Decatur Newsletter for the boys in Military service.

News about you and your friends--about the Decatur Community High School and Decatur County.

V. II, Issue 3.  June 10, 1943   
Edited and compiled by Marian E. Cathcart, Oberlin, Kansas.

Made possible by the courtesy of the Decatur Community High School Oberlin, Kansas

   "A lady visitor at one of the busy Kaiser shipyards on the Pacific Coast recently stooped over to tie a knot in her shoes. The next thing she knew a bottle of champagne was broken across her stern and she was launched.”--Drovers Telegram. -- Don Thornburg, R M 3/c is proud and happy in his assignment to a new submarine soon to be on active duty. I believe Don is the only one on this mailing list on submarine duty. It is now a billet very near the Arctic circle for Pvt. Lester Chambers. A recent Associated Press story tells of the rescue of Sgt Frank Ward, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Ward of Norcatur, from a Jungle west of Gatum, Panama, where Sgt Ward had been located for some time in the Canal Zone. Ward and his pilot had bailed out of their patrol plane and had parachuted into a jungle. Their plight was noted by observers and a searching party found them and returned them to headquarters and safety, Cadet Junior Betts has reported to St Mary's College, CA for pre-flight training in the Naval Air Corps. It is Egypt for Pvt. Glenvyn Hayward of the ground force of the Air Corps. Gerald (Jiggs) VanVleet will report for duty at Boca Raton, Florida on June 17 with the engineers in the Army Air Corps. He and Mrs. VanVleet are visiting here and in Eastern Kansas prior to his call.  Ruben Lorenson has been sworn in as a naval aviation cadet in the V-5 program and is awaiting call. T/5-Kenneth Schmoker spent some time in Oberlin recently enroute back to Virginia from Ft Logan he had accompanied troops. His sister Lois, left with him for Detroit where she planned to enter defense work, Kenneth had made complete recovery from serious injuries received in a plane crash last October. Cpl. Wilbur Bystrom is now on desert maneuvers as is also Sgt. Glenn Miller. Miss Louise Leitner reported May 18 for training in the USMC (WR) at Hunter College, NY. Miss Leitner has been living at Seattle Washington, where she has been employed in the Boeing Aircraft Co plant. Lt, Col Harwood Benton gave the Memorial Day address at Wilmering, PA where he was the guest of Norm Reist superintendent of Schools. Pfc. Floyd Bryan has been graduated as an aircraft mechanic at the Seymour Johnson Field, NC.  Russel Leake recently returned from Seattle where he has been employed in the shipyards for the past nine months.  Bud Weir visited in Oberlin recently. He is in the Boeing Aircraft in Wichita but is hoping to be released for enlistment in the Air Corps. His brother "Speed" graduated from the Abilene High School this spring. Pvt. George Carver of Camp Carrabelle, FL was one of four survivors when a landing barge capsized in heavy surf during maneuvers several weeks ago. He spent several days in the hospital but has made satisfactory recovery.  A/C and Mrs. Byron F. McCartney (Phyllis Armstrong) are located at Camden Arkansas, where he is stationed at Harrell Field in primary training. Pfc. Deane Winchell is attending a sheet metal school at Hunter Field, Savannah, Georgia. Pvt. James Jackson of Camp Edwards, Mass, spent a recent furlough here. He had just returned from a trip to Florida where he was one of a group who volunteered to transfer landing barges. The trip back took 39 days for the 2,100 miles, all by water. Now it is Pfc. Johnnie Richards of Marines in some Pacific base. He sees Gerald Rezner occasionally. Pcf. Lloyd Smallberger has reported back to duty following recovery from wounds received in the Pacific area.  Sgt Dale Wickham who is instructing at Scott Field, IL, will soon report to Baco Raton, FL for training at a Communications Cadet. Pfc. Darrell Landau is studying airplane mechanics at the Missouri Aviation Institute in Kansas City. For extra curricular activities, he has been instructing in ROTC in a high school about the size of DCHS and teaching their band to march. Raymond Hague, TM 3/c recently had a few days ashore in New York City. His wife, the former Edith Smick, flew to New York City from Los Angeles to visit him. She has since returned to Oberlin for a visit, enroute back to Los Angeles where she is making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Ervin Smick and son. Pvt. Andrew Unger is now out of hospital following surgery five weeks ago. He is stationed near New Orleans. 2nd Lt Otis Skubal of the Army Air Corps received his wings recently. He has been stationed at Clewiston Florida. It is Camp Cooke and the Field Artillery for 2nd Lt William Randall. Cpl Vale Van Meter recently here on furlough, is stationed at Ft Riley. He enlisted in 1941 and was in the 14th Cavalry for a considerable time but is now an Armored Regiment. 2nd Lt Creta Gallentine, Army nurse, is stationed at Camp Crowder. Vincent Larrick, now located near Lancaster, Calif, is connected with the Airplane Warning Service and besides reporting all planes sighted, he is a weather and fire observer. “A gardener is a man who raises a few things, a farmer a man who raises many things, but it take the OPA to raise everything", Gail French Peterson. Edward James Roberts, whose home is in Atwood, is now with the armed services, located in Alaska. Cpl Harry Unger is located at Ft Ord, Calif. Recently he had a brief visit with Sgt Leo (Tiny) Rathbun, who has since been transferred.   It is now lst. Lt Shelburne Hendricks of Camp Robinson where he is in charge of mesa hall. Pvt. Wilbur Kruse has been sent to Texas A & M College for a course of Army Air Force instruction, which will last approximately five months, after which he will receive an appointment as an Aviation Cadet.  Cpl. Bob Towery, whose home is now in Albany, Oregon, has been assigned as Chief of the Message Center of the Third Army while on maneuvers. 2d Lt Jack Dryden received the commission of First Lieutenant in the Army Ferry Command recently. He is with the 4th Ferry Groups.  