Garland W. Hink Returns To U S After Navy Seabees Duty
Seaman 1/c Garland W. Hink returns to the United States after ten months overseas with the 54th Naval Construction Battalion the Seabees. He visited Ada and Tupelo during 30 day furlough with family and recounts the battalion’s role in North Africa Sicily and Italy. The Seabees built airfields repaired blasted installations and helped establish a major North African naval base while facing air raids and disease controls.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Garland W. Hink
U.S
Navy Construction Battalion
Seaman
United States
54Th Construction Battalion
Seaman Hink
Ada
Ben F. Risner
Tupelo
Seabees
54Th Naval Construction Battalion
Mediterranean
Tunsia
54Th
Tunnisia
Europe
North Africa
Cox Joins B-17 Bomber Crew in World War II
R. E. Cox Jr. radio operator and gunner with a B-17 crew is pictured in the back row. He recently left for foreign service per information to his parents Mr and Mrs R E Cox of Coalgate. Cox is a graduate of Oklahoma A and M College in Stillwater.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
R. E. Cox, Jr
Cox
Foreign Service
R. E. Cox
Coalgate
Oklahoma A. and
M. College
Stillwater
Brannon Promoted To Sergeant In Air Forces
A. Lloyd Brannon has been promoted to sergeant in the air forces and is stationed at the bombing and gunnery school in Tonopah Nevada. He served in the army for 12 months and recently joined the antemenes department. Former Ada High School senior and DeMolays member, he is the son of Dr and Mrs L G Brannon of 119 West Twenty second.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
A. Lloyd Brannon
Air Forces
Tonopah
Nevada
Army
Antemenes Department
Army Air Forces
Sgt. Brannon
Ada High School
DeMolays
L. G. Brannon
119
West Twenty-second
Seabee Taylor Stationed at Camp Endicott Rhode Island
Fireman 1/c Earl Eugene Taylor with the navy seabees is stationed at Camp Endicott Davisville Rhode Island. He began basic training September 28 at Camp Peary Virginia and transferred to Endicott in early November. He visited his wife and parents on furlough and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Taylor of Lovelady. He married Miss Dell Green who resides in Ada and works at Valley View Hospital.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Earl Eugene Taylor
Navy
Seabees
Camp Endicott
Davisville
Rhode Island
Camp Peary
T. W. Taylor
Lovelady
Local Youth Enlists as Aviation Cadet
Raymond H. Hopper age 17 of 1907 West Sixth has enlisted as an aviation cadet in the U S army air forces. His parents are Mr and Mrs Clyde Hopper of Ada.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Raymond H. Hopper
West Sixth
U. S. Army Air Forces
Clyde Hopper
Ada
Cadets Awarded Red Cross First Aid Certificates
Two squadrons of the 343rd Army Air Crew Detachment at East Central State College received Red Cross first aid certificates last week. Cards signed by Herbert Puckett and Captain A F Pyle, and 20 hours of medical aid under Miss Anna Weaver Jones, with lectures by Dr Ollie McBride, and supervision by Miss Mary Noble Oliphint. Awardees include Walter J Swiercek, Anthony Silva, Edward J Weaver, Myron Foster, James M MacPherson, James R Jones, Martin P Korchak, Clovis C Staggers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
343Rd Army Air Crew
East Central State College
Red Cross
Herbert Puckett
American Red Cross
Air Technical Training Center
Norman
Oklo
A. F. Pyle
343Rd
Anna Weaver Jones
East Central
Ollie McBride
Pontotoc County
Mary Noble Oliphint
Walter J. Swierczek
Chicago
Ill
Anthony Silva
Oakland
California
Edward J. Weaver
Rutland
Myron
Foster
Wenatchee
Wash
James M. MacPherson
Oil
Salerno Hero Sgt Jones Led Stragglers To Safety
Sgt Boley Jones promoted himself and rallied about 50 stranded American soldiers during the Salerno advance. He organized a makeshift platoon, moved under fire to neutralize a hidden machine gun nest, and led the group to cover amid tank counterattacks before returning to his rank. The War Department praised such initiative as decisive in battle.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Salerno
Boley Jones
Jones
Marjorie Faye Jones
Irving Jones
Ada
Fifth Army
Pvt
Dune
War Department
Wounded Soldier Paul Ryan Named in Mediterranean List
