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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBryan Eagle WWII StoriesBryan Daily Eagle April 25, 1942 Monday is “Greek Day”; Start Greek Relief Drive Here Governor Coke Stevenson has designated Monday as “Greek Day” in Texas, he has advised J. A. Arhopulos, who is chairman of the Greek War Relief Fund here. The governor pointed out that April 27 marks the end of a year since the occupation by the enemy of the country of Greece. He also pointed out the fight the Greeks have made for truth and the values which mean the continuance of their way of life, in the fact of mass starvation, desecration of the Greek citizens and pillaging of treasured possessions. A drive for the Greek War Relief Fund is to be started here, headed by Mr. Arhopulas and with Jno. M. Lawrence, Jr., serving as the treasurer. Contributions can be left at any of the banks. Bryan Daily Eagle July 18, 1942 Brazos County Men On The Firing Line A letter from Pvt. Robert E. Turek, stationed in California, reveals one soldier who is not only pleased with his place in the armed forces but also writes to encourage the enlistment of other young men. He is the brother of Sgt. Albert E. Turek, now in Northern Ireland. Turek is going to National School and is studying radio repair. His camp is only twelve miles from the beach and seven miles from Hollywood and the soldiers have many interesting things to see, he declares, California is very nice to the soldiers, he says. Pvt. Turek, who joined the armed forces June 15, sends greetings to all his friends in Bryan. His address is 2610 West Adams, Gardens, Sig. Corps Detachment, Los Angeles, Calif. Bryan Daily Eagle August 11, 1942 Brazos County Men On The Firing Line An interesting letter from Sgt. Albert L. Turek, now in Northern Ireland with the American forces gives an interesting description of that country. Sgt. Turek, whose address is Co. B 63rd Sig. Bn., A., P. O. 813 c/o Postmaster, New York, New York, writes as follows: “More likely when you gaze upon this letter you will say just another letter from Uncle Sam’s soldiers. Never-the-less I could be the first one writing from Northern Ireland. To you and my many friends in Bryan, I write this letter. May they find some enjoyment in it as I would if I was receiving it. “More likely you would like to know something about Northern Ireland. It is a very beautiful country with many old castles, landmarks, and churches. It is green all the year round here and the ocean stays as green as the trees. I have seen and have been admitted to a couple of the old castles, although I am not permitted to give the names of them, and have found many amusing sights within its great walls. Very old and interesting armor and guns are revealed. It reminds me of the history I studied while at school. It is worth much more than the time that is spent in the castles. “Ireland is about the size of North Carolina, and its four million inhabitants make it more (blank line) counties, which is part of Great Britain. The Irish Free State Officially called Erie, is an independent state and has remained neutral in the present war. “Belfast which is the capital of Northern Ireland is about the size of Cincinnati. It is a very interesting city although it is thickly populated. Besides Queen’s University, the best know university in Belfast, there are several very beautiful ones. Many places for dancing, row-boating, Gray hound races, and sight-seeing help pass the leisure hours away. “One of the most famous sights is the Ulster know as the Giant’s Causeway. It’s a perfect honeycomb of some 10,000 stone columns in the shape of a hexagon and it remains one of Nature’s unexplained mysteries, Erie has its Blarney Castle, with its famous Barney Stone. Kissing the stone endows one with unusual powers of persuasion. “The Irish people are courteous and generous. Also in dealing with the Irish people you want to remember your American courtesy and tolerance, for the American people are noted for their courtesy and tolerance to them. “This is what you will find in Northern Ireland along with many more amusing and beautiful sights. I hope I have painted in your mind some of the paintings of Northern Ireland. It is truly a beautiful country and would be worth while touring. By chance you may not remember me, if not ask Sam Palermo for he can more likely tell you a great deal about my self. It has been a very interesting and joyous trip over, experiencing many odd and amusing incidents. I am well and in the best of health