THE DOGTOWN NEWS Issue No. 4 ST. LOUIS, MO. AUGUST, 1945
Pvt. Neal J. Donnelly, 28 years old, an infantryman captured in November, 1944. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Donnelly, 1471 Sproule street.
Pfc. Manuel E. Haller, 6401 West Park avenue.
Pfc. George A. Weber, 6817 West Park avenue.
Sgt. Harold W. Grant, 1043 Art Hill.
Tech. Sgt. Raymond M. Runnels, 1321 Ripple street.
Pvt. Everett P. Eskew, machine gunner on a jeep, was taken prisoner in France last September 3 when his outfit was engaged in an action to slow the advance of 5000 Germans supported by Panzers. He is the husband of Mrs. Marjorie Eskew, 6415 Clayton avenue, and son of Mrs. Jessie Eskew, 1222 Fairview avenue, University City.
Pfc. Manuel Haller, husband of Adrienne Haller, 6401 West Park avenue, and son of Mrs. Adolph Schwoeble, 1242 Tamm avenue.
Seaman 1-C Stanley L. Kennerson, 1041 Graham street, who was stationed aboard the American carrier, Bunker Hill, when it was attacked by Japanese suicide bombers, escaped serious injury despite a harrowing experience.
Seaman Kennerson, 19, son of Mrs. Ann Turner of the Graham street address, was serving on the Bunker Hill as a gun loader when he heard the order to go "over the side."
"We were all choked by smoke, and burning timbers were falling over our guns," Kennerson said later, according to a news dispatch. "We jumped from the hangar deck. I inflated my life belt in the water. After an hour I climbed on a raft, and half an hour later we were picked up by a motor whaleboat."
Kennerson, now on the west coast, has telegraphed his mother that he "went through a lot and will have a lot to say later." He hopes to be home on leave by July 1, his mother said.
Volta E. Argue, S. 2/c, 6141 West Park Avenue, has completed training at Hunter College in New York, and will be stationed at Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Wash.
Sgt. James J. Whalen, 1429 Central Avenue, spent more than 17 months in England prior to the surrender of Germany as ground crewmen in support of a bombardment group were honored recently at a special review at a heavy bomber base there.
John Mollick
Robert Tatum
Phillip Schwable
William Diefenbach
Charles Spicuzza
Leonard Kirwan
Jeremiah O’Shaughnessy
Jack Roth
Gene Ward
John McCauley
Louis Kinker
Glen Hinkelbin
Joe Daniels
Joseph Schmeiderer
The Seventieth General Hospital in Italy, organized and staffed by St. Louis University, has received a commendation from Lt. Col. L. M. Brickner, Italian base medical inspector-general, for its "excellent organization and manner of operation, and an additional commendation by base training inspectors for its training activities, it was announced in a dispatch from Peninsular Base Headquarters in Italy.
Nurses from Metropolitan St. Louis serving with the unit include:
Lt. Adeline Geiger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Geiger, 6220 Victoria avenue.
Lt. Dorothy E. Booth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Booth, 6510 Oakland avenue.
Lt. Florence A. Knichel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Knichel, 1317 Hampton avenue.
Ralph Eckert, 1320 Hughes Place, discharged. Five years in the U. S. Army. Thirty-two months in the Southwest Pacific with the Ship and Gun Crew of the 147th Artillery.
Edward Bryan Eichner, 1041 Tamm Avenue, discharged. Three years in the U. S. Army. Two and a half years in Hawaii. Ed is also a veteran of World War One.
Marion Waterhouse, 6215 Victoria Avenue, discharged. Sixteen months in the U. S. Navy. Twelve months in a Submarine Repair Unit on an Advance Base in the South Pacific.
Joseph H. Coswell, 5902 Nashville Avenue, discharged. Five years in the U. S. Army. Thirty-four months in the South Pacific in the 148th Artillery.