Pfc. Paul Ryan listed among U S soldiers wounded in action in the Mediterranean area. He is married to Mrs Dar meda D Ryan assistant county agent for Pontotoc County.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
U. S
Mediterranean
Pfc
Paul Ryan
Darmeda D. Ryan
Pontotoc County
Barney Abbott Jr. Praised For Service On USS Dyson
Barney Abbott Jr. hails from the Pecan Grove area and served aboard the USS Dyson in the southwest Pacific. The Dyson fought raids on Marcus Wake and Gilbert Islands and sank several Jap landing barges between Choiseul and Kolombangara. In a rain soaked night action “Up the Slot” saw Dyson sink three barges, removing hundreds of enemy soldiers. Abbott joined at 17 and later that family’s long local history includes his father a machinist in Long Beach California and another brother at Douglas Aircraft in Los Angeles.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Barney Abbott, Jr
U.S. S. Dyson
Dyson
Marcus
Wake
Gilbert Group
Choiseul Island
Kolombangara
Solomon Sea
Choiseul
U. S
Barney Jr
Southwest Pacific
Barney Abbott
Pecan Grove
Consolidated Steel
Long Beach
Calif
Abbott
Douglas Aircraft
Los Angeles
Smith Takes Basic Training In Kansas
Sgt. Clark C. Sandy Smyth visits relatives after two years in Alaska with the regular U S army. He enlisted at 16 in the marines and served about six years in China. He later ran a ranch near Ada and Allen before joining the army again to serve in the far northwest where Japanese planes raided, leaving him slightly wounded.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Clark C
Sandy” Smyth
Alaska
Aleutians
C. W. Smyth
East Ninth
Ed Drummond
G. H. Smyth
Armed Forces
Marines
China
Ada
Allen
Sandy
Wilkes and Mason Stationed in England
Pvt. Warren M. Wilkes and Pfc. Lloyd M. Mason are now stationed in England with the Army engineers. Wilkes, formerly at Camp Swift Texas, is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs G Wutledge near Stonewall while Mason is the son of Mr. and Mrs Albert Mason of Ada Route 4. Both have served in England over three months.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pvt
Warren M. Wilkes
Pfc
Lloyd M. Mason
England
Pvt. Wilkes
Camp Swift
Texas
G. Wutledge
Stonewall
Mason
Albert Mason
Ada Rt. 4
Army Engineers
Two Names From Wounded List
Pvt. 1/c Billy J. Harris of Coalgate route 2 has been taken off the wounded in action list as reported by the war department. The change reflects updated personnel records leaving Harris no longer listed as wounded in action.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pvt
Billy J. Harris
William W. Harris
Coalgate
Soldier Sgt West Returns to Camp White After Injury
Sgt Jack West, son of Mr and Mrs Dale West, visited Ada relatives before returning to Camp White Oregon. He broke a foot during maneuvers and spent two months in hospital. West grew up in Abilene Texas and moved to Ada in 1938. His brother Dale Jr also serves as a sergeant stationed overseas.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jack West
Dale West
Ada
Camp White
Oregon
Sgt
West
Abilene
Tex
Dale, Jr
Australia
Medical Corps
Alexander Qualifies As Expert Rifleman
High praise for marksmanship from Camp Peay Virginia where Joe Cantwell from Ada earns Expert Rifleman qualification despite a harsh wind and sand in the eyes. Alexander notes the difficulty and recalls his own wartime sniper service while suggesting Joe’s potential future in the service. Joe seeks to stay in but faces medical survey consideration.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Joe Cantwell
M. Alexander
Camp Peay
Adaman
Joe
Alexander
Cannon Promoted To Sergeant In Army
Troy V. Cannon of Roff promoted from corporal to sergeant after recall to service on November 28, 1942. He serves at Camp Gordon, Georgia and is married to Myrtle Cannon with one son, Troy Eugene Cannon.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Troy V. Cannon
Roff
Route 2
Camp Gordon
Myrtle Cannon
Troy Eugene Cannon
McLachan Operates India Control Tower
Pfc. Tom A. McLachlan stationed in India with the USAAF runs a bomber base control tower. He notes good food and clean bunks, mentions Indian workers paid $1.50 a month, and observes many beggars. He and his parents hail from Roff, Oklahoma, after attending Fitzhugh High and Murray College in Tishomingo.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pfc