which is probably worth more than any other thing in the world. Bryan Daily Eagle October 9, 1942 Gets Wings Today Lieut. Frank J. Vitopil, Jr. son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Vitopil of Bryan, received the silver wings of the Army Air Forces today at Lake, Charles, La., being one of 310 flyers from Texas who graduated this day from seven advanced flying schools of the Gulf Coast Training Center. The Lake Charles School turns out single engine fighter pilots. Lieutenant Vitopil graduated from Stephen F. Austin High I Bryan in 1927, after which he attended business school. He joined the air corps in January, going first to Kelly Field replacement center, taking his primary training at Victory Field, Vernon; his basic at Enid, Okla., and his advanced work at Lake Charles. Bryan Daily Eagle November 6, 1942 Bittle Turns in First Pair of Binoculars One pair of binoculars has been turned in to Judge A. S. Ware in response to an appeal to make these glasses available to the U. S. Navy, by which they will be returned after the war. The pair turned in came from Guy P. Bittle, city secretary, and saw service in the Civil War, and came to him from his grandfather through his father. His grandfather was president of Roanoke College, at Roanoke, the only institution of that type which was kept open during that long struggle. Where his grandfather obtained the glasses Mr. Bittle does not know. Mr. Bittle’s father, who came to Texas as a youth early in the war, enlisted in the Confederate Army and then remained in Texas. The late Robert Armstrong and Dr. J. W. Cavitt were students at Roanoke College, under president Bittle. Bryan Daily Eagle February 23, 1943 Milton Palasota Is Jap Prisoner Parents Advised Pfc. Samuel Milton Palasota is a prisoner of the Japanese government in the Philippines, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Palasota, learned today in a telegram sent them by the War department. A letter will follow, the telegram stated. Pfc. Palasota has been in the service for two years and this is the first word his parents have had from him since the start of the war. He is with the medical detachment. Bryan Daily Eagle April 9, 1943 Soldier Of Bryan Prisoner Of Japs, Parents Advised Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Palasota have received official notification from the Adjutant General’s office, War Department, that their son, Pfc. Sam M. Palasota, medical detachment, is reported a prisoner of war of the Japanese government, in the Philippine Islands. The local Red Cross has also received word to the imprisonment of this soldier, with confidential instructions to be given to Mr. and Mrs. Palasota, as to how to communicate with their son my mail. Byran Daily Eagle June 24, 1943 Bryan Men Learn Kinsman Killed In Plane Crash SAN ANTONIO, June 24 (AP) Flight Officer Norman L. Boswell, 22, died in the crash of his plane near Floresville, the Brooks field public relations officer announced here Wednesday. He was the son of Mrs. N. B. Boswell of Hearne, Texas Flight Office Boswell is the nephew of Ran Boswell and a first cousin of R. W. Boswell of Bryan. The body was due to arrive at Hearn at noon today. Funeral arrangements are pending the arrival of a brother stationed in California with the Marine Corps. Bryan Daily Eagle August 16, 1943 Disintegration Of Copper, Zinc Cents Is Worrying Banker The policy to be followed by the U. S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve System in the replacement of pennies that practically disintegrate as a result of chemical action is a question that has been raised by Travis B. Bryan, president of the First National Bank in correspondence with the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank. Mr. Bryan sent a number of pennies that appeared as though they might have been dug from the ruins of ancient Carthage to the bank, as an example of what happened when the old copper and the new zinc pennies were placed together in rolls and placed in the vault, after having been handled and wrapped by persons with sweaty hands. The Dallas bank stated that pennies that had been used in salted peanut vending machines showed the result of the action of the salt, but that none had been seen that were in as bad condition as those sent in by Mr. Bryan. Byran Daily Eagle February 4, 1944 Names Of Heroes Are Being Placed On Palace Seats Residents of Brazos County are responding to the invitation to buy a bond in the Fourth War Loan and name some seat in the Palace Theater for a son, brother, father of