USA > Indiana > Lake County > History Of Veterans Of Foreign Wars (1944) > Part 11
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Private Riehl enlisted in the army air forces in 1939 after graduating from Whiting high school. Upon completing his training, he was sent to Hawaii, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Riehls recently were notified that all traces of the plane or its fate had vanished. Aboard the plane were six other crew mem- bers and a major, all of whom are believed to have perished.
The youth's father is a past district com- mander of the American Legion.
MATTOON IS SERGEANT
Mattoon
Hammond Times, July 4, 1943
Roy E. Mattoon, 248 Vine street, Ham- mond, has been promoted from technician, 4th class to sergeant in the communications division, army infantry. He has been in service for a year and nine months and spent sixteen months of that time in the Hawaiian islands, recently moving to another post in the Pacific. Mattoon is a graduate of Hammond Tech and is a former employe of Inland Steel.
IN PANAMA CANAL ZONE
Don L. Olson
Hammond Times, July 2, 1943
Don L. Olson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Olson, 549 Highland street, Hammond, now holds a rating as a motor machinist's mate, second class, in the navy. Don enlisted on January 2 of this year and is now stationed in the Panama Canal zone. His parents last had direct word from Don on June 21, his birth- day, when he telephoned to them over long distance. A three-day leave he obtained a few weeks ago allowed him to visit Miami, Fla., Don told his parents.
Page One Hundred and three
WILLIAM ROSEBERRY SURVIVES WITH FROZEN FEET Attu Horrors Told in Letter from Soldier
Hammond Times, June 27, 1943
W. Roseberry
The heroic story of Yankee soldiers who battled with the Japs in the Aleutian islands in the freezing cold weather last month to recapture the islands after more than a week of painful fighting, with the feet of nearly every American warrior swollen and throb- bing from the damp and cold, was told in un- emotional, precise terms by Pfc. William Roseberry of Hammond, in a letter to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Roseberry, 6718 Leland avenue.
"Dear mother and father," the letter said: "It sure is good to be back in the United States again. I didn't think I'd see the U.S.A. again for a long time to come. But I got frozen feet while I was at Attu fighting with the Japs, and they sent me home with some others to recuperate.
"Believe me, that was a battle, but we have the island well in American hands now. We left Adak on May 14, and got to Attu, May 17, and then on the 18th we made the attack.
"We ran them up into the mountains and we kept after them until we got them down close to the bay. There were quite a few wounded and some killed. My lieutenant and four other men in our platoon were killed. My lieutenant ducked from being hit by a hand grenade and a Jap sniper shot him in the back. It is not a good sight to see your buddies go like that. We even had to shoot "dead" Japs again to make sure that they were dead, because otherwise they would "play possum" and when we'd pass them, they'd get up and let us have it.
"I got about 10 Japs and I shot some that were playing dead. On the 24th of the month, I went to the first aid station because my feet were frozen, and they transferred me to a ship, where there were quite a few others with the same trouble, a lot from my company.
"On the 26th we sailed to Adak, picked up some more patients, and left some there that were feeling better. I didn't get off because my feet were kind of bad. I couldn't walk on them for a while.
"We sailed on to the States, and I was sure glad to get here."
Young Roseberry, now stationed in Texas after his release from the San Francisco mili- tary hospital, where he recovered from his battle scars, is expected home next week.
EDWARDS IN CHINA
E. Edwards
Hammond Times, July 2, 1943
Mr. and Mrs. John Edwards, 218 Williams street, Hammond, who have one son, Staff Sgt. Eugene, in the air force with the "Flying Tigers" in China, have two other sons, Wayne and John, following his footsteps who were recently accepted as air cadets.
All three brothers were graduated from Hammond high school. John leaves June 30 for training and Wayne, who attended In- diana university, is still waiting for his call to active service.
Page One Hundred and four
PURPLE HEART AWARDED EAST CHICAGO PARENTS FOR SON KILLED IN ACTION
Pfc. Peter Klein
Hammond Times, June 27, 1943
Pfc. Peter Klein, who sacrificed his life in defense of his country on the north African battle front exactly a year ago April 23, when he entered the medical corps of the 18th in- fantry, was awarded the Purple Heart post- humously by the United States government, according to a letter of sympathy received by his widow, Mrs. Helen Klein, 4317 Northcote avenue, East Chicago, from Henry L. Stim- son, secretary of war.
In his letter Stimson said: "The medal, which you will receive shortly is of slight in- trinsic value, but rich with the tradition for which Americans are so gallantly giving their lives. The father of our country, whose profile and coat of arms adorn the medal speaks from it across the centuries to the men who fight today for the proud freedom he founded.
