Soldier letters from Pacific war reveal captive experiences
An April 13 1945 letter from Pvt Paul E Brown 36663616 13th Sqd 13th ADG APO 920 cares Postmaster San Francisco recounts experiences of three former Japanese prisoners in Mindanao Manila and a voyage to Japan. He notes extreme hunger illnesses and harsh treatment by guards and describes rumors of execution and American advances. The letter conveys wartime prisoner conditions and a soldier's emotional reaction awaiting return home.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Paul E Brown
Care
San Francisco
Calif
Sunbeams Host April 7 Program for Children
Wanda and Raymond Hulsizer invite all Sunbeams children to a Saturday program on April 7 from 2 to 8. The event features salutes pledges prayer drills an April recitation habits song climbing up Sunshine Mountain the qualities of a gentleman another song We''ll Roll the Gospel Chariot Along closing prayer and games.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wanda
Raymond Hulsizer
Sunshine Mountain
WCTU Meeting Led by Mrs Della Johnstone
Mrs Della Johnstone will lead the WCTU meeting at the Baptist Church on Tuesday April 3. All are invited to attend.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Della Johnstone
WCTU
the Baptist Church
Robt N Smith Promoted to Sergeant in Air Apaches Unit
Robert N Smith 20, son of Mr and Mrs George Smith of Box 102 Patoka Indiana, promoted to sergeant in the Air Apaches of the 5th Air Force. A 1941 Patoka High School alumnus, he entered the Army in April 1943 after working for Taylor Drilling Co Centralia Illinois. His unit boasts 169 ships sunk 22 damaged 2383 Nip planes destroyed on the ground and 99 shot down in air combat over 20 months. He wears two stars on his Asiatic Pacific ribbon for New Guinea and Bismarck Archipelago campaigns and has 12 months overseas service with the first bombardment unit in the Philippines as part of the Army of Liberation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
5Th Aaf
Philippines
Robert N Smith
George Smith
Box
Patoka Til
Air Apaches
5Th Air Force
Patoka High School
Smith
Taylor Drilling Company
Centralia
Illinois
New Guinea
Bismarck Archipelago
Army of Liberation
Mrs Ada Betts Hosts Vernon Good Will Club Meeting
Mrs Ada Bates hosted the Vernon Good Will Club on Friday March 16 with nine members present. Guests included Nora Quayle Florence McNicol Mary Jane Chandler and Sandra. Dinner and social quilting followed. The club met again March 21 with Maud Meador nine members and two guests. Marie and Lola Maud Meador attended. The spring wood sawing and quilt completion occurred, with 240 service men named on the quilt. Watch for date and place this quilt may appear in Patoka. Your husband brother or son's name may be on it.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ada Bates
Vernon
Patoka
Local Social Visits and Family News
Stombaugh Hill couple and Rollie Stombaugh’s wife spent Tuesday in St Louis shopping. Howard Daniels and daughter shopped in Centralia Saturday. Edwards family visited Mary Stirling and kin Sunday. Zeke Clark called on friends in Vera Sunday. Casey family and Jimmy visited with Bill and Jane Boaz’s daughter Mary. Mary Stombaugh visited her mother Jane Huddleston Wednesday. Huddleston works at Lee Ray residence. Lulu Mae Stieling has mumps. Marion Mettler and Annie Goodman from Villa Grove are in Vandalia for medical treatment. Larry and Harry Stombaugh visited Bruce Pilot Monday evening.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Glen Stombatzh
Rollie Stombaugh
John Shepard
St Louis
Howard Daniels
Centralia
Roy Edwards
Mary Stirling
Zeke Clark
Vera
Truman Casey
Jimmy
Casey
Bill Boaz
Mary Stombaugh
Jane Huddleston
Huddleston
Lee Ray
Lulu Mae Stieling
Marion Mettler
Annie Goodman
Villa Grove
Mettler
Larry
Harry Stombaugh
Bruce Pilot
Card of Thanks from Mrs Fred Tacke
Mrs Fred Tacke expresses gratitude for cards gifts letters and visits during illness and wishes blessings to all who remembered her.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fred Tacke
Easter Sunrise Service Union at Patoka Baptist Church
From 6 00 am to 7 00 am the churches of Patoka hold a union Easter sunrise service at the Baptist Church Rev J Friesner brings the message and each church contributes a special item
