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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 5, 1945)
PAGE FOUR MONDAY, JANUARY S, 194S This Page is a regular feature of the Monday edition of the Semi-Weekly THE SER VICE JOURNAL Correspondents and ethers having items for the SERVICE JOURNAL will please mark '"Service" and place on separate sheet from other items. "Service Editor THE JOURNAL, PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA Plattsmouth Man In The 100th Division SIXTH ARMY GROUP, FRANCE, The 399th Infantry Regiment of the 100th (Century) Division set some kind cf record for the speed with which it said goodbye to the East River and hello to the Rhine. Some of the men in the regiment marched down Fifth Avenue in New York City to help inaugurate the 5th War Bond Drive, and they were in action on the U. S. 7th Army front in Eastern France when they read about the results of the same drive. Arriving in France on October 20, the men, commanded by Col. Andrew W. Tychson of Maddonsfield, N. J., spent several days assembling their equipment and regaining their land legs. The came the order to move up, and for three days and nights the regiment roiled toward tli3 front. The men dismounted from their vehicles one night and the next morning they were in the lines. They had relieved a veteran regi .ment that had seen service in Sicily, Italy, Anzio and Southern France, and they took over a sector that was one of the toughest along the en iret front. Seiving with this noted organi zation at the front is Chris Zimmer man, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Zimmerman of this city. Chris has been in active duty as the dispatch from the headquarters shows, along the battle lines in France and Ger many. Cpl. Stephen Devce Home for Christmas Holiday Cpl. Stephen L. Devoe, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Devce, of Lincoln, is now at the family home to visit over the Christmas season with the parents and sister as well as with his friends. Cpl. Devoe wa3 wounded in France some time ago and after being hos pitalized in Europe was returned home and spent a short time at the TJ. S. general hospital at Staten Is land, New York. He is being transfered to the Bush nell General hospital at Brigham City, Utah, expecting to report there after the visit with the horn 3 folks and receive further treatmet. Kenneth Armstrong Is New Given Flying Rating Mrs. and Mrs. Fred Armstrong of this city were very much pleased Saturday evening when they receiv ed a telephone call from their oldest son, Kenneth Armstrong, who is a member of the air service. The call came from Des Moines, where Ken had convoyed a plane from his base at Ro.-well, New Mexi co. He sent greetings to the friend? and the Lest wishes for the holiday season as ne was not anticipating being able to be home. He is now flying as he just recent ly received hi3 rating and likes the new responsibility very much. Richard Sell Home For Short Furlough Sunday Pvt. Richard E. Sell, who has been stat"cncd at Fort Bliss, Texas, in an anti-aircraft training force, arrived home for visit cf ten days with the home fclks. Pvt. Scli is enroute to Camp Maxey, Texas, where he will report after the stay at home. He likei Fort Bliss very well, it being but seven miles from El Paso, the metropolis of the scuth vest R:o Grande valley district. The Sell family have contributed a great deal to the war effort in every way, especially in the line of personal service, four cf the boys of the family being in the armed service. S. Sgt. Carl Sell, who is now at Rapid City, South Dskota, has only recently Leen returned home from overseas where he com pleted a great many mission over enemy territory. Two other brothers, IVIelvin and Eugene, are in the aimed service also. Midshipman Allan White Home from Annapolis Midshipman Allan White is en joyrr a holiday viit here at the home of hia parents, Mr. and Mr3. Harry White, and with the many friends. He arrived from Anrapolis at the week end and will spend a few days here before returning to the naval acajemy where he is completing his Jast year. Cpl- Stuart Smith Writes From Station in India Mr. and Mrs. Royal Smith of this city, were delighted Monday to re ceive a letter from their son, Cpl. Stuart Smith, who has been in the armed service since September 24, 1943, The letter came from far away India, where Cpl. Smith has been with the air corps since in Febru ary, 1944, it brought the news that he was being promoted to sergeant in his organization. He has not had a furlough since being called to the colors and the family have been very pleased that he ha? been able to keep in touch with them by mail even though un able to reach home. lie states that the weather is more pleasant now v. here ha is stationed and not so hot as it was for the earlier part cf the year. lie is feel ing fine r.nd like everyone, in ser vice nnd out, is hoping that he will be back home one