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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 24, 1944)
THURSDAY, -AUGUST 24, 1944 THE JOURNAL. PLATTSMOUTH. UEBSASKA PAGE JUSTE This Page is a regular feature of the Monday edition of the Semi-Weekly THE SERVICE JOURNAL :- Correspondents and others having items for the SERVICE JOURNAL will please mark "Service" and plact on separate sheet from other items. . Service Editor Lieutenant Mauzy Awarded Air Medal In Foreign Service Plattsmouth Young Man Partici pant in Missions Over Europe Groups Has Presidential Citation Mr. and Mrs James G. Mauzy of this city have received word from their son. Lieutenant James Mauzy, now in service with the Sth bombing command in England, that he had been awarded the air medal, one of the high honors of the air forces. The recognition came as the result V of the excellent service of Lt. Mauzy in his missions over Germany and the war fronts in occupied Europe. The group with which Lt. Mauzy was in service received the presiden tial citation for their service, that ranks with the D. S. C. The citation expressed the appreciation of the nation for the gallant action of the air forces in the war against the enemy. Here from Fort Benning Pvt. Louie Lloyd McKenna is the guest at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W'm. S. TVetenkamp, Sr., and dau ghter, Mary Kay. He is a qualified graduate of the U. S. Paratroop school at Fort Ben ning, Georgia, and received his wings and boots August 12. Pvt. McKenna arrived in Omaha at 9:30 a. nf. Friday morning. He is here on a 17-day furlough and ex pects to visit his parents at Plain-j view. Has Car Stripped Deputy Sheriff Emery Doody was called out this morning to south of the city where a car parked along Highway No. 75 was reported as being stripped of the tires and con tents of the car. The car was the property of Flight Officer W. J. Koepsel of Lafayette, Indiana, who was enroute from the air field at Alliance, Nebraska, to George Field, Lawrence, Illinois. The car had stopped when near the Glenn Perry farm and the of ficer left the car parked n'hile he sought help in getting the car un der way. On his return he found that two of the tires had been taken and also his bag and papers that he had left in the car. Receives Sad News Perry Graves, better known as Kid Graves, former welterweight champ ion of the world has received a mes sage from a daughter in the west announcing that his son, James had been killed in action. The brief message did not state where or when the death had taken place. The young man had been in action in the Pacific and was wounded twice before the last report. James will be remembeFed here where he resided for a time and was a student at the local school when making his home here with the fath er. Home from Kentucky Pvt. Clarence Favors, Jr., who is stationed in the great training cen ter at Fort Knox, Kentucky, is home for a visit with his family at Weeping Water and with his par ents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Favors Sr., in this city. He is feeling fine and is kept very busy at this great ' training center for armored troops J 5 Recovering from Wounds Pfc. Raymond Leonard Rhoden, son of Mr and Mrs. Gailen Rhoden of this city, is now recuperating at a southwest Pacific hospital where he has been since being wounded. Pfc. Rhoden was wounded in the battle for Saipan island on June 30th and from the word received here his wounds have been of a serious nature and will require his hospitalization for some time. Raymond enlisted in the army at the same time as his brother, George and was shifted at once to the Pa cific war area where he has been stationed. He has been in the service a year and a half and most of this has been in combat areas. The family hare received word of the condition of the young man from the war department. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoden have re ceived the Purple Heart award to the son for his service that resulted in his being wounded and this is very highly prized by the members of the family circle. Captain Fred McGirr Killed The information has been receiv ed at Beatrice of the death of Cap tain Frederick H. McGirr, in action in France, the message coming to his wife and his father, Dr. John R. McGirr, who reside in Beatrice. After graduating from the Beatrice high school, he entered Doane college and later came to Plattsmouth as a teacher in the high school, teaching English during the 1940-41 term. He enlisted in the army two years ago and recently captured two German prisoners. Beside the wife and father, a bro ther and sister also survive. Returns to Duty Louis Eaton, Sic, who has been here visiting his sister, Mrs. Howard Kennell and Mr. Kennell, has re turned to report for duty at San Francisco. Seaman Eaton has been in service on one of the airplane car riers for the past eight months and his service has taken him into ex tensive naval action in the southwest Pacific. He had a fifteen day leave that he enjoyed here and at Union with the relatives and old time friends. Former Resident Injured Word has been received at Ne- hawka of the injury of S. Sgt. Matt hew Lloyd, member of the 134th Infantry, in action in the Normandy invasion, the young man was in jured or wounded on July 28th and is now being hospitalized. The young man as a son of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Lloyd, who reside in California, and made his home here when a young boy. He is a grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Jirousek, long time residents here and the uncle of Sgt Matthew Jirousek, for whom he was named, died enroute to France in 1918. Graduates in WAVES Dorothy Marie Jorgensen, 21, sea man second class, daughter of Mr. Henry Jorgensen, Avoca, Nebr., has completed her basic training ahd in doctrination course at the Naval Training School for WAVES, the Bronx, New York, and is proceeding to the U. S. Naval hospital Corps School, National Naval Medical Cen ter, Bethesda, Maryland, for further instruction. Before she entered the Naval ser vice, Seamon Jorgensen was employ ed as junior typist at the Regional Station Hospital, Santa Ana, Cali fornia. She attended Grand Island Business College. ' -.