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THE DOGTOWN NEWS
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---------------------------------
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DOGTOWN NEWS
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Five of the Mayor boys are now in Navy Blue. The first to leave was Ed. He enlisted in the Coast Guard in September, 1941. He spent three years in the States. In the course of that time, he married a Pittsburgh girl, Betty Brady. In November, 1944, he shipped aboard an L.S.T. to the Pacific. He was at Okinawa and the Philippines. In the Philippines lie met Maurice Cooper. They spent the night together and talked of the old days in Dogtown.
Tom enlisted in the Coast Guard in March, 1942. He was in the States about one and a half years and shipped to the Pacific aboard a Patrol Frigate. While in the Pacific his ship participated in three major campaigns. He was in the invasion of Leyte and from there went to New Guinea. His ship was one of the five Frigates to escort fifty-five Merchants Ships to Leyte ten days after the invasion. After that his ship came into port for repairs and he was home for ten days. He is now back in the Pacific.
Bill enlisted in the SeaBees in October, 1942, and trained at Norfolk, Virginia. He was there six weeks, then shipped to the West Coast. From there he went to Guadacanal, where he spent twenty-two months. In October, 1944, he came home for a thirtyday leave. Four months ago he shipped to New Caledonia.
Bob enlisted in the Navy in September, 1943. He trained at Farragut, Idaho. and was home for nine days after Boot Camp. One month later he shipped to the Pacific aboard an L.S.T. and was in the invasion of Okinawa. Bob and Ed met in Okinawa and were together for an hour. They said they put the three and a half years they had not seen each other into that hour.
Last but not least Mike enlisted in the Navy in May, 1945. He is now in Boot Camp at Great Lakes, Illinois. In another six or eight weeks he will probably join his four brothers in the Pacific,
Lawrence T. Mayor, E.M. 1/c, U.S.S. Belfast P. F. No. 35, F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.
Edward L. Mayor, M.M.M.2/c, U.S.S. L.S.T. 71, F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.
William J. Mayor, S.K. 3/c 1st Special U. S. N. C. B. Hq. Co. 1st Section, F.P.O., San Francisco.
Robert E. Mayor, S. 2/c, U.S.S. Lindnwald L.S.D. No. 6, F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif. Michael J. Mayor, a/s, Co. 793, 28th Batt. 18th Reg., U.S. Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois.
Sergeant Walter H. Donnelly, Corps of Engineers, 74th Engineer Light Pontoon Co., U.S. Army, for distinguishing himself, meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy in Germany from 27 February to 1 March, 1945. During this time, while in charge of the decking detail during the construction of a Bailey Bridge across a river, his constant attention to detail and his continual supervision of the launching site helped greatly to increase the efficiency of the launching of the bridge. His initiative and devotion to duty reflect great credit on the military service of the United States.
Neal (Skippy) Donnelly, Walter's brother, is now home for sixty days' furlough after two years in the Army, eighteen months overseas. He was captured by the Germans between Gernshweiler and Linich in Germany and spent seven months in Neubrandenberger Prison Camp. He was released May 5th, 1945. They are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. James Donnelly, 1471 Sproule Street.
Warrant Officer Leonard M. Kirwan, 26, who was killed in action March 15 on Leyte, has been posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Philippines from Nov. 14, 1944, to March 15, 1945. He was the husband of Mrs. Gertrude K. Kirwan, 6085 Hartford street, and the son of Mrs. Mary Kirwan, 6529 Clayton road, Clayton.
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Captain Edward E. Mueller, Hq. 460 A.A.A. Arv. Bn., APO 403, P.M., New York, N. Y. Awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in Normandy, France and Germany.
Pfc. Donald W. Schaeffer, 1045 Childress Avenue, was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge and wears two Battle Stars. He is a member of the famed Rainbow Forty-second Division, which will occupy part of Austria.
Staff Sgt. James Roach, 6431 West Park Avenue, released after five months in a German Prison Camp. Jim was overseas twenty-eight months as an engineer gunner on a heavy bomber. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He is now home on a two-months' furlough and will report to Hot Springs, Arkansas.
