USA > Indiana > Lake County > History Of Veterans Of Foreign Wars (1944) > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
Another son of Mr. and Mrs. Olenik, Pfc. Walter, is stationed at an army air base in California.
Lansing Youth Describes Ravages of War in Sicily
Hammond Times, September 14, 1943
T. Recker
A vivid impression of the Sicilian campaign as seen through the eyes of a local youth par- ticipating in the invasion was received last week by Miss Tillie Terpstra of Munster in a letter from Cpl. Tony Recker, 23, former worker on the Terpstra farm and son of a Hammond mail carrier.
Written by a youth whom friends remem- ber only as "quiet" and as "a guy who thought a lot," letters like the following began com- ing back when Recker entered service. "They made us wish we had made Tony talk more," Miss Terpstra says. Cpl. Recker writes:
"It's nice to think of these letters as if we were together again and having a heart-to- heart talk the way all good friends will. The last was from north Africa; this one is from 'sunny Sicily.'
"It is sunny, believe me. We have been here about two months and I have seen only two cloudy days. I understand, however, that they
Page One Hundred Eighty-five
have a mean rainy season but when it begins I haven't the vaguest of notions.
"The island is made up of hills, hills, and more hills. They seem to be interminable. We have seen the famous Mount Etna. A town by the name of Randazzo, situated at the foot of Mount Etna, is as far as we went during the first rush. We had a break there and went into a rest area, the first break since we landed July 10.
"Mount Etna is high, with a continual column of sulphur smoke rising from the top. I imagine it is quite a thing to view this moun- tain and I must admit it makes a beautiful picture at daybreak. But somehow the pall of war overhangs everything and we just can't appreciate the beauties of nature.
"There have been times, on arriving at the crest of a hill, that I have seen a view so strik- ing that even the war could not take away the effect. It has been at those times that I've thought about the oddities of war.
"One wonders why God permits its ravages to mar a beautiful country scene. Standing on the crest of a hill, one can see a vista spread before him of a few scattered farm houses, the grain neatly shocked and lying in rows, a few cattle grazing over the fields, and per- haps a farmer or two busy with their grain.
"Then, amidst this peaceful scene, on closer scrutiny, one sees shell holes scattered around, and defacing black areas where the grain has caught fire. The front line has moved on and the natives have come back to resume their interrupted pattern of life.
"One cannot help but marvel at the trans- formation. One day there is bitter fighting on that territory, blood is shed, lives are lost, and yet a few days later one views a peaceful countryside with natives working as if noth- ing had ever happened.
"Can't you close your eyes and visualize it as I see it? I know you have no conception of what a shell hole looks like, but remember what you've seen in pictures and let your imagination run a bit, and then you will come close. If you should ever see a bomb crater, I know you wouldn't be able to speak for sev-
eral minutes. It is my fervent hope that none of you will ever have to experience the par- alyzing effect of falling bombs or whistling shells. God grant that our nation be kept free from the horrors and devastation of total war. It is not pleasant and the sights viewed by us older men will never, never be forgotten."
Cpl. Recker explains why he, but 23 years old, includes himself among the group of "older" men:
"We see new replacement come in and feel sorry for them. They look so-young and un- afraid. It may sound odd to you to have me say that they look young, just as if we were so old. No, we are not much older in actual years, but we have seen so much more. We know what faces them, while they are still unknowing.
"It may sound unbelievable to you, but men who have been in this unit since the very beginning have changed considerably. Fel- lows who looked like kids, had soft cheeks, no beards to speak of, now look years older. They still 'cut up' and joke around, but un- der it all one can sense a serious air."
Young Recker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Recker, Wentworth avenue, Lansing, is a former student at Thornton Fractional high school. After entering service almost two years ago, he was trained at Camp Croft, S. C., and Camp Blanding, Fla., before shipping overseas to Africa a year ago.
He closes with:
"Gosh, how I long to see a familiar face from home again; it's been a long, long time," and adds:
"It helps to know you wonderful Ameri- can girls miss us a little. We miss you so ter- ribly much. It's going to be a great reunion some day.
"God be with you until we meet again.
"Sincerely,
"TONY."
Page One Hundred Eighty-six
IN INVASION OF ITALY
Wave Completes Her Training
Hammond Times, September 14, 1943
Lester E. Jackson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Jackson, 4811 Pine avenue, Ham- mond, was promoted to private first class in Sicily, according to word received by his par- ents. Enlisting last December in the heavy field artillery, Pfc. Jackson received training at Fort Bragg, N. C .; Fort Shenago, Green- ville, Pa., and Newport News, Va.