some other relative or friend in the armed forces, according to Mrs. Morris Schulman, who is staging a big bond-buying party and “Best Foot Forward” premier Tuesday night at 9 o’clock. The slogan for this party is “A bond for every seat,” and all those who buy bonds before 7 o’clock Tuesday evening, at the Palace Theater, will be able to have the name of the service man or woman of their choice placed on one of the seats in the Palace auditorium. A chart of the house seating arrangement is located in the lobby, and the names also will be shown on this chart. Admission to the premier will be by the purchase of a bond at the Palace anytime before the performance, or will be by receipt from a local issuing agency of a bond purchases in the fourth war loan. Only one admission will be given, however, for one individual’s purchase, regardless of amount or number of purchases. The party has been arranged in an effort to stimulate the purchase of bonds to be credited against Brazos County’s overall quota of $858,000, and quota for Series “E” purchases of $355,000. The Palace management is standing all expenses of the performance and only is interested in a capacity crowd of Fourth War Loan bond buyers. “Best Foot Forward” stars Lucille Ball and Harry James and his Music Makers who have been given a good supporting cast. The show is lively with many song hits and is gorgeously cast and staged and is in Technicolor. It is regarded one of the hits of the season and had a long run at the Astor Theater in New York. All who plan to buy a bond at the theater and have a seat named for some hero are urged to do this as early as possible. Bryan Daily Eagle February 7, 1944 Many Seats At Palace To Bear Names Of Service Men; Party for Bond Buyers Tuesday Eve Many seats at the Palace Theater will bear the names of men or women in the armed forces as the result of the purchase of Fourth War Loan bonds at the theater by residents who seek to honor members of their family of friends, and who are cooperating with the plan to the theater management to see a bond for every seat for the big war bond buyers party and premier of “Best Foot Forward” Tuesday night at 9 o’clock. Only those who purchase a bond at the theater will be given the privilege of naming a seat in honor of their hero, and it will not be possible to place names on seats in the case of bonds purchased after 7 o’clock Tuesday evening. Admission to the premier, however, will be given on presentation of a receipt from a local issuing agency showing the purchase of bonds since Jan. 1 but not more that one admission will be given to any purchaser, regardless of the number of purchases that may have been made in the Fourth Loan. The Bryan Army Air Field command is cooperating with Mrs. Morris Schulman in this project and Cpl. Walter C. Rogers will be in charge of a program of entertainment. The Field band will not be able to play because of a conflicting engagement, but the 17-piece band from the “Air Crew” at Texas A. & M. College will be on the stage. Boy Scouts of the community have been cooperating also and have been busy securing pledges for bond purchases. Up to Saturday night they had turned in pledges totaling $2,900, and additions to the list were expected before Tuesday night. “Best Foot Forward” is a sparkling musical in Technicolor, starring Lucille Ball and Harry James and his Music Makers. It is gorgeously staged, includes many song hits and the film is alive with beautiful show girls. The Palace Theater management is standing the entire expense of the “party”, the purpose of which is to stimulate the sale of bonds, and especially of Series “E” bonds, purchases of which are less than half the quota given the county, according to reports of local issuing agencies. Bryan Daily Eagle February 19, 1944 Capt. W. H. Krenek Serves 14 Months in Solomons Area Capt. W. H. Krenek, of the U. S. Navy Medical Corps, was in Bryan today after landing on the West Coast two weeks ago and concluding 14 months of service in the Solomons Islands area. Capt. Krenek came to San Francisco by ship and flew to Fort Worth. Capt. Krenek had little to say of his experiences, but stated he was with troops in the Augusta Bay campaign on Bougainville, and that the Americans their “down under” allies had the islands pretty well cleaned, with some Jap outfits so isolated that they faced starvation. He was in good physical trim and apparently none the worse for his experiences. His mission back to the States was not disclosed. Byray Daily Eagle April 4, 1944 Wives Of Employees Of