T/Sgt. Amun A. Overturf. 6940 Manchester Avenue. Home for sixty days. Three years in the Army. Eighteen months overseas in Italy and Africa. Was a prisoner in Germany for one year. He was a tail gunner on a bomber shot down in Germany.
Lt. John D. Bante, 1037 Fairmont Avenue. writes of his experience in a German Prison Camp: We left England at 0700 A.M. on the 25th of November. Our target was the synthetic oil factories at Werseberg, Germany. Five hours later we reached our destination, dropped our bombs and got a burst of flak in our gas tanks. Fire started and with explosion imminent; we bailed out. Captured by German civilians who later turned us over to the Army. We were treated fairly well. We received little abuse and little food; a condition to exist until the war ended. Our prison camp was Stalag Luft 1 at Barth, Germany, where we stayed under German control until the first of May when the Russians arrived. On the 13th of May, the Eighth Air Force came in to fly us to France and we were on the first leg of the long awaited journey home. Joseph Bante, brother of John, has finished his Boot Training in the Coast Guard and is now stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.
Thomas J. Duggan, RM 2/c, U.S.S. Houston, Division C, F.P.O., New York, N. Y. Home in February for thirty days, had been aboard the U.S. Uranus, a supply ship, for fourteen months. Most of his trips were in the South Pacific but he also wears the Mediterranean and European Theatre Bars. His new assignment is on the U.S.S. Houston, a cruiser, now in drydock at Brooklyn Navy Yards. George Meier was on this ship when it saw action in the South Pacific.
T/Sgt. Thomas C. Collier, husband of Gloria Duggan, Tom's sister, is now home after three and a half years in Service, nineteen months overseas in the Eighth Air Force.
Can't understand what the local gendarmes have in mind, picking up some of the lads in the neighborhood, and booking them on various charges-reminds me of the days when Johnny Hoss used to take his daily "ride" from the book shop. Cheltenham has erected an honor roll paying homage to the boys in service from that locale. The honor roll was unveiled June 17, 1945, by an honor guard from the Dewey School Boy Scout Troop. The Rev. P. J. O'Connor, Pastor of St. James' Parish, and Lt. Col S.D. Crason from Jefferson Barracks were the principal speakers. Never knew there was so much pulchritude east of Hampton Avenue. The "4th" passed peacefully and quietly with everyone wishing it was like that all over. Picnics seemed to be the order of the day. The Rev. J. A. Jakle, the very able assistant at St. Jim's, took a large group of the "bobby sox" and set out to his place on the river. They tell me the floor shows at the Dutch Mill on Sunday night compare with those of former years held in the swankier Joynts of the local burg. The current shortage of toilet paper has really been rough. Wethington, the hot dog king, who has been expanding every year since being located in Dogtown, is saving the umbrella he started with for a rainy day. The very convenient location of the new pony track and riding stable at Hampton and Berthold Aves. Forest Park Highlands still packing them in -- what happened to the ceiling prices on amusements? The Parkway has reopened -- that makes the 5th or 6th time -- always room for another good restaurant. The Yankee Grill, which still caters to the early ayem crowd. Red Belleville heading the delegation of local sinners to the White House Retreat (not the one on Clayton Avenue). Pete Palumbo, whose capacity for organization knows no bounds, has become the town's outstanding young public speaker. Better keep an eye on him -- that's the way Adolph got his start. Mr. and Mrs. Henry "Handlebar" Stahl recently celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. They attended a dinner given in their honor at the Memorial Congregational Church. As usual, the month of July brought out the chiselers mingling with a few honest patrons at the local Carnival with a Miss Lindauer copping the $500.00 War Bond raffle.