of these days.. Sgt. Richard Hcschar Is Reported Seriously Wounded The massage wss received Friday nrght by Mr. and Mrs. "William E. Hoschar, of Murray, that their son, Sgt. Richard Hoschar, iad been ser iously wounded in east France, but d'-d not give the nature cf the wounda Sgt. Hoschar has been overseas for a six month period and h?.s been up in the active fighting of the Am erican offensive. With the family at the time the message was received was ths'r sen, Lt. Jchn D. Hoschar and wife who are visiting here during the leave of Lt. Hoschar, from his active duties in the U. S. air corps. AT RADIO TRAINING SCHOOL Lloyd R. Scott, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. Scott, Sr., Rt. 1, Union, Xebr., was enrolled recently in an intensive course at the Radio Naval; Training School located on the campus of the University of Wiscon sin, Madison, Wisconsin. Selection to attend the specialty school .was made on the basis cf his recruit training aptitude tests. The course includes the operation, func tion and maintenance of radio trans mitting and receiving equipment, and the sending and receiving of mes ..ages in international code. Successful completon of the course will see the Bluejacket gradu ate as a qualified radio operator with the fleet. NEERASKANS GET-TOGETHER A short time ago a group of Xe braskan, stationed in the southwest Pacific had the pleasure cf a get together at an American Red Cro Service cIub on one of fh . j d The meeting was one of pleasure for all of the boys, many eld friendships renewed, new ones formed among the men. One of the members cf the participants in the Nebraska day gathering was Pfc Raphael Toman of this city, son cf Mr. and Mrs. John H. Toman. T-5 Fcrnoff and wife Here from Fort Knox T5 Welter Fcrnoff and Mrs. Fornoff are here for a visit with the many eld friends in the community while To Fornoff i enjoying a fur lough from his duties at Fcrt Knox, Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Fcrnoff will visit in this community and cn their return are expecting to d:ive Lack if pos sible to have the car at Fort Knox for use as Mr.-. Fornoff resides off the reservation and the ear will make it easier for To Fornoff to go from heme to the fort and back. Ralph Johnson Home From Pacific Service Ralph Johnson, who recently re turned to the United States from hh service in the Pacific islands, is home now for a visit with his 'parents, Mr. and Mr?. Arnold Jchn - son, as well as the sisters. Ralph has not been well and was hospitalized overseas and when reach ing the United States and has just been released frcm the Great Lakes, Illinois, hospital. He is feeling mu.h improved but misses very much the boys and girls that were with him in school, most cf all cf the boys now being in the armed cervices. Local Men Meet On Gualacanal Richard O'Donnell, who has been located in the souhwest Pacific since being taken into the army, writes of a very pleasant experience that he had recently. Richard is stationed on Guaual- canal, attached as cook to one or one large hospital units- and just a short time ago had the pleasure of meet- Y-J Richard O'Donnell ing Captain Dcnaid. Rainey, fcrmer ly of this city, also Dob Austin, a former school friend of Richard. The occasion was cne of great pleas ure and the swapping of news from the home front by the young men. Richard is the youngest son of Mr. and Mr-, William P. O'Donnell and was a earlier for the Journal i for a great many years. Another son of the O'Donneli's, Jack, i sta tioned in Italy where he has partici pated in most of the armed activi ties. Walter Sikora Is Given Fine Promotion The many friends of Walter Si kora, who is now in the United States marines and seiving in the southwest Pacific, will be interested to learn that he has been promoted to the grade of corporal. Walter has Lo-en in the Pacific for some time and is pleased that his service has won for him the coveted stripe". Cpl. Sikora is a son of Mr. and Mr. Joe Sikora and a son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Ilirz. S-Sgt. Ralph Andersen Transfered to New Mexico S. Sgt. Ralph Aide: sen with Mr?. Anderson and their small daughter, Sharon, were here ever the week end, visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Mason. S. Sgt. Anderson has been sta tioned at the Lincoln airport for some time, he has just received ord ers transferring him to Fort Sumner, New Mexico. They are expecting to leave in a nhoit time for the new post of duty. Sgt. Car Sell and Wife Visit in City Staff Sergeant Carl Sell and Mrs. Sell are here from Rapid City, South Dakota, to enjoy a furlough vi.-iting with their relatives and many old friends. S.Sgt. Sell is now stationed at Rapid City at the air base as an in structor, being assigned there after his extensive tour of duty in Italy. While here they are guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Fer ris, parent:- of Mrs. Sell and with the mother and other relatives of Sgt. Sell. Young Coastguardsman I3 Heme for a Visit John Asehenbrenner, Sic, of the United Statess coastguard, is home for a visit with hi.--, mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Yardley and his many old school friends and associates. John has been in the Pacific service and this is his first visit home in many 1 months RETURNS TO NEW MEXICO Sgt. Donald A. Neavhood who has been here visiting his mother, Mrs. Anna Neaihood since December 2nd, dcnaited Monday evening for Roswell, New Mexico. He has trained to serve as a radio operator cn a E-23 and expects soon to re ceive his assignment . for foreign service. " ------ 6, AS- J t fy1 if 1 T- Young People Are Married In Omaha n Wednesday Miss Irene Lucas of Omaha Is Married to Ylc Thomas Gradoville In Chutch Ceremony The marriage of Miss Irene Lucas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Lucas of Omaha, to Ylc Thomas Gradoville, son of Mr. and Mrs Thomas Gradoville, Sr., of this city, took place Wednesday at Omaha. The wedding was celebrated at 8:15 Wednesday morning at the Assumption church, with Father Barta celebrating the nuptial mass. The bride was attended by Miss Delores Becker, while the groom had as' his attendant, Sic John Aschen brenner, a school friend and assoc iate, now home on leave. Following the wedding the bridal party was entertained at the home of the bride's parents at a very chaimingiy arranged wedding break fast and later the members of the group had their wedding dinner at Johnny's cafe. The bride has grown to woman hood in Omaha and where she has a very large circle of friends, and is known to many local young people. The groom is now at home on leave from the Pacific area, where he has served for the past three years in the United States navy. He was bcrn and brought up in this city. During his high school career he was active in the athletic circles of the school. Graduating in 1941 from the local school he shortly afterward ennsteu m the United State.; navy. With the expiraticn of his leave heie, Yi; Giaciovillc r.nd his bride, w ill leave for th-i west coast, where (Mrs. Gradoville will make her home j during the time the husband is in service. Donald Cotner Visits Islands of the Pacific One of the naval veterans that has the opportunity of enjoying the Christmas season ' with the home folL?, is Donald D. Cotner, CPO Muzician, who arrived Sunday to vi-it his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Cotner for a thirty day period. Donald has spent thirteen months cut in the Pacific rnd during this period of time he "has been in all of the struggles that the American fleet have participated in. His service has taken him to al most all of the islands of the Pacific from the time that his boat left Pearl Harbor last December. Inci dtntly Dan states that he did not see a white woman after they left Pearl Harbor until the return to the west coast two weeks ago. While he ir- rated as a musician in the navy, he had but two oppor tunities to give his sax a working out, as the ship was mighty busy with the task of helping rout out the Japs, participating in the island bombardments. The island , visited a various times reads like a directory of the Pacific, the New Hebrides, Solomons, Gil berts, Marshall.-, Carolines, the Marianas incuding Guam, Admiralty, the Pelew and finally the campaign in the landing on Leyte. Don has been th rough a lot of air attacks in the Various campaigns attacks that have lasted for hours. Receiving his leave home Don came to Los Angeles and from there made the trip by plane to Washing ton, D. C, meeting his parents in Omaha for a few hours visit. He made his trip back from Washing ton by train and is going to have a. real time visiting with the home folks. Captain Tritsch Will Enjoy Christmas Home Mis. Florene Palacek departed Monday evening for Springfield, Mo., where she will vi-it her brother, Captain Marvin Tritsch, at the O'Reilly General hospital. Captain Tritsch, who is there re ceiving treatment, will accompany the .sister back to Plattsmouth and ;penl the Christmas holidays here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Tritsch. ' Captain Tritsch, who was in ser vice in the Pacific with the dental corp.?, was taken dangerously ill and was brought back to the United Statos by plane several months ago for a very critical 'operation at the Springfield hospital. Leonard Bashus Home From Hawaiian Islands Leonard Bushus, seaman lc, Unit ed States Coast Guard, is home for a visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bashus and his many old school friends here and in Oma ha. Leonard left here two years ago after completing his boot training and this is his first leave home in this long time. He has been station ed in the Hawaiian islands on light house duty since arriving at Pearl Harbor. :5 s! t: it Sic Leonard Bashus He likes the country very much and his long station there haa given him a fine opportunity of