Newton & Neshoba U. S. Army Casualty List

Neshoba Co, MS

Newton Co, MS

KIA - Killed in action
FOD - Finding of death
DNB - Died non battle
DOW - Died of wounds
DOI - Died of injuries

National D-Day Memorial
Bedford Co, VA

"The War Department had confirmed that in all nineteen men from Bedford had been killed on Omaha Beach on D-Day....  No community in the state or in America or indeed in any Allied nation had lost as many sons as Bedford.  In a matter of minutes, a couple of German machine gunmen had broken the town's heart."  (from "The Bedford Boys" by Alex Kershaw)

The National D-Day Memorial exists to celebrate and honor the valor, fidelity and sacrifice of the Allied Forces on D-Day, June 6, 1944.  Physically, morally and intellectually courageous, those soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, coast guardsmen and merchant seamen kept faith with the Alliance, their homeland, the chain of command, the mission, their units and their fellows.  In so doing they necessarily set aside comfort, safety, innocence, youth, blood and even life itself.  This monument pays tribute to those who died on D-Day, but also to those who lived to secure the beachhead and carry freedom inland - and to those who transported the ground forces by air and sea, provided their aerial and naval support, and delivered their combat and combat-support services.  D-Day's success owes an incalculable debt to the participants.  That you yourself are free and here today is but a portion of their rich and enduring legacy.  Treasure it.    (Entrance plaque at the National D-Day Memorial, Bedford Co, VA)

Bedford County, VA lost more boys during the invasion of Normandy than did any other one location in the United States.  Nineteen of the boys, member of Company A - 116th Regiment - 29th Division, died during the early hours of D-Day.  Three additional boys died later in the campaign.  Twenty two boys never returned to their beautiful Bedford County, a place they must have pictured in their mind even as the invasion began.  The National D-Day Memorial, sits atop a knoll looking out over their valley, standing forever in watch for the return of Bedford boys who will never be coming home.

 

Newspaper Notices

Pictured Right:  Tidewater Veterans Memorial, Virginia Beach, Virginia

The Union Appeal, November 5, 1942

Private First Class Roy H. White and Walter C. Smith, USMC, both of Union, are more than just buddies at the marine barracks, Pearl Har

bor.  Both 23, they grew up on adjoining farms, attended the same school, enlisted together and fought side by side in the battles of Coral Sea, Midway and the Solomon's.  The two graduated Beulah Hubbard High School and attended East Central Junior College where both played football.

The Union Appeal, November 19, 1942

Coffee will be rationed from midnight, November 19, on.  War book holders of 15 years of age or older will be eligible for one pound of roasted coffee only on stamp no. 27.

"Somewhere in England" is the present address of Private Charles L. Mabry, now fighting with Uncle Sam's defenders.  he was educated at County Line High School.

The Union Appeal, November 26, 1942

Captain William L. (Billie) Cole, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Cole of Union, received his promotion to captaincy in August and is now serving at Camp A. P. Hill in Richmond, Virginia.

Staff Sergeant V. A. Wolverton, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Wolverton of Union, is now serving with the U. S. Army somewhere in England.

Mr. and Mrs. Nolan James of Union have received word that their son Albert, has landed safely overseas and is doing well.

The Union Appeal, December 10, 1942

W. P. Howle received a telephone call from his son, Bill Owen, informing him that he had arrived safely in San Diego from somewhere in the Pacific war zone and would be home in about ten days.  Bill Owen has been in the service about two years and this will be his first trip home.  He has been in active combat service on a Flying Fortress for several months.

Pictured Left:  National D-Day Memorial, Bedford County, VA

The Union Appeal, December 17, 1942

Corporal Leon Gardner is at home on furlough with his parents, Mr. & Mrs. F. B. Gardner.  He recently returned to the states after serving several months in the Pacific war zone.

Last week in Union school we made a special drive on account of Pearl Harbor Day.  The amount of stamps and bonds clearly showed that the spirit of the students is 'we will do our part'.  They bought $173 in stamps and $400 in bonds.

The Union Appeal, December 31, 1942

Sgt. J. C. Simmons, who was reported missing in action on October 21st when the plane he was in failed to return from a flight over western Europe, is now a prisoner of war in Germany.

The Union Appeal, February 4, 1943

Cpl. Marzine Thrash, USMC and son of Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Thrash of near Sebastopol, arrived home Saturday.  Seventeen months of his service has been spent on Midway Island.

Ladies!  Don't throw away your old silk and nylon hose.  Take them to the Modern Beauty Shop where they will be collected for the defense of our country.

The Union Appeal, February 25, 1943

Sgt. Carl Rushing, a paratrooper in the U. S. Army, is visiting in Union this week.

The Union Appeal, March 18, 1943

2nd Lieutenant Allen B. Cleveland, formerly of Union, has been promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant at Selman Field, Monroe, Louisiana.

The Union Appeal, April 15, 1943

Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Livingston of Union Rt. 2, received a telegram last Sunday from the war department stating that their son, Corporal Raymond H. Livingston, was wounded in action in North Africa on March 24.

Corporal Maston S. McMahan has been promoted to sergeant.  Sergeant McMahan is a member of the Maintenance Company, 41st Armored Regiment, 11th Armored Division.  He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac H. McMahan of Union.

The Union Appeal, April 22, 1943

William C. Hansford, Seaman First Class, U. S. Naval Hospital, Oakland, California, is spending a 30 days leave with his parents.  He was aboard a ship that was shelled by the Japanese and was injured by an exploding shell.

The Union Appeal, May 6, 1943

Sergeant Moody Lockley, of the U. S. Marine Corps, who was stationed on Midway Island when the Japanese tried to take it, was in town this week.  He is on furlough and is being transferred to North Carolina.

Elmo Watkins, who is with the Merchant Marines and has recently made a trip to Russia, is spending a ten-day leave with relatives and friends in and around Union.

The Union Appeal, May 13, 1943

Mrs. E. Simmons of Union recently received a letter from her son, Sgt. J. C. Simmons, who is a prisoner of war in Germany.

The Union Appeal, May 20, 1943

Pfc. Clyde Smith and Pfc. Hinton White are spending a few days furlough with their parents here.  They joined the Marines about three years ago, and have seen action in battles at Earl Harbor, the Coral Sea, Midway and occupation of the Soloman Islands.

The Union Appeal, June 3, 1943

James Randolph Harris, whose wife, Mrs. Rebecca Hataway Harris, is a resident of Union, has been commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.  he will soon take to the field to lead the leathernecks in battle.

M/Sgt. Carl H. Russell and wife visited his sister during the past week.  Sgt. Russell and his wife resided at Pearl Harbor during the attack.  His wife was sent back to the States while he went on to see service in a number of the islands in the Pacific.

Pictured Right:  John Winfield McBeath (U.S. Army Air Force Airborne Engineer Aviation Co. - WWII)

The Union Appeal, July 1, 1943

Guy Lafayette Tucker, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Tucker of Union, won his Navy "Wings of Gold" and was commissioned an Ensign in the Naval Reserve this week following training at the Naval Air Training Center in Pensacola.

Haskell Vance, who is on army maneuvers in Louisiana, has recently been promoted to First Lieutenant.  Vance is the son of Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Vance of Union.

Carlis E. Pinson, who is in the U. S. Navy and stationed at Bainbridge, Maryland, is spending a furlough here with his wife and other relatives in Union.

The Union Appeal, July 8, 1943

Sgt. Oree Collins, who is stationed at Albany, Georgia, is spending a few days furlough with his wife and parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Collins.

Pfc. Virgil Gordon, of Camp Phillips, Kansas, is spending a 12-day furlough with relatives and friends in and around Union.

M/Sgt. Ernest A. Dixon, Jr. who graduated from officers candidate A.A.S. Grinnel, Iowa, has received his commission as Second Lt. in the U. S. Army.

The Union Appeal, July 15, 1943

Shelton D. Blalock, 22, seaman 2/c, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Blalock, Union, has completed basic training at the Submarine School, New London, Connecticut, for duty with out-going fleet of undersea fighters.  Blalock was graduated from County Line High School three years ago, lettering in basketball while there.

Cecil Ingram, Robert Stribling and Ernest Wells, who joined the U.S.Navy recently, have been sent to Great Lakes, Illinois, where they will receive basic training.

The Union Appeal, July 22, 1943

Corporal John Neff Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Wilson of Little Rock, is serving with Uncle Sam's Army Air Corps somewhere in England.

Pfc. Albert N. James, United States Marine Corps, has been overseas for nine months, serving in the South Pacific.

Jack Howle, Torrence Hunter and Bill Wells left Sunday for Miami Beach, Florida, where they will enter training for Cadelts in the Army Air Corps.

The Union Appeal, August 5, 1943

Captain Brooks C. Vance, formerly of Union, has recently received his commission as captain and is currently serving overseas.

Auxiliary Hazel N. Holder, one of the Union girls who answered Uncle Sam's call with the WACS, has completed five months basic training, and is now stationed at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Union Appeal, August 12, 1943

Two Union boys recently met while they were in London, England.  Corporal Ozborn Driskell and Sergeant Rudolph Germany met at an American Red Cross Club.

Robert J. Stribling, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Stribling, has exchanged his civilian clothes for 'Navy Blue'.  He reported to Great Lakes, Illinois, where he will begin boot training.

The Union Appeal, August 19, 1943

Private Pete Evans will preach at Rock Branch Baptist Church Sunday.  Pete is in the U.S.Army and is stationed at Camp Shelby.

The following letter was received by Mrs. Susie Lockley from her son from who she had not heard from in 17 months.  He was taken prisoner while Bataan fell to the Japanese.  "I am interned in Osako Umeda Bunto prisoner of war camp.  Me health is usual.  I am working for my pay."

O. J. Hollingsworth and Willie H. French, who are in the Navy and stationed at the Great Lakes Training Station, are at home on a few days furlough.

The Union Appeal, October 14, 1943

Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, London, England - Mississippi and Arkansas soldiers held their third reunion and dinner overseas at the American Red Cross Mostyn club recently.  Present from Union was Corporal William F. Ware.