He then was transferred to north Africa last April and since has participated in four major battles, including the invasion of Italy. While in Sicily, he encountered an old friend, Pvt. Raymond L. Schofield of Hammond.
Returns To Active Duty
Hammond Times, October 6, 1943
R. Ulbrich
Seaman Robert Ulbrich, Jr., electrician's mate, second class, in the navy, has just re- turned to active duty after spending a 15- day leave visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ulbrich, Sr., 915 Cedar avenue, Ham- mond.
It was Ulbrich's first leave in almost two years in service. He already has participated in two major battles and three campaigns in the Coral sea, Solomon islands and Aleutian islands. His fiance, Miss Mary Jane Dareing of Walkerton, Ind., was a house-guest of his parents during Ulbrich's leave. He presented her with a diamond in token of their engage- ment.
L. Hitzemann
Hammond Times, October 7, 1943
Seaman, second class, Lillian Hitzemann, WAVE daughter of Edwin Hitzemann, 824 East Carroll street, Hammond, has completed her basic training as an aviation machinist's mate at the technical training center at Mem- phis, Tenn.
WAVE Hitzemann enlisted last March and was subsequently assigned to the naval air station at Livermore, Cal., as a seaman, first class. She began her aviation machinist's course there.
Prior to enlisting WAVE Hitzemann was employed at the Metropolitan Insurance com- pany office. During a recent nine-day leave which she spent here visiting her father and friends, she was interviewed on a program over station WJOB. Her brother, Raymond, now is serving in the air corps.
DYER PALS IN AUSTRALIA
Hammond Times, October 8, 1943
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. E. Braithwaite received a letter from their son, seaman first class, Wil- liam W. Braithwaite a few days ago, saying that he accidentally run across his old pal, Cpl. Robert Hepworth of Dyer, while enroute to an unknown destination.
The two boys were next-door neighbors as well as constant pals and both attended the grade school at Dyer as well as St. John Town-
Page One Hundred Eighty-seven
ship high school. Seaman Braithwaite has been at sea for the past three months but was on the last lap to his final destination when he wrote his parents on Sept. 17th.
In his letter he assured his parents that both boys were thrilled beyond words at seeing each other again as it has been four years since Cpl. Hepworth enlisted in the army and two years since he visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Hepworth.
Seaman Braithwaite enlisted in the navy at Great Lakes, Ill. last January and is to be stationed at a hospital base somewhere in the Pacific. Both boys have gained considerable weight while in service and both are in the best of health. Cpl. Hepworth has been sta- tioned in Australia for two years so it was naturally assumed that Seaman Braithwaite had temporarily made port there also.
LANSING SERGEANT KILLED IN ACTION IN NORTH AFRICA
Sgt. Brady
Hammond Times, October 7, 1943
Sgt. Kenneth E. Brady, 21-year-old Lans- ing soldier, was killed in action in the north African theater of war on July 13, according to war department telegrams received by his wife, who lives at 3313 north Schultz drive, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Brady, 3530 Ridge road. A message received by the parents of the deceased from his commanding officer stated that he "gave his life heroically for his country."
The last letter received from Brady was written to his wife on July 5.
Sgt. Brady enlisted Feb. 16, 1942, as a para-
trooper in the army. He received his basic training at Camp Croft, S. C., and his ad- vanced training at Fort Bragg, N. C., and at Fort Benning, Ga., where he earned his para- trooper wings. He arrived at his overseas base on May 9 of this year.
Before entering the service, Brady, who had lived in Lansing all of his life, was employed at the Screw Conveyor company in Ham- mond.
In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Peter Schrum of Lansing.
BROTHERS OVERSEAS
Hammond Times, October 7, 1943
The Lengyel brothers, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lengyel, Sr., 1129 Morris street, Hammond, are both overseas albiet in widely separated areas of war action. Lt. Michael, Jr., is in the north Pacific and Staff Sgt. Frank is
Lt. Lengyel
Sgt. Lengyel
in England. Both recently were promoted to their present army ranks.
Page One Hundred Eighty -eight
HAS SEEN ACTION
Hamond Times September 23. 1943
R. Walters
Seaman Second Class Ralph E. Walters, hus- band of Mrs. Ella Mae Walters, 6903 Colum- bia avenue, Hammond, is now at Norfolk, Va., following his first trip at sea during which time he saw action in the African theater of war. Mrs. Walters recently returned to Hammond after visiting her husband, formerly employed at the Pullman Standard Wheel foundry, he has been in the service since last May 20. The young Hammond sea- man is now waiting orders to again go back to sea, he writes his friends in Hammond.