Also commissioned in May was 2d Lt Dennis Nelson at the graduation exercises of the Army Air Forces Technical Training Command School at Yale University. After a brief leave spent here he reported for duty at Spokane, Washington. Cpl. James Vavroch is now attending the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Schools at Camp Davis, NC. Cpl. Howard Mockry, reported missing in action in Africa on February 17, has been located by the Red Cross in a German prison camp. The location of the camp was not made known but his wife, the former Maxine Heller, was informed that he is well. A/C Glenn R. Nelson has completed basic flight training at Majors Field, Texas, and has transferred to Brooks Field. S/Sgt Luther Scott has been stationed in Boston.  Captain Harold Love, who has been at Ft McArthur Calif, is now attending a six weeks course in Officers School at Wilmington, NC, after which he will be located at Long Beach, Calif.  Paul Tacha received the rating of Aviation Ordnance Man, Third Class, upon graduation fiom the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. His new assignment is at the Naval Air Gunner School at Hollywood Florida. The parents of Albert Rohnke of the Navy were pleased to receive a photo of their son recently.  It was the first communication of any sort received from him for a long period of time. A/C Harry Rathbun Jr has completed his training at Ft Crook and is awaiting transfer.  After a short time in Alpena, Michigan, Lt. Harold Rehm has gone to Memphis, Tenn. where he will be instructed in the flying of commercial planes. Amy Mae has returned to Oberlin for the present. Delbert Townsend was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant upon successful completion Officer Candidate course at the Infantry School, Ft Benning GA. He graduated from Kansas State College at mid year, just prior to the time he was called to active duty.  It is North Camp Polk, La. and the Armored Division for Pvt.  Lawrence Graves. Cpl Delbert Rounsley has been transferred to Ft Warren where he is in the medical detachment at a hospital annex.  A/C Keith Lohoefener is located at Maxwell Field, Alabama.  His wife, the former Sybil Foley, has moved there.  Dale Vernon, R T 3/c has been assigned to sea duty on the Pacific Coast.  His wife is remaining in San Francisco for the present. Earl Walton, S 2/C is located at Farragut, Idaho, where he is working for a gunners mate rating and is an assistant instructor on the Indoor Rifle Range. Harold Area, S 2/c has graduated from the Radio Operators School at San Diego and is now at Oceanside, Calif. He is attached to the Amphibious Forces Pacific Fleet in the personnel landing barges. Inscription on the grave of an army mule in Frances: "In memory of Maggie, who in her time kicked two colonels, four majors, ten captains, twenty-four lieutenants, forty-two sergeants, four hundred thirty-two other ranks and one delayed action bomb."  S/Sgt. Kenneth Erikson supervises activities of the Unit Training Center at Vancouver Barracks, Washington while his brother, Pvt. Vernon Erickson, is in the Signal Corps B. at Reno Nevada. S/Sgt. Elmer Lippold is now stationed with the 399th Bombardment Squadron near Walla Walla, Washington. Pvt. Raymond Linn writes from Scotland that he has been overseas nearly a year now, Sorry -- the complex list of addresses, particularly those out-of-States, is one of the things we are asked not to publish. However any specific addresses you would like I shall be glad to supply -- or forward your letters for you. Pvt. Raymond Adams writes from the other side of the globe that he likes his work as a cook very much.  Joe Metts, SK 3/C tells of seeing Clyde Gage and John Sawdon recently and of talking to Ross Reeves. Rex Gill, F 1/c visited Ross recently.  Pvt.  Bill  DeKnight and Pvt . Noel Thomsen are leading a strenuous life in basic training at Camp Crowder.  Both are classified as teletype operators in the Signal Corps. Pfc. Alvin Uehlin has completed a three months course as motorcycle mechanic and is now attached to an ordnance battalion at Camp Livingston, LA. Laddie Pilnacek, Y 3/c is stationed at San Francisco where his wife, the former Theo Carpenter, is visiting him. He is recovering from a broken wrist.  A/C Carl Wentz is stationed at Maxwell Field. He was surprised to find his physical training instructor was Lt Alex Francis.  Carl is enthusiastic about flying. Cpl. Harold Allen writes from "Somewhere in Tunisia", "The African campaign is supposed to be over for this division but it could be changed in a very short time. I have seen considerable action at the front the past few months and am looking forward to the rest we are now getting.” Lt. Alice Coldren, USMC (WR) received her commission upon graduation from the Midshipmen School at Mt. Holyoke College on June 1. She is to report to Marine Corps Headquarters at Arlington, Va. for assignment.  In these days the prodigal son would need to bring a fatted calf with him. It is Lt Kenneth Slocum of the Navy now in Brooklyn, New York. Lester Cathcart reported to Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana on June 1 for training in the Naval Reserves V-7 program. He graduated in May from the Fort Hays State College. Cpl.  James Montgomery is at the Station Hospital, Camp White, Oregon while Pvt.  Charles Montgomery is in a Mechanics School at Camp Roberts, Calif. It is now MacDill Field, Tampa, FL for Cpl Ivis Hanson, teletype operator in the Air Corps. Pfc. Byron Zimmerman is company clerk for his group of the Signal Corps, located at Drew, Field Tampa Florida.  His wife, the former Mabel Wurm, visited him recently. A recent want ad in the Topeka Capital asked for applications for the position of coach at Ellsworth, Kansas. Clifford Rock, this year’s coach, and formerly basketball coach here, had previously stated he was entering military service at the close of the school year. A small Oberlin lad said recently he wouldn't want to be president of the United States because he would hate to live in the White House for twelve years or longer. Pvt Elwyn White is stationed at Camp Howze, Texas. His specialty is radio. Lester Chilson, for the past seven years in the Vocational Agriculture department of the Decatur Community High School, has resigned his position here and will enter into the farming game, going to Hodgeman County to aid with handling a 2,000-acre ranch of his father-in-law. Pfc. Jack O'Toole is stationed at Sheppard Field, Texas. T/Sgt Jim O'Toole visited with Lt John Wilcoxon in the Far Pacific recently while S/Sgt Harry Brown missed a visit with John by a few hours.  