Private Marshall Lewis, who is stationed at Camp Shelby, spent the weekend with his wife and other friends and relatives in Union.

The Union Appeal, October 21, 1943

Mr. and Mrs. E. V. Buckley received a telegram from the War Department that their son, Ross, died on October 16.  Ross was stationed in the South Pacific war zone and was a member of the Army Air Corps.

Pvt. Octavis McElhenney, son of Hez H. McElhenney of Route 2, Union, has reported for training as an airplane mechanic at Gulfport Field.

Sgt. Carl Rushing, who is a paratrooper with the U.S.Army, spent a few days furlough with his mother here last week.

Pictured Left:  National D-Day Memorial, Bedford Co, VA

The Union Appeal, November 4, 1943

Tech. Sgt. James O. Gill, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.F.A. Gill of Union, Rt. 2, received his training in camps at Florida, Texas and Oklahoma before being sent to foreign service.  He currently is somewhere in North Africa.

Mrs. Dan Lockley of Union has received another card from her son, Cpl. Rufus W. Lockley, who is a prisoner of war in Osaka, Japan.

Lt. Wilson Fulton returned to duty this week after spending a few days with relatives and friends in Union and Neshoba.

The Union Appeal  -  November 25, 1943

Pvt. James H. Hand, son of Mrs. Macie Hand of Union, has landed safely in England.

1st Lt. Carl L. Tucker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Morris L. tucker, Route 2, Union, has been promoted to that rank from 2nd Lt.  he is an assistant ordinance officer at Courtland Army Air Field.

S 2/c William J. Gordon has been assigned to the S.S. Hornet, an aircraft carrier, and is sailing somewhere, according to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Gordon of Little Rock.

The Union Appeal - December 2, 1943

Pfc. Dewitt Bradley, who is stationed in New York, spent a few days furlough with his father, J. O. Bradley and other relatives and friends.

The Union Appeal  -  December 16, 1943

Lt. Earl Lewis, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. S. Lewis of Neshoba, is at home on leave after spending several months in England and North Africa with the U. S. Army Air Forces.

The Union Appeal  -  December 23, 1943

Sgt. Ralph Charles Gardner, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Gardner, recently enjoyed a ten days furlough at home.  He took his basic training in San Diego, California and attended Machinist Mate School USMC, in Norman, Oklahoma.  He is now stationed at Edenton, North Carolina as 1st mechanic on a B-25

The Union Appeal - December 9. 1943

Pfc. Gordon Boler and Pfc. Buford Boler, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Ned Boler, of Union, are currently serving their country in the armed services.  Buford is with the engineers.  Gordon is with the armored infantry.

Eight Union, Mississippi men are new recruits at the U.S.Naval Station in Great Lakes, Illinois.  They are John T. Smith, Hadden S. Gipson, W.M.Mowdy, Reginald Thomas, William L. Rigdon, L.V.Comans, Alton H. Cole and Bennie M. Pinter.

Earl Hutson is somewhere in England.  He wrote his parents to say he is getting along fine and asked them to say hello to all his Union friends.

The Union Appeal  -   December 30, 1943

L. V. Comans, S 2/c, of the U. S. Navy, is spending a 12 days furlough with family and friends.  He is stationed at Great Lakes, Illinois.

Lt. Colonel Ernest M. Smith, who is stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, was greeting his many friends in Union on Monday this week.

The Union Appeal, January 6, 1944

Ernest A. Dixon, who is stationed at an air base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been promoted from 2nd Lieutenant to 1st Lieutenant, effective December 24.

T/Sgt. William O. Howle, USMC of Union, has reported to the U.S. Navy Pre-Flight School in Athens, Georgia, for three months of schooling.  Howle is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Howle.

The Union Appeal, February 24, 1944

Willie Howard French, S 2/c, who is stationed at Martha's Vineyard, Massachusets, is spending a 15 days furlough with relatives and friends here.

The following boys have passed the Air Corps examination:  John Robert Laird, Bill Houston, George Stribling, James Galloway, Gerald Staton and Earl Burns.

The Union Appeal, March 2, 1944

Robert P. Lewis, son of Mr. F. C. Lewis, has reported to Bainbridge Army Air Field as an aviation trainee.

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Crane of Conehatta received a telegram from the War department that their son, Corporal Ernest H. Crain was killed in an airplane crash in Dobodura, New Guinea, on February 17.  He had been overseas about two years.

Pictured Right:  National D-Day Memorial, Bedford Co, VA

The Union Appeal, March 16, 1944

Word has been received here that Sgt. Charles Houston Freeburgh, son of Mrs. Mae Freeburgh, has been missing in action since February 24th, when he was on a bombing mission over Germany.

Sgt. Alvin C. Johnson has been promoted to his present rank at Camp Blanding, Florida.  Sgt. Johnson has many friends all over Newton County, he having made the race for Circuit Clerk of the county last summer.

Major Earl L. Laird of the Field Hospital in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, is spending a few days leave in Union this week.

The Union Appeal, March 23, 1944

Hubert Massengale, ARM 3/c, of the U. S. Navy, who is stationed at Palaxant River, Maryland, is at home on a few days leave with relatives and friends.

Ensign Harold Davidson, wife and daughter spent last weekend in the home of Private Fred Barfoot.  They will leave Saturday for Boston where Ensign Davidson will be stationed.

The Union Appeal, March 30, 1944

Private Arnold Nelson, who is stationed at Camp Shelby, came in this week on a short furlough to visit friends in the County Line community.

Union boys meet in San Diego:  Sailor Billy R. Winfield, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Winfield of Route 2, Union and Marine Woodrow L. Holley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sim Holley of Route 4, Union, told of how nice it was to meet each other in California.  Winfield has been in the Navy for about two years and Holley has been in the service for about 18 months.

The Union Appeal  --  April 6, 1944

Pfc. Thurman E. Sharp, who is stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, spent a few days furlough with his wife and other relatives in Union.

The Union Appeal  --  April 13, 1944

Technical Sgt. Thomas Barfoot, who has been in the Marine Corps for two years, and in the South Pacific for 18 months, is at home with his parents on a 30-day leave.

Pfc. Rex Gordon, who is stationed at Pratt Air Force Base, Pratt, Kansas, is spending a ten days furlough with his parents here. 

The Union Appeal  --  April 20, 1944

Walter D. Adkins, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Adkins of Duffee, recently graduated from the Aviation Radio School in Jacksonville, Florida.  Adkins is now a qualified aviation radioman and will probably see service with a Naval Air Unit.

Former Aviation Cadet Lucien G. Maury of Union was recently graduated from the Army Air Forces Pilot School at Moody Field, Georgia, and commissioned a Second Lieutenant with the rating of Army Pilot.

Staff Sergeant Ethel Coy Lewis of Union was awarded the Soldier's Medal for heroism in rescuing a stunned sailor and aiding several other members of the Navy after a landing barge capsized approximately 200 yards from shore.  Sgt. Lewis was waiting for reinforcements at Blue Beach, Media, French Morocco, during the invasion of North Africa.  Sgt. Lewis is the son of Mr. W. G. Lewis.  He finished high school here and played on the football team.

The Union Appeal  -  April 27, 1944

Born to Sgt. and Mrs. Charles M. Smith on April 20 an eight pound baby boy named Charles Marcellus, Jr.  The proud father is somewhere in England.

Pvt. Wilbert Laysone is now stationed in Italy.  He served on the Cassino front and is now on the Anzio beachhead front.  Mrs. Laysone is the former Evonne Holder of Union.  Pvt. Lasone is serving faithfully at his post of duty, but is hoping to be back with his wife soon, and baby, which he has never seen.

Mrs. Ernest Wells has received a letter from her son Ernest Lee, saying he and James Horton, who are in the Pacific serving in the U. S. Navy, have met.  Both boys report liking Navy life fine.

The Union Appeal  - May 4, 1944

Private Robert B. Foster, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Foster of Union, has been promoted to the rank of sergeant in the U. S. Army at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  Sgt. Foster has one brother in the Army.

Thomas Graham, S 2/c in the U. S. Navy, who is stationed in San Diego, is spending a few days leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Graham and other relatives here this week.

The Union Appeal  -  May 11, 1944

James Morris Payne, son of Mrs. Jewell Payne of Union, has arrived safely overseas in England.  He was inducted in the Army in August of 1943.

Mrs. Mae Freeburgh received a card from her son, Sgt. Charles H. Freeburgh, who is a prisoner of war in Germany.  This was the first direct word she has heard from him since he became a prisoner. 

The Union Appeal - May 18, 1944

Private Dee Hanson, who is stationed at Camp Gordon, Georgia, saw his brother, Corporal Carr Hanson, for the first time in four years.  The two brothers met while each was on furlough.  Cap. Hanson is stationed in New Zealand.

Sgt. Belton Russell of Pittsburgh, California is spending a furlough with his father, Mack Russell of Stratton.

L. J. Horton, Seaman first class of the U.S.Navy, is spending a few days furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Horton.

The Union Appeal - June 1, 1944

Sgt. Alvis C. Johnson is now stationed somewhere in England, according to his wife.  Sgt. Johnson has three brothers in the Army, two of them overseas.

Pvt. Hubert S. Ogletree, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Ogletree of Union, is a telephone operator with a 15th AAF bB-24 Liberator group which was recently awarded a Presidential citation for the low level attack on the Ploesti, Rumania oil fields last August.

1st Lieutenant Ernest A. Dixon, who is stationed at Kirkland Field, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is spending a few days furlough with his mother, Mrs. Mable Stamper. 

The Union Appeal - June 8, 1944

Private Allan C. Clarke, of Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, spent the weekend here with his wife and parents.

The Union Appeal - July 6, 1944

Pfc. W. L. Johnson of Union, a machine gunner, has been wounded while in action somewhere in France.  He has been transferred to England where he is convalescing.  Pfc. Johnson spent last Christmas with his family and on Christmas Eve, he married Miss Evelyn Smith.

