| Rochester Courier Newpaper Articles from 1944 |
Technical Sergeant Carl Raymond Chapman, 26, a member of an infantry company serving in France, was killed in action July 26, according to word received by his wife, Mrs. Florence Chapman of 216 North Main street. And Corp. Robert W. Davis, 21 of the U.S. Marine Corps gave his life in the Western Pacific area.
The last letter Mrs. Chapman received from her husband was dated July 23. At that time Sgt. Chapman had not heard of the birth of his son, Carl Raymond Chapman, Jr., on July 1.
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Preston Chapman, Summer Street, he attended the local schools and graduated in 1935. He was married May 31, 1943.
The telegram, signed by Lt. General A. A. Vandergrift comandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, declared that temporary burial had been made in the locality where death occurred and that the family would be advised of any futher details.
Corp. Davis, a graduate of Spaulding H.S. in 1940 was born in Rochester, February 17, 1923. After graduation from NYA at University of New Hampshire for a year and then was employed at the Portsmouth Navy Yard until his enlistment in the Marine Corps on January 30, 1943. He trained at Parris Island and New River, NC and spent some time at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, Cal., before going overseas in January this year. He took part in the invasion of of the Marshall Islands and the Mariannas.
Besides his parents, he leaves a sister, Mrs. John Carrigan of Crockett Street, Rochester. He was a member of Rochester Grange.
A memorial service for Corp. Robert Davis will be held Sunday morning at the First Methodist church in conjuction with the regular service.
Before he joined the Air Force, Bouchard worked for the Dover Shoe Company in Somersworth, NH. His mother, Mrs. Malyina Bouchard lives at 29 Third Street, Somersworth, NH.
Young Castonguay, who was employed at the East Rochester plant of the Hubbard Shoe Co. before enlistment, has taken part in five engagements with enemy submarines while a member of the crew of the destroyer. He enlisted Dec. 27, 1941.
Pvt. Bernard, who entered the service February 4, 1943, saw service in the North African campaign prior to taking part in the fighting in Italy. He was employed at the Portsmouth Navy Yard before entering the service.
Posthumous awards of the medal, which was established by order of General George Washington, were made to Pvt. Alfred R. Newhall, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred R. Newhall of 79 1/2 Wakefield street, who was killed in action at the Volturno river in Italy, October 13, 1943, and Pvt. Philip H. Hirst, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Hirst of 26 Charles street who was killed in action in the Italian theatre, Nov. 26.
Pvt. Roy Rogers, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Rogers of Orange street, Farmington, a member of the U.S. Marines Corps, was awarded the medal at a hospital base in the South Pacific are for wounds received in recent action, his parents were notified this week.
Cpl. Lambert was born in Epping, Oct. 21, 1921. He resided in Rochester for a number of years and was employed as an edge setter at the factory of H.O. Rondeau Shoe company at Farmington. He maried Miss Lucille Gauthier of Sanford, ME and made his home at 34 Washington St., sanford, while employed at a South Portland shipyard.
He passed his physical examination at Manchester, Oct. 16, 1942 and was inducted a short time later, being sent by Selective Service Board no. 17 of Rochester to Camp Devens.
He leaves his wife, his mother, four sisters, Mrs. George Burbank, Mrs. Peter Tremblay, Mrs. Edgar Caragnan, and Miss Irene Lambert; a brother, Romeo Lambert and a stepsister and two stepbrothers.
Lieut. Varney is a graduate of Dartmouth College and entered the service in February 1942. He received his wings at Albany, GA., in the Autumn of 1942 and has been in the Eighth Air Force in England for the past eight months. He has been previously awarded the Air Medal and two Oak Leaf Clusters.