It is the Amarillo Air Field and mechanical training for Pfc. Leroy Barrett. It is a safe arrival for Sgt Harold Adams "somewhere overseas". Cpl Edward Purdy is taking engineer training at one of the colleges located in New York City, while Pvt. Derald Purdy has almost completed his Signal Corps training at Camp Crowder. First Lieutenant Hilgert Odell is stationed in New York City. Prior to call to service Hilgert was teaching in the University of Kansas. "Before we are thru with this thing", the Marquette Tribune doubts, "That Ghandi’s fast will be such an unusual feat." The War Department has authorized the extension of the furlough period between the day of induction and the date when men must report for duty from seven to fourteen days. This change will be made in all commands not later than July 1. After July 1 but before September 1, the period will be increased from fourteen to twenty-one days. Lt Daniel Hess received his commission at the Tank Destroyer Officer School at Camp Hood, Texas. He spent his leave in Jennings. Pvt Darwin Smith is stationed in Australia. Among the college graduates this spring were Maxine Walker, Kansas University -- Maxine will teach at Stafford the coming year. Alice Beardsley, Colorado Woman's College. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Gish -- Kansas State -- you will remember Mrs. Gish as Effie Orr, Carol Stevenson -- Kansas State, Carol was one of four to receive high honors. Home from Washington, D. C. where they have civil service positions, were Evelyn Barnes and Violet Ruby-Spiers. Pvt. Glenn Kincaid, who is stationed in the Hawaiian Islands, arrived home recently on furlough. The-African Korps are achieving the long promised visit to New York City -- but the travel agency supervising them is different than that originally promised them by Herr Hitler and Duce' Mussolini. Two Army training planes from the Dodge City Army Air Base collided in mid-air northeast of Rexford during formation flying recently. There were three planes in the formation, one of which left the group and flew into a cloud, when the pilot flew his ship out of the cloud -- it collided with one of the others, cutting off its tail assembly.  The pilot of the disabled plane immediately bailed out to safety, and the pilot of the other plane brought his ship down safely, although it was damaged. The pilot of the third plane then landed nearby, and after loading the other two fliers into his plane, returned to the base at Dodge City.  Gene McClaury has disposed of his community grocery store to E. S. Chastain, a former resident of Oberlin, but more recently of Nebraska. The McClaury family has moved to the farm.  Believe it or not, there was sufficient snow on the ground at Oberlin one early morning in mid-May, to make the ground white, so they say. Mrs. J. 0. Knight of Herndon specializes in growing iris.  This year they were especially beautiful and the one hundred fifty varieties attracted many visitors. The Traer high school students used the train as their mode of transportation to and from a picnic held in Herndon. When, upon your return to Oberlin, you are asked by the little lady to bring home a loaf of bread, you will find the bakery across the street from its former location in the building formerly occupied by the Popular Cafe. "Fred Ater isn't one to turn over the facilities of his "A" gasoline ration card over to someone else, particularly a stranger, without an argument.  One night recently, he was out in the yard, when he heard a peculiar gurgling sound, which he found to be made by gasoline running through a hose into a can, and coming -- of all places, out of the gas tank of his car.  He immediately removed the hose from his gas tank, turned out all the lights of his home and hid back in the shadows. Soon a car drove up, and a fellow hopped out and over to pick up the can of gas. Ater grabbed him -- as the car zoomed away.  The fellow he caught was a transient, and gave an Arkansas address.  He was lodged in the county jail, on a ten-day jail sentence. Accidents, which easily might have proven much more serious, includes Cliff Waldo, while standing in the back of his wagon, was suddenly thrown out on his head when the team started unexpectedly. He has made satisfactory recovery although the injury caused considerable discomfort.  Jolene Martin, small daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Martin, suffered a broken right arm, skin abrasions and possible head injury when she was struck by a car belonging to a Kansas City man while crossing Main Street.  She is recovering satisfactorily, 'Millard Shaw, seven year old son of and Mrs, Glynn Shaw, drank some gasoline, thinking it was water.  He was hospitalized over night but is now all right. Dale Gunthert accidentally shot himself in the knee while out hunting and he too is making satisfactory recovery. There are advantages to being a twin in Oberlin these days as this item from the Oberlin Herald will indicates of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Carman, learned that Duckwall store had some candy bars and he immediately proceeded to that place of' of business. He purchased a candy bar, (one to a customer) and walked outside, lingering near by while he ate it. Then walked casually back to the Duckwall candy counter and ordered one candy bar. “I just sold you one," said the pleasant young woman at the counter to which Rolan quickly replied, "Ah, that was my brother”.  What would you have done, had you been the candy clerk?  That's what she did."  It didn’t happen in Oberlin but we have heard of the young Victory gardener who asked the grocer for “saurkraut" seed. Which reminds me of the small niece who said her father had planted the dill pickles.  From the Topeka Daily Capital: "Eligible for the presidency of the Kansas Bankers Association, Vice-president Elwood M Brooks, Denver, has, asked the. advisory committee to disregard his name in the election to be held this evening. Brooks is associated with the City National Bank of Atchison, Farmers National Bank-of Oberlin; Citizens State Bank, Norcatur, and the Central Savings Bank and Trust Company of Denver. He expressed his reason the committee as inability to direct the association from a distance as far as Denver.  