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Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Mar 16, 1944
Page
6
Mr and Mrs M C De Train Leighton Route 1 receive the Purple Heart and Citation of Honor posthumously for Sgt Larry De Bruin of the Air Virtures. The citation notes De Bruin’s service and lists his family and home as the recipients.
The Oskaloosa Herald reports Sgt Joe Nikkel earned the Good Conduct Medal after enlisting in the Air Force. He trained as a gunner and served with a bomber squadron in England. An official at Camp Shanks, New York, confirmed the award citing service length and exemplary conduct since Pearl Harbor.
Ensign Jacob De Haan, 21, trained at Central College, serves aboard a naval air patrol over the Bay of Biscay with a crew including pilots and radiomen. He left Lincoln High School in Des Moines to enlist in October 1941, the son of Mr and Mrs De Ella.
Robert F. Van Vark, age 17, of Des Moines, is selected for enlistment in the Army Air Forces Reserve Cadets. He is a freshman at Pella High School and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Van Vark of Pella Iowa. He must complete scholastic requirements before active duty.
Ensign Vern Mouw writes from Norfolk describing life aboard a carrier in convoy escort and anti submarine patrols. He recalls hunting submarines, taking seven enemy subs, capturing prisoners, and returning to the States for rest. He explains shifted duties to a night operations squadron with long shifts and rigid meal times, notes weather and landing challenges, and hopes for continued communication with friends and family.
Enid Army Air Field welcomes Aviation Cadet Robert C. Van Vark 21 of Pella Iowa to the nine week basic flying course. He attended Central College in Pella a year before enlisting and arrived from Vield Vernon Texas where he had been living.
Hospital notes report John Willis at Mahaska Hospital after surgery on Wednesday March 1. H. W. Rokhoven, who underwent surgery there, returned home last Thursday. Sybrand De Vries weak and bedridden at 7 years old. Dohin Pethoven also listed as ill. PTA meeting set for Thursday evening in the church basement. News brief includes Henrick Hoitena Prospect NJ, Captain Dod Mertens, and Herman Bokhaven residents near Cedar dot with varied local health and living notes.
Jie advances through initial pilot training and will undergo a second phase under the Army Air Force Training Command for advanced retrenchment and specialization after completing the primary course.
Fragmented OCR lists military units and training details with several unreadable names and locations, mentioning SAS USN training at Kessler Field Mississippi and various camp figures.
The government flags new wartime rules including penalties and a ban on certain garments as well as restrictions on tech items and baby goods. Phonograph makers may use a quarter the shel luck of 1941, while agriculture targets 22 million victory gardens and a 10 million ton surge in production to curb food shortfalls.
An account explains navigation by celestial bearings every five hours during a flight with no course corrections. It notes radio aids are unreliable, stressing reliance on magnetothematic methods and careful use of time and position data to maintain awareness of the flight path. The passage reflects Navy pilot experiences and training.
A damaged OCR fragment describes American soldiers returning from New Guinea with a chaotic scene. A youth proclaims bold lines about “world’s most lovely women” and thanks the Americans, then the trio departs. The piece is jagged and inconsistent.
In Peoria a Christian Reformed church meeting selected Rev. Pikiart of Osh Tooote and Rev. WLTL Th Peoria as delegates for the forthcoming Synod in Grand Rapids Michigan. A baby boy was born to Mr and Mrs Wilbur Roose at Mercy hospital.
Wartime ration rules describe inspection periods for tires and fuel, with periods for gasoline coupons No. 1 through No. 4, and sugar book stamps. It outlines deadlines through March 31 and May 31, 1944, plus six monthly or mileage-based vehicle coupons and notes on home-earnings food stamps and blue stamps valid through specified dates.
Lieutenant Martin of Ashland Virginia describes a 12 plane patrol flight toward an Atlantic island 1250 miles away. The squadron arrived within 20 seconds of the estimated time after takeoff, flying at 9000 feet above overcast and keeping the formation intact despite clouds.
Miss Mary Eysink writes from Davenport urging renewal of the Pella Chronicle subscription. The note praises the paper for its front page headlines, cooking menus, memories of old friends, and current news interwoven with timeless items.
A fragmented listing outlines meat and fat stamps, canned fish, red and brown stamp books with validity dates through March 20 and May 20, including ARS BR CR and DS ES FX designations, and a tool ID range March 120 through May 20. No further context or attached notice.
Coupon details show Shoes Coupon No 18 Book 1 for one pair and through April 30 Coupon No 1 Airplane Stamp Book 3 for one pair are valid indefinitely. Stamps may be exchanged between family members living under the same roof. Loose stamps are not valid.
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