USA > Indiana > Lake County > History Of Veterans Of Foreign Wars (1944) > Part 16
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NHA Admits Failure
The admission that Kingsford Heights can- not be utilized, by the National Housing ad- ministration, seemed to make the decision unanimous. However, at the same time, work continues unceasingly on more units for Kingsford Heights. Construction of the 12- room school building is in the final stages and construction of the "business section" in the center of the so-called "model town" also continues.
Contractors are scheduled soon to begin work on a $3,000,000 storm sewer for the town after its designers concluded the sanitary sewer system, already in, was insufficient.
Van Nuys To Ask Probe
United States Senator Frederick Van Nuys visited the "mirage city" Saturday and added his voice to Indiana members of the house of
representatives in demanding a probe of the the why and wherefores of the town's con- struction, with an attempt to fix the blame for the waste of public funds.
He inspected the 2,974 housing units, the complete waterworks, the street lighting sys- tem which lights only deserted sidewalks and weed-grown yards, that "what I've been told is true." He paid especial attention to the 2,974 electric refrigerators, the 2,974 gas stoves, the 2,974 metal kitchen cabinets, the 2,974 modern kitchen sinks and the hundreds of oil heating stoves in the houses, only 253 of which are completed. In two months the model town has gained only 34 families as residents despite the reported "pressure" on Kingsbury Ordnance plant workers to move to it.
The admission of the National Housing ad- ministration that Kingsford Heights and other nearby housing projects for Kingsbury Ord- nance plant workers is "the worst example of unused housing," followed condemnation of the project by a mass meeting of northern Indiana civic leaders at Valparaiso two weeks ago. Protests were sent to Washington, but the construction work in the practically- deserted town continues.
Blames Shift of War
John B. Blandford, Jr., NHA administra- tor, in Washington Saturday said that thou- sands of war housing units are going begging for tenants in some areas while other war pro- duction centers are crowded beyond capacity. He said the situation stems from the changing nature of the war itself and revised demands for battlefronts.
Sweeping revisions in war production schedules have suddenly emptied some teem- ing war centers and diverted thousands of workers into other communities unprepared for the influx.
He said a peak of 27,000 workers had been scheduled at Kingsbury Ordnance plant, but that the peak reached actually was 18,000. Diversion of industry since has caused a re- duction to 9,500 workers, Blandford said.
Van Nuys indicated he will demand in the senate, as Rep. Grant, South Bend, will seek in the house of congress, a probe of the Kings- ford Heights project with emphasis on why expenditures of public funds were not stopped when impracticability of the project became apparent.
Page One Hundred Fifty six
ONE BOY RETURNS HOME
A. Stewart
Hammond Times, September 7, 1943
Cpl. Audrey Stewart, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Stewart, 1206 - 150th street, East Chicago, a paratrooper in training at Camp McCain, Miss., recently spent a 10-day fur- lough with his parents.
Cpl. Stewart, who has been in service since last Feb. 10, is one of two sons in service. The other son, Sgt. Leslie Stewart, has been re- ported missing in action in New Guinea. Be- fore entering service, Audrey worked as a machinist at Pullman-Standard Car Manu- facturing company, Hammond. He is a grad- uate of Roosevelt High school.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
- Editorial -
Hammond Times, September 6, 1943
Sometimes editorial writers want to do all the thinking for the readers whereas it has been our observation that readers generally can think equally as well and often better than editorial writers.
Able and observing correspondent for the Indianapolis Star is Everett C. Watkins. In his column, "Washington Front," Mr. Wat- kins makes a few pertinent remarks.
No comment that we could make would improve on Mr. Watkin's thought-compelling words:
"Thirty-five Washington newspapermen who attended the Roosevelt-Churchill Quebec conference are still smacking their lips as they recall the luscious, thick, moderately priced steaks they ate while in the country to the north. Now they are back on Washington's skimp, no-beef rations at high prices. The only
way these scribes can account for the differ- ence in the food in Canada and the "States" is that the Washington government is first feeding the world and letting the people of the 48 states eat what is left over, whereas Canada first feeds Canada and then sends overseas what is left over. But still the Arabs have to eat."