THREE AREA SOLDIERS LISTED AS MISSING
Hammond Times, October 10, 1943
Lt. Mulholland
Three Lake county soldiers are listed on Saturday's army reports as missing in action. Second Lt. Eugene V. Mulholland, son of Mrs. Marie T. Mulholland, 6944 Harrison street, Hammond, is listed as missing in the European zone. He graduated March 3, 1943 from the
army air forces flying school at Moody Field, Ga., in ceremonies marking the first anniver- sary of the field as an advanced flying school.
Lt. Mulholland is 28 and has been in the army two years. He was the pilot of a Flying Fortress. Prior to his entrance in the army he was employed by Lever Bros.
Mrs. Mulholland said that the last time she heard from her son was several weeks ago when he was in England. The V-letter he wrote brought tidings of good health and joy.
The mother said that another son, Joseph, is stationed with the 114th engineers in Australia. In the dispatch released by the war department, Tech. Sgt. William L. Utley, son of Mrs. Edith C. Utley, route 3, Gary, was also reported missing.
Second Lt. John L. Keithley, son of George A. Keithley, Lowell, was listed as missing in the Asiatic area.
GREW GAVE WARNING OF OF SNEAK ATTACK
Hammond Times, October 10, 1943
Joseph C. Grew, U. S. ambassador at Tokyo, warned his government 34 days be- fore Pearl Harbor that "Japan may resort with dangerous and dramatic suddenness to measures which might make war inevitable."
Two weeks later, on Nov. 17, 1941, the state department revealed tonight, Grew em- phasized "the need to guard against sudden Japanese naval or military actions."
These disclosures, proving that the United States need not have been caught unprepared for the Japanese sneak assault on Pearl Har- bor on Dec. 7, 1941, resulted from publica- tion by the state department of documents on which was based the white paper, "Peace and War," issued last January.
Grew's warnings were made at a time when two Japanese emissaries were talking peace in Washington and trying to persuade President Roosevelt to proceed to Pearl Harbor for a meeting with Japanese Premier Fumimaro Konoye.
Continued on next page
Page One Hundred Eighty-nine
MAGGIO BROTHERS IN ARMY
Hammond Times, October 10, 1943
A. Maggio
Pfc. Mike Maggio, 26, recently spent a 10- day furlough in Calumet City visiting his wife, Mary Helen; mother, Mrs. Jennie Mag- gio, 324 West State street, and other relatives and friends. His brother, Sgt. Andy Maggio, 34, is serving overseas in North Africa. Sgt. Maggio, a member of the army medical corps, has been in service 11 months. Pfc. Maggio, who entered the army five months ago, is based at Maxton field, N. C., with an air- borne division.
Grew Gave Warning of Sneak attack Continued from page one hundred eighty nine
At the same time, presumably, the Japanese warlords at home were polishing up final plans for their treacherous act of December 7.
Kichisaburo Nomura, the Japanese ambas- sador, and Saburo Kurusu, special envoy from Tokyo, tried to arrange the Roosevelt-Konoye meeting for Pearl Harbor or some other mid- Pacific anchorage. The president was to pro- ceed to the meeting aboard a battleship. He held out for Juneau, Alaska, however, and the Japanese agreed. But negotiations broke down before the proposed meeting could be carried out.
In his first warning, on November 3, Grew described as possible "an all-out, do-or-die attempt" by Japan.
On November 17, warning against sudden Japanese actions, Grew added:
"I take into account the probability of the Japanese exploiting every possible tactical ad-
vantage, such as surprise and initiative."
Hull informed Lord Halifax, the British ambassador, that diplomacy had failed. In his memorandum of November 29, dealing with his conference with Halifax, Hull said:
"Speaking in great confidence, I said that it would be a serious mistake for our country and other countries interested in the Pacific situation to make plans of resistance without including the possibility that Japan may move suddenly and with every element of sur- prise. . . . "
Ten days later Japan, doing just that, caught the U. S. defenders of Pearl Harbor off guard, virtually wrecked the U. S. Pacific fleet, and all but wiped out American air power in Hawaii.
FORGICH LEAVES U. S.
Hammond Times, October 10, 1943
G. Forgich
A Whiting soldier, Sgt. George Forgich, has been sent abroad from his post in the United States to serve with his army air force unit overseas, according to recent word received by his sister, Mrs. Mike Papaich, 1521 John street, Whiting. His sister explained that Sgt. Forgich is serving as a gunner on one of the air corps' B-24 bombers.
In a letter to Mrs. Papaich, the Whiting gunner urged that all of his friends continue to write to him at his new address, ASN 357- 10840; APO 12403 A.J .; New York, N. Y.