"Let me in communicating to you the country's deep sympathy also express to you its gratitude for his valor and devotion."
Pfc. Klein is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Klein of Riverdale. He was 27 years old and prior to his enlistment he was employed by the Acme Steel company.
WHITING SERGEANT OF THAILAND OFFEN- SIVE AGAINST JAPS
Hammond Times, June 22, 1943
From Burma and Thailand where Yankee bomber squadrons are beating back the Japs comes word from Major Gen. Clayton L. Bissell, 10th air force commander, praising highly the men in his heavy bomber group for their glorious record in the fight against the Japs. Staff Sgt. Edward Girman of Whiting, a combat crewman, is one of those men re- sponsible for a part of the group's outstanding achievements.
Just a few days ago the bombardment group learned of a citation from the president of the United States issued "for outstanding performance of duty in action during the period Jan. 14 to March 1, 1942."
"Opposing the full force of the numeri- cally superior Japanese with all available air- craft," the citation said, "the bombardment group participated daily in attacking the enemy whenever they found him during his prolong drive through the Philippines and Netherlands Indies to Java. Long range bomb- ing attacks were executed in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire and large concentrations of
Staff Sgt. Edward Girman
enemy fighter airplanes over the target areas. "Despite extremely adverse bad weather and dangerous field conditions, hampered by
(Continued on next page)
Page One Hundred and five
NAVY MAN HOME 8 DAYS
R. M. Adams Hammond Times, July 5, 1943
Robert M. Adams, son of Mr. and Mrs. Merrill Adams, 1534 Warwick avenue, Rob- ertsdale, walked in a week ago to surprise his parents with an eight-day furlough ending on July 4.
Adams, a former George Rogers Clark high school student, is a sound man in the navy on duty in the Atlantic.
Whiting Sergeant is Spearhead of Offensive Continued from preceding page
lack of adequate personnel to maintain air- craft in continuous combat condition, many successful missions were performed by crews fatigued from daily flights against the enemy. The superior courage and devotion to duty shown by this bombardment group will al- ways be worthy of emulation."
Sgt. Girman resided with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Girman, 1621 Atchison ave- nue, before going into service of his country in February, 1942. For a period of four months he has been fighting overseas "some- where in India." A graduate of Whiting high school in the 1942 class he was employed at the Standard Oil company, prior to his enlist- ment.
DECAMP IN AUSTRAILIA
Hammond Times, July 20, 1943
A letter from Australia brings news of his safety from Pvt. Bill DeCamp to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. B. DeCamp, 18522 Walter street, Lansing. Entering service in January, 1943, he received basic training at Miami Beach, Fla., and later was sent to specialist's school at Robins Field, Ga. He has been as- signed to military police duty with the air corps.
Pvt. DeCamp writes that Bill Meistering of Hammond is in his company and also that "Australians certainly treat American soldiers swell."
WHITING BOY DECORATED
Hammond Times, July 21, 1943
A letter from a Whiting boy fighting over- seas always makes good reading, but this one quoted below is especially good to the eyes for it marks just another chapter in the book of victory our Yanks are writing.
Sgt. Edward Kasper of the U. S. army in north Africa was awarded the Purple Heart on Independence day for obvious reasons re- counted here in his letter home:
"Well, here it is July 4. Just a little over three months ago that a group of four men were out on desert patrol near the town of Sousse, just this side of Tunis. The small party was chatting gaily as they ploughed the sands in a jeep, when a bullet pierced the spare tire on the rear of the 'blitz-buggie' and two more lodged in the motor block.
"The jeep came to a halt as the four oc- cupants alighted and threw themselves to the sand opposite the side from where the fire came, so as to have the vehicle for protective covering between themselves and the enemy. A quick consultation was held. By means of their feet and hands they pushed aside the sand until each had a shallow hole that af- forded protection to the body.
"For the next three hours and 23 minutes of blistering sun and straining of the eyes. Their vigil-knowing well that foreign eyes were upon them. Darkness fell. The four Yanks, tommy guns in hand, crawled like sand crabs some 300 yards backwards. An- other shallow foxhole, more waiting and straining of the eyes. Their vigilance was soon awarded. Six blurry objects approached the Continued page 111
TWO HAMMOND MEN JAP PRISONERS
Hammond Times, July 22, 1943
Two Hammond men are included among 248 soldiers, sailors and marines who are re- ported by the navy department to be prisoners of the Japanese in the Philippines and Japan.