VETERAN AT 18
E. C. Hahney
Hammond Times, September 7, 1943
A veteran of the war at 18 years of age, Edwin C. Hahney, seaman first class, just ended a 15-day leave which he spent with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Hahney at their home, 217 Webb street, Hammond.
In a brief 10 months of service Seaman Hahney has been to Africa twice, Ireland, England and Iceland.
A naval gunner with the merchant marines, Hahney came from Africa and when the ship docked he was granted his first leave since enlistment.
He reported back to active duty at New Orleans, La.
MILITARY FUNERAL FOR SGT. LODDY RUSKO, WHITING YOUTH
Hammond Times, September 7, 1943
Last rites for Sgt. Loddy Rusko, a 22-year- old Whiting gunner and radio operator on a B-24 bomber, who was killed when the plane crashed into the Sacramento mountains near Alamogrodo, N. M., last Wednesday, will be Continued on next page
Page One Hundred Fifty-seven
conducted tomorrow at 8:30 a. m. from the Baran funeral chapel where the body now lies in state. Rev. John Kostik will conduct serv- ices in St. John's church at 9 a. m. and in- terment will be in the St. John cemetery in Hammond.
Sgt. Rusko
Sgt. Rusko met his death when he filled in on a routine training flight for a friend who had been grounded for the day. Both boys came home together on a furlough from Aug. 17 to 23.
Accompanied by military escort, Sgt. Jack Honisko, another of the young sergeant's friends who is stationed in the same flight squadron at Briggs Field, Tex., where Sgt. Rusko had been assigned, arrived with the sealed casket last night.
An honor guard from Ft. Sheridan will carry the casket and Post No. 80 of the Amer- ican Legion will stand guard. Full military honors and public tribute will be accorded this Whiting sergeant, who gave the supreme sacrifice for his country, Mayor James T. McNamara said today.
Sgt. Rusko is survived by his father, John; his twin sister, Bessie; another sister, Mrs. Gay Cartwright of Whiting and one brother, Pvt. Emil, who is with an army signal corps unit in north Africa.
The Whiting sergeant was inducted into the army Sept. 30, 1942, and was sent from Fort Benjamin Harrison to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., for his basic ground training. From Jef- ferson Barracks he was assigned to an armored division school at Lowry Field, Colo., and then to aerial gunnery school at Laredo, Tex., where he received his wings last June. While at Laredo, he received a medal for expert
gunnery, the highest award given in that divi- sion.
Born in Whiting, Aug. 20, 1921, he was graduated from George Rogers Clark high school and later employed in the laboratory at the Standard Oil refineries.
CAPT. GRALAK WOUNDED
Hammond Times, September 7, 1943
V. Gralak
Wounded at Guadalcanal, Capt. Victor H. Gralak, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter A. Gralak, 140 - 155th place, Calumet City, is at Ken- nedy General hospital, Memphis, Tenn., re- cuperating after a major operation necessi- tated by his wound. His twin brothers are in service, Pvts. Walter, Jr. and Robert, both being at Camp Wallace, Texas. Capt. Gralak's wife is Mrs. Marie Gralak of Chicago.
SERVING IN SICILY
Hammond Times, September 8, 1943
Word has been received by Mr. and Mrs. John Chorba, Sr., 7027 Chestnut avenue, Hammond, that their son, Tech. Cpl. Joseph Chorba, is seeing action in Sicily.
The Chorbas have two other sons in service, Pfc. John Chorba, Jr., who now is stationed at the army air base at Maxton, N. C., as an M. P., and Pvt. Steve Chorba, who is with the air force in Atlanta, Ga. The latter's wife and daughter are staying with Mr. and Mrs. Fred Valkinow, Jr., on Howard avenue for the duration.