Tom A. McLachlan
India
USAAF
McLachlan
America
Phil McLachlan
Roff
Fitzhugh High School
Murray College
Tishomingo
Sam Brown Carlson Raider Honored Marine Shot Filming Adviser
Sgt. Sam R. Brown, Stonewall high graduate and Olney native, enlisted in 1940 and served with Carlson’s Raiders. He returned to the U S in 1943 after campaigns at Midway Honolulu Makin Solo Mons. His awards include a Presidential Unit Citation with star Purple Heart Asiatic Pacific with three stars and American Defense. He served as a technical adviser on filming based on Lt. W S Le Francois book about Carlson’s Raiders.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sam R. Brown
Stonewall High
Marine Corps
Carlson Raiders
San Diego
Calif
Harry R. Brown
Olney
U. S
Midway
Honolulu
Makin Island
Solomons
W. S. le Francois
Carlson
Eisenhower Named Supreme Commander for Allied Invasion
Thousands of American troops in Britain celebrated Christmas Eve as Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was chosen to lead the Allied assault on Hitler’s Europe. The decision, announced in London, prompts cautious optimism about the planned cross‑channel strike within months and underscores U.S. pivotal air and ground support in the war effort. London and Washington officials hailed the choice as a decisive step toward Germany’s defeat.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Roger Greene
London
Britain
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Hitler
Europe
Eisenhower
Johnson
Washington
United States
West Wall
Germany
Moscow
North Africa
Algiers
Henry Maitland Wilson
British Press Association
Tunisia
Sicily
Italy
Roosevelt
Churchill
Cairo
Teheran
Carl A. Spaatz
Spaatz
Tunisian
Mediterranean
NEA
William H Isaacs Promoted To Captain In England
William H Isaacs rises from First Lieutenant to Captain at an Eighth Air Force base in England. He earns the Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal. Bombardier on the Flying Fortress Holy Terror he destroyed two enemy aircraft during 24 missions over occupied Europe. He is the son of Mrs. Alice Isaacs of Allen.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
William H. Isaacs
Eighth Air Force
Myth Returns After Two Years Alantians in Flight Training
Bertram L. Smith Jr. of 901 South Broadway Garden City Kas is in the basic flight training stage at the RAF Pilot School. He is son of Lt. Col. and Mrs. B. L. Smith and attended Trinity College Hartford 1941-42 and East Central College Ada 1942-43 as Alpha Delta Phi member.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
RAF Pilot School
Garden City
Kas
Bertram L. Smith, Jr
B. L. Smith
South Broadway
Smith
Trinity College
Hartford
Zorn to Join ASTP Training at Syracuse University
Pvt. Gus T. Zorn, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Zorn of 900 East Seventh, will enter Army Specialized Training Program at Syracuse University in Syracuse New York to study electrical engineering.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gus T. Zorn
C. A. Zorn
900 East Seventh
Army
Syracuse U
Syracuse
N. Y
Kenneth Fox Still Missing In Action
Mrs. W. E. Fox of Davenport receives War Department notice that Lt. Kenneth Fox remains missing in action after review by the adjutant general’s office. The official determination preserves his status as missing in action.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kenneth Fox
W. E. Fox
Davenport
Adjutant General’s Office
The
War Department
Christmas thanks from Ada area Baptist Orphans Home
Joyful appreciation goes to the Junior Chamber of Commerce and Ada supporters for Christmas gifts and meals at the Baptist Orphans Home. Joyce Miller spoke for the Jaycees, Rex Morrison performed magic, Gore Gaines delivered Santa, and the Smith Victory Trio performed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chamber of Commerce
Ada
Baptist Orphans Home
Joyce Miller
The
Jaycees
B. H. Brice
Ed Little
Seabees Two Years Old Going Strong
The Seabees celebrate two years since organization, growing to 262000 skilled construction and combat-ready men. They built Tarawa airfields days after invasion and aided Allied advances in Africa, Europe, and the Pacific, earning a growing Navy reputation for grit and versatility.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Seabees
