USA > Indiana > Lake County > History Of Veterans Of Foreign Wars (1944) > Part 29
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Then considering that the ordinary normal budget will run five or six billion per annum, the debt service and veterans' rehabilitation will call for expenditures of at least 15 billion. If there is any European reconstructions or world WPA, such as now proposed by the ad- ministration, our part in that enterprise will cost at least five billion, which would raise our total federal budgets to 20 billion a year after the war. (It is safe to assume we would be lucky to get off with five billion for European reconstruction and world WPA).
If the country was suffering from too large a load of private debt prior to the war, with economic consequences which seemed to bring
about structural unemployment, a person who isn't particularly well informed in matters of economics would like to ask the question: What is to be the situation with this tremend- ous debt added to the private debt that exist- ed prior to the war .?
Anybody who can answer that question is a hooperdoo.
Frankly, Mr. Editor, we can't answer any of the questions. We're bushed. FDR is too fast for us.
(Aw, nuts, I'm getting beat. I wanna quit.) The Slap-Happy Editorial writer.
IN NEW CALEDONIA
Hammond Times, January 14, 1944
A letter from their son, Gerald Schaller, was received by Mr. and Mrs. Al Schaller, 421 Waltham street, Hammond, telling of his promotion to petty officer 3/c while serving in the navy at New Caledonia in the south Pacific.
Gerald also wrote that, although he works long hard hours he is very grateful for his bunk, with its springs, clean white sheets, and for the good food, movies and says that he is enjoying every minute of his experience.
Schaller is with a hospital unit as phar- macist's mate and has been overseas nine months. He was formerly associated in busi- ness with his father.
ARMY, NAVY, LIST THREE FROM AREA WOUNDED IN ACTION
Hammond Times, January 14, 1944
Three Calumet area servicemen are listed today as wounded in action.
First Sgt. Benjamin J. Kienzynski, son of Mrs. Caroline Kienzynski, 1175 Waite street, Gary, and Pvt. William E. Laube, son of Mrs. Jennie Laube, 425 Mckinley street, Gary, were listed by the army as wounded in Medi- terranean area fighting.
Pvt. John Singel, a marine, son of Mrs. Mary Singel, 1518 John street, Whiting, is listed as wounded by the navy, the area not being given.
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Hammond Church Buys $1,000 War Bond
Hammond Times, December 30, 1943
One thousand dollars lent to support the war effort will bring beautiful peacetime decorations some day to St. Paul's Lutheran church, Hammond. Above, Mrs. Anton Tap- per, treasurer of the Ladies' Aid society is shown buying the $1,000 war bond from
Walter James Meyer at the Calumet National bank. The Rev. Walter W. Lichtsinn, pastor of the church, smiles his approval of the so- ciety's patriotic act. Money was collected for the bonds by church women, foregoing church decorations for the duration.
HOME FROM ALASKA
Hammond Times, January 14, 1944
Pvt. Paul Baranowski, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Baranowski of School street, is enjoying a two-week furlough here after serving 22 months in Alaska. His two brothers, John, seaman second class, and Carl, G.M. second class, who are somewhere on the Pacific, wrote from the Hawaiian islands saying they had en-
joyed a native Christmas party together. Sea- man John happened to dock in the same port where his brother already had docked several weeks previously.
Mr. Baranowski, who served for eight months as patrolman for the navy at Pearl Harbor, was released because of ill health early in December.
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ARMY REFUSES BROTHER OF HUNGER-STRIKING GIRL FURLOUGH
Food Injections Given Child Hammond Times, December 30, 1943
Mrs. Ann Mathews attempts to feed Martha Jean, 13, her crippled-since-birth daughter who is on a grief-stricken hunger strike be- cause her brother, Denis, air cadet, has not been home to see her. The child has lost 15 pounds weight in three weeks, now weighing 20 pounds.
As Martha Jean Mathews, helpless, crippled 13-year-old daughter of Mrs. Ann Mathews, 4296 Calhoun street, Griffith, sank nearer death today military authorities at Sikestown, Mo., declared the brother, Denis, 18, air cadet, will not get a furlough soon to visit his sister.
Mrs. Mathews declared "only Denis can
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bring her back" as the helpless child refuses to swallow food placed in her mouth in an in- voluntary hunger strike which has lasted al- most three weeks and during which her weight has gone down from 35 to 20 pounds.