Joe McMahan, U. S. Navy; Bill Godfrey, IT. S. Army; Tom Dailey, U. S. Navy; Hank Reutter, U. S. Navy; Frank Dailey, IT. S. Navy; Charles Corbett, U. S. Navy; Jim O'Shaughnessy, U. S. Army; Francis Dwyer, IT. S. Navy; Tim Barry, U. S. Army; Louis Maloney, U. S. Navy; Dolores Carpenter, U. S. Navy; Louis Colombo, U. S. Navy; Tom Hickey, U. S. Army; Dan Brennan, U. S. Army; Bud Morrissey, U. S. Army; James Roach, U. S. Army; Skip Donnelly, U. S. Army; Bob Martineau, U. S. Navy; Gene Martineau, U. S. Navy.
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2nd Lt. Adeline E. Geiger, ANC,
N-74423, 70th General Hospital, APO 421,
P.M., New York, N. Y.
I am staying over here for quite a spell. I signed for the Pacific. I want to see this war to a finish, that is why I came over here, to take care of the boys. The country is beautiful over here, especially further north. Visited Milano, which is a larger city than Rome, has a pretty church, a small zoo, which made me kind of homesick, and a large park. The day I visited, a big Partisan funeral was held and the Cardinal of Milan spoke in Italian and of course I didn't understand a bit of it. The people are well dressed and in Lake Garda, which used to be a German Resort, the people speak better German than Italian.
T. E. O'Keefe, SK2/c,
U.S.N.R., Unit D-1, NDB Navy 3256,
FPO, San Francisco, Calif.
I can't tell you where I am as yet, but will be able to soon. Today I found out that Axel Delaney was in my area, so I'll have to look him up. Jim Moran is in the vicinity too, but I can't get in touch with him. I would appreciate if you would let me know if any of the fellows are at this Navy number. I hear from some of the fellows overseas and would like to hear from more of them.
Sgt. Wm. J. Nonnenkamp,
461st Bomb Sq., 346th Bomb Gp.,
Ground Echelon, APO 14480,
FPO, San Francisco, Calif.
Bill wants his address published. He would like to hear from his friends.
Pfc. C. Langenohl,
Post Recreation, APO 957,
PM, San Francisco, Calif.
Carl must belong to the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce. He is trying to sell us the advantage of being there, but we know.
T/4 James J. Kelly,
APO 772, PM, New York, N. Y.
I've been moving around France a lot since coming over here and am now in a camp outside Marseille on the Southern coast. I spent three weeks in a town just across the river from Paris and was in the city for V-E Day. They really did some celebrating there that day. I was straining my eyes all day looking for some Dogtowners among all the G.I.'s that were there, but no luck. I still have hopes of running into Charlie Gallaher. Buster, Jack Weaver or Ghandi if he is still hitting Marseilles regularly.
M/Sgt. Ed Corbett,
676th Bomb Sq., APO 247,
PM, San Francisco, Calif.
Have changed my living quarters again! I've seen enough land to almost hold all the Wacks, Carneys, McVeys and Corbetts, and almost enough water to equal the quantity of beer drunk in Dogtown each week, but Uncle, get me back to Dogtown! Now that Truman is President, maybe I should run for Senator. My love to all the gals there in Dogtown (there are none better anywhere) and my best to all the guys.
H. C. Reutter,
Replacement Group J-21,
Naval Training Center, Davisville, R. I.
Surely enjoyed my leave and keep the waiter's job open because I will want it when I get back. Bill, Hank's brother, had a ten-day leave in California recently. His address is W. Reutter, So M 3/c U.S.S. Grand Forks, F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.
Stf. Sgt. T. A. Rohan,
U.S..M.C.R., Office of the Paymaster,
USMC, Marine Barracks, NATB., Pensacola.
Haven't heard from Norm Fehrenson in some time. Last time was when I was in Guadacanal and he was in Australia. Could be that he is either back or due to start back for the States by this time. Seems as tho he's been out there quite some time. I am planning on taking a furlough the latter part of September and will stop by to see all the gang.