Washington
Navy
Tarawa
North Africa
Tunisia
Italy
Attu
Kiska
North Pacific
Guadalcanal
Munda
New Georgia Island
South Pacific
America
Cat of Guadalcanal Back on Furlough
Dammit the marine cat who served with a Guadalcanal dive bombing squadron has arrived in San Diego for the holidays. With nine lives dedicated to the marines the cat logged 15,000 miles and 65 hours of flight time earning two battle service stars. Dogs and foxhole fears aside the cat remains a barometer of danger to the unit and will return to active duty after a brief furlough.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
San Diego
Calif
Dammit
Guadalcanal
War Food Admin Releases Millions in Raisins and Prunes
Washington reports the War Food Administration released 60,000,000 pounds of raisins and 82,000,000 pounds of prunes for civilian sale through regular trade channels today.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
War Food Administration
Ten Oklahomans Wounded In Action In Mediterranean
The War Department lists ten Oklahoma enlisted men wounded in action in the Mediterranean region. Names include Pfe. Paul Ryan Ada Sgt. Lea O. Evans Mutual Woodward County Pfc. Ralph B. Brown Yarnaby Bryan County Cpl. Marion A. Gaultney Jr. McAlester Sgt. Jack Hilderbrand Muldrow Sequoah County Sgt. Lyle M. Milligan Tulsa Cpl. Duard L. Morris Laverne Harper County Cpl. Rudolph Rogers Hominy Pvt. William H. Shields Tulsa S/Sgt. Jack L. Treadwell Snyder and officers Lt. Jake K. Young Idabel and Lt. Anse H. Speairs Oklahoma City.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Oklahoma
War Department
Mediterranean
Pfe
Paul Ryan
Darmeda D. Ryan
Ada
Lea O. Evans
Sarah E. Evans
Mutual
Woodward County
Ralph B. Brown
Dave F. Brown
Yarnaby
Bryan County
Marion A. Gaultney
Dana Gaultney
McAlester
Jack Hilderbrand
Maggie Hilderbrand
Muldrow
Sequoah
Lyle M. Milligan
Mary E. Milligan
Tulsa
Duard L. Morris
Mattie A. Morris
Laverne
Harper County
Rudolph Rogers
Anna Holt
Hominy
Waste Paper Drive Set For Dec 31 in Ada
Announcement for a waste paper drive on Friday December 31 starting at 10 am. Ada Iron and Metal, the city, and others will supply trucks to collect paper from every Ada home. Colored Boy Scouts will gather the papers and proceeds, after minimal expenses, will aid an elderly colored couple rebuilding their home. Volunteers are urged. call 209 W or 808 to arrange porch collection by 9:30 am.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ada Iron and Metal Company
Cit of
Ada
Furnis
Colored Boy Scouts
Tle
Oklahoma Officer Crompions Listed
The war department announced a temporary promotion wave in Oklahoma with Maj Cross Ellis of Inca City elevated to lieutenant colonel. Other officers promoted include John Benton Dudley of Oklahoma City to major, Garth Lipscomb Pybas of Foriek Wagoner county to captain, James Robert Compton of Chickasha and William Clifford Willard from second to first lieutenant, and Genevieve A. Goodwin Caffey of Muskogee appointed as second lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Oklahoma
War Department
Maj
Cross Ellis
Inca City
John Benton Dudley
Oklahoma City
Garth Lipscomb Pybas
Foriek
Wagoner County
James Robert Compton
Chickasha
William Clifford Willard
Genevieve A. Goodwin Caffey
Muskogee
Army Nurse Corps
Wealthy inventor Bedeaux detained in Miami after Africa trip
Charles E. Bedeaux, inventor of an industrial work system and friend of the Duke of Windsor, is detained in Miami after arriving from Africa without a passport. Immigration officials have given him a hearing, with a decision pending from Washington on passport waiver or clearance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Miami
Fla
Charles E. Bedeaux
Duke of Windsor
J. A. Thurman
Immigration Service
Africa
Dedeaux
Duke
Duchess of Windsor
England
Thurman
State Department
Washne
Tules
Also Mentioned on This Page
54Th Battalion
Algeria
Arzew
North
S4th
LST
Brannon
Bombing and Gunnery
Sgt. Jones
Barney Abbott Jr
Kansas
Wilkes, Mason
Cannon
McLachan
Sam Brown
Carlson Raider
William Isaacs
Flyer
Zorn
Pet
Negro Scouts
Bedeaux
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!