They are Joseph Leo Bingham, seaman, first class and the son of E. R. Bingham, 5712 Erie street; Pvt. Dell R. DeRolf, a marine, son of George DeRolf, 6523 Jefferson avenue.
Page One Hundred Six
SGT. KUHN FIXED LUNCH FOR PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
Tells of the Casablanca Visit
Hammond Times, July 11, 1943
Sgt. Keith Kuhn
"Two other cooks and myself fixed the lunches that President Roosevelt and his staff at during their Casablanca conference."
This sentence and a description of the cap- ture of German troops in Tunis and Bizerta comprise the highlights of an uncensored let- ter received this week by Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liam Kuhn, 5713 Calumet avenue, Hammond, from their son, Sgt. Keith Kuhn, 23-year-old veteran of the north African campaign.
Sgt. Kuhn, whose brothers, Ralph and Rob- ert are serving in the navy, is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars post No. 3029, commanded by Mace Roberts. Before entering the army, he was employed by the Holliday Steel company.
Dated May 21st and addressed to his mother and father, the letter declared:
"Since everything has ended over here they have given us permission to tell all about our past experiences in Africa. Our outfit landed in Casablanca December 24.
"We were in that vicinity for about two months during which time our president came to Africa to hold his conference with Winston Churchill and the commanders of the dif- ferent Allied divisions of the armed forces.
"Our outfit walked guard around the villa where the conference was held and two other cooks and myself fixed the lunches that the president and his staff ate during their stay here. Incidentally, the conference was held in
a city called Marrakich, and not in Casa- blanca,, as the newspapers stated. This place was the most beautiful spot I've seen since being in north Africa.
"After two months, we moved to a town called Pettijean, which is about 50 miles north- east of Robot. Our purpose was to maintain outposts at strategic points to guard against any trouble which might have come from Spanish Morocco, which lay just to the north of us.
"Just when it seemed like we would never see any combat, they moved us near Mateus, a trip of nearly 1,400 miles, which was made by vehicle. There the enemy contacted and for the next 3 days, ending with the capture of Tunis and Bizarte, our outfit drove the 'Heinies' back through Mateur Ferryville and finally to Tunis and Bizerte, where they sur- rendered, not one or two at a time but by hundreds and thousands. They didn't seem to want to fight anymore.
"Now that everything is over, we are sort of resting up and taking it easy. Where our next move will be, nobody knows. Now that we have been on the move so long, nobody wants to settle down in one place for very long.
"Well, Mom and Dad, there's nothing much more to say so I'll close. Here's hoping this letter finds you both okay. With love,
KEITH."
Page One Hundred Seven
HAMMOND SOLDIER, PRISONER OF NAZIS PRAISES WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS
HAMMOND PRIVATE AWARDED DFC, OAK LEAF CLUSTER FOR
TRANSPORT FLIGHTS
Hammond Times, July 21, 1943
Hammond Times, July 20, 1943
Shryock
L. J. Augustyn
Communique from Germany
A letter from her son, recently reported missing in action, even though it was post- marked Germany brought much happiness to Mrs. Harry Shryock of Hammond, whose son, Pfc. Leo L. Shryock was captured in Africa on Feb. 17 and is now confined in a German prison camp.
The letter dated March 21 recounted: "I was surprised at the conditions here in prison camp, finding them much better than antici- pated-we sleep in barracks with lights, heat, mattresses and blankets-our food consists of tea, bread, margarine, jam, salt, sugar, po- tatoes, cheese, bologna, carrots, cabbage and rice."
"The Red Cross," he added "is swell; they helped me communicate with you and they send boxes of food every week."
"I spent my birthday (which was March 2) in Italy he said and also noted he was hop- ing for an exchange of prisoners.
Pfc. Shryock, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Shryock, enlisted with the infantry on Oct. 17, 1941. He trained at Camp Wheeler, Ga., and was sent across four months after entering service. His first stop was Ireland and he was captured in action on the African front.
Pvt. Leo J. Augustyn, brother of Mrs. Charles Ruzycki, 4313 Baltimore avenue, Hammond, has been awarded the distinguished flying cross. The citation from "somewhere in New Guinea," reads "for extraordinary achievement while participating in 50 opera- tional flights within a few miles of enemy bases," his sister announced today.
A radio operator with an air transport troop carrying squadron, Augustyn was hon- ored in the citation accompanying the DFC award. The citation read as follows:
"For ... missions in the southwest Pacific area, during which hostile contact was prob- able and expected, these operations consisting of dropping supplies and transporting troops to advanced positions, flying at low altitudes over mountainous terrain under adverse weather conditions in an unarmed transport plane, and often necessitating landing within a few miles of enemy-held bases.