-,-. -. : : : : .-Ss-j j 'vl ! 4j! if Tech Sergeant James Schafer Is Reported Missing Cass County Young Man That Has Brilliant Record in Air Force Deported Down Over France Mr. and Mrs. Otto Schafer, of near Murray, have received word r.hat their son, Tech. Sgt. James Schafer, U. S. air corps, is missing in action since August 3rd. The young man with his squadron were sent on a mission over France and his ship has failed to return to its base. 'Ms T T(5yjSSHKLi l Sgt. Schafer has been overseas since in February and has had a very brilliant record in his nnsions performed against the enemy bases in Germany and sections of occupied Europe that has won him the air medal and citation from his superior officers and the war department. Just recently he completed a mis sion over Munich in which his ship and crew suffered a heavy attack from the defending nazi batteries, the ship bearing many marks of the flak but was able to return safe to England. The friends. will anxiously await further report on the missing man as he may have safely landed in en emy territory and being held as a prisoner of war. Home From Service Harry Richardson, Sic, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Richardson of this city, arrived in the city last evening from the west coast for a visit with the parents and the many friends. Harry has been in the navy several months and this is his first visit home since his active service, he having just returned from a cruise Young Marine Home Pvt. Donald Harringer, U. S marines, arrived Tuesday evening from the west coast for a visit with the parents and relatives at the farm west of Mynard. Pvt. Harringer has been in training at San Diego, Cali fornia, and has just completed his "boot" training and on his return will be ready for a new assignment Flight Officer and Mrs. Reginald Jorgensen are the parents fo a dau ghter, Sandra Jane, born Saturday, August 12, at St. Elizabeth's hospital in Lincoln. The father is stationed in Corsica at present. The proud grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Law rence Wiseman and Mr. and Mrs. John Jorgensen. Somewhere in the middle Pacific while some sailors were preparing a meal in the galley, Art Berthold, our popular Hamburger Inn owner, was asked, "In what state do you live?" "In Nebraska," was his reply. At this another sailor said "I am from Plattsmouth." His name was Royer. Needless to say that those two men had a good visit and found many in teresting things to talk about. Mr. and Mrs. John Jorgensen had a short visit with their son. Captain Gerald Jorgensen, of Delhart, Texas, last Monday, when he was there for a short time, having brought a plane crew to Lincoln Air base. Robert Wolcott, who has been in the hospital at Ft. Leonard Wood, since June 6, on account of a broken ankle, writes that he is now able to resume his training. Major Albert Lusttarter of Fort Leonard Wood, was the guest of Mr and Mrs. John Robinson and their daughter, Margaret, last week. Bob Hallstrom Home Robert Hallstrom, Sic, of Avoca, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Hallstrom of Avoca, is home for a short leave with the relatives and old friends. Bob has been stationed on the west coast for the greater part of the time since his enlistment in the navy and the members of the famiy were greatly surprised a few nights ago by a call from the young sailor from Xew York City. He stated he had been transferred and would "be in Omaha Sunday evening, making the trip by plane and was greeted at the airport by the members of the family and then onto home with a short stop here to visit his grand mother, Mrs. J. H. Hallstrom. This is his first leave home since his enlist ment in the navy and it is needless to say is one all of the family is enjoying. Church Wedding Joins Lives Of Young People Miss Mary Kay Wetenkamp Be comes Bride of Pvt. 1. Lloyd Mc Kenna Last Evening A very pretty wedding took place on Monday evening at 7:30 at the First Methodist church, when Rev. T. Porter Bennett, the pastor, united in holy matrimony. Miss Mary Kay Wetenkamp, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William S. Wetenkamp of this city, and Pvt. L. Lloyd MeKenna, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis McKenna of Plainview. The beautiful double ring cere mony was -used in the plighting of the marriage vows. Preceeding the wedding ceremony, Mrs. E. H. Wescott sang "I Love You Truly" and "Because." Mrs. J. M. Roberts being the accompanist. The bride was given in marriage y her father, W. S. Wetenkamp. The bride was attended by her sister, Frances Wetenkamp Carneal, as matron of honor, while "William W. Wetenkamp, brother of the bride, served as the