meeting many of the sailors and coast guards from this section that have passed that way on their way to and from the southwest Pacific. Mr. and Mrs. Bashus have four of their cons enlisted in the armed ser vice, Leroy and Leonard being in the coast guard, Edward in the Marines and Jakie who has just re cently enlisted in the navy, so they have surely given their full share of devotion to the country as have so many of the residents. Member of Princeton Crew Home on Leave Edward Kubicka, Plattsmouth young man, a member of the carrier Princeton crew, returned home Sat urday evening for a visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Kubicka, Sr., and to have a thirty day leave from his very exciting service in the southwest Pacific. This is his first trip home in seven teen montfcs, months that have been filled with real service, at many points in the Pacific theatre of warfare. Edward served from the battles of the Marshall islands down to and including the invasion of the Thiip pines when the Princeton was in the 1 heat of the struggle and damaged so that it was sunk by the Americans themselves. With the task force Edward also participated in the softening up pro cess of Guam and the battle of Sai pan in which they covered the in vasion forces in their attacks on the Japanese. The adventure of the campaign has taken lritn on the raids near the Formosa island base of the Japan ese, one of the chief blows against the Japanese. One of the few liberties that the young man enjoyed was a rest camp at the Marshalls for a short time. In the long months of his service Edward has had the opportunity of meeting only one of the Plattsmouth sailors, Joe Highfield, who he mot at Pearl Harbor. Eddie is a graduate of the local high school in the class of 11' 13 and while attending school was a earlier of the Journal for several years and also engaged at the H. M. Soennich sen store. It is a real treat to see him back home again to enjoy his Christmas reason among the old friends. Tom Gradoville Is Home for Holiday Tom Gradoville, Jr., Ylc, who has been in the Pacific service for the past two years, is home for a visit with the family and old friends. Tom is looking fine and enjoying very much the visit back in the peaceful surroundings of home after the active duty at sea. He had the opportunity of meeting James D. Brown, of this city, while on a leave at Hawaii and the two enjoyed the visit very much. ' , Ralph Hilt Back For The Christmas Holiday Tuesday Ralph Hilt, Yeoman 3c, of the United States navy, arrived in Plattsmouth to visit here with the friends young and old, on a leave from active duty on the west coast. Ralph has been through a great deal of experience since he laid aside his work here and entered the United States navy, undergoing his basic training at Farragut, Idaho, and was then assigned to service in the Pacific area. He was a member of the crew of the Abner Reed that was sunk several weeks ago and was rescued from the sea by men from other ships in the vicinity. The parents who are now living in Omaha were greatly alarmed for a few days when the report was first received but were reassured by a message from Ralph that he was O. K. Ralph is visiting the parents at Omaha but is expecting to spend a great deal of the time with the old friends here. Lincoln Man Receives Commission in Belgium Staff Sgt. August G. Sitzman, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. August Sitz man, Sr., of Lincoln, has just been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the air corps at his headquarters in Belgium. Sgt. Sitzman set his tiny plane down on the field at his battalion bivouac in Belgium on October 17th after completing his last flight as an enlisted man. When he returned later for his flight he was Second Lieutenant Sitzman, the first en listed man in his battalion to have received a direct commission. He was recently awarded the air medal for flying 35 combat missions in France between August 15th and September 15th. He graduated frcm the Lincoln high school in 1936 and attended the University of Nebraska and operat ed a tire shop before he entered the armed service October 5, 1942. The parents of the young officer are residents of this city where they resided for a great many years. The mother is the former Ethel Miller. Bill Jensen Is Awarded Bronze Star T. Sgt. Bill C: Jensen, former Plattsmouth resident, who recently visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Jensen, of Superior, Nebraska, was awarded a bronze star medal. This information came to Superior from the Eighth Air Force Fighter station in England. The medal was awarded for his work as a fighter airplane chief, at a ceremony held at a fighter .station. Presentation was made by Brigadier General Murray C. Woodbury, com manding the (6th fighter wing. Sgt. Jensen, who has since re turned to the States, served 19 months with the 7Sth Fighter Group, commanded by Colonel Frederic