Brooks is a former Kansas Bank Commissioner. We note these recent "overseas" arrivals: North Africa, Pfc.  Darrel Haas, Dale Carlisle, SM 2/c, S/Sgt Silver Chambers, Cpl.  Howard Anderson (son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Anderson of Norcatur); Probably Africa: Max Dimond, Cpl Harold Ecker; Unlisted; Sgt  Harold Adams; Pfc. John Fawcett; 2nd Lt  Bert Hostinski. Sgt Ernest Leitner, S/Sgt Donald Sayles; England: Sgts. Darrel and Merald.Carter; Australia: Eldon VanOver.  Pfc Carrol 0. Johnson is in aviation mechanics school at the Amarillo Army Air Field while Pfc. Gordon Johnson is at present stationed at Turner Field, Albany, Georgia. It is somewhere in South America for Pvt. Elmer J. Steiner of the Air Corps. Pfc. Victor Gosha is stationed at Chillicothe, Mo where he is taking officer training. His branch is the Air Corps. This is homecoming week for the Votapka’s, Carl Votapka, S 2/c of Farragut, Idaho, and Cpl. George Votapka of Camp Butner are visiting their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Votapka, while Warrant Officer Ray Votapka, assistant director of band at Gulfport Field, Miss., is visiting his mother, Mrs. Hettie Votapka.  Rev. Arvid Nygren of Haxtum, Colo. has gone to Harvard University to take the required training before entering service as an army chaplain. His wife the former Virgie Anderson will remain with her father, until he is definitely established. Claude VanVleet, who contracted the measles soon after his return from the induction center in Denver, has been seriously ill with lobar pneumonia but is now making satisfactory recovery. The epidemic of measles this spring has been a serious one.  Pfc. Leo Neff, attending radio school at Scott Field is well pleased with his location. Home recently were Cpl. and Mrs Victor Claussen of Camp Fannin, Texas, and Warren Claussen, engaged in defense work in Wichita. Visiting in Oberlin at present is Mrs. Ruth Linn-Boswell. She has been living in Virginia where her husband has been stationed, but plans to enter defense work in Denver. Carl Strayer, stationed in North Africa, wrote his parents of a three thousand mile trip through that area. He missed seeing Sgt. Elwood Gilreath and Sgt Harold Hodges. Cera Wycoff was sworn in as a cadet, USCGR, on June 1 and assigned to the Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn. for further training. It is now T/Sgt.  "Bud" Hix down in Florida. Pvt. Charles Hensley recently broke his ankle and is now hospitalized at Colorado Springs. Aux.  Bernita Frank, who has been stationed at Des Moines, IA has been transferred to Durham, North Carolina, where she is in the recruiting group. Estil Kious, for some years employed in the Treasury department at Washington, is now at Atlantic City, taking basic training in the Air Corps. Kenneth Muirhead, recent student at Kansas State College, will report at a replacement center for military training this month. It is Camp Hulen, Texas for Pvt. Martin Chapman, more recently of Kansas University. Louis Knight has reported at Ft. Riley for military duty. In the recent Army-Navy tests given to high school seniors or graduates under eighteen years of age, three local boys were given the privilege of reporting for further examinations.  Gordon Claar passed the physicals for the navy training and Ruben Lorenson preferred to go in to naval aviation.  Both boys have been accepted and are waiting call.  They will receive twelve months of college as a part of their training. Lawrence Worcester will be under a similar program under army supervision when his induction call is received.  Billy Votapka is under a similar program.  A group of boys left Oberlin June 2 for Denver for their pre-induction examination.  The Oberlin Herald says, "Announcement of the departure of inductees is again made possible by the rescinding of the recent order prohibiting such information.  In the list below "V" indicated volunteer: Oberlin Russell Leake, V; Melvin Simpson, V; Francis St Clair, V; Lee C Still, V; Gordon Claar, V; Kenneth Manning; Virgil Wenger; Wayne Vernon; Hayes Boettger; Sidney Morrish; Harold Machart; Goodland Kenneth Castle, V; Jennings: Cloyce Randall, V; Clifford Erickson, V; Elmoin Bailey; Dresden: Rex Ray Foster, V; McCook Miller, V; Darrell Woodside, of Portland, Oregon; Loyd Daugherty of Cowdry, Colo; Otis Harmon, Long Beach Calif; James Lazaroff, Omaha, Nebr.; LaVerne (Chiz) Ruzicka, Trona, Calif, Charles Mowry, Studley Oberlin: Jack Carlson, V. These boys have reported for Navy duty, Harold Miller, Jack Carlson, Lee Still, Otis Harmon, and LaVerne Ruzicka. Gordon Claar is subject to call, probably in July. Those who are to report to the army will leave next week as the furlough leave is now two weeks. It is Jefferson Barracks, Mo. for Pvt.  Asa Ames and Camp Robinson, Arkansas for Pvt  Charles Colton. Who cares about caviar? Please pass the potatoes -- Miller of the Belleville News. Pvt. Donald Hindman has an APO address. It is Ft. Warren for Pvt.  Wm Jackson. Camp Farragut for Norton Kessler. Sheppard Field, Texas for Pvt.  Lee Lipsey; the Marine Corps Base at San Diego for Pvt. Ralph Pool: An APO for 2d Lt Elizabeth (Beth) Walters; Camp Mackell, NC for Pvt.  Joe Brown, more recently of Ft.  Morgan, Colo; and Camp Farragut for Parley Anderson AS. The city girl may be downright serious about helping the farmer but within a day or two she will know that contented cows are fabricated city products. Pfc. Valentine Beneda has begun a course in aviation mechanics at Amarillo, Texas while Pfc. Melvin Beneda has completed such a course at the same field and is awaiting transfer. Cpl Aloysius Weis is at present on hospital duty at Camp Bowie, Texas.  "Food rationing is only doing for us what self control should have done" -- Marcelene Cox in the Ladies Home Journal.  Out-of-the States is Ensign Raymond Lippelmann. "For the first time in more than fifty years the people of Oberlin and this entire community are dependent upon one physician and surgeon.  