First National Called To Armed Forces Offered Places For Duration Economic security for wife and children is one of the problems probably the most serious facing married men called to the armed forces and where forced to leave the positions that have permitted them to care for their dependents. While there is an allotment of $50 per month for the wife, $30 for one child and $20 for each additional child, this is not sufficient income in the majority of cases to finance the living standards that have been customary and to meet the emergencies that are liable to develop in any family group. To solve this problem, so far as its employees are concerned, the First National Bank, through Travis B. Bryan, president, has adopted the policy of employing the wife of each male employee who is called to service, if she desires the position. Last Friday M. Linton Jones, assistant cashier, left the bank for the Air Corps. He was given an indefinite leave of absence. His wife went into the bank, in the bookkeeping department, March 1 and plans to continue in this work for the duration. That this policy is not a gesture is shown by the fact that Mrs. Jones went to work at a salary larger than that paid per husband when he first went to the bank. Mrs. Willard William, whose husband is employed at the bank and who is awaiting his call, began work in the bookkeeping department March 3, and plans to continue this work in her husband’s absence. C. A. Nigh also is awaiting a call and this same policy will be followed in the case of Mrs. Nigh if she desires a position in the bank. Melvin C. Joy, assistant cashier, has taken the army physical and rated for limited service and is awaiting call. He also has been granted an indefinite leave of absence and the new policy of the bank will apply to Mrs. Joy if she desires the position and her family cares permit her to take it. Mrs. Verna Lambert Darby, whose husband is overseas, entered the Bank’s bookkeeping department March 6. Raymond Stanford, bookkeeper, joined the Navy March 25 and has left for active duty, and Robert R. White, discharged from the Air Corps in November, has since be in the bookkeeping department. The policy adopted by the bank of giving employment to wives of men called to service may increase the bank personnel, as the newer employees will lack the training the men who have gone into service have had, but it will be followed, according to Mr. Bryan, as a part of the bank’s contribution to the war effort and to the maintenance of the home front. Bryan Daily Eagle June 21, 1944 Brazos Soldier Suffers Wounds On French Beach Sgt. Charles J. Luza was seriously wounded in action in France on June 7, according to a telegram received Tuesday by his father, V. A. Luza. It was the first news of a Brazos County casualty in France and came on the second day of the invasion. Sergeant Luza has been stationed in England for the past 18 months. Hi is with an infantry regiment. Another son, Cpl. Vincent J. Luza, 20, who is with a tank battalion has been in the service for 15 months and is at present stationed at Fort Knox, Ky. Bryan Daily Eagle July 29, 1944 Many Residents Are Naming Seats At Palace For Service Men And Women; 5th War Loan Premier Friday Night Interest in the Fifth War Loan premier at the Palace Theater Friday night at 9 o’clock, and especially in the plan of naming a seat in the auditorium in honor of some service man or woman, increased materially Thursday. This was evidenced by the number of persons who called at the theater to buy one or more bonds and the number naming a seat in honor of some friend or relative. Admission to the premier, which will feature “Show Business” in which Eddie Cantor is starred and who is supported by many popular stars of stage and screen, will be by purchase of a bond at the Palace or on a receipt from a local issuing agency for bonds purchased in the Fifth War Loan. An added attraction will be a thirty-minute entertainment by men from Bryan Army Air Field who had made a place for themselves in the world, of entertainment before entering the army. This group will give their songs and skits from the stage and the Bryan Field band also will be on the stage to support the entertainers and give a program of appropriate music. The premier is given by the Bryan Amusement Company for the purpose of stimulating war bond purchases and aiding in securing the Brazos county quota $340,000 for “E” bonds, reported lagging, and the overall quota of $1,100,000. The company is bearing all expenses and Mrs. Morris Schulman, president, hopes