Cpl. Norman M. Brady, 37181261,
461st Amph. Trk. Co.,
A.P.O. 228,
c/o P. M., New York
Mike, a veteran with the 9th Army, was in on the crossing of the Rhine all the way to the Elbe River, in Germany. At the present he is in La Havre, France, working on the docks, and writes that he really gets homesick when he sees those transports load up. He has one consolation and that is, that he will be one of them to come back soon.
W. H. Burkhardt, C.M. S/C
136th, N.C.B., Co. B-6,
c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.
Walter is now on Guam. He wishes to express his thanks for the Dog-Town News, and wants the gang to know that he appreciates it very much.
Pfc. Stanley Hervatin, 37370574,
Co. C. 765th, By. Shop Bn.,
A.P.O. 350,
c/o P. M., New York, N. Y.
Stanley had served in the Pacific area and is now in France. He was with Dick Eggleston for awhile, but Dick left for other parts,
Frank Haniess, C.M. S/C
C.B.M.U. 602,
c/o F.P.O. San Francisco, Cal
Frank is back in the Pacific. He would like to have someone send him a couple barrels of beer by proxy. Also wants to know the whereabouts of Dick Quirk.
Lt. Hubert Ward of the Transport Division travels the high seas, touching at various ports.
Pvt.: "An M.P. just hung himself, sir!"
Sgt.: "Holy smokes! Have you cut him down?"
Pvt.: "No, sir, he wasn't dead yet!"
A man rushed into a bar and asked the bartender, who was removing the dew from the bar, if he knew of anything that would stop hiccoughs. His answer was a slap across the face with the wet towel. Surprised and furious, the stranger demanded the reason for such action. With a placating grin the bartender replied, "Well, you haven't any hiccoughs now, have you?"
"Never did have," was the indignant answer. "I wanted something for my wife. She's out there in the car."
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S/Sgt. J. M. Sharamitaro,
311 Ftr. Sqd., A. P. O. 74,
P. M. San Francisco, Calif.
Yesterday I had the inspector looking at my planes and I was there working as usual when a jeep drives up. I didn't pay much attention to it until the driver said, "Joe, look who is here." Then a fellow jumped out of the jeep. Honest, I didn't know him until he spoke and I said, "Pete," and then I was speechless for awhile. He arrived here about two o'clock in the afternoon and left the next morning at eleven. We talked just about all the time he was here. We surely enjoyed seeing each other. It was our first meeting in two years. Pete, Joe's brother, is stationed in the Philippine Islands.
Ray P. Kelly, E.M. 3-c,
U. S. N. R., U. S. S. Wisconsin,
Box 31, FPO, San Francisco, Calif.
We were happy to hear that the war ended in Europe. I know the boys from Dogtown played an important part in getting it over. I hope some of them get home soon. I still haven't met any of the boys out here. The closest I have is passing Bill Conroy's ship several times. Even though I didn't see Bill, it was comforting to know he was close by.
1st Lt. M.J. Coad,
753 Ry. Shop Bn.,
APO 512, New York, N. Y.
I am still in Italy after thirty-two months but feel as though I'll be in the White House for a few beers before long. We have been getting a fairly good issue of American beer lately and I've had a lot of fun teaching my gang how to play "bottle caps." I have one fellow in my outfit from the Sherman Park District by the name of Bob DeChant, but he is the only one I've seen or met from St. Louis that knew any of the soccer players from Dogtown.
Sgt. A. J. Nerviani,
Co. A-865th Engr. Avn. Bn., APO 72,
P. M. San Francisco, Calif.
I am still just "Somewhere in the Philippines." We are now on our third island in this island to island hopping we are doing, mopping them up one by one. How many more to go? Enjoyed the News. The whereabouts and doings of the many other Dogtown Clan is something I've been wanting to see for a long time. There are so many boys it is difficult for one person to keep track of them all. Remember me to all the gang.
T. J. Dailey, S. 1/c,
Armed Guard (Pac.), S. S. Chanute Victory,
F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.
