.
Margarette has received several letters since the Iwo campaign and she said that Art is now in a rest camp somewhere in the So. Pacific.
Marine Pfc. Catherine Capelli is enjoying a few days in Dogtown on her way to Hawaii.
-------------------------------------
Gentlemen may prefer blondes, but the fact that blondes know what gentlemen prefer has a lot to do with it.
------------
Toastmaster (Introducing the speaker): “I am sure that Mr. Jones of the Soils and Fertilizer Department will give you a pleasant half hour as he is just full of his subject.”
------------
Arlene Francis, on the Blue Network’s Blind Date program, asked a service man:
“What were you before you joined up”
“Perfectly contented, “ was his brisk reply.
------------
“Are you the man who saved my little boy from drowning when he fell off the dock?”
“Yes.”
“Well, where’s his cap?”
Page 5
Thos. O’Keefe, S. K. 2/C
USNR, Lion VIII, D-1. Assembly VH,
Camp Elliott, San Diego 44, Calif.
Hi Fellow Dogtowners: Spent the day in Mexico yesterday. Quite a place but St. Louis still beats them all – bar none. Am going overseas sometime this week and would appreciate hearing from some of the boys.
S/Sgt. J. M. Sharamitaro 37183461,
311th Ftr. Sqd.
A. P. O. 321, c/o P. M. San Francisco, Calif.
Joe met Bob Brady in New Guinea and they had a long talk. Bob Brady and Walter Lay are now in the Philippines. I was talking to Walter on the last island I was on.. They are the only fellows I have met from Dogtown since I have been over here, seventeen months. I keep busy working on these fighter planes. They are always flying and we expect to keep them that way. Joe enclosed some snapshots and he really looks in the pink.
Eddy Greco. F. 2/C
Ed says that he has yet to meet someone from Dogtown. Hope my luck will change soon. Deep in my heart I would really like to see the whole gang back in the neighborhood. I thought you people would like to know Dogtown was even represented at Iwo Jima and that the good old Stars and Stripes fly out over Mt. Surbachi. Must have been quite a few of our boys here judging from their addresses.
Pfc. Wm. Kelly, 37606856
Co. F-119th Inf., A. P. O. 30,
P. M., New York, N. Y.
I received a letter from Sergeant Jim O’Shaughnessy saying that Bud Dyer and Randall Dwyer met in New Guinea. Can imagine how thrilled they were. I have been overseas ten months and have never run into anyone from Dogtown. From the looks of things here in Germany won’t be long until Jerry calls it quits.
Cpl. Art Lafser
Hq. Det. 112th Bn., A. P. O. No. 761
c/o P. M., N. Y., N. Y
I am writing this from Rome while on furlough. Was great to hear of the neighborhood gang in the first issue of the “Dogtown News” and looking forward to the next issue.
We received a letter from Agnes M. Caverly, Captain of “Buddies Club,” 536 Commonwealth, Boston, Mass. Larry Mayor was on the Vox Pop program with me. If Larry is a sample of “Dogtown” boys, you have a lot to be proud of. It was my privilege to be with him and several of his friends before the broadcast. The faith and courage of these boys is something we civilians could profit by.
William J. Conroy, S 1/C
Third Div., U. S. S. Thetis Bay,
C U E 90, F. P. O. San Francisco
I am making a tour of the South Pacific, hoping to run into Bob McVey. I missed Ray Kelley and felt bad about it. I will be home in July and will bring two buddies to let them see good old Dogtown.
S/Sgt. G. C. Cramer,
3362 Signal Service Bn., A. P. O. 629
P. M., N. Y., N. Y
I received a copy of the Dogtown News from Bob Hunter through way of Khartown, Africa. To my surprise came across the column about me meeting Bob in Africa. I was flown to India from there and then to Burma. While there I visited the English at the front and acquired a few souvenirs. Having my camera along, I took some interesting shots and in the near future hope to send some prints to the news.
E. L. Burkhardt, S 1/C
34th Spec. Batt. Co. C-S
F. P. O., San Francisco, Calif.
The News Sheet was one of the best things I have received since I’ve been in service. We are still working hard but from the news looks like this thing might be over soon. I am sending Walter’s address to be published –
W. H. Burkhardt, C. M., 3/C,
136 N. C. B., Co. B-6,
F. P. O., San Francisco, Calif.
Pfc. Howard Shell,
F. Co. 1st Inf., A. P. O. No. 6,
P. M., San Francisco, Calif.
Just got back from 103 straight days on the front lines. One division held the record for 78 days so we topped this by 25 days. I have been over here 19 months, 12 of these were spent in New Guinea. Haven’t run into any of the boys from home as yet but still have hopes of meeting someone.
The house of Droege came to life the other day. April the second to be exact, when we had Bob Houlihan, E. M. 3rd Class; Dolan Walsh, E. M. 3rd Class; Warren Meiffert, Eileen Meiffert, and Cpl. Bill Godfrey to dinner. It was great to have these people together again. After dinner we put a call through to Bro. Bob down in Pensacola, Florida. We all had a chance to talk to the lad, and he was surprised, again, as each of us stepped to the phone. Later we found out that he will be graduated from Photography School April 28th and then on to Aerial Gunnery School at Jacksonville, Florida.
Dave is attached to the Post Office in Ottumwa, Iowa. He got a break the other day when he had a ride home and back to the base with the Chaplain.