With the passing of the late Dr. Eber Reeves and Dr. L. C. Tilden, Oberlin now has but one MD. Dr C. M. Nelson, who operates the Benton Memorial Hospital. Only a few years ago there were four practicing MDs in Oberlin, and three osteopathic physicians. Now, with sickness and disease just as prevalent as at that time, there remains but one MD. Dr. C. M. Nelson, and two osteopathic physicians, Drs Carlotta and John Rummell"--Oberlin Herald. The wheat loan rate this year has been established at $1.22 per bushel -- that of last year was $1.14. “Rain and more rain, the finest soaking Decatur County soil has had since last summer -- that briefly is what happened here recently." The rain varied over the county from two inches up to seven or eight.  "The Sappa creek overflowed its banks south of town but did not cover the bottom land as it has on past occasions.  Water has been running over the dam, about 4 inches deep at the State Lake.  No estimate could be made of the value of these fine rains, but coming at this time, the abundant moisture will finish the wheat crop that only a few days ago was hanging in the balance.  Thousands of acres of good wheat and barley are now all but assured the growers of Decatur County.  With the crop so nearly made, hail is about the only hazard remaining, and that could hardly ruin more than a fractional part of the large acreage.  Had the moisture arrived a few weeks earlier a considerable acreage of volunteer wheat might have developed into another good crop, but most farmers have abandoned hopes of the volunteer harvest. “The harvest is almost in sight." -- Oberlin Herald.  The population of Decatur County shows a loss of 245 persons over that of last year. Approximately six hundred Decatur county men are now in military service. War bond purchases continue active, though sales are lower as a result of the big April drive.  However the county’s quota of $28,000 for May was more than met.  Small-motor boats are to be allowed on the State Lake. Frederick Welter of the navy has been reported missing in action. The parents Mr. and Mrs. Pete Welters of Lyons Township were so informed by the Navy department this week. This is the second son to be reported missing as John Welter, MM 1/c was among the missing on the U.S.S. Quincy sunk in the Solomon Islands action on August 9th.  The Welters have had five sons in military service – John, Frederick, Paul and Francis of the navy, and Vincent of the army. Recent marriages include: Vivian Cilek and Clyde Bishop; Betty Jean Fortin and Pfc. Guy Blakely at Lincoln, Nebr. Irene Page and Ambrose McDonald at McCook; Cpl Willard Carter and Naomi Carlton; Cpl William Carter and Rachel Carlton; Leon Maddy and May Pearl Gnaggy, Dorothy Cunningham of Denver and S/Sgt Alfred Williams at the Army Chapel, Ft Logan; Doris Rezner and Arlyn Staack of Denver -- Doris will graduate from nurse’s training at the Presbyterian Hospital of Denver, Colorado, this summer.  Agnes Witt and Charles Real of McCook in Denver; Lanissa David and Ralph Brown of Brewster, Kansas; Mildred McCashland and Elton O’Hare; Lucille Bell and Dale Brown of Prairie View, Kansas; Mrs. Elsie Scott-Kent and Leon Macy. If rumors are correct, June will add several more to the list. Dean Fringer is home subject to call.  He recently completed his secondary training at the Fort Collins, Colo Air Field and is now ready for advanced training. Look Who's Here: daughters for: Mr. and Mrs. Bob Paddock; Mr. and Mrs. Darrel White of Denver; Mr. and Mrs. Durward Wymore; Sam and Fern Fisher Shafer of Denver; Harold and Wanda White Janousek of Denver; sons for Mr. and Mrs. Guy Shaw; Pvt. and Mrs. Alfred Wade; Cpl and Mrs. Jarrold Bell; Dareld and Arlene Lauver Runyan; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Leitner; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Leitner of Denver; Pvt. and Mrs. Bill Brock; Mr. and Mrs. Goldie Scott.  Dorothy Kelley says, "You remember Junior prom, you boys "away”. You remember the pretty girls some of them you hardly recognized with their slick hair-dos and their long dresses. Tonight is Junior Prom again and we aren't getting to go, because it has rained.  You aren’t getting to go for another reason.  But there is still the Junior Prom, still pretty girls, beautiful dresses, good looking boys." 'The theme was "Holiday Inn" with Warren Kump as master of ceremonies.  There was an overflow crowd at the graduation ceremonies when ninety-five members of the class of' 1943 received diplomas.  Speaker of the evening was Hugh Burnett, director of the Extension Division at Fort Hays State College. For our story of Alumni Banquet we are using a combined story from those written by Dorothy Kelley and Myrtle Wilbur-Carman.  Dorothy says, "Another Alumni Banquet, come and gone.  Still not enough "visiting" time, One thing, not insisted upon, is quick service at the Alumni Banquet, but food this year was the best ever, and even a farmer had plenty.  The Boss usually eats a lunch before he goes, and another afterwards.  Lola (Banta) had conniptions over the “real meat" and says they never get anything but chicken in Topeka.  The program was good too.  'When you know a man well you understand his abilities.  One man said of the toastmaster, "Gosh, he was good, I was surprised." Esther Ratzlaff-Schmahl gave the invocation, and we remembered the time she gave an "oration" that fairly made your hair stand on end.  'Ethel Simpson-Garver thought rationing not so hard to take, and the senior boy who responded made it plain that what the kids find hits them hardest is the gas rationing. They haven’t seen anything yet.  A couple of fine looking young folks sang, and sang as well as they looked. One of the teachers gave a clever talk, and ended on a serious note that held the crowd so quiet you could hear a pin drop.  The Marine Hymn and the Army Air Corps song were sung in honor of Bob Jorn and Wayne Ridpath, the only two "uniforms" present (James Betts), also. Bob brought Marine history up to date and promised that by the"help of God and a few Marines" this war would be won. Doris Willcoxon-Brown knows all about unconditional surrender, and what to do about it, and let us in on the secret.  L. M. Parker's poem--sent here from Florida--was really good. Fifty years since graduation is a long, long time, and there have been many changes in the old school since then.  