So far I ran into two fellows from St. Louis but none from Dogtown. One of them didn't even know where it was. Guess he wasn't used to hitting the high spots in our fair city. Sure would like to be home to see the baseball season start in full swing. Even though the soccer season is about over, all the games of the year will be replayed at the White House until next season gets into full swing.
Pvt. Thomas Marshall,
A.S.N., Co. B, 145th Engr. (C) Bn.,
APO 403, P.M., New York, N. Y.
Since the war is over here, we have had it easy only working prisoners. I am stationed in a small town named Scheinfeld, Germany. I had a three-day pass to Esch, Luxemburg, and had the time of my life. The Army has a hotel set up for the boys, cots to sleep on, and maid to take care of the cleaning, also three good meals a day of all you want to eat. I am sweating it out and might have to wait for another five or six months to come home, but I have ninety-two points to my credit and might get a discharge.
Pvt. Richard M. Eggleston,
Co. "C" 303rd Engr. Bn.,
APO 78, P.M. New York, N. Y.
How are things going back in good old "Dogtown" these days? I hope it is all good as I am planning to be there very soon on our way to the other theater of operation. We will get thirty-day furloughs while we are there. Say what do you think of the stationery? It is a menu card from the hotel where we are now staying in Bad Wildungen, Germany. We each have our own room and room service, plus a beautiful dining room for our mess hall. One of the fellows had played with a name band before he entered the service so he now plays throughout our mess hours, and in that way we have dinner music. All in all we have a pretty nice setup.
Pfc. Herbert Schmitz,
Co. H, 334th Inf., APO 84,
P.M., New York, N. Y.
We were located in a town up near the Elbe, named Salzwedel, but moved down here a few days ago to Hanover. This city is quite a mess as a result of our air core, they didn't miss a building. My division took this town and didn't have much opposition so they didn't do too much damage--all that was done is by bombs. We are at present guarding a telephone exchange and postal telegraph building. They have discontinued all the civilian lines and only military lines are through. We seem to be working to the coast but for what I don't know; will be either occupation or Pacific.
Pfc. Stephen Theodore,
U.S.M.C., Marine Service Sqd. 24,
F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.
I am' submitting a short article about an incident which occurred on Luzon recently. So far I have been on three of these invasions and find it no fun. (Steve's story is very interesting and will be published at a later date.)
Joseph F. Moran,
Hdq. Co. 81st NCB,
F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.
The grandest thing that could happen to a fellow in service happened to me some time ago for I ran into my kid brother Jim, who I haven't seen for two years. Jim, as you know, is on a battlewagon and when I received permission to travel out to see him he fixed me up with cigars, candy and other things we didn't have on shore. Things have slowed up here on Okinawa. The only thing that worries us at present is how soon they will be receiving beer here on the island. Other from that not a complaint in the world. Give my regards to everyone. Jim's address is U.S.S. West Virginia, Div. F., F.P.O. San Francisco, Calif.
Page 6
Marine Pvt. Cecil Hooker, Jr., 18, was wounded in action on Okinawa and has been awarded the Purple Heart, his parents, who live at 1549A Tamm avenue, have learned.
Pvt. Charles R. Ross, infantryman, wounded in action on Mindanao. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Ross, 6920 Wise avenue.
====================
By direction of the President and under the provisions of AR 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amended, and Circular 2, Headquarters First United States Army, 4 January 1945, the Soldier's Medal is awarded to:
Staff Sergeant Lawrence F. Schuler, 37058426, Company "B", 9th Armored Engineer Battalion, United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with the enemy in the vicinity of Remagen, Germany, on 17 March 1945. Weakened by constant artillery barrages and aerial bombardment, the Ludendorf Bridge suddenly collapsed, hurtling all who were on it into the river below. From a position on the shore, Staff Sergeant Schuler observed a comrade float clear of the debris and begin to flounder about in the water. Realizing that the man was in danger of drowning, he immediately dived into the river, and with rope in hand, he made his way through the swift current to the helpless man. Then tying the rope around him, aided by bystanders on the bank, he towed him to safety. The intrepid courage and outstanding loyalty to a comrade at the risk of his life displayed by Staff Sergeant Schuler reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered military service from Missouri. Formerly of 5835 Victoria Avenue. -------------------------
Lt. Richard A. Cowan, 23, navigator of a bomber based in England, has received the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in action. He also. holds the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde L. Cowan, live at 6804 Nashville avenue, and his wife, Joan Cowan, and small daughter, live in Santa Ana, Calif.