Houlihan’s Happy Hollow (Pop and Mom Houlihan’s rathskeller) was really jumping April 18th. The occasion was Bob’s birthday party, complete with wine, women, and song. Bro. Frank was home, too, so there was good reason for a wonderful session. Bro. Ralph and his trick book caused no end of excitement (every time it was opened it set off a cap and at least one scream). We had a song fest and Bob gave out with his song, “Beer Can Dan”, a very snappy little ditty.
Some of the local talent recently home:
Cpl. W. H. Godfrey, 17035050,
Gr. 18 S AAAB.
Santa Anna, Calif.
Bill left for pilot training at Santa Anna April 16th. He was home on leave after approximately 33 months in Africa and Europe
Page 6
By direction of the President, the Silver Star is awarded to the following:
James E. O’Shaughnessy, 37601313, Sergeant, Inf. Company B. – Infantry Regiment; for gallantry in action against the enemy, on 4 March 1945, in the vicinity of Uerdingen, Germany. Advancing through a Uerdingen street with his radio strapped on his back, Sergeant O’SHAUGHNESSY, Company B. Communications Sergeant, was fired on by a twelve-man hostile squad. Fearlessly returning the enemy’s fire, Sergeant O’SHAUGHNESSY’S first volley wounded the lead man of the squad. The remaining eleven Germans, intimidated by Sergeant O’SHAUGHNESSY’S forthright, courageous action, surrendered without resistance and led him to their one hundred and five millimeter gun position, on which Sergeant O’SHAUGHNESSY immediately placed a guard to prevent its recapture. His bold, alert actions on this occasion reflect great credit on Sergeant O’SHAUGHNESSY and exemplify the high traditions of the military service. Entered military service from Missouri. Since receiving this Star, Jimmy had another escape. A sniper shot through his field jacket, smashing his telephone receiver set to pieces, but Jim was unharmed.
----------------------------------------
The following is a sermon delivered by Father McMahon on Board USS Carrier Hornet at sea sent us by Art Nischwitz, whose parents lived at 5834 West Park Ave:
“Today marks the second Easter that the HORNET has spent beyond the international date line in one of the longest cruises of any warship in U. S. Naval history. Last Easter we were anchored temporarily in the lagoon of Majuro Atoll after having returned from our first combat mission. The intervening year has been a hectic period of time for all of us. During that time, without having once having had the experience of dropping anchor in anything remotely resembling a civilized port, we have nonetheless taken part in every major engagement of the Pacific Fleet.
“Our planes and guns have accounted for almost 500 enemy planes and destroyed countless others on the ground. Our bombs, torpedoes and rockets have sunk or damaged over a million tons of enemy shipping. We have ranged the Pacific Ocean from the Marshalls to the coastal waters of IndoChina and from New Guinea to Japan itself. We have covered a distance of roughly six times around the world and have traveled for the last sixteen months an average of a little less that 300 miles a day. On two occasions our planes have helped to put to rout the Japanese Imperial Fleet, and on many occasions our ship’s guns have helped ward off disaster in the form of attacks of land-based enemy aircraft. Some six weeks ago we fulfilled our role of vengeance ship by retracing the path mapped out almost three years ago by the first aircraft carrier HORNET in bringing distruction to the very heart of the Japanese capital, Tokyo itself. It has been a year that few of us will ever forget.”
The St. James soccer team ended the season with a big party held in the school hall. The players of the team presented Mr. Hense, Joe Phelan and Scotty Wilson each with a plaque in appreciation of their services as coaches and advisors. These three men were instrumental in making St. James a good team.
------------------
Once again the Muny Championship team has one of the Dogtown boys in the lineup. Yes, the Raftery Team, which won the Muny Championship, and also two of its Cup games so far and will probably win more, has Irving Schurman at right halfback. Irving has been an outstanding player all season and has been the main cog in the Raftery machine, enabling them to win in both departments in the Muny Championship, and so far the Cup games.
Irving was coached by John Scotty Wilson, the old pilot of the Hense Team, one of Dogtown’s most famous teams, and in this role Scotty coached Irving’s Dad, Elmer (Banty) Schurman, an outstanding halfback in his day also. So Irving is following in his Dad’s footsteps. This is also his first year in the senior division and all of Dogtown feels that he will continue to play good soccer and help to keep Dogtown on the map in the Soccer world.
The softball season in the school yard is now underway. Bill Meehan, Frank Merlottis, Bill Holmes and Jim Brady are the pilots of the four teams. After four games Bill Meehan’s team is holding down first place.
So far nothing has been done in this department.
I guess the fellows are still trying to get their arms in shape (at the bar) and, of course, it was pretty cold during the month of May, and also rainy, so all should be in good shape soon.
In spite of the rain last month the fellows were pitching horseshoes in the White House Garden. Bill Corbett, Ben Sugden, Bernie Huff and Mel Lucas (home on leave) and John Cutelli were trying hard, but it took an old-timer like Ed Bearing to show them how.
The White House bowling team ended up in fifth place at the Esquire Alleys. Not bad for the first year. Four of the bowlers ended up with a point separating each in averages, namely: Kirk Hathaway, 168; Roy Tegler, 167; Rollie Williams, 166, and Charlie Moser, 165. Art Schmidt, the other member of the team, was not mentioned in averages. What’s the matter Art, was it that low?
| HOME | DOGTOWN |
| Bibliography | Oral history | Recorded history | Photos |
| YOUR page | External links | Walking Tour |