for the biggest party of bond-buyers ever given in Bryan. The project has the hearty approval of the War Finance committee for Brazos County. Chairman A. S. Ware stated Thursday he hoped the result would be a heavy increase in bond purchases, especially of Series “E” bonds, and stated the committee thoroughly appreciated the unselfish cooperation of Mrs. Schulman and the Bryan Amusement Company. Chairman Ware announced an allocation of $5,000 by the Supreme Lodge, S.P.J.S.T., with head quarters at Fayetteville, Mrs. John Habarta, former resident of Brazos county is president and is now residing at Fayetteville. Bryan Daily Eagle July 29, 1944 Smoking Tobacco Given Marines By Mrs. M. Schulman Receipt of five cases of smoking tobacco, sent to San Francisco by Mrs. Morris Schulman for the use of Marines in the Pacific area has been acknowledged by Col. William C. Wise, Jr., Marine Corps, acting commander in the Frisco area. Col. Wise assures Mrs. Schulman that tobacco plays a very important part in the life of the men on the battle front, and that he knows this from his own experience. He expressed his appreciation for the gift, adding his thanks to those of the men who will benefit. The tobacco, he said, would be shipped overseas without delay. Bryan Daily Eagle August 24, 1944 Sam Palasota, In Japanese Prison Writes Parents Word from their son, Sam Palasota, who has been a prisoner of the Japanese since the fall of Corregidor, was received yesterday by Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Palasota, Sr. The communication was a printed card but bore his own signature. The card read, “Dear folks: Here’s hoping that everyone is healthy and well as I. Mother and Dad, be sure to take good care of yourselves. Do not worry for we will all be together again. All my love to our dear family. My regards to our relatives and friends.” It was the first word they had had from him since September, 1943. He is in the Philippines at Prison Camp No. 1. Bryan Daily Eagle November 9, 1944 PFC. JOHNNIE LUZA A memorial service will be held for Pfc. Johnnie Luza at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Monday, Nov. 13, at 9 o’clock. Pfc. Luza died on Oct. 15 on the Morotai Island as the result of an explosion. His mother, Mrs. John Luza has received a telegram from the War Department advising of her son’s death on that date. He had been overseas nine and a half months and was 20 years of age. Bryan Daily Eagle November 18, 1944 Sgt. Charles Luza Hit By Shrapnel; Now Recovering Wounded by shrapnel in the right leg while in action near Isigny France, Sergeant Charles J. Luza, 22 of Bryan, Texas is convalescing at this United States Army rehabilitation hospital in England. He as received the Purple Heart. His battalion surgeon, Captain James P. Meevilly of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said, “Sgt. Luza is making satisfactory progress and soon will be returned to duty. We advanced up to within two miles of Isigny, France” said Mortar Sgt. Luza, “when suddenly a German machine gun opened fire. We knocked it out of action with our mortar. A few minutes later a German artillery barrage opened up and I was hit by shrapnel in the right leg.” Sgt. Luza managed to give first aid to two of his companions more seriously injured than himself before he went to the aid station to have his own wounds cared for. His father, Mr. Vincent A. Luza, lives at the Bryan City address. Bryan Daily Eagle January 25, 1945 Sgt. Patranella Suffers Wounds In Bulge Battle Sgt. Ben Patranella, son of Mrs. Josephine Patranella, was wounded in action in Belgium, Jan. 2, according to a telegram received by Mrs. Patranella from the War Department Thursday. She also was advised that further details would be given her where her son is under treatment. Sgt. Patranella, formerly employed by the Coca-Cola Bottling Company, went into the Army Oct 14, 1941, and has been overseas since April, last year. Bryan Daily Eagle February 10, 1945 Kinsfolk Believe Sam Palasota Is Freed At Manila Relatives and friends of Sam Palasota, who was taken prisoner by the Japs when the troops on Bataan were forced to surrender, thought they found his picture in a news picture carried on the front page of the Eagle Friday, which showed a group of Americans who had been held by the Japanese and who had been released with the capture of Manila. Friends thought the man shown almost in the center of the picture, apparently with a shock of black hair, was Palasota. If he was among those released members of the family believed they would get some word shortly. Bryan Daily Eagle February 16, 1945 Pfc. Sam Palasota Among Prisoners Freed At Manila A prisoner of the Japanese since the fall of Corregidor, Pfc. Sam Palasota is now free. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Palasota, received a wire today from their son. The message read, “Am free, well and happy. Hope to be home soon.” He had been a prisoner on the Philippines and was released as the result of recent American invasions. Relatives of Pfc. Palasota had thought they recognized a picture of him in a view of released prisoners carried in the Eagle a few days ago. The same picture appears in Life this week. Bryan Daily Eagle March 2, 1945 Palasota Writes Other Bryanites Held In Japan Two letters from Pfc. Sam Palasota, prisoner of Japan since the fall of Corregidor who was among those freed at Manila, have been received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Palasota, and indications are he will be home soon. He also mentioned other Brazos county men who are prisoners of the Japanese. Those referred to were Roy Vick, Jr., Billy Jo Whitley, Maurice Henry and Charles Allen, the latter a brother of Mrs. Munroe Griffin. A letter from a friend of Pfc. Palasota was also received. In it, the fellow soldier mentioned calling on Palasota and finding him already departed. His family believes from this that he is on his way home. Pfc. Palasota wrote. “I am so happy to be free again. Was so glad to see the American troops. They are all in high spirits. They are so good to us. Thank God our prayers have been answered. We will all be together as we used to be. We have been promised that we will head for home in a very short time. I will wire when I am to arrive. I am in very good health. I was sick several times, nothing serious. I have been a clerk in the office of the medical director ever since I was captured so I’ve had it easy. A lots I will have to tell, So I’ll wait until I get home. Tell Mrs. Vick, Mrs. Whitley, Mrs. Henry and Mrs. Court that their sons are in Japan. When they left they were all in good health. Tell Allen that Charles left for Japan Dec. 13, 1944. He was in fair shape when he left. He had been sick so much.” Bryan Daily Eagle April 5, 1945 Words Can’t Tell Horrors Suffered By Jap Prisoners No one can picture in words the prison camps in the Philippines or the Death March, Pfc. Sam Palasota, who returned to Bryan yesterday, declared. The worst one hears of these experiences can be believed, he said. Pfc. Palasota was captured three years ago this month on Bataan shortly after he was wounded and was liberated on Feb 4 from Bilibid prison camp at Manila. He will be at home for the next four days and friends may visit him at 201 East 22nd street. He was in the Death March and was imprisioned at ODonnell and Cabantuam and Bilibid prison camps. Decoration he holds include the Purple Heart medal, Good Conduct medal, American Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, Military Defense ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific campaign ribbon with one bronze star, Philippine Liberation ribbon with two bronze stars, San Francisco Medallion for Bataan heroes, Presidential Unit citation with one oak leaf cluster. This latter decoration is the only one worn on the right. He also has six overseas bars. Bryan Daily Eagle April 12, 1945 Soldier Of Bryan, Victor J. Nemec, Suffers Wounds Pfc. Victor J. Nemec was slightly wounded in action in Germany on March 27, the War Department as notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Nemec of Route 5. He was with a reconnaissance squad. Pfc. Nemec, who has been overseas since August, 1944, volunteered in 1939 for three years in the medical detachment of the Second Division at Fort Sam Houston but at the expiration of the three years he filed a request for reassignment along with his reenlistment. He is the younger of two sons, his brother, Sgt. Jerry Nemec having been reported killed in France last year in the midst of the Normandy breakthrough. He is a 1938 graduate of Stephen F. Austin high school. Bryan Daily Eagle April 17, 1945 Bryan Airman Is Killed In Crash Flying To Base Death came to Sgt. Henry J. Canavespe, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Canavespe, as his plane returned to its base after a mission over Germany. The flyers ran into an overcast and two planes collided, with fatal results to the Bryan aerial gunner. This information came in a letter addressed to the mother, Mrs. Lena Canavespe, written by Lt. Col Cletus Wray of the