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Patoka
Baptist Church
J Friesner
Major Charles Belcher Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in AAF
Major Charles L. Belcher is promoted to lieutenant colonel with the First Tactical Air Force B-26 wing in France. He has flown 10 combat missions and earned the Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, Croix de Guerre, and six campaign stars. Belcher is married to Betty Lee of Roadhouse Illinois and is the son of Mrs. Madalene Porter of Chicago.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
TACAF
France
Charles L. Belcher
Betty Lee
Roadhouse
First Tactical Air Force
Belcher
United States
Army Air Forces
Felmont Corporation
Centralia
Spartan School of Aeronautics
Tulsa
Oklahoma
Randolph
Kelly Fields
Texas
Madalene Porter
Pine Grove Ave
Chicago
Charles Cox
Patoka
Ill
Sandoval
Illinois College
Phi Alpha Fraternity
Community Notes from the Zion Neighborhood
McHANEY Mr and Mrs George Ray spent Sunday afternoon with the latter's parents Mr and Mrs Frank Brewer and family Our teacher Mrs Susie Malone was sick Friday and unable to teach. Miss Frankie Gray made a business trip to Odin Saturday.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
George Ray
Frank Brewer
Susie Malone
Frankie Gray
Odin
Bobby
Crane
Martin Walsh
East Zion
Alvin Gray
Dana Somerville
J B
J B Stuts. Oscar Slater and Son James Were ‘Anuling Hay Saurday, Hester Kennedy
Bill Eagan
Wiley Campbell
George Race Farm
Fannie Boring
Alpha Gray
Andrew Ross
Alma
J R Gray
Carter
Lizzie Gray
Frankie
Chas
Thanks to neighbors after barn burned by lightning
Harley Cole and family thank neighbors who responded to their Sunday morning call for help as their barn burned and was struck by lightning. They express appreciation for the presence and aid from the community.
Mr A L Irvin Celebrates 83rd Birthday March 25
A birthday dinner was held Sunday March 25 at the home of Mr and Mrs John Chance in Alma honoring Mr A L Irvin on his 83rd birthday. Attendees included extended family from Alma Patoka Springfield Decatur Blue Mounds and local hosts with additional March birthday honors for T E Irvin Mrs John Chance Mrs F P Huffman and Mr Ora A Huffman.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Chance
A. L. Irvin
A D Nichols
Alma
F B Ballance
T E Irvin
W M Cox
Patoka
Harold Chance
Betty Ballance
Springfield
Ora A Huffman
Frank Huffman ,Jr
Decatur
F P Huffman
Wayne
Blue Mounds
A L Irvin
Max Foltz Training at University of Wisconsin
Mr and Mrs Charles Foltz of Patoka announce their son Herbert Max Foltz Snc has joined the Navy radio school at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He was selected for his special abilities to serve as a radio operator. Over twenty weeks he faces a demanding schedule with forty four hours weekly of class lab and physical education, mastering coded messages typing radio procedures and naval indoctrination.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charles Foltz
Patoka
L.K. Pollard
USN
Madison
Wisconsin
Herbert Max Foltz
Snc
Wis
Navy
Local Notes From North Zion Community Readings
Mr and Mrs Charles Jackson and family visited Mr and Mrs Russell Caldwell. Mr and Mrs Guy Chandler called on the Caldwell home. Mrs S C Green has been on the folk list but is improving. Jesse Caldwell visited Cyrus Arnold and Maggie McNicol. The Headley family hosted a gathering for Wesley Headley on furlough. Addis Walton was injured baling hay and hospitalized at St Marys. Edith Soutier and Kathrn visited Salem. Mildred Walton and others visited the hospital to bring Addis home. Sam Jolliff arrived for a 16 day leave. Marjorie Stone of Joliet visiting Theodore and Mrs Stone. Emil Kottemeyer was taken to a St Louis hospital. Mrs Louie Wasem returned from Medford Oregon noting improvement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charles Jackson
Russell Caldwell
Guy Chandler
Arnett Conley
S C Green
Jesse Caldwell
Cyrus Arnold
Maggie McNicol
Dick Feathers
Ays
Merle Headley
Doolen
Headley
Wesley
Anna Black
Malone
Alma
Addis Walton
Kathrn
Salem
John Chance
Mildred Walton
Nellie Mae Hake
O T Walton
Centralia
Sam Jolliff
Delpha Jolliff
Marjorie Stone
Joliet