Sgt. Percy M. Duette of Union was wounded in the invasion of France on June 6.  He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Duette of Route 4.

Pfc. Morris H. Reagan of Union, who is serving with an AAF B-17 Flying Fortress wing headquarters squadron in Italy, has been awarded the Good Conduct Medal.

R. H. Thompson received a card from his son, Private Robert H. Thompson, that he arrived safely in England from France and is doing fine.

The Union Appeal  -  July 13, 1944

Mr. & Mrs. Nolan James received a telegram from their son, S-Sgt. Albert James, who recently landed back in the States after nearly two years of service in the South Pacific.  He expects to be home on furlough in a short while.

Mr & Mrs. James T. Crane of Lake received a message that their son, 2nd Lieutenant Charles O. Crane has been missing in action since June 23rd over Yugoslavia.

S-Sgt. Bill Owen Howle of the US Marine Air Corps, came in this week on a furlough to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Howle.

Pictured Right:  National D-Day Memorial, Bedford Co, VA

The Union Appeal - July 20, 1944

1st Class Boatsman Mate Charles Ray Hunter, son of Erby J. Hunter of Union, writes that he was in the invasion of France and they were having a hot time.

Corporal George Calvert of Camp Shelby is at home with his parents, Dr. and Mrs. W. C. Calvert, on a 12 days furlough.

Pfc. Noble Germany, who had been stationed in Laredo, Texas, is at home on a few days furlough while being transferred to the First Army Corps in Massachusetts.

The Union Appeal  -  July 27, 1944

Mrs. S. C. Burns of Union received a telegram Monday that her son, Sgt. Ufa S. Burns of the US Marines, had been killed in action in the South Pacific.

Letters have been received this week from Hack Vance and Ralph Luke by their parents both stating that they were in Army hospitals.  It is presumed that they received wounds while in action in France.

Private Clois Watkins, stationed at the San Diego Marine Base, has returned back to base after visiting his relatives and friends in Little Rock.

Loyd O. Vance, who is stationed in the Navy at Camp Perry, Virginia, is at home on a ten-day leave visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Q. Vance.

The Union Appeal - August 3, 1944

Corporal Raymond W. Majure of Union is now serving with the Eastern Command of the U. S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe, somewhere in Russia, with a contingent of picked American troops that now staff U. S. bomber and fighter bases in the Soviet Union.

John Thomas Smith, Seaman 1st/C of the U. S. Navy is now stationed in the Hawaiian Islands.  He is the son of Mr. &Mrs. E. M. Smith of Union and a graduate of Beulah Hubbard High School.

Private John C. Richardson, son of Mr. & Mrs. Lee Richardson of Neshoba, has been wounded in action.  He has stated that he is doing okay, but that he will have to be in the hospital for a long time.

The Union Appeal - August 10, 1944

Union Brothers in Service
Pfc. Benton Clay Gordon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benton Gordon of Union, was inducted into the Marine Corps Nov. 12, 1943 at Camp Shelby, Miss., and was sent from there to San Diego, Calif. for his boot training. He has been made an instructor on the rifle range and has won a very high score on his own shooting, winning the "expert" medal. He has recently been sent to an unannounced destination. Like all Marines, he is proud of his branch of service.  Pfc. Benton Rex Gordon was inducted into service May 4, 1943 at Camp Shelby, Miss. He was assigned to the Army Air Forces and sent to Gulfport Field for his basic training. He graduated at Shephard Field, Texas, as an airplane mechanic and was sent from there to Pratt, Kans., where he received further training on the B-29. He has recently been shipped out for an overseas destination. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Benton Gordon, of Union.

Two Union friends meet in Honolulu:  S 1/c Kenneth F. Lewis, son of Mr. & Mrs. C. G. Lewis and S 2/c J. D. Leeke Jr., son of Mr. & Mrs. J. D. Leeke, met recently in Hawaii.

Edwin Fulton, A.M.M. 3/c, who is stationed at Corpus Christi, Texas, came in Saturday on a two weeks leave.

The Union Appeal - August 17, 1944

Pfc. Joe W. Johnson of Little Rock, writes that he is doing fine after his safe arrival in France on D-Day.  Pfc. Johnson has three brothers serving their country:  Sgt. Alvis C. Johnson, now stationed in England;  M/Sgt. Edsel F. Johnson serving in Sardinia;  and Pvt. Henry E. Johnson at Camp Blanding, Florida.

Pvt. Carl I. Vance was killed in action in England July 3.  He was inducted into the Army November 11, 1942 and sent to England in April of 1944.

Pfc. John Charles of Neshoba was wounded in the battle of Saipan.  He was wounded on July 12th and is now in a Navy hospital.

Seaman James McCorkle of the U. S. Navy, has been at home on a few days leave from Camp Wallace, Texas.  He left Thursday morning not knowing where he will be stationed next.

S/Sgt. Toxey McMahan came in on a 20 days furlough to visit his parents.  He is just back from Africa where he spent 28 months in the U. S. Army.

The Union Appeal - August 31, 1944

Jim Walton & Bill Houston, two of our last years high school graduates, have just finished boot training in the Navy and were back home this week on a few days leave.

A letter was received by Mrs. Velma Addy, mother of Private Gordon Addy from his commanding officer, Captain John W. Blaike of the 7th Infantry.  In it, he praises Pvt. Addy for his personal courage and able performance.

Pictured Left:  National D-Day Memorial, Bedford Co, VA

The Union Appeal - September 21, 1944

S/Sgt. Elmo M. Winstead, 23, the son of Mr. & Mrs. W. L. Winstead of Union, returned from service outside the continental United States.  Winstead, a B-26 engineer gunner, flew 49 missions during 19 months in England, winning the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with seven clusters.

S/Sgt. Percy W. Adams, son of Mr. & Mrs. John H. Adams of Union, is a Liberator gunner in the European theater.  He flew on 50 missions and was awarded the Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters and a personal citation.

The Union Appeal - September 28, 1944

Pfc. Leo Tomlin was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the Silver Star for gallant action in the Admiralty Islands during campaign.  During a four hour period under heavy Japanese fire he administered first aid to fourteen of his wounded comrades.  Pfc. Tomlin is the son of Mr. & Mrs. J. H. Crocker of Route 3, Union.

Sgt. Bill Winstead left this week for St. Petersburg, Florida, after spending a ten days furlough with his wife and baby at Little Rock.

The Union Appeal - October 12, 1944

Mr. & Mrs. Bennie Milling received a telegram from the War Department stating that their son, Pvt. Bennie Odell Milling was seriously wounded in action in France on August 13.  The last word they received from him that he is now in a hospital in England and will be there for a while.  Pvt. Milling has two brothers serving their country:  S/Sgt. Embry Bernard Milling and Orem Dollis Milling, MOMM 3/c.

Mr. & Mrs. Ned Boler have received word that their son, Pfc. Gordon Boler has arrived safely in France.

The Union Appeal - October 19, 1944

Gunnery Sgt. C. L. Lundy came in on a furlough to visit his father, J. P. Lundy.  He has just returned from the South Pacific, after 27 months overseas.  He has been in the Marine Corps seven years, this the first time he has been at home in six years.

Hubert A. Massengale, ARM2/c, has returned to Patuxent River, Maryland, Naval Air Station, where he is stationed, after spending a leave with his parents and friends around Union.

The Union Appeal - October 26, 1944

The Bronze Star has been awarded Staff Sergeant Toxey McMahan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac McMahan, Rt. 4, Union.  The award was made for participation in action in Africa where McMahan's bomber group helped Montgomery's 8th Army blast the Nazis out of Tripoli, Bengasi and Torbuk.

Lt. Bruner A. Lewis, son of Mr. G. W. Lewis of Union, is home from the Aleutians, in the Pacific, where he had been stationed the last two years.

The Union Appeal - November 2, 1944

Marine Pfc. John Charles Richardson, 21 year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Richardson of Union, has been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he received on Saipan when he was slashed by a Jap officer's saber as he lay asleep in a foxhole.  Richardson had spent 27 days routing Japs from caves and pillboxes on Saipan before he became a casualty.

The Army-Navy "E" award was formally presented to the management and employees of the Lebanon Shirt Co. here last Friday, when several representatives of the War Department, town officials and members of the surrounding community were present.

The Union Appeal - November 9, 1944

Mr. & Mrs. Walter F. Vance of Conehatta have been notified that their son, Pvt. Royce Vance, 19, was wounded in action in Italy on October 4th.  He has two older brothers in service, Cpl. Walter Lloyd Vance in the Pacific and Sgt. James Melborn Vance in France.

S-Sgt. Ethel C. Lewis of the Army Air Corps in Pratt, Kansas, and Lt. Breuner Lewis of the U. S. Army, who was stationed in the Aleutian Islands, were home on a recent furlough with their father, G. W. Lewis.

The Union Appeal - November 16, 1944

The Engineering Group of which T-Sgt. Herbert E. Worthen of Union is a member, has been commended for the reconstruction of a railroad bridge in France, while under fire from German artillery for 16 days.  Sgt. Worthen is the son of Mrs. G. S. Worthen.

Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Garrison of Union, Route 2, have been officially notified that their youngest son, Dorris Gwin Garrison, disappeared in a naval battle on October 24 and his fate is still unknown.  Garrison served aboard the USS Princeton, which was sunk by the Japanese in the Battle of Leyte.

The Union Appeal - November 23, 1944

Hit by shrapnel from an enemy artillery shell during fighting on the Siegfried Line in Germany, Pvt. Arthur D. Belk, 19, of Route 1, Union, is recovering from wounds of the right foot at a United States Army General hospital in England.  Pvt. Belt has been awarded the Purple Heart.

Pfc. John W. McBeath of Neshoba recently completed two years of overseas service with a veteran airborne aviation engineer company in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations.

Pictured Right:  John W. McBeath (middle back row) somewhere in Northern Africa

Dennis Herrington, who is in the Marine Corps, is at home on furlough.  His son, Corporal Kenneth Herrington, is also at home on a furlough from the Army.