That class didn't do to bad at a reunion, even then, because two members and wife were present, and the class had only about 14-members to begin with (fifty years ago). Some of the more recent classes don’t do as well. The school has changed, but the spirit of 50 years ago is the same, even if the pictures aren’t So it’s goodbye, and we will look forward to the banquet which hasn’t a toast mentioning Ira Laidig’s hair -- or lack of it." Now for Myrtle’s versions 'We're In It, Let's Win It," was the theme…. A number of Irregulars" now members of our armed forces were definitely missed, but were in the minds of the 338 persons present throughout the entire evening. Ward K. Claar of the Class of 1927 as "Commanding Officer" had complete command of the meeting. Before being seated at the banquet tables the entire group joined in singing "God Bless America” ….Ira Laidig called the class rolls.  Of interest was the fact that Mrs. H.Q. Banta, an honorary member of the Decatur Alumni Association and his five children, Mrs. Helen Banta Morgan, ‘17, McCook; Mrs. Grace Banta-Dodt, ‘17, Kansas City, Howard Banta, ‘22, Oberlin; Mrs. Lila Banta-Counter, ‘25, York, Nebr; Mrs. Lola Banta-King, '25, Topeka, were all present.  A vocal solo, "Let's Bring New Glory to Old Glory", was sung by Eunice Anderson, ’38. Miss Lois Mullen of the class of 1920 and a faculty member talked on "Fighting Through". Cpl.  Bob Jorn, ’41 of the U.S. Marines, home on furlough from Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas, discussed 'Marines in Action". Due to the fact that Cpl Jorn has as yet seen no action, he gave the history of our U.S. Marines.  Harry Yelek, ‘43, sang "The Marine Hymn".  For the encore, as a special request of Cpl  Jorn, Mr. Yelek sang "The Army Air Corps Song" and in response to a most enthusiastic audience gave a second encore.  In Conclusion the School Anthem, led by Cpl  Jorn, was sung. At the business meeting preceding the banquet, the officers elected for the ensuing year were: President--Lois McMullen; Vice pres Patty Manning; Secretary--Esther Schmahl, and Treasurer, Ira Laidig. " One or two items to clear up--Lawrence Worcester was the senior president who introduced the Class of ‘43.  Remarkable also is the record of the Shaw family.  George Shaw, Sr. is an alumnus of-the Class of 1893, his wife, the late Estella Drullinger-Shaw, 1892; their children and daughters-in-law are all alumni also.  Glynn and Ruth McLaughlin-Shaw both of ‘18, and their daughter, Laurene, ‘41 and son "Si", ’43; Guy, ‘21, his wife, Mary Cathcart-Shaw,'23, and their son Joe, ’34 George, ‘24, his wife, Hazel Brown-Shaw, ‘26. -- At Herndon, about sixty people, including thirteen seniors, attended the 24th annual banquet held in the Evangelical church basement Saturday evening. Paul Rosenberger was elected president for the coming year.  The banquet and programs carried the names of the fifty-four alumni who are now in service.  At Jennings, "About 60 people attended the Alumni party held at the City Hall Tuesday evening, June 1. The evening was spent playing games and dancing, Refreshments of ice cream and cookies were served by the W.S.C.S."  In the State Scholarship contest, Oberlin placed 4th in the States. Among those from out of town home for alumni, we noted: Myrna Raymond-Sigwing of Phillipsburg; Evelyn Barnes and Violet Spiers of Washington, DC; Avis Ufford-King of Kansas City; Irel Cody-Myers of Redmondo Beach, Calif; Blanche Baxter-Vigo of Topeka; Dorothy Towery-Berlin of Atwood; George and Hazel Brown-Shaw of McCook; Orville and Nadine Paddock-Ferguson of Wichita; Leslie "Bud" Weir of Wichita,- Flora Boutz of Kansas City.  Recent deaths includes Mr. Theodore Tacha Sr; Mrs. Mary F. Mayes; Joe Kaspaz Sr; Deda Beachel; Mrs. S. W. Harris, Jerry Beneda, aged 7 yrs.; Mrs. Earl Slaven; Walter Gaumer, Jr.; Orrill Shearer; Dennis Mapes; Ralph Hurst; Mrs. Ralph Rhodes; Mrs. Derward Wymore (Alma Nicholson); Mrs. Henry Vavroch, Dr. Leslie C. Tilden. Now it can be told that Pvt. Kenneth McClaury has been connected with the guarding and care of German prisoners for the past several months.  The prisoners came from North Africa.  Pvt.  Rex Diehl is in attendance at the University of California at Los Angeles.  Joe Ridgway planned to return to Kansas State at Manhattan this summer and expected to be placed in uniform immediately. He visited Pfc. Bob Ridgway at Edmond, Oklahoma on his way back.  Include Pvt. Dale Brunk in the North African arrivals. And it has been North Africa for T/5 Alvin Beers since last November. Indicative,of the times -- a small girl named a cat family, "Sugar',"Taffy","Butter-and "Fudge'--but no “Licorice”. Recent visitors in Oberlin includes: Mrs. Torry Avery and children of Russel Springs; Mrs. Miller Cook, Mrs. Ruth Kump-Hanson, and Mrs. Mabel Hanson-Tuttle and three daughters of Wichita; Edwin and Gladys Hitchcock-Griffith and daughters of Salina – “Hitch" will supervise the playgrounds in Salina this summer; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Mosier (Naomi Griffith) of Emporia; Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Douglas and daughters of Fremont, Nebr., enroute to Mountain City, Tenn; Mrs. Isadore Douglas-Winget and Dena Mae of Miami; Jim and Marie Reed-Burchett of Minneapolis; Lyle and Norine Steele-McGee of Greeley; Mrs. Nat Gierhart and Bobby of Hopkinsville, Ky.; Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt Adams (Rhea Chapin) and Jerry of Muskogee, Okla.; Mrs. Ardve Relph-Shinn of Columbus, Ohio; Arthur and Vivian Landau-Dowling of Amarillo; Lowell and Lucille Landau-Wennihan of Brookville, Kansas;.  Mary Smith and Norma Brown of Denver, Mr. and Mrs. Chas.  Myers (Marjorie Rhodes) of Kansas City; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Winget of Stockton; Mrs. Gertrude Bishop-Jenkins of Detroit, Mrs. Dorothy Stevenson-Bressler and son of Wamego; Mrs. Azelia Maggard-Marsh of Great Bend, and daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Marsh-Degner and S/Sgt.Otto Degner of Camp Dix, MJ.  Marie Howard is spending her month's vacation at the home of her parents. Marie is Assistant Parole Officer at the Federal Reformatory for Women at Alderson, West Virginia.  Mr. and Mrs. Everett Koehler (Odene Bradley) and Mrs.. Vern Bradley have gone to Wheatland, Wyoming to visit Mr. and Mrs. Orvin Bradley and daughter.  Miss Carolyn Leist, who visited Reva Mae Kelley in Washington, stopped enroute home for a visit with Leora Leist-Sines, who is living near Camp Sibert, Ala, where her husband is located.  Evan Clark has returned to Oberlin from Tuscon, Ariz.  Mrs. Al Vernon and her granddaughter, Darrall Carmichael of St. Francis, have gone to Manatee, Florida to visit Leslie and Nina Parker-Vernon and children Paul Nitsch, Jr.  