"Throughout these flights, outstanding ability and devotion to duty was demon- strated."
Augustyn also was awarded the airman's medal for 70 flights and the Oak Leaf cluster, an exceptionally high award, for 125 missions.
The Hammond youth has been in service since he enlisted April 21, 1942, after work- ing at the Pullman-Standard Car Manufactur- ing company, Hammond.
Page One Hundred Eight
Hard Bitten Men Assure Tank Quality
Hammond Times July 15, 1943
When Paul Kempel, 47, of 9528 South Hamlin avenue, Chicago, skids a General Sherman tank around the dirt track at the Pressed Steel Car company's plant, Hege- wisch, he feels he is aiding his son, N. F. Kem- pel, who is with the American air force in North Africa.
For Kempel, with other hard-bitten dare- devils, is a test driver and his hazardous, skin- battering work insures the quality of the fighting tanks sent the ground forces which back up his son's aerial attacks on the Axis.
Kempel, shown above in the tank at right, rides in clouds of dust, flying stone and in tanks previously untried. It is his duty to find defects which are corrected before the fighting machines are sent to army camps and the fronts.
After only a few minutes of the test run, his face is begrimed and small cuts and scars bear evidence of the battering he takes.
Tanks produced at the Pressed Steel Car
company vividly depict the evolution of America's fighting machine. Kempel rides at the right in an older type tank, the angular lines of which are prominent. At the left is the new tank with its streamlined effect, with better protection for the crew and designed to shunt aside much of the enemy's gunfire.
DELONG IN AFRICA
Hammond Times, July 14, 1943
Pvt. Robert L. DeLong, a paratrooper from Highland, reports to his wife that he is sta- tioned for combat duty somewhere in north Africa. DeLong, who entered the armed serv- ice last December, completed his training and received his silver wings at Fort Benning, Ga. He is the son of Mrs. Walter Redmond, near Highland. A Roosevelt high graduate, he was employed at Pullman Standard company be- fore induction.
Page One Hundred Nine
BRIDE LOSES HUSBAND IN PLANE ACCIDENT
Hammond Times July 15, 1943
A bride of only 18 days today is driving through alone from Valdosta, Ga., to the home of her parents in Hammond. She is try- ing bravely to stand up under the cruel blow fate has dealt her. She is alone because her soldier-husband died yesterday in the line of duty.
That's the tragic plight of Mrs. Marion James, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob E. Hanson, 6423 Forest avenue, Hammond, and a bride on June 27th of Lt. Ralph James, army air corps, pilot who was killed yesterday afternoon in a crash just east of the Georgia town in which they were living.
Full Military Rites
Lt. James, an honor student at the Univer- sity of Illinois and a student pilot with the air corps, was officially listed as dead by the war department before his bride was notified of the crash. She immediately telephoned her parents, telling them she will drive through from Georgia today.
The body of her husband will leave Val- dosta air field tomorrow by train and will arrive in Hammond some time Sunday after- noon. Lt. John Griffith, one of the dead pilot's close friends, will accompany the casket. A full military funeral is being arranged. Lt. James' father, John James of Edinburg, Ill., will be present for the rites.
The James' wedding, held in the First Bap- tist church, Hammond, was one of the com- munity's finest ceremonies. Lt. James, in service more than a year, obtained a furlough long enough to permit him to give his bride a honeymoon trip before they settled in their newly-furnished cottage in Valdosta.
HAMMOND LT. SENDS A LETTER
Lieut. (J. G.) Don Ewing, who lived in Hammond five years while employed as office manager of the Metals Refining company, wrote from north Africa:
"Life here (north Africa) is pleasant enough, an agreeable climate and plenty to eat. There is still a latent desire, however, to see or hear something more exciting than the bill of fare of the last 11/2 months.
"I think the best break the men get over here is from the Red Cross, which has some excellent recreational programs on their sched- ule. Free movies and dances are arranged, and now that they have started serving ice cream at 2 francs a plate, enthusiasm is running high.
"Since writing last I have made a move on the checkerboard over here - somebody from home asked if I'd moved across the street be- cause of censorship. All I can say is "no." The net results of the move are still being totaled but so far, about the only effects have been somewhat more work to do and a more urban life after our six months with the country Arabs.
"I hope you find time to toy with several of the more difficult holes on the Woodmar course."
The letter came via V mail in 10 days.
Baltruszajtis
PIPEFITTER FIRST CLASS NOW
Hammond Times, July 14, 1943
Paul Baltruszajtis, son of Mrs. Emily Bal- truszajtis, 4029 Tod avenue, East Chicago, was promoted from the specialist's rating of pipefitter second class to pipefitter first class in the "sea-bees" stationed at Honolulu, where he has been serving for a year and three months.