Page One Hundred Ninety
RAPCHAK IN PUERTO RICO
J. Rapchak
Hammond Times, October 8, 1943
This picture of John J. Rapchak, seaman first class, was taken in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he is stationed aboard a picket boat. He took his boot training at New Orleans, La., and St. Augustine, Fla., and also was in Miami, Fla. During his training his wife, June, was with him, remaining until he left the states for Puerto Rico, January 8, 1943. He formerly was employed by the Standard Oil company's refinery in the mech- anical labor department. He has a brother in the army in England and another brother with the Pacific fleet.
FIRST PRESIDENT TO PASS THROUGH LAKE COUNTY
- Editorial -
Hammond Times, October 10, 1943
Around this time in 1868 there passed through northern Lake county a train which bore the first president of the United States to ever travel through our confines. Not only was President Andrew Johnson aboard, but with him were Secretary of State Seward, Gen. U. S. Grant, and the great Civil war naval hero, Admiral Farragut.
The presidential party was en route to Chicago, Illinois where they were going to dedicate the monument and statue erected in honor of Stephen A. Douglas. Incidentally, the Senator Douglas monument still stands at about 31st street and the lake front and can
be seen from the Outer drive. Those traveling on the South Shore will note the statue just west of the Illinois Central tracks.
Some of Johnson's opponents accused him of making a political tour. In any event people got a chance to see the president and also Gen. Grant, destined soon to be president. Chicago- ans knew all about Seward because in 1860 at the Chicago convention that nominated Lincoln he was a close second to the great rail splitter.
The nation, if for nothing else, owes a deep debt of gratitude to Seward because only the year before he had acquired Alaska from Rus- sia by the payment of a few million dollars. His purchase was called "Seward's folly" in those days, but it brought America an empire of almost incalculable value. There is a town in Alaska named after Seward and today that northland is garrisoned by thousands of American soldiers and it is most fortunate that Alaska for defensive reasons, belongs to the United States.
If, in passing through Lake county over what is now the north branch of the New York Central, the president, Grant, Seward or Farragut looked out the car windows they saw very little hereabouts except the wilder- ness. Gary, Indiana Harbor, East Chicago and Whiting were still unborn and the sites of these great industrial communities were sand dunes and marsh land dotted with oaks. So was what is now the northern part of Ham- mond.
But along the south branch of the present New York Central, still called the Michigan Central, that year-1868-saw the coming of a small enterprise, the G. H. Hammond Pack- ing company. It employed only a few people at first and then as now housing was scarce.
You might say that the beginnings of in- dustrialism in Lake county were also marked by the first presidential train ever to go through these parts.
Page One Hundred Ninety-one
GOES TO SOUTH PACIFIC
Hold Memorial Rites Tomorrow For Sergeant Berkowicz
Hammond Times, October 12, 1943
G. Bein
George (Ed) Bein, radioman 2c, has re- turned to a naval base in the south Pacific after spending a week's leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Bein, 844 Truman street, Hammond. This was his first visit home since his enlistment three years ago. A few months ago he completed a course in radar at a training school on the west coast. Prior to his enlistment, Bein was employed by the Continental Roll and Steel foundry. A brother, Robert, is serving in the 82nd air- borne infantry overseas.
SPEEDY PROMOTION
Hammond Times, October 12, 1943
O. Hoch
After being in service only four months, Orval Hoch, whose wife lives at 7282 Black Oak road, Gary, was recently promoted to corporal and sent overseas. Cpl. Hoch took his basic U. S. army training at Camp Croft, S. C. Friends may secure his address from his wife. Cpl. Hoch is one of the many Black Oak boys who have shown "their mettle" to win rapid promotions.
Sgt. Berkowicz
Hammond Times, October 13, 1943
Memorial services for Sgt. Peter M. Berko- wicz, 24-year-old East Chicago soldier who was killed in action in Sicily, will be held at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning at the St. Stani- slaus church with Mgsr. J. Skzrzpinski offi- ciating.
The son of Mrs. Victoria Berkowicz, 5012 Baring avenue, the Twin City sergeant was killed on Aug. 3, the war department an- nounced recently.
The War Mothers club of St Stanislaus church is inviting all relatives, friends and neighbors of the deceased, as well as the mothers of all servicemen from the parish, to participate in the memorial services.
Berkowicz left for active duty in the army on Jan. 14, 1941, with the first East Chicago group to be inducted under the pre-war selective service regulations. Attached to an army communications division, he was trained in California, Texas and Virginia before he was sent overseas.
Prior to his assignment in Sicily, Sgt. Berko- wicz took part in the Tunisian invasion, after which he wrote his mother that he "was lucky to come out whole when so many others were killed."