The Union Appeal - November 30, 1944

Born to Pfc. and Mrs. Allan Clarke on November 25 a fine baby boy weighing eight pounds, named Allan Cameron Clarke.  Pfc. Clarke is in Holland with the U. S. Army.

Mr. G. W. Foster received a telegram from the War Department that his son, Sgt. Charles E. Foster, was wounded in Germany.  He is now in a hospital in England.

The Union Appeal - December 14, 1944

Corporal Frank Pinson of Fort Pueblo, Colorado is spending a 15 day furlough with friends and relatives in Union and Little Rock.

The Union Appeal - December 21, 1944

Sgt. & Mrs. V. O. Collins came in last week from Turner Field, Albany, Georgia, to spend the holidays with the home folks.

Private Harold Germany, wife and daughter are visiting his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Henry Germany of Union, Route 1.  Pvt. Germany is stationed at Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The Union Appeal - December 29, 1944

Miss Juanita McElhenney recently received a telegram from her brother, Pvt. William J. McElhenney, 19, stating that he had arrived safely in England with the 291st Infantry.  James is the oldest son of Mr. & Mrs. W. J. McElhenney of Decatur.

Haward Amis, of the U. S. Navy, who recently returned from action in the Pacific, is spending a few days leave with relatives and friends in the Greenfield community.  He was on one of the destroyers that were sunk in the naval battles of the Philippines.

The Union Appeal - January 4, 1945

Charles Raymond Viverette, son of Mr. and Mrs. Luther Viverette of Union, received his silver wings when he graduated as a second Lieutenant from Marfa Army Air Field.

Charles Ray Hunter, B. M. 2/c, of the U. S. Navy, son of Mr. Irby Hunter, came in this week on a 33 days leave.  Charles Ray has seen some action several times but says he has been lucky so far.

The Union Appeal - January 11, 1945

Little Rock  --  Pvt. Henry E. Johnson, one of this community's finest citizens was killed in the Battle of France on November 25.  An infantryman with General Patton's Third Army, he met his death on the battlefront near Nancy.  He is survived by three brothers:  Sgt. A. C. Johnson, who is serving in France;  Pfc. Joe Johnson with a chemical warfare unit in France since D-Day; and Master Sgt. Edsel F. Johnson Army Air Corps, who has been overseas since the invasion of North Africa.

According to a letter received here by Mr. H. L. Laird, Major Earl L. Laird was taken prisoner by the Germans in their big drive in December for two days, along with his hospital staff.  Friends are now glad to know he is safely back on the American side.

Hit in both legs by shrapnel from a German artillery shell during heavy fighting near Aachen, Germany, Sgt. Charles E. Foster of Union is now recovering at an Army Hospital in England.  Sgt. Foster, the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Foster, has been awarded the Purple Heart.

The Union Appeal - January 18, 1945

Morris Reagan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Reagan, came in this week on a furlough after spending many months in Africa and Italy with the 15th Air Force.

James Lamar Harrison, A.O.M. 2/c of the U. S. Navy and wife recently returned to Los Angeles, California, after spending a ten days leave with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Harrison of Neshoba and Mrs. J. J. Caraway of Hickory.

Pfc. William E. Stribling is spending a 15 days furlough with his wife and baby here in the home of O. A. Stribling.

Pictured Right:  National D-Day Memorial, Bedford Co, VA

The Union Appeal - February 1, 1945

Pvt. William Rainer and his elder brother, Pfc. Charles H. Rainer, of Union, are both members of the armed forces.  William, 19, is fighting in Italy.  Charles, 22, is now on duty at Barksdale Field in Louisiana.  Both men are graduates of Beulah Hubbard High School.

Willie H. French, AOM 3/c U.S.N.A.A.F., who is stationed at Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, is at home on a 16 days leave, is visiting relatives near Union.

The Union Appeal - January 25, 1945

Lt. Bruce Cleveland, son of Mr. and Mrs. I. L. Cleveland of Union, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Mrs. Ibra Cleveland has two sons, Cpl. Durwood Cleveland and Pvt. George "Hap" Cleveland, besides her son-in-law, Sgt. James . Cook, in the service.  Durwood has seen action since June of 1944, serving in France.  Hap has been serving in Italy since December of 1944 and Cook has been serving as an aerial gunner on bombing raids over Germany.

Lt. Wilson Fulton, son of Mid Fulton of Neshoba, has returned to the United States, having been injured while on duty with the Marines in the Pacific area.

The Union Appeal - February 8, 1945

W. A. Coursey of Decatur received a message from the War Department Tuesday that his son, W. A. Coursey, Jr. was killed in action in France on January 18.

Lt. Colonel Glenn D. Walker, husband of Mrs. Margaret Walker of Union, has been awarded a silver Star for gallantry in action.  Walker is a battalion commander with the 3th Infantry Division.

Pvt. Charles L. Mabry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Mabry, came in Tuesday on a furlough.  He spent nearly three years in Europe and North Africa with the U. S. Army.

The Union Appeal - February 23, 1945

Melburn R. Russell, S 1/c of Union, Route 2, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Russell and William C. Adams, S 1/c of Lawrence, son of Mrs. Opal Adams, met recently in the Philippines.  These two boys attended school together at Conehatta High School.

John Blanton received the sad news that his nephew, Roy Blanton, was killed in action in Germany on January 2.

Mrs. O. G. Walters of Union, Route 2, received a letter from her husband, Pvt. O. G. Walters, announcing his safe arrival in the Philippines.  He is a member of the 655th Field Artillery Battalion.

The Union Appeal - March 1, 1945

Roy L. Dorman, son of Mr. and Mrs. U. G. Dorman of Union, has been promoted to the rank of Captain.  He is presently fighting in the Philippines with the 472nd Field Artillery.  He hoped to meet his brother-in-law, Sgt. Ernest C. Huddleston, who is with the famous 43rd division on Luzon.  He also has a brother and another brother-in=law, Sgt. William E. Dorman and Pfc. Victor L. Huddleston who are on combat duty in the South Pacific.

Stafford Bankston, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clay Bankston, came in today on a furlough to visit his wife and parents.  He has just returned from the battle front in Europe.

The Union Appeal - March 15, 1945

Pfc. Onree Heflin came in this week on a 30-day furlough.  He just recently returned from the battlefield of Europe where he was wounded.  Pfc. Heflin is the son of Mr. B. M. Heflin of Union.

Tommie Jim Walton, S 1/c, of the U.S.Navy came in last week on a 23-days leave to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Walton.

Mrs. Glenn Walker left the past weekend to be with her husband, Lt. Colonel Glenn Walker, who is recuperating from war wounds at a government hospital in Topeka, Kansas.

The Union Appeal - March 22, 1945

Sergeant William Denver Wilson of Union is making it possible for the giant B-29 super fortresses to strike regularly at the hear of Japan's war industry.

Missing since November 23, 1944, Sgt. Charles D. Williams of Little Rock is now known to be a prisoner of war of the Germans.  His nephew, Lt. Billy Williams, lost his life in March 1943, while bombing Rotterdam.  His brother-in-law, Pvt. Herman Smith, is now fighting in Belgium.

Pfc. Glenn White came in Monday from Europe on a 30 days furlough.  Glenn has been in the Army for five years and has served 34 months overseas.  He has been wounded twice and had frost bitten feet.

The Union Appeal - March 29, 1945

Mrs. Bessie Lockley of Union received a telegram from the War Department that her son, Sgt. Major Dan H. Lockley, 25, was killed in action February 19 on Iwo Jima.  Dan was a member of the 4th Marine Division.

Pfc. Wesley E. Dempsey, the husband of Norma S. Dempsey of Decatur, has been awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in action against the enemy.  Pfc. Dempsey is now fighting in Germany with the 84th Infantry Division.

Mrs. Mildred Boler received word that her husband, Pfc. Gordon Boler, was slightly wounded in Germany on March 6.  Gordon is the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Boler.

The Union Appeal - April 5, 1945

Private William H. Rainer of Union, the son of Mrs. Lorada Rainer, is serving in an infantry unit that utilized every conceivable means of winter warfare in combating the Germans on the Fifth Army mountain front during the winter just ended.  He is presently serving in Italy.  Rainer is a rifleman serving in the 337th Regiment of the 85th Custer Division.

Mrs. Ludie Williams came in last week and subscribed The Appeal to be sent to her nephew, S/Sgt. Bill Williams, who has been stationed overseas for some 25 months, serving in Sicily, Italy and France.

Mr. Dennis A. Herrington, who has the unique distinction of having been honorably discharged from both World War I and II, is now liviing with his family in Union.  Mr. Herrington was recently discharged from the Marine Corps after three years of service.

The Union Appeal - April 12, 1945

S/Sgt. Charley B. Barnes, 28, of Union, is in Rome on rest leave there.  Overseas 19 months, Sgt. Barnes is with the 12th AAF and was employed at Peoples Bank as a teller before entering the Army in December of 1942.

Pvt. Selby H. McMahan, the oldest son of Mr. & Mrs. I. H. McMahan of Union, is now serving his country in Germany.  He has been overseas since November of 1944.  Pvt. McMahan has two brothers in service, Sgt. Maston H. McMahan also in Germany and Sgt. Toxey H. McMahan, who served 28 months overseas but is now based in Kansas.

Mrs. Selby Heflin of the city received a letter from her brother, Pfc. John Morgan, stating that he is a German prisoner.  This is the first news from her brother since the War Deparment reported him missing in action since December 19.  Pfc. Morgan was attached to the 22nd Signal Unit of the First Army until he was taken prisoner in Luxemburg.

The Union Appeal - April 19, 1945

Mrs. Howard Turner has received word that her husband, Pfc. Tommie H. Turner, is in a U. S. hospital somewhere in England, recovering from a leg wound received while fighting with the 1st Army in Germany.