Merlyn Robertson and Si Shaw are in attendance at Kansas University at a special 5 weeks course; Robertson and Shaw plan to continue in attendance through the coming year.  Mr. and Mrs. Harry Murphy and children have transferred to North Platte from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Doreen Paddock has returned to work at the Farmers National Bank following a serious illness. Mrs Alene Miner-Beckord, whose home is in Oklahoma City, is now with the Red Cross Communications at Washington, DC. Here is a seventh page for you, Lyle Jones. Mr. and Mrs. Clint Carper are located in Los Angeles, where he is employed as a welder in a steel production plant.  The drug store in Atwood owned by Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lesh (Myrna Miller) has been sold but the Lesh's have not yet announced their future plans. Norma Louise Benton and Gloria Benton are enjoying their location in Edmonton, Canada where they are in civil service. In the near future they plan to visit in Oberlin. Mildred Armstrong who has been employed in Denver for some time has accepted a position at Boise, Idaho. She visited her parents in Hastings before leaving for Idaho. Others who have found work are: Claire Gunthert who is spending the summer in Chicago doing defense work; Betty Jaderborg and Ila Robertson employed in Denver -- Myrna Conley accompanied them back to Denver; Helen Boettger, Carol Lewis and Elithe Adams are taking special training with the Bell Telephone Co. in-North Platte; Anna Meisner is employed by the local Telephone Co.; Doris Stephens has gone to Denver; while Delmar Haas is a new employee at the local J. C. Penney Store. Lorene Leinwetter and Elaine Berger have gone to St. Paul Minn. for summer employment but will return to teach this fall. S/Sgt Albert Hoffman (better known to us as “Junior") recently received the “Air Medal”for participation in an aerial attack on Japanese naval forces, consisting of transports and destroyers while he was in the Solomon Islands. His wife and mother were present at the time of his decoration. Albert is at present in Laguna Beach, Calif., where he is recovering from malaria contracted in the Islands, but expects to be ready for foreign duty by July. We will add to our list of those in the navy the name of Charles H. Payne, EM 2/c stationed in the Pacific.  News of members of your families Mrs. J. E. Young of Laramie has returned from a visit with Joe in New Orleans and is now in Oberlin.  Mrs. Gaylord Bryan (Maxine Counter) has returned to MO to be near Cpl  Gaylord Bryan at Ft Leonard Wood. Mrs. Tom Townsend and daughter returned to Camp Barkeley with Cpl Tom Townsend. Mrs. Ralph Stowell has moved from Salt Lake City to Sacramento to be with Ralph.  Mrs. Elmer Leitner (Betty Raymond) of Colorado Springs, and Mrs. Orville Sigwing (Myrna Raymond) and son Jan of Phillipsburg have visited in Oberlin with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Myron Raymond.  Mrs. Raymond has made a very satisfactory recovery following surgery; Mrs. Lois Macy Landau and daughter have joined Cpl French Landau at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif.  Mrs  Robt. Hanson and Linda visited Bob at Kearns, Utah. Mrs Howard Mockry, who is in civil service in Washington, DC spent a recent vacation with her parents, Mr. and Mrs.  Glenn Heller.  Mrs  Douglas Jorn visited the Chris Jorn family -- her home is in Denver.  Mrs. John Sawdon of Los Angeles is in Oberlin and will go on to Chicago to visit Vivian before her return to the coast. They visited with Bob Sawdon, SOM 3/c and Clifton Walton S 1/C during the latters short leave in San Francisco. Mr. Albert Marcuson, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Peterson (Doris) and Donis Marcuson went to Chicago for a visit with Glenn Marcuson, Glenn is completing in training as an aviation machinist.  Mrs. Russell Jenkins and Miss Delores Roe of Norcatur have returned from a visit with T/Cpl Russell Jenkins, Jr at Ft. Benning.  Mrs. Nelle Lindquist and Esther have gone to the west coast where they will visit Pvt.  John Lindquist at Camp Adair, and Glenn Lindquist in Los Angeles. Glenn expects to enter military service in June.  They.will also visit Mrs. Al Jones at Tuelake, Calif. Mrs. S. O.. Stowell and daughter, Mrs. Merald Carter and grandaughter have returned to Oberlin from Lebanon, Kansas, where Mrs. Stowell taught last year. Mrs. Carl Hatch (Evelyn Cullison) came to Oberlin to visit with Willis Cullison, S 3/c, home on furlough, but will return to Camp Barkeley where Pfc. Carl Hatch is stationed.  Those home on leave or furlough the past month includes Cpl Leon Gotschal, McClelland Field, Calif.; Pvt  Claude V. Stroup, Goodfellow Field, Texas; Sgt. and Mrs. Neil Nicodemus, Cpl Willard Carter, Cpl Wm.  Carter, Sgt. Joe Kruse, Pfc. Francis Hafner all of Camp Barkeley; Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Smith of Norcatur, instructor in flying, stationed at Jackson Field, Miss. A/C Francis Hackney, Drew Field, FL.; Cpl. Lawrence Urban, S/Sgts. Archie Gilreath, both of Camp Campbell, KY; Pfc. Loren Broyles, Ft Leonard Wood; Cpl James Staley of Santa Monica; Cpl Harold Dick of the Western coast area; Camp Shelby; Cpl Dole Townsend, Ft  Sill; Pvt. Robt. Chastain, Marine Corps Base San Diego; Pvt. Richard Tacha, Pvt Frederick Rezner, Ft Bliss; Pvt.  Lester Barnett, New York City; A/C Ca rl Shick of Liberty, MO. Cpl. and Mrs. Gilford Fisher (Lois Nicodemus) of Camp Bowie; Lt. Daniel Hess, Camp Hood; Cpl Glenn Kincaid of the Hawaiian Islands; T/5 Edwin May; Pvt. C. Vincent Stroup, San Angelo, Tex., Rex Garver, S 2/c, Great Lakes; Cpl Harold Scott, Ft. Monmouth; Dean Clawson, C M 2/C Dallas, Texas; Pfc Virgil Walker, Ft  Ord; Pvt. Jack Foster, Pyote, Texas; Lt.  Vincent Muirhead., USNR; Lee Eckhart, Orlando, Fla.; Pvt. Jay Gallentine of Texas; 1/Sgt  Victor Lockhart, Nashville; S/ Sgt  Bud Hilsinger, Ft Riley; Pfc. Don Lawver. Sgt  Dale Magers, Lubbock, Texas; Cpl  John Wernette; Gilbert Wammack of Texas, Voyle Miller; Cpl Fred Koehler Medical Div., Army Hospital, Chickasha, Okla; A/C L. M. Campbell of Nashville, visiting his wife (Eula Gene Gill); T/Sgt  Wayne Ridpath, Clinton, NY; Lee Lipsey, Sheppard Field, Texas; Lt. and Mrs. Bernard Schreiber, Pfc.  