Air Corps. He stated Henry was a good gunner and a gentlemanly soldier and that his death was a loss to the Air Corps and the squadron, which would miss him, and that it was regrettable his death came before the victory for which he had fought. Sgt. Canavespe was buried in an American Military cemetery in Central France with full military honors, and a priest of his faith officiated at the service. Bryan Daily Eagle April 25, 1945 Flight Office Teddy M. Sousares returns to San Marcos Flight Officer Teddy M. Sousares left Monday for San Marcos where he reports to join his crew and await assignment. He has been here for the past two weeks visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James F. Sousares, 337 Foster Ave., College Staion, following his graduation from the Army Air Forces Navigation School at San Marcos Army Air Field. He received the wings of an aerial navigator. His brother, Jimmy is in the navy and is now in boot camp at San Diego, Sal. He entered the service recently while a senior at Texas A. & M. Bryan Daily Eagle May 4, 1945 Pfc. Lero Freed, Was Captured in Sicily Invasion Pfc. Emory Lero, Route 1, Benchley, has written his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Lero, that he as been liberated from a German prison camp and now is in American hands for recuperation. He wrote that he was doing all right and that he hopes to be seeing his parents soon. Pfc. Lero was a member of the famed Texas 36th Division and was a veteran of the African campaigns. He made the landing in Sicily but had the misfortune to be taken prisoner in that invasion. He had been in the hands of the Germans for over a year and a half. Lero was one of the first men to be inducted from Brazos County and has been in service approximately five years, most of that time on foreign duty. Under plans announced by the war department he is to be returned to the United States as soon as possible. Bryan Daily Eagle May 15, 1945 Pfc. Frank Nemec Wounded In Italy For Second Time Mrs. Mary R. Nemec, Route 5, has received word from the War Department by telegram that her son, Pfc. Frank J. Nemec, has been wounded in action again in Italy on April 19, while serving with the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment. He was first wounded on February 23 but after a brief stay in an army hospital he was returned to duty. The message stated that Mrs. Nemec should continue to write her son at his regular address, indicating that his latest would is not too serious. Nemec has been in the army approximately three years and has served in Kiska, Alaska, for about six months and has been in Italy for about the same time. Bryan Daily Eagle June 12, 1945 Kurten Soldier Gets Silver Star; Fought In Italy With the Fifth Army, Italy, Sergeant Ralph Plagens of Kurten, Texas, recently was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action. He served in Italy on the Fifth Army front in the 338th Infantry Regiment, 85th “Custer” Division. Plagen’s mortar section was suddenly subjected to a frontal attack by an enemy force which had succeeded in cutting off the attacking rifle platoons of his company. Sergeant Plagens, aware of the urgent need of the support of his weapons in enabling the platoons to hold their positions, moved forward to an exposed position to fire upon the approaching Krauts. Under a hail of machine gun, mortar and sniper fire, he engaged the enemy in a brief but furious firefight killing two, wounding others and holding the attacking force until the platoons were able to move into a position to defeat this hostile thrust. His mother, Mrs. Lillie Plagens, lives on RFD No. 1, Kurten. Bryan Daily Eagle June 21, 1945 Capt. Roy Vick, Jr. Lost When Prison Ship Sunk By Sub Word was received Thursday morning by Mr. and Mrs. Roy M. Vick, from Adjutant General Ulio telling them their son, Roy M. Vick, Jr., a prisoner of the Japanese wince the fall of Corregidor, was lost when a Japanese prison ship was sunk in the South China Sea by attack from a U. S. Navy submarine. Information on which the letter was based came through the International Red Cross which had been seeking information regarding the Americans on the prison ship, being moved from the Philippines to some other prison camp location. The ship sailed from Manila, Oct 11, 1944, with 1715 prisoners aboard, and was sunk Oct. 24 in the South China Sea about 200 miles from the China coast. Five prisoners escaped in the China coast and finally were rescued. Four others, escaping from the sinking ship, were retaken by the Japs. All