Page One Hundred Fifty-eight
Two Who Didn't Cancel Donor Appoinments
Hammond Times, September 8, 1943
Mayor G. Bertram Smith of Hammond, right, among the first group of blood donors yesterday, the first of the Chicago blood donor unit's visit in Hammond, has his blood pres- sure tested preliminary to giving a pint of life- saving plasma.
On the left, Mrs. Elva Jackson, 4319 Wheeler street, Black Oak, mother of a Guadalcanal veteran now believed recovering from wounds "somewhere in the Pacific," do- nates her pint of blood. Her son, Staff Sgt. Robert Jackson, 30, is a member of the ma- rine corps and has served overseas in the south Pacific battle area for 17 months. He was re- ported seriously ill with malaria several weeks ago, she said, declaring:
"Even if my blood can't help Bob, it may save the life of somebody he knows-or even of just one of the fine boys in our armed forces. That's enough for me."
Many Calumet region men and women who
had called Hammond 1926 and had made their appointments for the first day of the mobile unit's Hammond stay never appeared, it was reported, or called to announce they had eaten fried eggs for breakfast or had drunk cream in their coffee, which made them ineligible for their donation.
"If our boys on the battlefields missed their war appointments or 'forgot' to the extent of slipping their responsibility in the war, the United Nations would lose the fight," Miss Janet Jones, chairman of the Hammond blood donor service, said today.
"Each blood donor appointment is a re- sponsibility, not to be lightly taken," she declared. "Prospective donors, after making their appointments, receive a card upon which is listed the proper diet to be followed prior to the giving of each pint of blood. This diet is an additional responsibility - American soldiers are depending on you to carry it conscientiously."
Page One Hundred Fifty-nine
MRS. WOLF PROUD OF HER 5 STAL- WART SONS SERVING IN UNCLE SAM'S ARMY
Hammond Times, September 8, 1943
Mrs. Louis Wolf
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Wolf, of 6648 Alexan- der avenue, Hammond, could not provide a complete football eleven to charge the Axis line, but they did send a quintet to carry the ball against the nation's enemies.
Above Mrs. Wolf holds their service flag with its five stars. Two of their sons already are taking an active part in the Allies' offen- sive war while two more are completing train- ing to go into active service.
John
Cpl. Louis, Jr., is in Africa with the signal corps. Fred is a member of the merchant ma- rine and is "somewhere at sea" bearing arms and supplies to the nation's far-flung armies.
Harold
Cpl. Robert is an air corps technician, sec- ond class, now at Fresno, Calif. Sgt. Harold is in the quartermaster's department at Sacra- mento, Calif. John soon is expecting a non- commissioned rating as an officer in the am- phibian air corps at the engineering school at Corpus Christie, Texas.
Fred
Prior to entering service the boys all aided in operation of the Sugar Bowl, a confec- tionery at 6813 Kennedy avenue. Harold was also a motion picture projectionist at the Indiana theater. Their father is employed at Hammond's Orpheum theater.
The family resided in East Chicago until 1930 when they moved to the Hammond address.
Louis Jr.
Robert
Page One Hundred Sixty
MANS MERCHANT SHIP GUN
Hammond Times, September 9, 1943
Jack Murphy
Seaman, first class, Jack Murphy, 20-year- old son of Mrs. Thomas E. Murphy, 4625 Towle avenue, Hammond, now is spending a well-earned rest with his mother after com- pleting an around-the-world cruise on a merchant vessel on which he manned a navy gun.
Sailor Murphy's blue blouse bears bars showing service in the Asiatic, the middle east, north African, southwest Pacific and Sicilian theaters of war. While off Sicily, the ship on which he was stationed was bombed for four days and nights.