A graduate of St. Stanislaus school and of Roosevelt high school, he was employed at the Sinclair Oil refineries in East Chicago before leaving for army duty.
In addition to his mother, Berkowicz is sur- vived by one sister, Anna, who is doing de- fense work at the Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing company in Hammond, and one brother, Joseph, now overseas with a Sea- bee unit of the navy.
Page One Hundred Ninety-two
Scattered Clouds Save Former East Chicago Flyer and His Crew
Somehow Reeder's Flying Fortress Held Together
Hammond Times, October 13, 1943
Capt. Reeder
Wing tank punctured, a portion of the stabilizer blown away, the oxygen system shot away at 20,000 feet altitude, and with most of its crew wounded, a B-17 Fortress piloted by First Lt. Sumner H. Reeder, St. Louis, Mo. formerly of East Chicago escaped German fighter planes in a three and a half hour run- ning fight by ducking from cloud to cloud.
Reeder, now promoted to the rank of cap- tain, tells the story in The Stars and Stripes, American expeditionary force overseas news- paper of Sept. 13.
A graduate of Roosevelt high school in 1935, Reeder went to St. Louis college and entered the flying corps there. The copy of the article was sent his grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Sumner, 939 Wilcox street, Ham- mond, by his wife. He formerly lived at 4205 Olcott street, East Chicago.
The story of the air battle, as told by Capt. Reeder, follows:
"It was our 13th mission over enemy terri- tory, and this time it was Stuttgart, deep in Germany. Our group took off early in the morning (Sept. 6) and we flew across the channel and the French coast before the sun was well up.
"It was quiet all the way to the target. No fighters, and hardly any flak. We were actual- ly on our bombing run when disaster hit us.
There were some Focke-Wulfes up in the sun directly over the target. They came into us high at 2 o'clock, almost head on. I didn't see them.
"The one who got us let go with his cannon just as Harold Pope, our engineer (T./Sgt. Harold L. Pope, of Emerson, Neb.) caught him with the top turret guns at 400 yards. The German blew up right in front of us and the fragments of his plane slammed into our tail and knocked part of one stabilizer away.
"That wasn't so bad; it was what his can- non had done that mattered. One shell had torn the nose of the bombardier's compart- ment. Another had mortally wounded our co-pilot. A third went through a wing tank, and the gasoline was spurting out in streams.
"My co-pilot was lying across the controls, covered with blood. He pulled himself into his seat, and stayed there by holding to the right edge of the chair back with his left hand. The 20 mm. shell had gone through his right shoulder and exploded against the armor plate behind him.
"I found that some of the pieces had sprayed across the aisle and hit me in the right arm. After we landed I found there were some pieces in my right leg, too. I was lucky when the shell burst. I must have been leaning for- ward a little and most of the pieces went be- hind me. They tore away the metal back of my seat.
"Down in the nose things were bad. The navigator had one eye hit and was bleeding from that and other wounds. The bombardier was wounded in the face, arms and legs, and couldn't do anything for himself.
"Harry, the co-pilot (F/O Harry E. Edde- burn, Brookville, Pa.) sat there, holding him- self together. Pope came down from the top turret when he got free of fighters for a minute and I told him to take the co-pilot out of his chair and lay him down. He finally Continued on next page
Page One hundred Ninety-three
got him out of the seat and laid him down in the hatchway, giving him his own (Pope's) oxygen bottle. But Harry wouldn't stay there. He got up three separate times and tried to get back to his seat to help me. The third time he almost made it. He got one leg over the edge of the seat, and then fell back into the hatchway. I din't see him move again.
"Pope was fixing up an emergency oxygen line for the wounded bombardier. Pope didn't have any oxygen himself. He would work un- til he felt himself blacking out, then take a few whiffs from my system, which was still working. I had to order him to do it.
"The fighters were at us all the time, and I don't understand how they missed us. Oddly enough, so far as I know, we weren't hit once by flak or a bullet after leaving the formation. Altogether they were on us about three hours and a half.
"As I said, there were no nose guns and only one top turret gun was working now, so we had to keep the fighters behind us, where our gunners could keep them off.
"What finally saved us was a cover of scat- tered cloud. We dived into it at 320 miles an hour.
"The fighters would wait for us at the edge of the clouds and come in when we appeared, so I began making 90 degree turns inside the clouds and coming out at the side. This worked for a while and then the Jerries got wise and waited for us where we planned to come out. So then I went into a cloud, made a 180 degree turn and came out where I went in. This fooled them, and I went from cloud spot to cloud spot half a dozen times without being seen, and finally they lost us.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.