Lt. Alan B. Cleveland, son of Mr. and Mrs. I. L. Cleveland of Union, has been transferred from the European front to India and has been promoted from Lieutenant to Captain in the Army Air Force.

Pfc. Robert O. Heflin has returned to a New Orleans hospital after spending a 30-day furlough at home.

The Union Appeal - April 26, 1945

Mr. and Mrs. G. N. Staton of Union have received a message from the War Department that their son, George N. Staton Jr. of the U. S. Marine Corps is missing in action in the service of his country somewhere in the Pacific.

Lt. E. L. Lewis and S/Sgt. Noble Germany saw each other in London after being separated for about three years.  The boys were students at Union High School together and were stars on the football team.

Following the sudden death of the late Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Vice-president Harry S. Truman was sworn in as chief executive.

A message has been received from the War Department that Sgt. Arthur C. Vance, 23, was killed in action on April 5 in Germany.

The Union Appeal - May 3, 1945

Sgt. J. B. Jones of Union is serving with an infantry division in Germany.  On June 6, 1944, he served with the famed 29th Infantry Division, taking part in one of the bloodiest and most heroic battles in U. S. military history.  Sgt. Jones is a graduate of Beulah Hubbard High School.

Mrs. R. F. Brown of Dixon brought to the Appeal office a hen egg that had the perfect letter "V" on it.  Mrs. Brown has two sons in the service, Pfc. Henry Brown and Pvt. Robbie C. Brown, Sr.

Lt. Raymond H. Livingston of Decatur has just returned from 32 months of overseas service.  He is the holder of several service ribbons including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

Mr. and Mrs. Willard Harrison of Little Rock are the parents of four boys, all in the armed services.  They are Hermon E. Harrison, S 1/c, age 24, who is now aboard a large tanker in the Pacific.  Pfc. William Leon Harrison, 22, has been in the South Pacific for the past 20 months with the 295th anti-aircraft artillery.  S/Sgt. Charlie Lewis Harrison, 21, is with the 3rd aircraft maintenance unit now in New Guinea.  Pvt. John Morris Harrison, 18, is now at an infantry replacement training center at Camp Wheeling, Georgia.  Mr. Millard Harrison was a veteran of World War I.

The Union Appeal - May 10, 1945

President Truman, in words of stern triumph and dedication, proclaimed defeat of a crushed Germany today and served notice on Japan that her doom is sealed.

Pfc. John Morgan, ex-prisoner of war, came in Saturday afternoon from Foster General Hospital in Jackson.  Morgan served 18 months overseas, four months was spent in a German concentration hospital.

Two Union boys, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Collins, are serving in the Army overseas, Verne Oree Collins is now in England.  Jenner Lee Collins landed in England, went to France and is now in Belgium.

The Union Appeal - May 17, 1945

Mrs. Charles L. Williams received a letter from her husband, an ex-prisoner of war, that he will be coming home soon.  He has been a German prisoner since November 23, 1944.

John T. Smith, S 1/c and James R. Smith, S 2/c of the U. S. Navy, sons of Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Smith of Union, recently met somewhere in the South Pacific.  Both of these boys attended Beulah Hubbard High School.

A Memorial service honoring ex-servicemen of all wars and all men in uniform will be held at the First Baptist Church Sunday, May 27.

The Union Appeal - May 24, 1945

Private George N. Staton was killed in action on March 7th and has been buried on the island of Iwo Jima.

Mrs. Mae Freeburgh received a phone call Monday from her son, S/Sgt. Charles H. Freeburgh was in New York after having been liberated from a German prisoner camp.  Sgt. Freeburgh was shot down over Germany on February 24, 1944.  He was a turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator.

Sgt. Nilon Hagan and Cpl. Andrew Claiborne Hagan are the only sons of Mrs. Dora Hagan and the late Andrew Hagan of Little Rock.  Nilon is serving with General Patton's Third Army and has earned the Bronze Star.  Andrew was serving with the 4th Engineers and participated in the invasion of France.  He was wounded in September of last year.

The Union Appeal - Thursday, May 31, 1945
Two Marine From Union Meet in Pacific
Pfc. Norman Bates and Pfc. Clay Gordon, school mates and life-long chums, were very happy when they met up with each other on an island in the South Pacific.  Pfc. Norman Bates, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Bates of Union, Miss., enlisted for service in the Marine Corps in September, 1942. He received his boot training in San Diego, Calif., trained there four months and without being given a furlough was sent overseas to the Pacific and has served on numerous islands in both the South and West Pacific.  Pfc. Clay Gordon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benton Gordon, after finishing high school in Union, also enlisted in the Marine Corps in Nov. 1943, and was sent to San Diego for boot training. After finishing his training he was given a short furlough then sent overseas to the Pacific. On landing there, he and Pfc. Bates chanced to meet and both were very thrilled to be fortunate enough to be together for awhile. They are now in the Okinawa operations.

England, VE Day -- Among the 185,000 men and women of the Eighth Air Force congratulated today by Lt. General James H. Doolittle were the following from Union:  Cpl. William F. Ware, Sgt. Malcolm E. Ferguson, Sgt. Percy Sessions, Pvt. Eddie J. Session, S/Sgt. Oree Collins, S/Sgt. Cecil B. Rhodes, Cpl. Royce W. Gordon, S/Sgt. Noble Germany and 1st Lt. Carl L. Tucker.  The Eighth dropped an average of a ton of bombs every minute of the last 12 months.

O. J. Gordon and his nephew, W. J. Gordon, brother and son of Earnest Gordon of Little Rock, had a happy meeting somewhere in the South Pacific.

The Union Appeal - June 7, 1945

Mr. E. Simmons received the following message from the War Department Wednesday of this week:  "The Secretary of War desires me to inform you that your son, Sgt. James C. Simmons returned to military control May 2nd, 1945."

1st Lt. R. T. Staton, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Staton, Sr., of Union, was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy April 10, 1945 in Germany.

Sgt. Willie O. Graham of Union has been awarded the Bronze Star for heroic action against the enemy in Belgium.

Cpl. Reuben Cleveland has arrived in San Francisco after spending about nine months in the South Pacific.  He is in a hospital where he is being treated.

The Union Appeal - June 14, 1945

Petty Officer 2/c Wilber R. Vance and Petty Officer Jack B. Vance of Union, Route 2, recently met in the Pacific.  They had not seen each other in three years.  Mr. and Mrs. Vance have another son, T-Sgt. John C. Vance, who is serving in Germany.

T-Sgt. 'Cub' Brunson, who has served several months with the 15th Air Force in Europe as a crew member of a bomber group, is spending a leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Brunson.  Sgt. Brunson has been wounded three times but is not being discharged from the service, since he is classified as essential.

The Union Appeal - June 21, 1945

Loyd Oneal Vance, S 1/c, Pho. M., son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Q. Vance, has received his wings from the U.S. Naval Air Gunners School, Jacksonville, Florida.  He is now awaiting further orders.

Major Jerry E. Rouse, 6th Armored Division, of Rt. 4, Union, recently was awarded the Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service.

Pvt. Amos Chaney, who was seriously wounded in the fighting in Europe, has returned to a government hospital in Oklahoma for a check up on his wounds.  He has been home in Union while convalescing.

Jack Russell, S 2/c, son of Mr. Mack Russell, came in last week for a 24 days leave from the Pacific

The Union Appeal - May 9, 1946

A memorial service for Howard Houston will be held at the Methodist Church Sunday night.  He went down with the Cruiser Indianapolis on July 30, 1945

Clay Gordon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benton Gordon, received his discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps last week after serving about two and one-half years, most of which he served in the Pacific war area.  He saw heavy action on Okinawa.

The Union Appeal - August 22, 1946

Junior Taylor, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Taylor of Union, came in last week with a discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps.  He was in service almost 20 months, most of which time was spent in the Pacific.  His duty was on the USS Yorktown (The Fighting Lady) and was in Tokyo Bay at the close of the war.

A special Thanks goes out to Mrs Etoile Rainer Sharp, whose faithful clipping of the below World War II era newspaper items provided us a wonderful history of the era.

Pictured Left:  National D-Day Memorial, Bedford Co, VA

Wounded in Action - PFC. Onree Heflin
Mrs. Cara Cleveland Heflin received word from the War Department that her husband, Pfc. Onree Heflin, was slightly wounded in action in France on November 13.
A Letter From Onree Heflin
The following is a sketch of a letter that Onree Heflin wrote to his wife:
I never did tell you anything about just before we left the States coming over. In fact I couldn't, up until now. When we left Camp Phillips, Kansas, we went up around through Canada and into Boston, Mass. We were at a camp named Miles Saddish, Mass. We were there for about a week, then we landed on a boat in Boston and sailed to Liverpool, England. We were on the water for 12 days and they were long days too, although the water was very quiet coming over. We were in a light storm for about 3 days. We got to Liverpool just before night one evening and stayed on the boat until the next morning. We unloaded and were put on a train and sent about 35 miles from Liverpool, near a town named Manchester. We were there for about six weeks. Then we loaded up and started south. We went almost to the English Channel. Then we stopped there for about a week. While we were there the invasion came. The night of the invasion some of us were up. The air was full of planes all night long and you could hear a long distance roar from our big guns and bombs. Then in about two days we were sent on to the English Channel to a town named Southampton. We were there about two days and then we got the boat. The boat was a large landing craft, and across the Channel we went. We were on the boat for about 30 hours, then we were in France, and about 3 days later we were at the front lines, and we are still there. But a lot has happened since that day to the 79th Division. We have been up at the front for 35 days now and we have enough to eat, such as it is. All we need is a prayer ever once in a while.  I saw Shelby the other day and he is O. K. I also got a letter from Billie and he is still in England. Take it easy and I'll be seeing you and Janet.
Yours, Onree

Union Soldier Receives Qualification Badge - Cpl. Thurman E. Sharp
The following letter was received by Cpl. Thurman E. Sharp from his commanding officer:
Fort Benning, GA.
10 November, 1944

Tec. 5 Thurman E. Sharp
Medical Det. Sect. 1
Transportation Section,
I wish to congratulate you upon being awarded the Motor Vehicle Qualification Badge, which you are now authorized to wear. This badge has been awarded to you for your demonstrated ability and the excellent performance of your duties, an achievement for which you should fee proud.An entry of this qualification has been made in your service record and has become a permanent part of your military record. Your Detachment Commander thanks you for the fine work you have done in earning this award and urges you to continue your effort toward winning the war.
John B. Joyner
Major, MAC, Commanding

Cpl. Thurman E. Sharp is the son of Mr. And Mrs. Luther Sharp, Union, Miss., Rt. 4, and entered the Army on Nov. 11, 1942, going to Fort Benning, Ga., from Camp Shelby, where he has remained ever since, being transferred three times in the same camp. Cpl. Sharp also wears the Good Conduct Medal, which he received about 18 months ago. His wife, the former Miss Etoile Rainer, resides with the soldier's parents, and has been an employee of the Lebanon Shirt Co. For the past four years.