The Hammond bluejacket enlisted in the navy in June, 1942, and shortly thereafter started his world cruise, going first to Liver- pool, England, and later to Alexander and Cairo, Egypt; Algiers, Tripoli, Gibraltar, Australia, Bethlehem, Jerusalem and finally Sicily. His furlough ends Sept. 13, when he reports back in New York.
EXPLORES LONDON
Hammond Times, September 10, 1943
Pvt. First Class Walter R. Juergens, 21 years old, 437 Lewis street, Hammond, "saw all the places he used to read about" when he took time out from military duties and spent his leave exploring London. There he saw not only the historic works of old, but also the havoc of high explosive bombs which took
England's great metropolis during the 1940 blitz.
In a tour conducted by the American Red Cross, he visited such places as the Guildhall (completed in 1426) in which the lord mayor of London conducts his ceremonies. St. Paul's Cathedral, (built by Sir Christopher Wren) which is one of the world's greatest cathedrals, and the Old Bailey, central criminal court, erected in 1834 for the trial of criminal cases.
Then followed a sweep through Fleet street, the home of all the great English newspapers, and a tour of the Gothic-style law courts which were erected in 1874-'82. The tour also included a trip to London Bridge and the Tower of London, built by William the Con- querer in 1078-'80.
Many soldiers stationed in the European Theater of Operations which is commanded by Lt. Jacob L. Devers, travel to London to see the sights on furlough and pass time.
TO GO OVERSEAS
Hammond Times, September 9, 1943
E. Lepley
S/Sgt. Edward M. Lepley of Hammond, Ind., will soon complete his training in the second air force and in the near future he will go overseas to a combat area to do his part in defeating the enemy. He is stationed at the army air base, Dalhart, Texas, at the present receiving a very important part of his final training as aerial gunner.
S/Sgt. Lepley is the son of Mrs. Minnie D. Lepley, Hammond, Ind.
Page One Hundred Sixty-one
MUSIC IS HIS SHORE LEAVE PASTIME
Hammond Times, September 10, 1943
Reginal Percy Banner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Banner, 413 Lewis street, Hammond, recently promoted to the rank of motor machinists' mate, first class, while on duty with the U. S. navy in the Atlantic, is an ex- pert pianist and recently was the center of
attraction at the New York servicemen's cen- ter while on shore leave. Above he is shown at the center's piano. His son, Coxswain Thomas Chadwick, who has spent a seven-day leave with his grandparents here, is attached to the submarine chaser training school at Miami, Fla.
HERO OF 19 RAIDS AGAINST AXIS DIES OVER GERMANY; WAS CITED FOR BRAVERY
Hammond Times September 10, 1943
A. Hlebasko
Tech. Sgt. Albert Hlebasko, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Hlebasko, Sr., 2122 Lake avenue, Robertsdale, today was reported killed in action in a raid over Hamburg, Ger- many, on July 25.
Sgt. Hlebasko at the time of his death had
been a participant in nearly a score of raids against the Axis, and was the possessor of four oak leaf clusters an an honorable mention award for bravery from Maj. Hundley of the Eighth army air force, headquarters in Lon- don, England.
His bride of but a few months, the former Miss Helen Sichak of Mckeesport, Pa., whom he married last December, had been living at Mckeesport with her parents. She was notified by the war department of Hlebasko's death at the same time as his parents.
Hlebasko was a graduate of George Rogers Clark high school in 1939, and between grad- uation and enlistment in the army air forces, he was employed at the Sinclair Refining com- pany in East Chicago.
Page One Hundred Sixty-two
STATIONED IN ALASKA
Hammond Times, September 10, 1943
MUNSTER SGT. GETS A PURPLE HEART
Hammond Times, September 6, 1943
G. Carroll
Gene Carroll, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Carroll, 33 Warren street, Hammond, who for the past three and one-half months has been stationed at Kodiak, Alaska, reports that he has been classified a seaman first class.