Francis Wesch, Sgt  Carrol Hall of Camp Carson; Cpl Robt  Shorb, Ft Sheridan, IL. Pvt. Clifford Barnett, Ft. Ord. T/4 Pete Poulin of New Brunswick, Canada; T/Sgt Glen Mott, Camp Hulen Texas,  Pvt.  Robt.  Niemeth. Ft Logan; Pvt. Dean VanGundy, Nashville; Pfc. and Mrs Frank Rohnke, Camp Crowder, Pfc. Gus Rohnke, Camp Phillips; Pfc. Boyce Pickett, Golden, Colo, Pvt. Pete Shuhart, Camp Clark, MO. honorable discharge; Allen Sebaugh, Lawrence, Kansas who is entering a naval medical school in Kansas City at once.  Wayne Gallentine, Dale Machart of Denver, Vey Clark from Compton, Calif, are reporting to the armed forces.  A local fellow says he envys a certain fat lady when she laughs.  "There seems to be so much of her having a good time," he says.” Transfers includes California: Visalia A/C Leslie Carter; Hawthorne Pfc. Virgil Cathcart; Fresno Cpl  Keith Haas; Pvt. Harold Paschke, Fort Ord  Cpl  Harry Unger; San Francisco  Laddie Pilnacek Y 3/c.  Charles Payne, E M 2/c; Roy Orr, S 1/c, Francis Arnold, S 1/c; Camp San Luis Obisp S/Sgt. Leo Tacha. Colorado Ft.  Logan; Cpl.  Rollie Beardsley; Florida Tampa: A/C Francis Hackney; Pvt.  Ed Leinwetter; Pfc  Byron Zimmerman; McDill Field Cpl  Ivis Hanson. Chelsea, Mass Owen Payne, S 1/c Missouri. Hannibal: A/C Vincent Landau, USNR; Kansas City: Pfc. Darrell Landau; Cpl Harley Kathka; Oklahoma: Norman: A/C Duane Rushton. Texas, Ft. Sam Houston: Pvt. Bill Lynch; Camp Hood: Cpl  Leo Bunney; Kansas, Herington Air Base: Pfc. Raymond Berger. Pfc. Bernard Meitl of the Army Air Corps is attending school in Chicago, while Pvt. Clifford Snyder is located at Kearns, Utah.  Pfc.Carl Nicodemus is stationed at the Army Hospital at St Joseph, Missouri. Other locations are: Pvt. Harold Clark, Chicago; Pvt. Verlo LaFevre, Ft  Knox, KY.  M/Sgt. Leonard Weyeneth, Camp Claibourne, LA.; Pvt.  Harold McChesney, Ft Knox, KY; Pvt. Neil Keenan, Kearns, Utah; Chas.  Davis, USN, Northfield, Minn.; Robt. Lofton.  USN,  Faragut, Idaho; Lt. Hugh Jeffries, Ft Lewis Washington; Dale Westman A/S  Farragut, Idaho; Walter Demmer, USMM,  Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY; Sgt  Merlin Cramer, Camp Forrest, Tenn; Pvt. Vernon Erickson, McClelland Field, Calif. An Associated press items "Somewhere in Australia June 5. Sgt Edwin R. Farewell, Norcatur, Kansas, was one of nine members of a heavy bomber crew given the Air Medal for an attack which left a Japanese destroyer in Rabaul Harbor, New Britain, on fire and sinking last October.  Crewmembers were cited for courage and perseverance in the face of adverse weather conditions and heavy enemy fire. Henry Bruhn has arrived in Herndon, where he will be employed in the Nolan Motor Co as mechanic & He was given an honorable discharge from the Air Corps recently because he was over thirty-eight years of age.  "All right, so he toured the country to inspect war plants and training centers, but don’t try to argue he hasn’t got a secret ambition to match his Wife's mileage"--Luman Miller, Belleville Telescope. "If the Army is worrying about where to get enough punch to pull off this forthcoming invasion stunt, the heads of it might go out to Pueblo, Colorado and look over a few of those 100 or so women who tore down that department store a few days ago.  It seems the store ran an ad in the newspaper there, offering 30 pair of nylon hose for sale, at a certain hour during the sale they were putting on at the store. 'When the time arrived to open the doors, 700 women were out in front and when the management released the door latch, they smashed into the building, tearing down the counters, and so on.  It took a police riot squad to regain order, and carpenters spent several hours repairing the damage wrought. It just looks like the Army is missing a good bet there -- maybe the makings of a good tank destroyer unit, or something.-- Herndon Nonpareil. Neighbors includes Pvt. Everett Adamson, Sgt. Frank Ward; S/Sgt. Silver Chambers, Pvt. Bill Stowell, S/Sgt. Frank Meyers.  One note in common that all over seas letters carry is the desire to be home once again and an appreciation of the States. I can assure you that the home folks are as eager to have you home as you are to be here. S/Sgt. Lemoin Landau is an instructor in Gunnery and a Turret specialist. Lemoin and Faye are living in Laredo, Texas.  A/C Vincent Landau located at the Naval Training Station at Hannibal, Mo is enthusiastic about flying. Sgt Lloyd Corcoran is finding India decidedly hot of clime.  Rex Berry, Carl Stephens and he hope to arrange a meeting. Lloyd says, "There are many interesting things over here, especially if one were on a pleasure trip and could see them, but under the circumstances of my visit, I can't say so much for it. The thing that is hardest is the tropic climate.  No wonder the people that live here are black as the sun would bake anybody in due time, After all when the temperature outside gets to be 150 degrees it is about time to begin thinking of a cooling system, although oddly enough these people work outside all day long and don’t suffer from it while we have to quit at noon and start early in the morning, while it is still relatively cool.  This is also a country where the women do all the work.  I have seen them doing all sorts of manual labor that even the men in our country would think difficult, such as hauling gravel, road work of all sorts, carrying bricks, dirt and what not.  The other day I saw some women carrying 100 lb. sacks of cement on top their heads and didn't seem to mind while I doubt if I could even lift one of them. We hear it is England for Pfc. John Fawcett. -- Good wishes to all:

                                          Back to Newsletters by Marian Cathcart   

               Back to Decatur County Home Page                  

©2003 Sharleen Wurm  
This site was  established Oct 2001 by Sharleen Wurm and is dedicated to free access to records, documents and photos of historical and genealogical value. Documents contained herein may be copied for personal, non-commercial use as long as this message remains on all copied material.   These records, documents and photos may not be reproduced, published or re-published for any reason, in any format,  including electronic (web pages or CD's) and print, without prior written consent of the contributors or copyright holders.

Wednesday, October 20, 2004