Theodore Stone
W M Cox
Don Griffin
Emil Kottemeyer
Vernon
St. Louis
Louie Wasem
Medford
Oregon
Paul Logan
Mark Greer
Vandalia
J H Peddicord
Frank Harker
Odin
Patoka
C D Martin
Ann Anchor
Michigan
Martin
Robert L. Walton
Winifred
Dorris Sprinkle
Homer N Potts
Marion Caldwell
Donald
Wilmington
L E Green
RE Green
Kinmundy
Just
Jones & Martin
J W Thompson
Maron
Decatur
Glen Merryman
Lois Barr
Leroy
Evelyn Lawson
Florence Evans
Neile Quayle
W W Murefin
Kenneth Tune
Edna Tune
Dayne and
Dale
Dayne Tune
Chicago
Navy
Frank Miller
Patoka Township
S. M. Spurgeon
Detroit
William Spurgon
William Jr
Jess Belcher
Vandalia Hospital
O ' Eaglin
Wanda
Frank Burgess
Iwo Jima
William Eagan
F Linton
Mae
Jack Eagan
Harry Zinke
Jamita Anglen
Detrema
Betty Lou Richeson
H. E McCutchen
St Louis
Baker
Ames
Iowa
Bert Bushnell
William Boyd
F B Ballance
O C Schroeder
Sandra
Mes K Pike
Keith Jp
Centralia Sandhoe
Robert Lr
Ray Blau
Dian
Patoka family receives POW postcard from captive son
Mr and Mrs Roy Jones of Patoka reported their son Pfc Darvin R Jones is a prisoner of war in Europe. The postcard dated 1 11 45 states he is in good health at Stalag VA near Strasbourg with transfer to another camp planned in a few days. Darvin turned 21 on January 10 1945.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pfc
Darvin Jones
Roy Jones
Patoka
St. Louis
Allemagne
Darvin R. Jones
Stalag VA
Red Cross
Strasbourg
Darvin
Dinner Honoring Dick Padberg Held in Boulder
A March 25 dinner at Mr. and Mrs. Charles Orrel Sr home in Boulder honored Pfe Dick Padberg who has been overseas two years and is on a thirty day leave. Guests included the Padbergs and Orrels plus families from Centralia Glenridge Patoka Sandoval Carlyle and Boulder.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charles Orrel
Boulder
Pfe
Dick Padberg
Orville Lewis
Bennie
Padberg
Stewart, Yoose
Centralia
Forrest Rhodes
Glenridge
B_ H_ Padberg
Louie
Betty
Delmar Cain
Ida Smith
Patoka
Claud Gambill
Carlyle
Viola Dayx
Sandoval
Charles Orrell Jr
Dick Pacberg
Local Residents Discuss Visits and Moves Across Communities
Carrigan and Odin area residents shopped, visited relatives, and announced moves this past week. Roy Thalman and children shopped in Centralia. Mrs Fred Tacke improving from illness. Dean Bowen moved to his parents’ home. Ed Poole and wife visited from Indian Town Gap. Lews family relocated to Kansas. Albert Galbraith, Eli Palmer and August Ververs noted. Parker and Tate families also mentioned with various moves and visits.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Roy Thalman
Centralia
Fred Tacke
Dean Bowen
Tibbs Farm
Wash Bowen
Gt Ed Poole
Indian Town
Gap Penn
Poole
Sandoval
W G. Poole
Albert Galbraith
Odin
Richard Lews
Kansas
Eli Palmer
August Ververs
Ernest Leicht
Boyd Steele
Barr District
Carrigan
Pete Bopp
Matt Belcher
Jerry Parker
Collinsville
Neil Briscoe
Dwight
Walker Farm
Patoka
Mrs Russel Tate
Ed Tate
Chase Kansas family visit and local gatherings
Mr and Mrs Lee Wadkins returned home Tuesday after visiting their son and his wife Mya Wadkins and daughter Leah in Chase Kansas. Vandalia visitors Mrs W M Cox Mrs James Bar nee and Mrs Robert Eagan were guests Saturday evening. Also Mr and Mrs Theodore Stone Marjorie and David, and Mr and Mrs John Stone of Sandoval spent Saturday evening with Mr and Mrs Lee Griffin.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lee Wadkins
Mya LeRoy Wadkins
Leah
Chase
Kansas
W M Cox
James Barnee
Robert Eagan
Thodore Stone
Marjorie
David
John Stone
Sandoval
Lee Griffin
Local notes and visits mix with Easter hats store ad
Community updates from Patoka and nearby towns include hospital stays and recoveries, visits from relatives, and travel in Vandalia Centralia Kinmundy Salem Decatur and Marion. Shoppers receive Easter Hats at Jones & Martin Store while voters are urged to support Robert L Walton for Supervisor Patoka Township on April 3.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Paul Brown
Orville Brown
Pfe Paul E. Brown
The
Pacific
Mindinao
Manila
Japan
Hawaii
Levell
Paul
Sunbeam News
Ada Betts
Vernon Good Will Club
Stombaugh Hill
Charles Belcher
Harley Cole and Family
Max Foltz
Univ. OF Wisconsin
North Zion
MR. and
Mrs
Captive Son
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