Cpl. Thurman Sharp, who is stationed at Fort Benning, Ga., spent Christmas with his wife and other relatives here.

Prisoner For Two Days - Major Earl L. Laird
According to a letter received here from Major Earl L. Laird by his parents, Mr. And Mrs. H. L. Laird, he was taken prisoner by the Germans in their big drive in December and was held prisoner for two days along with his hospital staff. Friends are glad to know that he is now back safely on the American side.

Returns From Overseas - Major Earl L. Laird
Major Earl L. Laird came in the first of the week from Europe, where he served about 18 months, and was on his way to Camp Shelby, where he hopes to get a leave of absence to visit friends and relatives.

Serves Aboard U.S.S. Stoddard - Ned E. Chamblee, S 2-c
Ned E. Chamblee S 2/c of the U. S. Navy, is serving aboard the U.S.S. Stoddard on duty with the 3rd Fleet. His wife, the former Christine Rushing, and six months-old son make their home with the former's parents in Union.

Grover Hanson Killed In Airplane Crash
Grover Hanson, A.M.M. 2/c, of the U. S. Navy, son of Mr. And Mrs. Royal Hanson of Union, was killed instantly last Thursday, Nov. 8, in a naval plane crash at Pensacola, Florida Air Base, where he and a companion crashed soon after their take-off for a routine flight.  Grover entered the U. S. Navy August 20, 1943. He was home the last time about two months ago at which time he spent eighteen days leave. He was twenty years of age at the time of his death and was killed while serving his country.  One brother preceded him in death. Left to mourn his passing are the following: His mother and father, three sister, Miss Norma Hanson, Mrs. Octavie Payne, and Mrs. Eris Loper; four brother, Bill Hanson, Harold Hanson, Raymond Hanson, and Cpl. Brady Leon Hanson, who is with the armed forces in France. Final rites were held Sunday, Nov. 11, at 2:30 P. M. From Mount Zion Methodist Church with Rev. Jodie Moore in charge of the service. The following naval men in uniform acted as pall bearers: Reabon Adams, M. S. Horton, Norman Harris, O'Neal Vance, Jim McNair, and Morris Barnett. The flag draped casket was lowered to rest after Seaman Adams, who escorted his former buddy's remains from Florida, presented the grief-stricken mother the flag of the United States. Interment was in Beach Springs cemetery, beside his brother. Many beautiful flowers covered Grover's final resting place. Union Funeral Home was in charge.

From Somewhere in France
January 17, 1945
Hello Mr. And Mrs. Edwards and Kids,
Well, at last I have got around to dropping you a few lines once more. I hope this finds all of you in the best of health and enjoying life to the utmost. I have just finished writing Nell and I had some more time so I continued to write. To begin with I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, for the package you mailed to me, although it was a little late getting here. But a lot of my buddies are getting their presents late.  I hope you folks are not having the kind of weather there that we have here. The temperature stays down around twenty and lower and I haven't seen the ground now for three weeks. I'm telling you it's pretty tough to have to get up in the middle of the night and go fix a broken telephone line, especially when the Jerries have the area under shell fire and he usually does. But you would be surprised to see how we work. I guess after so long, you get used to it. I guess all of you have been keeping up with the news from over there, especially the Seventh Army front. Well, we have had a few tough battles but the situation is pretty well in hand now. Some of these days I'll tell you all about it, I wish I could now but it's impossible. Well so much for that.  I had a letter from Dr. Laird the other day and he seemed to be very happy because I had written to him earlier. He said that during the recent counter offensive of the Germans, that he and his whole hospital, patients too, were prisoners of war for two days. But other forces fought their way back to them and they manage to get away safely. I sure was proud to hear that.  How are things back home these days? Is business still good? I sure would like to be there and find out for myself for a change. I guess a lot of the men are getting scarce since they are tightening up on the draft board. Well to win this war we have got to have men from some place, for to my great sorrow I have seen a lot that had to pay the supreme price.  Well, Mary, Jack, and Bonnie, how are you tonight? Wish I were there to give each of you a big hug tonight. But don't worry, I'll be back to see you some day. How is "Little Stan", and Sallie? I bet he is as pretty as a picture.  I will close for tonight, wishing all of you the best of luck.
Love, Durward Cleveland

In Memory of George N. Staton, Jr.
Son of Mr. And Mrs. G. N. Staton of Union, Miss., who was killed in Action on Iwo Jima while serving with the 5th Division of the U. S. Marine on March 7th, 1945
He died in the line of duty,
The stars were still his goal,
And he took with him way up in Heaven -
My very heart and soul.
He fought with the faith that was taught him
Tyranny he'd help to destroy,
And he gave his life for his country-
A true Marine, and he was my boy.
He saw only the beauty around him,
His outlook, not like any other,
His life he lived purely and simple,
And I'm proud to say, "I was his mother."
I'll not grieve ‘cause I'll see him no longer,
I'll keep smiling no matter the cost,
For I'm happy in having the knowledge,
That Heaven has gained what I lost.
Mother

Received His Navy "Wings Of Gold" - Guy Lafayette Tucker, Jr.
Guy Lafayette Tucker, Jr., son of Mr. And Mrs. G. L. Tucker of Union, won his Navy "Wings of Gold" and was commissioned an Ensign in the Naval Reserve this week following completion of the prescribed flight training course at the Naval Air Training Center, Pensacola, Fla.  Having been designated a Naval Aviator, Ensign Tucker will go on active duty at one of the Navy's air operational training centers before being assigned to a combat zone.

Pictured Right:  Somewhere in North Africa, John W. McBeath (U.S. Army Air Force Airborne Engineer Aviation Co. - WWII)

Brothers In Service
Cpl. Robert Haskle French / Willie Howard French, S. 2/c
Robert Haskle is serving with the U. S. Army. He entered service September 10, 1942, and is now somewhere in England. He says that he has seen lots of the world and hopes to see more before he returns. Willie Howard is in the Navy. He entered service June 18, 1943, and is stationed at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. These are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest French of Union, Route 2.

Union Boys Meet In London
Lt. E. L. Lewis and S/Sgt. Noble Germany see each other in London after being separated for about three years. Lt. Lewis, a nephew of Mrs. W. F. Childres, formerly of Union, serves as glider pilot and has been overseas for about two years. Sgt. Germany, son of Mrs. Ruth Germany of Union, serves with the Eighth Air Force, based in England. He has been awarded the Air Medal for "Meritorious Achievement: in accomplishing with distinction several aerial operational missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe. These boys were students of Union High School together and were stars on the football team. They graduated in 1940.

Rescued From Japanese Prison - Wilburn Lockley
Mrs. Dan Lockley received a cablegram from her son, Wilburn, on the island of Guam, stating that he had been rescued from Japan as a prisoner of war and was on his way home by plane. Wilburn fought on Bataan and Corrigedor and has been a prisoner for over three years. He was with the U. S. Marines. Friends in Union will rejoice with Mrs. Lockley for this good news. Another son of Mrs. Lockley, Dan Jr., gave his life in the fighting at Iwo Jima and is buried on that island, while still another son, Moodye Lockley, is stationed somewhere in the Pacific.

Brothers Meet In Pacific
Petty Officer 2/c Wilber R. Vance and Petty Officer 2/c Jack B. Vance, sons of Mr. And Mrs. Porter Vance of Union, Rt. 2 met recently in the Pacific. They had not seen each other in three years. Wilber R. Vance volunteered in the Navy in August 1942 and received his boot training at San Diego, Calif. He served as gunner's mate aboard the aircraft carrier, U. S. S. Core in the Pacific until October 1944. Later being transferred to the Pacific. Jack was inducted into the Navy in October 1943, and received his boot training at San Diego, Calif. He then entered radar school and received further training at Treasure Island, Calif., and Seattle, Wash. He has been U. S. S. Smalley in the Pacific for the past 14 months. His wife, the former Miss Opal Ezell, is residing in Meridian, Miss. Mr. And Mrs. Vance have another son, T-Sgt. John C. Vance, who was inducted into the Army in April 1942, and is now somewhere in Germany. His wife is the former Miss Sarah Blackburn of Conehatta, Miss.