The Alaskan climate appears to agree with him. Carroll has gained 15 pounds since his transfer from a United States base. He reports enjoying The Hammond Times regularly at Kodiak in addition to letters from his family and friends.
BACK TO NAVY DUTY Hammond Times, September 10, 1943
C. L. Prewitt
Clifton Leon Prewitt, seaman first class, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Prewitt, 3434 Parrish avenue, Indiana Harbor, has reported back to duty after a four-day leave spent at home with his parents.
A participant in the invasion of Italy, Prewitt was able to visit his brother-in-law, Jerry Farster, seaman first class, United States coast guard, who now is home on an 11-day leave from Savannah, Ga.
Staff Sgt. Porte
Word was received yesterday by Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Porte, 1863 Ridge road, that their son, Staff Sgt. Clarence Porte, 23, has been awarded the Purple Heart decoration given to soldiers wounded in action.
Sgt. Porte, the family said, took part in the North African campaign after serving over- seas for almost a year. News of the award was the first word the family had received in- dicating their son had been wounded in action. A recent letter from the soldier indicates the wound was not serious and that he is again in active service.
Sgt. Porte, who entered the army almost three years ago, has two brothers in service. Pfc. Jacob Porte, now stationed in a Ken- tucky camp, and Pfc. Anthony Porte, who is stationed in Texas. He also has a sister, Mrs. Susie Newenhouse, living in Thornton, Ill.
HAMMOND SOLDIER LISTED WOUNDED
Hammond Times, September 19, 1943
Pfc. Floyd A. Arvin, son of Mrs. Laura Arvin, 4235 Johnson avenue, Hammond, was reported wounded in action in the north African war area this week by the war de- partment.
Pfc. Arvin was one of 228 American sol- diers reported wounded in battles in the Asiatic, middle eastern, north African and southwest Pacific theaters.
Page One Hundred Sixty-three
LOWELL SAILOR TELLS ORDEAL
Dorsey Ruley Recounts Horrors Undergone in Sea Battle of Kula Gulf
Hammond Times, September 19, 1943
How American sailors were forced to aban- don ship at night during the sea battle of Kula gulf and how they floated for three days in the water, strafed almost continuously with machine gun bullets from Jap planes, was graphically unfolded here this week with the return of Seaman Dorsey Ruley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Ruley, and a gunner's mate in the navy.
Ruley's ship, the USS Helena, was tor- pedoed three times during the night of July 6 and sank shortly after the last shot struck, forcing all hands to abandon ship. There wasn't time to lower life boats-the sailors just jumped into the water, those of them who were lucky enough to escape from the floun- dering ship.
"In addition to the hazards of swimming through burning oil and debris, shells whined continually overhead, some exploding near us and Jap planes flew low over the water straf- ing us with their machine guns," Seaman Ru- ley related.
Despite the slim chances to live their plight indicated for the sailors, 150 of them finally reached Vella La Vella island, where they later were picked up by a U. S. destroyer operating almost under the noses of Jap island patrols. Many of the rescued sailors were burned, others were wounded and still others were ill as a result of their three-day exposure in the ocean.
"We just managed to exist-all of us-with the help of friendly natives on the land," Ruley recalled "Later, after we were picked up by the destroyer, we were granted several weeks of rest at camps in the southwest Paci- fic and still later a lot of us got leaves in which to recuperate."
According to Dorsey, his worst experience during the trying ordeal were the three days he spent in the water clinging to a lifeline attached to a raft that had been hastily put together by the sailors after they had aban- doned ship.
"The raft was overcrowded," the Lowell youth said, "and those of us who were physi- cally able to do so had to hang onto this life- line to make room for those unable to stay afloat. During the three days and nights many of our boys slipped from their lifejackets and slid beneath the waves. I finally was taken aboard the life raft a few hours before we reached the shore-by that time I was so cold and exhausted I had gone under water several times myself and had to be helped back to the lifeline by other sailors."