attendant for the room. The bride was beautifully gown ed in a white floor length dress with black bodice, made with a sweetheart neckline. Her hair orna ment was a white gardenia. Her jewelry was a beautiful gold locket and bracelet, a gift of the groom. The bride carried a prayerbook be longing to her aunt, Miss Helen Warner. The costume of the bride was completed by silver sandals. The matron of honor wore a brown flowered silk street dress with matching print pumps. Her jewelry was a silver bracelet. The bride and matron of honor wore corsages of gladioli, the bride wearing white and the matron of honor salmon. The groom wore his army uniform and the best man a dark blue busi ness suit. Mrs. McKenna is a graduate of the Plattsmouth high school in the class of 1944 and is at the present time employed at the local exchange of the Lincoln Telephone company. Pvt. McKenna is now stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he graduated from the U. S. Parachute training school and received his wings and boots on August 8th. following tne wedding service there was a reception held at the home of the bride's parents, attend ed by the members of the bridal par ty and friends. Pvt. and Mrs. McKenna departed for Plainview where they will visit at the home of the groom's parents for a short time before the groom reports for active duty. All good wishes of the friends in the community go to the young peo ple in their future for happiness and success. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hunt receiv ed a letter from their son, Sgt. Meryl Hunt, last weeks saying that he is in a rest camp in India. He described this rest camp as being most unusual, as it is on a high mountain. The roads reaching up tne side , or this mountain are bo steep that a dairyman, who is locat ed on the mountainside, has to lay gunny sacks on the stone paved roads, so that their cows will not fall down the hillside. He says that the weather ; i3 delightfully cool there, so cool, that . fires, feel good In sharp contrast to other parts of India. Sends Trophies Home Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Bashus have had a real thrill at a package just received from their son, Pfc Ed ward E. Bashus, who is serving in the 6th Marines, an outfit that has now made history in the southwest Pacific and is still adding to the story of American youth and its! bravery. Eddie was in some of the j hardest fighting in the Pacific, was I wounded at Tarawa, hospitalized in; Hawaii and has been back in active duty for some time. He has sent a package home fill ed with trophies that tell of the con- j quest that boys have made in the j Pacific. One of the articles is a Jap battle flag captured from the enemy, a box of Japanese chevrons and dec orations with stars that indicated the owners had seen a great deal of service. The package also contained a great many pictures showing the young Jap as a member of the armed forces and several pictures in the civilian clothes, family groups and also sev eral military groups, no doubt com panies and battallions of which the owner of the pictures was a member. The Japanese was evidently a judge of Japanese beauty as he had a whole handful of pictures of the Jap pinup girls. Several views were enclosed of Japanese cities and towns that the former owner of the pictures no doubt had called home. Approve Patton Advance Washington, Aug. 15, (UP) The Senate Military Affairs committee today unanimously approved the promotion of Lt. Gen. George S. Pat ton, Jr., to the permanent rank of Major General. Has Visit with Family Arthur Lepert, seaman second class, who has just completed his boot training at Farragut, Idaho, is home for a visit with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Philip Lepert and the other relatives and friends for a few days. On his way home he stopped at Miles City, Montana, to visit his sister, Mrs. Rumph, and then onto Fairbault, Minn., where his mother, Mrs. Lepert, was making a short visit with her parents while enroute home from Rochester, Minn., where she has been having a checkup. Ar thur came home with the parents for a short visit here. Returns to West Coast Pvt. Robert Slavicek, who has been here from the Marine training station at San Diego, California, de parted Saturday evening in company with Mrs. Slavicek to report back to duty. Bob will report to the training station at Oceanside, California and Mrs. Slavicek will remain there as long as he is stationed in that sec tion. Return from Ohio Mayor and Mrs. Robert B. Hayes, who have been visiting near Cleve land, Ohio, for the past week with their son. Ensign Robert H. Hayes and wife, returned home this morn ing.. They had a pleasant visit with the son and wife as Bob had a week's leave from his duties at sea. Spends Week-End Here Cpl. Paul Ruffner, who is under- going treatment at the army hospital at Topeka, Kansas, was here over the week end to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Ruffner at their farm home. Paul was returned home some months ago from Italy where he was wounded in action. O LelandFrankHogue Killed In Action Over France Aug. 6 Son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hogue of Near Murray and Engaged in Beconnaissance Service Another of the fine young men of Cass county has been recorded as paying the supreme sacrifice for his country, Sgt. Leland Frank Hogue, a member of the U.I S. air forces. The message was received Saturday by