Lt. Col. E. M. Smith Writes From Belgium
Belgium, March 4, 1945
Dear Newton County Friends,
I have thought for several weeks that I would find time to write a few lines (via the press) to you people who have been so kind to me in years gone by. I appreciated receiving Christmas Greetings from some of you, even if it was in January when I received most of them. Nothing is appreciated more than news from home. Mrs. Smith sends the Newton Records and the Union Appeal to me and I never fail to read every word of them. There are so many things that I would like to tell you, but for security reasons, I am limited to what I write. I will state, however, that I have seen enough of Europe to satisfy any desire that I may have ever had to see it. I have seen service in England, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, and Germany. I have seen the horrors of war in these countries that one would have to see in order to know just what the present war is like. The people over here seem to be very glad to see the American soldiers. I shall never forget moving through a Belgium city of about 15,000 population one Sunday afternoon last October. I saw more U. S. Flags being waved that afternoon than I have ever seen before or since then. The natives had made U. S. Flags of scraps of cloth, paper, or anything they could get that was Red, White, and Blue. Most of the flags had the correct number of stripes but I think the number of stars varied from twenty to forty. I remarked to a friend of mine that they had made an honest effort to make a U. S. Flag. Several times when my vehicle had to traffic in the street I passed through in October, due to the demolished buildings that had fallen in the street. I could hear the explosions from the weapons of war as Hitler's armies were being pushed out of the Ardennes Forest by the American armies, I thought of the poor civilians who greeted us as we passed through there in October. I wish I had not been language lazy when I was in school. However, twenty years ago, I had no idea that I would be in Europe in 1945 or that I would ever be here. French seems to be the most universal language in Europe. I have a small book of English-French conversation that I take a glance at occasionally. I have learned to say "Sil vous plait" (please) and "merci" (thank you), plus a few other words and phrases. I hope it will be only a short time before I will not need to know a foreign language in order to talk with civilians. I think the thing that makes me the most furious is to read an article stating that a coal mine, defense plant, etc., back in the states is closed due to a strike. I believe if those people were over here with us for one week they would be glad to get back to their jobs and work many more hours than they are working for food and clothing only as pay for their work. I do not mean to infer that you people are not sacrificing plenty, and I can not understand how any group of people would have the nerve to quit vital war work. I know that I had better get off this subject before I blow my top. I have not seen a person from Newton County since I left there. I am sure that many Newton County boys are on this front but things happen so fast it would be almost the impossible to contact a friend. I think I could write a book but I must close. I hope that we can all soon return to our homes and loved ones and enjoy a World Peace. With best wishes to each of you. I am, Sincerely, Ernest M. Smith

Four Brothers In Service
Mr. and Mrs. Millard Harrison of Little Rock, Miss., are the parents of four sons all in the armed forces. Three are serving overseas in the Pacific theater and one on duty in the states. Left to right they are as follows: Hermon E. Harrison, S 1/c, ag 24 years, who is now aboard a large tanker in the Pacific, was inducted in May of 1944. He trained at Camp Wallace, Texas, before going overseas in September, 1944. He has taken part in the battles of the Philippines and Iwo Jima. His wife, the former Miss Louise Ritchie, is employed by Rhodes Perdue Furniture Co., of Mobile, Alabama and resides with her parents in that city. Pfc. William Leon Harrison, age 22, has been in the South Pacific for the past 20 months with the 295th anti-aircraft artillery. He was inducted on Dec. 28, 1942 and completed his basic training at Fort Eustis, Va., before going to Hawaii for combat instructions. He took part in the battle of Leyte Island and writes his parents that the going there was rough for several weeks. He has never been given a furlough since his induction. S/Sgt. Charlie Lewis Harrison, age 21 years, is with the 3rd aircraft maintenance unit (floating) and is now in New Guinea. He was inducted in April of 1943 and received his training at St. Petersburg and Miami Beach, Fla., Amarillo Air Field, Amarillo, Texas, Chanute Field, Illinois, Patterson Field, Ohio, Daniel Field, Augusta, Ga., Brookley Field and Point Clear, Alabama, before going overseas in January of this year. Pvt. John Morris Harrison, the 18 year old son, entered the army on February 1 of this year and is now at an infantry replacement training center at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, for his basic training after which he expects to come home on a 15-days furlough. They have one sister, Dorothy, 15 years old who is at home with her parents helping them carry on while the boys are away helping to win the war. Mr. Harrison is a veteran of World War I, having spent six months overseas on the battlefields of France and was on the border of Belgium when the armistice came. So he can understand, in part at least, what his four sons are up against.

T/Sgt John C. Vance Writes From Germany
Mr. and Mrs. Porter Vance of Union, Route 2, have received the very interesting letter from their son, T/Sgt. John C. Vance, who is in Germany. It is as follows:
June 9, 1945
Tann, Germany
Dear Folks,
I hope these few lines find everybody feeling good. I am fine. I have had a bad cold, but it is better now. We have been.... He was stationed right on the top of the highest mountain in Germany and had every thing up there. He and his associates had their homes there. They had enough SS men there to guard a whole country almost. They had a post office, laundry, bakery, nursery, garage, cafes, and there was only one way to get up there. They said he left there one day, and it was bombed the next. Boy, they really tore it up. Some kids were around there who had some post cards of the place before it was bombed and it sure looked like a wonderful place, but it's far from that now. In Hitler's home he had a big window he always passed by when he had his picture made. It was one whole side of the building, and from it you could see the whole town of Bertesgaden below, all over the valley. There was b beautiful lake and river there in the valley. We went boat riding on the lake and on each side the cliffs were straight up for hundreds of feet to the top of the mountain. They called one of the cliff's "Lover's Leap." They said it was a very usual thing for disappointed lovers to climb to the top and jump from the cliff. It was straight down 3,000 feet. On the trip we saw Hitler's, Goring's, Himmler's and Von Ribbentrop's homes. Then on another trip, I went to a big lake called Chimsee. Out in the lake was an island on which King Ludenigs II had his castle. We went through it, and it was the most elaborate thing I've ever seen. It was said that he visited Louis XIV palace in Paris, and liked it so well he went back to Bavaria, and said he was going to surpass it. He spent 30 million dollars, and only finished 14 out of its 60 rooms. Blue was his favorite color and it stood out all through the place. Everything was either made of gold and silver or painted that color which looked the same. They said it took 7,000 women 8 years to do the needle work on the draperies and curtains. The floor was of lightly polished hardwood with inlays of rosewood. Of all the figures in it all were done by hand. The chandeliers were of enormous size. They held from 50 to 150 candles each and were made of porcelain, ivory and crystal glass. He had a bouquet of glass flowers on his dining table that looked so real you could almost smell them. The chandelier that hung over that table was the biggest one-piece one in the world. It was made of Venetian glass that held 150 candles, and they said he destroyed the mold when it was finished to keep it from being copied. The most outstanding room of the palace was the ball room. It was 100 meters (38 ˝ in perimeter) long and on one side it was the windows. The other side was made completely of mirrors. It had 48 hanging chandeliers and 44 that stood on the floor. It took 2,300 candles to light the room. The roof of the room as well as the rest of them, had artistic paintings all over them. The....describe. From this place we went to Munich. There we saw another bomb flattened the city. It was once a very beautiful place tho, you could tell. Here we saw Hitler's palace and all his favorite palces in town. Back in 1923 the Nazi party got in a gun battle with the police of the town and Hitler just missed getting killed. 16 of his followers did die in the battle. It all started in a big beer hall right at the beginning of the up rise of the Nazi party and ended at his palace where he buried the 16 men that got killed. We went to a park which used to be world known place. It was called "The English Gardens," but it wasn't much. It had been bombed and torn up a great deal. Just before we got into Munich we saw the remainder of the German air force. It was along the big four laned auto bound highway which they had used for landing strips. Most of the planes had been shot up or burned, but they had all kinds, shape, form and fashion. There was a string of them on both sides for about ten miles. They said they were completely out of gas and oil. While I was away on this trip last Sunday, Bernard Milling came to see me. I sure hated to have missed him, but he left word where he was located, and it might be that I can see him later. We are still wondering what we're going to do. My news is gone, so I'll close. Hoping to see you soon. Love, Cortez

Pvt. R. C. Smith In Marine Corps
Pvt. R. C. Smith, son of Mr. And Mrs. R. F. Smith of Union, left for the Marines June 8, 1944. He received his basic training at San Diego, California and came home on a 10 day leave the 16th of August. He went back to Camp Pendleton, California for his overseas training. He has received his training and is waiting to be moved. Two other Union boys, "Woo" Jeffcoat and Odell Ezell went to the Marines with him. He says the Marines are okey.

Pictured Left:  Schofield Barracks, Island of Oahu, Hawaiian Islands,  US Army Soldiers of the 325 AAA S/L B/n, Hq Battery, WWII

Sgt. Charles D. Williams
The War department has notified Mrs. Marjoree Smith Williams, of Little Rock, that Dewitt Williams has not been seen since November 23, when he was fighting inside Germany. He is an infantryman. Inducted into service on November 11, 1942, Sgt. Williams received training at Camp Adair, Oreg; Camp Horn, Ariz; and Camp Carson, Colo. He landed in France last September 7 and from that front, went on through Holland and Belgium and into Germany. St. Williams is father of a baby girl, Sammie Kate, who was born last September 2, a few days before he landed overseas. His parents, Mr. & Mrs. James Williams of Little Rock have paid and are still paying a heart-breaking price for defense of the homeland. One son, Lt. Hulon Williams, was killed in a plane crash occurring in Wisconsin on June 24, 1942; and a grandson, lt. Billy Williams, of Ft. Worth, Texas, lost his life in March, 1943, while bombing Rotterdam, Holland.

Killed In Action - Pvt. Carl I. Vance
Prt. Carl I. Vance was killed in action in England, July 3, 1944. He was inducted in the Army Nov. 11, 1942. He took his basic training at Ft. Benning, Georgia and Camp Siburt, Ala., and was sent to England in April, 1944. Pvt. Vance is survived by his mother, Mrs. Florence Vance of Union; three sisters, Maudie Vance also of Union, Mrs. Mildred Andrews and Mrs. Lessie McDill of Conehatta; one brother Pvt. W. R. Vance of Camp Barkeley, Texas.

Twice Wounded
Pfc. Irvin Lamar Chaney, of Little Rock, was slightly wounded on December 12, fighting in France, says an official message just received by his wife, Mrs. Maurine Smith Chaney, also of Little Rock. This is the second time the soldier has been listed as a battle casualty, having been seriously wounded last July 5, also in the Battle of France. He has been awarded the Purple Heart medal. Pfc. Chaney was inducted into the army on June 2, 1942, at Camp Shelby, Assigned to the 79th Infantry Division, he was trained at Camp Pickett, Va,; Camp Blanding, Fla., and on maneuvers in Tennessee, California, and Arizona. His unit left the States last March and immediately went into combat on arriving in the European Theater of War. The soldier is a son of F. S. Chaney, of Little Rock. His brother, Pvt. John K. Chaney, is also in the army and is now overseas.