Throughout the ordeal the sailors went without food or water and when they finally made land, were so exhausted from exposure they had to be carried on improvised stretchers across the island where other survivors had taken refuge. Many shortly afterwards be- came seriously ill because of lack of food and medicine and Ruley said climatic conditions of the island added to the misery of those who had reached land.
"My hands and feet were big masses of blisters that had become infected by the salt sea water," he said.
VISITS WIFE ON BIRTHDAY
Hammond Times, September 19, 1943
Cpl. Verlyn "Doc" Mack, who is serving "somewhere overseas," pleasantly surprised his wife this week when he cabled a bouquet of talisman roses to her at their home, 4719 Towle avenue, Hammond, in honor of her birthday.
Cpl. Mack, who before entering service was employed by the Inland Steel company, is at- tached to the field artillery of an infantry division.
Page One Hundred Sixty-four
JOE F. HRUSKOCY LISTED MISSING IN REICH RAID
Sgt. Hruskocy Hammond Times, September 12, 1943
Waist gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress, Staff Sgt. Joseph F. Hruskocy of Whiting was reported missing yesterday by the war depart- ment, since Aug. 17, when his plane failed to return from a bombing mission over Ger- many.
One of six brothers in the service of their country, Sgt. Hruskocy was inducted into the army, July 16, 1942, and left for overseas in May, 1943. He had been stationed in England since that time and his last letter home was received here Aug. 16.
He and his brothers are the fighting sons of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hruskocy, 2129 Indian- apolis boulevard. The five brothers now in ac- tive duty are:
Andrew E. Hruskocy, seaman second class, medical corps, U. S. navy, stationed at San Bruno, Calif .; Pfc. Thomas C. Hruskocy, in service with the infantry for nine months, stationed now at Camp Chaffee, Ark .; Staff Sgt. John P. Hruskocy, U. S. coast artillery, Bremerton, Wash., in service two years, two months; Cpl. Stephen C. Hruskock, U. S. sig- nal corps, (radio) stationed at New Orleans, La., in service 10 months and Seaman Second Class Milton Hruskocy, gunner's mate at Great Lakes, Ill.
GOVERNMENT TO PAY WOUNDED WAR VETS
Hammond Times, September 19, 1943
Every wounded and maimed veteran of World War II who is physically capable of earning his living is going to have govern- ment-paid training in the vocation for which he is best suited.
What's more, he's going to receive com-
petent instruction in already-established schools, colleges and universities. There will be no repetition of some of the blunders com- mitted after World War I, when "lawyers were teaching shoemakers and accountants teaching sign painting."
Third, and not the least in importance, he'll be given the chance to start his studies im- mediately after he is discharged from a hos- pital, instead of having to wait until the war is over.
A group of grizzled men in dark blue uni- forms and overseas caps, who were disabled in the service of their country during World War I, are going to make every effort to have this program carried through.
They are the disabled American veterans, whose chief concern, expressed over and over at their current convention in New York City, is for the protection of America's fight- ing men disabled in this war - and whose motto is "The time is now!"
"The set-up is practically complete," said their national adjutant, Vivian D. Corbly, of Cincinnati. "As we are informed by the vet- erans administration service, the men are be- ing and will be trained in institutions already established. We consider this much preferable to the system in the last war, when 'mush- room schools' sprung up, just to get govern- ment contracts, and many teachers were un- qualified to give the proper instruction-and many veterans were given the wrong training.
"Competent vocational guidance advisers are absolutely essential. Before these boys ever undertake and study courses, their abilities and inclinations should be tested out, to de- termine what they can do best-despite their handicaps.
"A marvelous job was done after the last war. I can speak from personal experience, for I was rehabilitated, after having lost my memory. I was wounded twice and gassed. When I came home, I didn't recognize any- body. The government paid my way through the University of Montana, where I studied journalism, the disabled American veterans helped me socially and psychologically - I came out all right. Scores of men right here at this convention were successfully rehabili- tated.
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