The list included the following
KILLED IN ACTION
Pfc. Leon J. A. Paul, Rochester
Pvt. William Lacroix, Jr.,
MISSING IN ACTION
Major Edward J. Gagnae, Somersworth
Lieut. Erwin Brown, Rochester
WOUNDED IN ACTION
Pvt. Robert L. Colbroth, Rochester
Pfc. Paul enlisted Dec. 7, 1942, and was stationed at Camp Gruber, Okla and at camps in Louisiana and Texas before going overseas with an infantry company last fall. He was stationed for a time in North Africa before his service in the Italian campaign.
Mrs. Paul had a letter from him three weeks ago and at that time he had seen considerable action in Italy. He was graduated from the Holy Rosary school in 1937 and for a time was employed at Colby's restuarant. Before entering the service he was working at the Somersworth branch of the Navy Yard. A telegram received by his mother, Sunday, said he was killed in Italy, June 4. He is the son of Amadee and Mrs. Lyndon Paul, Besides his parents he leaves two sisters, Mrs. Lionel Thiberge and Mrs. Louise LeMayne, both of Rochester.
William Lacroix, Jr., 19 son of Mr. and Mrs. William Lacroix of Railroad Avenue Gonic was killed in action near Rome, Italy, June 4, his parents were notified by the War Department, Saturday evening. He was a member of an infantry unit of the 45th division.
Young Lacroix entered the service March 30, 1943 and trained at Camp Wheeler, GA., he went overseas in October and was located for a time in North Africa, He had been previously wounded on the Anzio beachhead last March but had recovered and returned to duty with his unit.
He was a graduate of St. Leo's School, Gonic and was employed by the Gonic Manafacturing Company as a weaver prior to entering the service. Besides his parents, he leaves a brother, Scaman George Lacroix, 17, stationed at Newport, R.I.
Pvt. Norman J. Hebert, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest J. Hebert of Maple Street, and a former Spaulding High School football ace, was killed in action in Italy April 24; and a telegram received by Frederick O. Trafton Sr., of Farmington reported his son, Capt. Frederick O. Trafton Jr., was missing since a flight over the Balkan provinces, April 26.
Pvt. Hebert was an end on the 1941-1942 football team entered the service in June 1943, soon after graduation from Spaulding High. He trained in Fort McCellan, Ala., and later was transferred to Fort Meade, MD., from where he went overseas as a member of an infantry regiment. When his parents last heard from him he was on the Anzio beachhead.
Norman Hebert was born in Rochester May 31, 1924 and attended the Holy Rosary school before entering the Spaulding H.S. where he was graduated in 1943. Before entering the service he was employed for a short time during vacations at the plant of the Spaulding Fibre company. He was an only child and had been home on furlough only about three months before his death in action was reported.
The information was received in a telegram from the War Department to his brother, Russell O. Bickford of the Old Dover road and declared that further information would be forwarded as received.
Corp. Bickford who before entering the service in September 1941, was employed by Gordon Foss as a laborer, has been overseas for nearly a year as a member of a tank battalion. Sergt. Leon Bickford is stationed somewhere in England.
Staff Sergt. Alfred R. Gilbert, a radio gunner on a medium bomber and veteran of nearly 50 missions over enemy territory, has been missing in action in Italy since January 29, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gilbert of the Dry Hill Road, were notified this week. The telegram stated that further information would be forwarded as soon as received.
For gallantry in action at the Anzio beachhead in Italy, Feb. 7, when he was wounded in the leg, First Sergeant Norman N. Hatch has been awarded the Purple Heart, according to a letter received here Tuesday by his father, Patrolman Nelson S. Hatch, and one received by his mother, Mrs. Jennie Hatch of Heaton Street.