the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hogue, of near Murray, that the Mr As t 3 Leland Frank Hogne son had been killed in action on August 6th, over France, where the air force was supporting the Ameri can advance. The friends over Cass county will deeply regret to learn of the death of this fine young man and will extend to the family their deepest sympathy. Sgt. Hogue grew up on the farm and when completing his grade school work came to Plattsmouth to attend high school, graduating in the class of 1932 of the local sc;hool. He enlisted in the air corps four years ago and has served since that time. He was in the reconnaissance service and was given high com mendation for his excellent work in the field in the Eighth air command. There is surviving his passing, the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hogue; one brother, Roland, at home; four sisters, Mrs. Roy Engel kemeier, Murray; Mrs. Jack Lind say, Union; Mrs. John Ketelhut, Ne hawka; Mrs. Joseph Pleuller, Omaha. Young Sailor Here Louis Tritsch, MM2c, who is home on leave at Sidney, Iowa, was in the city Saturday to visit with relatives and friends. He has just returned from a cruise in the Pacific and had the opportunity of coming home for a few days. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Tritsch, the family being former residents of this section. The young sailor has had a great deal of experience in the Pacific war and he has participated in many of the offensives. Leave for Service This afternoon a group of the local young men called for induction in the armed forces left for Fort Leavenworth to report for assign ment for service,. The only member of the group from this city was Wayne Dasher, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Dasher. Jvan Allason Simpson, Rt. 1, Grand Haven, Mich.; Rolland Lewis Aldrich, Rt. 1, Arlington, Nebr.; Marvin Wade, 7128 Francis St., Lin coln, Nebr.; Elmer John Genette, Murray, Neb.; Cecil Amos Beck, Weeping Water; Orval Troy Bus kirk, Louisville and Wayne Law rence LeRoy Dasher, Plattsmouth. Larry is the son of Mrs. John Hoyt of Omaha and a graduate of Technical High school. He is now stationed on the U. S. S. Jason, in the southwest Pacific. Mrs J. H. Epping is expecting her son Richard, a pilot in Italy, to be home on a furlough in the not too distant future. - Mrs. Dewey Boedeker has receiv ed a letter from her brother, Herman Dixon, saying that he had reached England all ' right. Herman is. sta tioned in the state of Washington, and he Is in the medical corps. r ' J (';..- f -!. -----tJ if 1m , Calls from Washington This morning Mrs. Joe Mrasek received a treat when the youngest son of the family, Howard Mrasek, Sic, called from Bremerton, Wash ington, for a few words with the family. Howard stated that he was feeling fine and had a day of lib- r-T- : r: t - r , " - L .... ....... . - - ' - -- i 1 '- AL - ' w . -. V V , v r . 9 Sic Howard Mrasek erty in port with several of his bud dies. His ship was in for a few slight repairs and was soon to leave on a cruise. Howard is hopeful that on his return from the next trip that he may secure a leave that will permit his coming home to Plattsmouth. Entertain Veteran Mr. and Mrs. Max Bowman had as a guest Sunday, Clarence Woods, one of our boys back from overseas, in Africa and southern Italy. The afternoon was spent in hear ing of some of the many experiences he had while over there. Mr. and Mrs. Doran Bowman and De Wayne were also dinner guests. The hostess served a lovely fried chicken dinner which was enjoyed by all. Reports Son Doing Well Mr. and Mrs. William Kief of this city received Monday afternoon more reassuring news of their son, Pfc. Edgar C. Kief, who was wound ed in the first invasion days in France and is now at an English hos pital. The letter was from the ad jutant general of the U. S. army and stated that Pfc. Kief was showing normal improvement. The adjutant general assured the parents that his office would keep the family in formed of the progress of the wound ed man. Coach is Here Merle Stewart, coach of the ath letic department of the high school, who has been spending the summer in the west part of the state, is here to look over the organizing of his work for the year. Coach Stewart will meet the boys that are to be in school this year and get the plans for football season outlined. Mr. Stewart reports that his father, ill at Barndon, Nebraska, is still in critical condition. Rev. Zock, a former minister of the church located two miles north of town, was in the vicinity last week calling on his former friends and relatives. He is now a chaplain in a large war prison camp in Texas and reports that the older German prisoners are quite reliable and good workers but that the young men are very different, not inclined to work or obey rules. Honoring Miss Wanda Steinkamp, who has joined the WACs, and who was formerly employed at the AAA office, Mrs. Frederick Lindgren en tertained a group of young ladies at a dinner Sunday evening, at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cook. Out of town guests were Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Cook and Mrs. Ray Tomes of Lincoln. Mr. .J. H. Buck received word the first of the week that a nephew of his had been killed in France. His home was in Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Lester Parson receiv ed, a letter from their . son, Lynn, Friday, saying that he had arrived in England. ' ' ' ' '