C. Gray, Abilene, Texas. This group flies P-47 Thunderbolt? escorting Eighth Air Force heavy bombers on their missions against targets deep in the Reich, and bombs and strafes Nazi communi cation and supply lines. Accompanying the award was trie following citation: "For meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy. The proficiency with which T. Sgt. Jensen perform ed his duties enabled the airplane ho serviced to attain an outstanding record on combat. Despite the handi cap of working under adverse condi tions and with frequent .'hortage? of equipment, he expertly and efficient ly supervised all repairs and quickly returned his airplme to perfect op erational condition. The technical skill, initiative and unstinting devo tion to duty exhibited by T. Sgt. Jensen is in keeping with the highest tradition.? of the Army Air Forces.'' T. Sgt. Jensen graduated from Plattsmouth High school in the class of 1934, and was subsequently em ployed by the II. K. Morris Company, Ford dealers in Superior. His wife, Mrs. Velna V. Jensen, lives in Sunny vale, Cal., and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. II. Jensen at 348 East 4th St., in Superior. DISCHARGED FROM SERVICE The Cass county selective service board has been notified of the hon orable discharge of two Cacs county men from the armed service. These are John Henry Pointer, Weeping Water, fiom the navy and Harcli Timblin of Alvo from the army, Urish Boys Write From Pacific Area Mrs. Lorine Urish of this city has just received letters from both of her sons, Pvt. Virgil Urish and John Uri-h, Sic, both of whom are in the Pacific area. The letter from "Bud" as he is so well known to the Friends fol lows : "Dear Mom and Folks: Well it has been a few days since you have heard from me but every thing is O. K. here. "Received - all of your Christmas packages all right. Thanks a mill ion. No Mom, we are not short on cigarettes, we get all we want. Please send some more Journals though. All the packages arrived safe and undamaged, also received the pack age from Hugo and Dora all right, also got one from Omaha and one from Hollywood. So you see I re ceived plenty of Christmas packages. Also received a letter from John Schutz the other day and got a Christmas card frcm George Blot zcr. Am hoping to answer them after I finish writing to you. It sure is hard to write a letter here as there isn't a thing you can write. Well I'll be able to tell you a lot when I get back. So far I haven't run into anyone I know. Say is Joe Hauseladen still in California and is he in the same old outfit? Is. Harcld Stewart still home? I remember the girl he mar ried. She's a very nice girl. Oh yes, I also received a swell letter from John and Gus Cloidt. It was sure good to hear from them. Well I suppose the weather back home is pretty chilly now. Boy you never get cold here. I don't know, what cold weather is like down here anymore. So grandpa and grandma had their 50th wedding anniversary. "Con gratulations." I hope they will have many, many more. Gosh Mom I never could remember anything like that. Can't even remember any birthdays. Weil Mom, I guess this is all for now. I'm feeling fine as could be. Sure hope I can get home soon, sure miss the old place. Boy we are sure giving the Japs hell. All my Love, Bud John, writing from an unnamed station in the Pacific says: "Dear Mother: I have just received your letter, it was sure good to get it. Well I was sure lucky this week, because the mail sure came in. I got your pack age with the sox and shave lotion and powder in it. I was sure glad to get it, because I was out of every thing. Thank you very much for the box. Tell Holly I got his letter and one from Bud, so I have a lot of letters to write again. So grandpa and grandma are mar ried fifty years. I hope they get fifty years more in and they still keep on feeling fine. Say mother, tell Rilla Gapen and family thanks for the Christmas card. Well Mother, I am feeling fine and everything going along fins. Tell everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from me. With Lots of Love, John E. Urish Leonard Sikora Has Discharge from Army Cpl. Leonard Sikora, Hon of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sikora, of this city, has been discharged from the United States army, word received here by the Cass county selective service board states. Leonard is at this time at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he is visit ing with Mrs. Sikora, a corporal in the Woman's Army Corps. Leonard has been in the military police units of the army since in duction in the service and was for a long time stationed on duty at Omaha. Returns to Fanrigut Darwin Rhoden. AG. has rof,,rr, to Farragut, Idaho, wher , just completed hi "boot" training in me r.avy. He has spent several days here at hi3 home. He is a son of Mrs. Blanche Rhoden and a broth er of Pfc. Jearl Rhoden, who is now serving wim the 7th army where in France. some 10