Two Union Friends Meet In Honolulu.
Kenneth F. Lewis, S 1/c, son of Mr. And Mrs. C. G. Lewis; J. D. Leeke, Jr., S 2/c, son of Mr. And Mrs. J. D. Leeke.

Wounded In Action
Mrs. Allan Clarke has received word from the War Department that her Husband, Pfc. Allan Clarke was slightly wounded in action in Germany on Nov. 21.

Wounded Union Soldier Recovering At Hospital In England
The 131st General Hospital, England - Hit in both legs by shrapnel from a German artillery barrage during the heavy fighting near Auchen, Germany, Sergeant Charles E. Foster, 28, of Union, Mississippi is now recovering at this United States Army general hospital in England. His ward surgeon, First Lieutenant Walter J. Alves of Guntersville, Alabama, said, "Sgt. Foster is making a rapid recovery and will return to duty soon." Sgt. Foster, an infantry communications sergeant, said, "I was on a wiring mission repairing telephone connections severed during a heavy artillery barrage. I was hit when a shell landed nearby. "A medic reached me immediately and carried me to cover, " said Sgt. Foster, "after receiving emergency treatment at several field hospitals, I was brought to England." Sgt. Foster is the son of Mr. & Mrs. W. G. Foster of Union. He has been awarded the Purple Heart.

Wounded in Germany
Mr. W. G. Foster received a message from the War Department Sunday that his son, Sgt. Charles E. Foster, was wounded in Germany on Nov. 17. He is now in a hospital in England, according to a letter he just received from him.

A Letter From Norman Bates
The following letter was received by Mr. & Mrs. Tom Bates from their son Norman, who is now on Guam, and as you will see from the letter has been about over the Pacific quite a bit.
Guam, August 4, 1944
My Dearest Folks,
Well, Dear Mom, at long last I can write you a few lines and let you learn about me. I have been around quite a bit since I last wrote you. You probably saw by the top of this sheet as to where I am. The initial landing saw me safely on the beach of Guam. You should see the big head on me. Ha! I've always heard so much about it and now I know about it. The island as yet isn't nearly secured but it's not half as dangerous as it was. Mother, I've never seen so many dead Japs in my life. They seemed to be stacked five high. I can tell you now some of the places I've seen so far is, New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, Russell Island, Marshall Islands, Green Islands, and now the big island of Guam. Getting around a little bit, huh? I knew you would be worrying if I didn't get you a letter, but I do want you to quit worrying so much. I am one of the finest kind. If you see Audrey or Kat or any of my correspondents, try to explain to them why I haven't written and I promise to make up for lost time when I have a little more time. You need not expect to hear from me quite as much for a while yet. This is a real nice island, I wouldn't mind being stationed here for a while. I don't know. Be sure and ...with the ones I've been writing. I'll close for now. Hoping you are in the best of health. Love, Norman.

Army-Navy "E" Presentation at Lebanon Shirt Company
A most cordial invitation is issued to the entire community of Union, Mississippi to attend the....Ceremony of the Army-Navy....duction Award to the....management of the Lebanon Shirt Company for Excellence....Production. The ceremony will take place at the Lebanon Shirt Company Plant on Friday, October 27, 1944 at.... if the weather is fair. If it is rain, admission will be by ticket issued to employees only because of the limited indoor space. The Lebanon Shirt Company Management and Employees

With Our Boys In Service
** 15th AAF in Italy - Private First Class Morris H. Reagan of Union, Mississippi, who is serving with an AAF B-17 Flying Fortress wing headquarters squadron in Italy, has been awarded the Good Conduct Medal. Overseas for the past 19 months, Pfc. Reagan is the son of Mr. And Mrs. T. C. Reagan of Union. According to the published order, Pfc. Reagan was given the Good Conduct Medal "for having honorably completed one year of active Federal Service after December 7, 1941, and having been recommended by his squadron commander for exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity." The presentation was made by Major J. R. Deming, Lakeland, Ohio, squadron commander.
** Corsicana, Texas, June 27, 1944 - Aviation Cadet Jack Howle has just arrived at Corsicana Field from the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center, San Antonio, Texas as a member of Class 45A. A/C. Howle has been assigned for primary flight training to the 2552nd AAF Base Unit, commanded by Major Leonard S. Dysinger. Corsicana Field is the site of one of the many Primary Flying Schools in the Army Air Forces Central Flying Training Command. This man is the son of Mr. & Mrs. W. P. Howle of Union.
** A native of Little Rock, Newton County, Miss., Lt. Col. Ernest M. Smith, has been assigned as executive officer of Combat Command "B", 16th Armored Division, Camp Chaffee, Ark., it was announced today by the division's public relations office. Colonel Smith was transferred to the armored division from the Tennessee maneuver area where he was in command of a tank battalion. Commissioned in 1928, he was promoted to first lieutenant in 1931, captain in 1935, major in 1942, and his present rank last year. The new CC "C" commander held the position of Newton County Superintendent of Education before starting his Army career. He is a graduate of Newton County Agricultural High School and Mississippi State College and attended Peabody College, Nashville, Tenn., while working on a Masters degree. Col. Smith is the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Smith, Union, Miss. and has one daughter, Ruby Carolyn.

Shirt Co. Employees Enjoy Big Picnic
There was a big time in the old town of Union Tuesday when the employees of the Lebanon Shirt Company held a gala Fourth of July picnic at the American legion grounds at Decatur. One hundred soldiers of the Key Field Army Air Base, Meridian, were invited as guests to join in the festivities. The son shone down happily on 1,000 people and everyone joined in the fun. Games of all kinds, including contests, were featured and generous prizes of war stamps and bonds were awarded winners of the games and contests. Marshal L. W. Vance of Union acted as judge of the games while Mayor H. G. Stamper, C. S. Jenkins, S. O. Taylor, Mr. Ganns, Government Inspector, and Cpl. Nate Krouse were judges of the bathing beauty contest. The winning contestants and prizes awarded for each contest are as follows. Wheel Barrow Race - Cpl. Natt Krouse, Key Field, Meridian, $5; Sue Barnes, Lebanon Shirt Company, $5, Hilda Cleveland, Lebanon Shirt Company $5; Johnnie Kilpatrick, Lebanon Shirt Company, $5. Three Legged Race - Private Bob Brooks, Key Field, Meridian, $5, Opal Harris, Lebanon Shirt Company, $5, Maudie Vance, Lebanon Shirt Company, $5, David Ezell, Union $5. Sack Race - Cpl. Doyal Pinkston, $5. Pie Eating Contest - Bill Hanson, Union, Miss. $5. Bathing Beauty Contest - 1st place, Arietta Vance, $25 War Bond, 2nd place Evelyn McBeath $10, 3rd place, Sara Hudnall $5. There were heaps of delicious fried chicken, sandwiches, popcorn, hamburgers, hot dogs and cold drinks served throughout the day. The food committees are to be commended for the successful manning of the tables for the two complete picnic meals for the large crowd. The entertainment included a square dance led by the Cleveland Band, made up of Weldon Cleveland, Clint Driskell, Wilson Rowell, Duffee Jenkins, Joe Cleveland and Ned Cleveland. The dance music was furnished by the well known Jerry Lane Orchestra of Jackson, with a fine professional floor show during the evening consisting of a master of ceremonies; a dancer; the Burlap Sisters; a comedy ace of three men; two numbers by the band; a trombone solo by Jerry Lane; a feature piano number; two number by Martha Glamour, vocalist. Fun continued all day and ended at midnight in time for the tired but happy soldiers to return to their base. All the soldiers agreed that they enjoyed themselves tremendously, and indicated their appreciation of the fine time and hospitality extended by Union residents.

Pictured Right:  National D-Day Memorial, Bedford Co, VA

Union Boy Writes From Luxembourg
The following letter was received from S/Sgt. William F. (Pete) Evans, by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Evans, of Union:
November 3, 1944
Somewhere in Luxembourg
My Dear Mother & Dad:
This is another beautiful, cold morning, in fact my ears are burning now from the result of being out in the cold. We are very fortunate to be sleeping in a hay loft instead of holes in the ground. I can just see some people back home complaining because they don't have enough gas or they don't get enough meat to eat. I am even thankful that I have a barn to sleep in and this does protect us to a great extent. I have learned not to always have everything that people at home call essential things of life. We learn to live on the bare necessities of life and then are most thankful for life as it is. We do get enough to eat and our clothes are the warmest kind. I think that I shall always be thankful for just the bare necessities of life if I only return home. We Americans have plenty, as I can plainly notice from just glancing around here. Sometimes these people only eat once a day and then their meal is bread and potatoes. They work and toil practically all day long and then they only exist on what they can possibly get by with. They were perhaps happy before the war wrecked their homes and they perhaps thought that no power on earth would ever be able to destroy their homes. Many of them will have to start life anew and have everything to begin over again. Their lives are wrecked-their families in distress. America should be more than thankful that our nation has not been trod under and that our homes and buildings are still standing. God has certainly blessed our wonderful country and shall continue to bless her if we will remain as His children. (We cannot forsake God.) Job said, "Tho God slay me I will not curse Him." If our nation brings a curse upon God and forgets his divinity then we shall suffer for our sins by seeing our nation over-run, but let us pray that this shall never happen. We are a gifted nation and a gifted nation should give unto their giver all the praise and honor that is due. "Render tribute unto whom tribute is due." "Praise unto whom praise is due." I wonder many times myself if I, as an individual, in such a great nation as ours, if I render my praise unto God as the founder of our home. Certainly just to place my feet on American soil would be a gifted pleasure and many other boys would think the same thing, for our nation offers so much to the individual. Here the individual has no part in living his own life but he only listens to someone else who gives this rule, "What is yours is mine, and what's mine is mine." God hasten the day when the world shall be freed from ungodliness and retu