Meanwhile Pharmacist's Mate Paul Currier, former Rochester High School football ace, was awarded the Silver Star and a citation by Admiral Hasley, Naval commander in the Southwest Pacific, "for conspicuos gallantry and intrepidity against the enemy." during the landing at Cape Torokina, Bourgainville Island, on November 1. The citation says specifically For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity against the enemy while serving with a Marine battallion during the landing at Cape Torokina, Bourgainville, British Solomon Islands, on Nov. 1, 1943, Currier disembarked from a landing craft and immediatly rushed to the assistance of the wounded on the beach, rendering first aid and attempting to drag them to cover. While doing, he was subjected to fire from the jungle nearby, which endangered the lives of the injured under his care. Procuring a sub-machine gun he charged single-handed into the jungle where he attacked and destroyed six Japanese soldiers who were firing at him. He then returned to the wounded men and evacuated them safely. His courageous conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Home on his first furlough in more than a year, Sergt. Rene Lagasse of 90 Portland Street, is wearing the blue ribbon of a Presidential citation presented to his unit, the original aerial antisubmarine squadron, which has taken the measure of German undersea boats from England to Casablanca.
Sergt. Gilbert, a native of Rochester and a graduate of Rochester High School, was employed in the Somersworth branch of the Portsmouth Navy Yard prior to enlistment in July 1942. He trained at Army air fields in Florida and Texas and went to North Africa in March 1943. His unit took part in the landing at Salerno as well as the first bombing of Rome. He had also taken part in missions over occupied France.
Hatch's letter written February 22 does not give much information beyond the statement that he was wounded in action and has been hospitalized for a time, but that his wound was not of a serious nature. He said he was able to up and around although somewhat lame. He said in his letter he was sending his Purple Heart award home to his wife the former Miss Dora Ferland, to whom he was married in February, 1942.
Sped from Italy by wireless to Washington, and thence by telegram to Rochester, came the news last Saturday night to Mr. and Mrs. James Callaghan of 2 Church Street, that their son Pfc. Donald Callaghan was seriously wounded in action. Sunday morning, Mrs. Myrtle H. Schlenker learned from the Navy Department that her husband, seaman John J. Schlenker, was missing in action while in the performance of his duty.
Seaman Schlenker, a son of Mrs. Bernice Schlenker and the late Joseph Schlenker, entered service last September and took his boot training at the Newport Naval Training Station. Soon afterward he was assigned to duty with a ship in convoy duty and had made three trips across.
He was a graduate of the Rochester Schools and had been employed by the Gonic Manafacturing company before entering the service.
Release of the name of the lost ship by the Navy Department Wednesday, excited the apprehension of Mr. and Mrs. Wallingford and they appealed to Mrs. Burt R. Cooper, Home Service Chairman of Rochester Chapter of the American Red Cross, to aid in getting word of their son. As a result of Mr. Cooper's work, Wayne called his family from New York Wednesday night to advise them he was safe and sound.
The castrophe occurred almost a year from the date of his enlistment on January 6, 1943.
Pfc. Turmelle entered the service April 3, 1943, and after 17 weeks training at Camp Wheeler, GA., went overseas, where he was soon in combat service with a chemical battalion.
Pvt. Lyle Hartford is with a medical supply unit somewhere in England awaiting the day when the Yanks go over to call on Hitler. He is the son of Mrs. Lyle F. Hartford of East Rochester and entered the service on January 22, 1943.
Corp. Technician Charles Masse, son of Mr. and Mrs. Napoleon Masse of Gonic, looks familar to Straford County sports fans, even in the unifrom of Uncle Sam. The former Rochester High School and UNH sports ace, now in Italy with an anti-aircraft battery, saw action in North Africa and also managed a baseball team under 'Zeke' Banura, former Washington Senator great. Corp. Masse entered the service October 7, 1942.
Gunner's Mate Maurice Bedard of the U.S. Naval Armed Guard entered the service June, 1942. Since then he has seen a lot of shooting in the Atlantic convoy service and at the North African invasion. He is the son of Mrs. Arthur Bedard of 14 Pearl Street, Rochester.
Edmund W. Morphy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Morphy of the Chestnut Hills road, took part in the in the invasion of Sicily and at Salerno aboard one of Uncle Sam's fighting ships. He entered the service in February, 1943, when he reached his 18th birthday.