His wife, the former Jessie Lovely, who is living at 7744 Columbia avenue, Hammond, has not seen her husband since he enlisted a year ago April. She is a war plant welder. Receiving his "boot" training at Norfolk, Va., and Davidsville, R. I., the Hammond man was shipped overseas five weeks after entering.
Page One Hundred Ten
ON FURLOGH FROM ICELAND
Hammond Times, July 18, 1943
E. J. Wright
After an assignment in Iceland, Sgt. Elbert J. Wright, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Wright, 6433 Garfield avenue, is home for the first time in 22 months. On July .. , this Ham- mond sergeant is to report at Camp Atter- bury and then to Wright Field at Dayton, O., where he will be trained as an airplane tech- nician. Sgt. Wright graduated from Ham- mond Technical high school in 1938 and a year later he enlisted in the U. S. army.
BACK AFTER GUADALCANAL
L. Williams
Hammond Times, July 12, 1943
After a year's service in Guadalcanal and Tulagi, Cpl. LaVerne Williams, 24, son of Mrs. Lawrence Deck of Griffith, is home on a 30-day convalescent furlough from the ma- rine corps.
A member of the marine reserve, William left with the first group of marines to start training in December, 1940, and has been serving with the corps ever since. He received his basic and advanced training at San Diego, Calif. He attended Hammond high school.
RECEIVES GUN FROM SON
Hammond Times, July 18, 1943
Mrs. Julia Gacek, 2506 White Oak avenue, Robertsdale, was thrilled Thursday evening to hear of her son's activities overseas when a friend of Pfc. Stanley Murzyn of the U. S. marines, brought her a gun which young Mur- zyn had taken from a Jap he had killed and sent home with his friend. Pfc. Murzyn, who is believed to be in New Zealand, graduated from the Hammond Tech high school and was employed at the Standard Oil company before he left for service with the marines about a year ago. He has been on active duty overseas for the past 10 months. He has another, Ted, who is with the marine corp at Memphis, Tenn.
Whiting Boy Decorated -
Continued from page 106 /
jeep that had been recently abandoned. For- tune favored the Americans as their sun-tan uniforms blended with the sand. The four in khaki presently realized who their attackers might be from the guttural German that car- ried through the stillness of the night. The German began to tinker with the jeep as two of their party climbed inside. A tommy gun was slowly raised to a firing position and placed at automatic fire with a drum magazine holding 50 rounds of ammunition. A burst of flame split the darkness mingled with cries of 'KOMERAD' (The German word used when surrendering). Two dark figures slumped forward in the front seat of the jeep while four others stood rigidly with their hands high above their heads shouting 'KOM- ERAD.' A whispered consultation was held among the Yanks. A sergeant raised himself to his feet with a sub-machine gun leveled from his hip, and slowly approached the group. His three comrades covered him from the rear. Thus, the remaining four were taken prisoner. The following day the bodies of the dead Ger- mans were searched and allowed to be buried by their own men. The prisoners were marched to headquarters as the four Ameri- cans followed behind in the jeep."
Edward Kasper was that sergeant. For- merly of 1541 Roberts avenue, Whiting, he captured six German paratroopers with a small patrol.
Page One Hundred Eleven
He's Lucky 2000 at Center
Hammond Times, July 12, 1943
Pfc. Kenneth E. Rosene, of 917 Fields ave- nue, Hammond, stationed at Miami Beach, Fla., with the 19th army air force band, was the lucky No. 2,000 at the Hammond Serv- ice Men's Center. Shown above with Mrs.
John B. Hulsey, center supervisor, he is being presented with a kit bag containing a shaving kit, stationery and a carton of cigarettes as the 2,000th service man visitor to the center since its opening.
MILITARY RITES FOR SHURMAN
Full military funeral rites were held this afternoon for Lt. Edwin J. Shurman, 24, of Indiana Harbor, who was killed Friday when two army airplanes collided near Wright Field at Dayton, O.
Conducted by Twin City Post No. 266 of the American Legion, services were held at 2:30 o'clock with Rev. George Francis of the Methodist church officiating. Burial was in (Continued on next page)
Page One Hundred Twelve
TWIN CITY HERO
Ridge Lawn cemetery in Gary.
Lt. Shurman, who had been in the army for approximately two years, was overseas for 10 months and was in the midst of the fight- ing during the battle of the Solomons. He re- turned to the United States last March and was stationed for a few weeks at Denver, Colo., before being sent to Wright Field.
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