information available to the Red Cross is that all other prisoners were lost. Capt. Vick was graduated from Texas A. & M. College in 1935 with a B. S. Degree in Mechanical engineering, and entered the service with the outbreak of the war, serving in the Coast Artillery. He was at Corregidor under command of Maj. Gen. George F. Moore, former commandant at the College, and still a prisoner of the Japs. Mr. and Mrs. Vick have two other sons in the service, both in the U. S. Navy. Jack is a lieutenant and Bill is a pharmacist’s mate. Both are in service in the Pacific theater. Since the beginning of the campaign to take the Philippines and the news that a Jap prison ship had been sunk by an American sub, the family and friends of Capt. Vick have feared that he had been lost, the news received today confirming their premonition. Bryan Daily Eagle June 24, 1945 Bronze Star Is Given Sgt. Zubik; Was In Germany Sgt. Jerome G. Zubik, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Zubik, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement in action, according to a copy of the citation received here. The citation reads as follows: “For heroic achievement in action on 20 March 1945 in the Siegfried line, Germany, Sgt. Zubik and Corp. McCuigan, bazooka gunners, advanced to within 35 years of an enemy-held pill box in an attempt to neutralize the position. They succeeded in destroying the enemy position with six well placed rounds from their weapon, despite the intense enemy fire directed at them. The heroic actions of Sgt Zubik and Corp. McCuigan in knocking out the enemy position materially aided their company in its advance through the Siegfried line” Bryan Daily Eagle August 8, 1945 Soldier of Bryan Kills 86 Japs in Action On Lazon With 40th Infantry Div., Philippines, Aug. 8 – ability to take it as well as dish it out under extreme hardships was displayed in bitter fighting near Del Monte airstrip on Mindanao by Pfc. Edwin F. Kre, Route 5, Bryan, Texas a Browning automatic rifleman in the 108th Infantry regiment. Pfc. Kre’s company is credited with 86 enemy dead as a result of a running nine-day encounter and a final show-down fight with the Japanese on a battlefield marked by combination mountain-jungle terrain. Pfc. Kre was ordered with his company to maintain the right flank of an encompassing movement on a strong Jap position in a village near Del Monte. The infantryman faced innumerable obstacles in reaching their objective. For drinking water they depended upon rivers and rain caught in helmets at night. No time could be spared for bathing. The doughboys carried heavy packs consisting of bed rolls, side arms, ammunition and drinking water. These necessities totaled as much as 30 pounds in weight. Besides overcoming all these natural impediments, Pfc. Kre and the infantrymen also walloped the Japs. The 108th Infantrymen fought two days to capture a hill defended by Japanese machine gunners and riflemen. On the fifth night of the march a Japanese force, equivalent to a company, launched a banzai attack against the 108th perimeter in a fanatical, unsuccessful attempt to halt the advance. After nine sleepless nights and (blank) and intermittent fighting, Pfc. Kre’s company reached its objective. The encircling maneuver completed, the company assisted by other elements of the 108th regiment, systematically wiped out the Japanese defenders in one of the fiercest engagements in the Mindanao campaign. Pfc. Kre, after smoke from the battlefield had lifted, was granted a three-day rest. Admittedly, he had earned it. Bryan Daily Eagle August 15, 1945 Former Bryanite Played Part In Atomic Bomb Job Now that the secrecy about the atomic bomb has been released it is revealed that at least one Bryan man had his part in the instrument of destruction which brought the war with Japan to a speedy conclusion. Capt. Joseph H. Maloney, son of Judge and Mrs. J. T. Maloney has written his parents that he played a part in the development of the bomb while assigned to Manhattan Division, which was the code name for the project, for over two years. He wrote that he had received a personal citation from Major General L. R. Grover in recognition of his part in the work and that plans call for them to continue their research work toward further use of the power they have developed. He hopes that his part will be completed by next March but says the end of war may make it possible for him to be released sooner. Capt. Maloney attended Texas A. & M. and graduated with the Class of 1925 with his B. S. degree in agriculture.