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Organization Two Yea, Old Thursday; Party Planned By Charles F. Kiley Stars and Stripes Staff Writer The American Red Cross Eaglely first service club opened in the Britg Isles for Americans during World Wa rI, celebrates its second birthday Thurs day. A year ago the club passed over its first anniversary quietly. Thursday night however, the occasion will be marked by a “ home-coming ” party. While some of the most noted screen, stage, and radio stars have appeared on many of its pro grams in the past, the entertainment to this party will be furnished by the men who have enjoyed the club’s hospitality and by the volunteer workers. Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Hutchinson, two of the four members of the original exe cutive committee who now are stationed at a Red Cross club in southern England, will come “ home ” to cut the birthday cake. Two of the entertainers are Lt. Howard D. Hively, member of the famous Eagle Squadrons, and Miss Jane Russell, hostess. Master of ceremonies is MSgr. Bill Carey, Chicago, who as a Canadian soldier visited the club on the day it opened Dec. 17, 1940. Dance music will be by the Eighth Air Force orchestra. A Favorite Haunt Not the biggest nor the most fashion able of the Red Cross hostels, the Eagle Club is, nevertheless, the favorite haunt of more decorated officers and enlisted men than perhaps any service club in Britain. Many of them will be present for the anniversary. Established two years ago as a service club for Americans in war work in Eng land, the Eagle Club was operated with funds voluntarily subscribed by folks in America. The donations amounted to everything from a nickel to $1,000. Those Yanks who found this a common meeting-place included ferry pilots, civi lian technicians, doctors, as well as fight ing men serving in the RAF, RCAF, Royal Navy, British and Canadian Armies, Free French—men who were in the thick of war when America was say ing “It can’t happen here.”’ The executive committee then included Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson, residents of Philadelphia who had lived in England for 10 years before the war; Mrs. Bar bara Blake, London, and Walter Currie, Greenwich, Conn. The latter left the club early this year to join the Army. He is a major in the Special Service Section. One of Four Left any of these four, only Mrs. Blake is still at the Eagle Club. Robert Hutton, Roanoke, Va., was appointed director when the club became a Red Cross or ganization last March. Three members of the original staff of British voluntary workers to take part in the anniversary celebration are Mr. Frederick DePaula, present director of staff recruitment, Red Cross Head quarters ; Miss Margaret Jones, manager ess of catering, known to the boys as ** Jonesy,’ and Mrs. Stuart Low, hostess. Mrs. Blake, who has met thousands of Americans serving with many of the United Nations, says she would like 0 see all “ the boys ” there Thursday. Of course, she knows circumstances is not permit that. Still, she is looking forward to seeing a great many of them. Asked to name a list of the Eagle Club's distinguished members,” Mrs. Blake admitted it would take her hours but called off some from memory. Distinguished Members Cpl. Franklin M. Koons, Swea Ci; Ia., awarded the Military Cross a 4 Ranger on the Dieppe raid, was one Col. Chesley G. Peterson, Santa Qui Utah, 23-year-old holder of the DFC and DSO, and only American to be awarded the British DSO. Maj. Gregory * Gus Damon, Van Nuys, Cal., and Maj. James Daley, also 22, Amarillo, Tex., holder of the DFC, are three more. All thre were in the RAF Eagle Squadrons best transferring to the U.S. Air Force. Other decorated ‘* members in good standing *’ are Capt. Reade Tilley, Cle water, Fla., DFC at Malta; Pilot Office! Donald Curtin, New York City, 02% the DFC on his first operational fight: Lt. Wiley Howell, Prairie City, 0% awarded the DFC as an RAF pilot officer and who is now in the U.S. Navy; Ca?! James Peck, Berkeley, Cal., DFC: M2) Carol McCalpin, Buffalo, N.Y., DFC; Pilot Officer R. C. Munson, Halse’* DFC; Capt. Oscar Coen, Murph: Arc, Ill., DFC; Flight Lt. Arthur 'scf Hollywood, Cal., DFC at Malta 52 Pilot G. T. Oulette, Detroit, ' DFM; Flight Lt. John Stickel, Jil Ill., member of the RAF Pathfinder DFC Those who will not be there, but be remembered, include Flying ii Arthur Donahue, St. Charles, Minn. 1st American fighter pilot in the RAF in war, awarded the DFC at Singapore, 7 who is missing from an operation! 2 after his return to England; Sgt. P. Claud Weaver, Oklahoma City, ons DFM at Malta, and a prisoner of ¥* . Sicily ; Pilot Officer Barry Mahon, a Barbara, Cal., DFC, who was all prisoner on the Dieppe raid; and ? Officer William Baker, Jr., Temple. TeX missing from an operational flight.
Newspaper Details
London Stars and Stripes
London, Middlesex, GB
Tue, Dec 15, 1942
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Michael P.
USA 26 Jun 2026
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