Lt. Richard F. Downey, 25, bombardier on a Liberator, has received the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters for operations in Italy. He is now home on leave visiting his wife, Mrs. Julia Downey, 3838A Olive street, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch L. Downey, 1577 Louisville avenue.
Pfc. John P,. O'Hare, 20, infantryman, has has been decorated with the Silver Star for gallantry in action in Germany, according to a dispatch from the Thirtieth Division. His parents, Dr. and Mrs. A. I'. O'Hare, live at 6690 Oakland avenue. His father was formerly professor of prosthetic dentistry at Washington University.
M/Sgt. Eugene W. Rittey, 6164 Crescent avenue, in England.
Tech. Sgt. Raymond M. Runnels, radiomangunner on a Flying Fortress, Air Medal; received by Mrs. Bridget Runnels, 1321 Ripple street
The Softball League in St. James' schoolyard started out with four teams but has dwindled down to two, due to the lack of players and the fact that many in war work have to work on Sundays. The teams were managed by Bill Meehan, Frank Merlotti, Jim Brady and Bill Holmes. The two latter managers had trouble getting their players to show so it was decided that Bill Meehan and Frank Merlotti take over. The first game went to Meehan's 9-4. The Softball League will struggle along in this fashion until all the old faithfuls come home who are now scattered all over the world.
The C.Y.C. of St. James had a hay ride on July 4th. The Gang went to Father Jakle's Club House and a good time was had by all although the absence of many familiar faces was noticeable.
Bottle Tops -- The game is called "Bottle Tops," but I don't think the teams participating are "tops" compared to some of the teams which played at Graham and Clayton Avenues a few years ago.
Horse Shoes -- We don't know who is "Champ" in this sport, but the fellows get together at the White House and in the School Yard every now and then for a game. We are waiting for the Champ to be crowned.
Evening Sports -- The School Yard is open every night now with volley ball, horse shoes, and badminton getting a big play. The fellows also have their card tables out there. With all these activities, the fellows have enjoyable evenings.
Bob Corbett and Irvin Schurwan left July 6th to play in Brooklyn, New York, with the Raferty's Soccer Team, competing for the Amateur Championship of the United States.
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Pilot Held Since January, 1942.
Lt. Leonard E. Pratt, 24, fighter pilot, who was shot down Jan. 31, 1942, in the Tunisian campaign, was freed from the camp at Moosburg. he wrote in a letter to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin F. Pratt, 1131 Tamm avenue. He was imprisoned at Sagan, Germany, for 27 months until transferred to Moosburg, January 27.
S/Sgt. Harold W. Ferris, 1030 Sanford ave., was navigator-bombardier on a First Marine Air Wing medium bomber based in the Philippines which destroyed a Japanese PT boat, seriously damaged another and destroyed an enemy dock during an attack on a naval base on Mindanao.
Lester J. Boquett, E.M. .3C,
U.S.N. Hospital, Ward D-4,
Jacksonville, Florida.
Lester is back from the Pacific and has an injury between two vertebrae in his neck. He expects to be released back to civilian life soon. We sure will be glad to have Les back on Nashville.
Cpl. Charles W. Klasek, 37399275,
formerly of Victoria Ave.,
334th Service Battery, F.A.B.N.
APO 448, care P.O.N.Y.
Stationed at Schmiederfeld, Germany, with the 9th Army. Expects to see his old friends around Haley's double-dip about July 15th.
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