Maj. Harold T. Sheldon, Jr., commanding officer of the 309th army air force flying training detachment at Sikestown, where the youth is enrolled, said:
"The situation is such that it is thought inadvisable that the boy be given a furlough at this time. He is enrolled in the air school and, if given a furlough, it will mean that he will not go ahead in his class."
He added that the camp took the "reccom- mendations of the Red Cross" in such matters.
The Red Cross office at Gary, had informed Maj. Sheldon of the plight of the boy's sister.
The youth could not be reached for com- ment.
The Red Cross office at Gary said a report from a physician had been sent Maj. Sheldon and that the Red Cross has no control over furloughs.
The Hammond Red Cross also took action to speed Denis' furlough, Mrs. Eugene S. Car- penter, executive director, telephoned Maj. Sheldon to present the case. She was assured, she said, that a furlough would be granted Denis as soon as possible "even if only for 12 hours" to see his sister.
Despite food injections designed to save her fading life, Martha Jean grew weaker.
Her hunger strike, not a voluntary defiance but due to her grief because the brother who had been her almost constant attendant, has not been home to see her, continued. Unable to feed herself, she refuses to swallow food placed in her mouth.
Dr. Morris Shellhouse, family physician, said he had been administering food injections but admitted she was sinking rapidly.
Meanwhile John Blum, liason officer for the Edward Larsen post, Veterans of Foreign
Wars moved for a furlough for Denis, asking Missouri VFW liason officers to contact the camp officers in an attempt to alter their attitude.
The American Legion also entered the battle, Hammond and Lake county posts send- ing messages to the camp and asking aid of the national headquarters at Indianapolis.
Little Martha Jean, she is only three feet tall and today weighs only 20 pounds, is un- able to comprehend her own grief. To her child mind only one thing counts - Denis is not there.
When he left last February for service he consoled her with a promise to return soon to see her. She had rested easily until three weeks ago when he telephoned from the camp.
The receiver was held to her ear and his beloved voice penetrated her consciousness. She believed him near. When he failed to ap- pear she began to cry. Efforts of the mother to explain were futile.
Martha Jean refused to eat. Day after day she rejected food. Day after day she lost weight, going from 35 to 20 pounds.
Physicians doubted that Denis' appearance would save her life but admitted she might rally if his voice and face cheered her.
WARS
E UNIT
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JACK OLIN McNARY
U.S. NAVY
Jack and Meleda McNary
Jack Olin McNary was born November 4, 1919 in Martinsville, Illinois. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Sherman McNary of Lansing, Michigan. He graduated from Thornton Fractional High School in 1937. His grand parents Charles and Ella Cross of Lansing, Illinois reared him ever since he was the age of 5 years at which time his mother passed away. His brother Denny a paratrooper is now serving overseas, location unknown.
After he graduated from high school he was employed by the Ford Motor Company, and just before he entered the service of the United States Navy he was farming.
He was inducted November 19, 1943, and received his boot training at Great Lakes, Illinois. From there he was sent to an Electrical school in Rhode Island.
He was married to Miss Meleda Sosnowski who was the daughter of Anthony and Helen Sosnowski, at the present time the home ad- dress of Jack and his wife is 219 Pulaski road, Calumet City, Illinois. Jack at the present time is on the Air Craft Carrier U. S. S. Han-
cock, rating Seaman 2/c Electricians Mate. His wife Meleda is employed by the Hoekstra Cleaning Company at 5324 Hohman avenue, Hammond, Indiana.
HOWARD MARVIN BURGESON
Howard Marvin Burgeson was born April 17, 1919, in Lansing, Illinois. He was the son of Gust and Hattie Burgeson. He attended the Public schools in Lansing and the Thorn- ton Fractional high school in Calumet City, Illinois.
He was employed at the Queen Ann Candy Company, and resided at 217 Pulaski road in Calumet City, Illinois. He was inducted in the United States Army in April, 1942. He re- ceived his training at the following camps: Camp Forrest, Tenn., Tacoma, Washington, Camp Clipper, Needles, California, then for some desert training which he received in California.
Howard M. Burgeson
His rating is a Private first class, serial num- ber 36331653 and is in Company F. 136th Infantry. He was sent overseas in July, 1943 and is now somewhere in the Hawaiian Islands.
He has one brother Don Burgeson who also lives in Calumet City, Illinois.
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HECKMAN BROTHERS
Claude R. Heckman
Claude R. Heckman, Jr., S 1/c, U. S. S. Nevada, was born in Hammond, Indiana, December 19, 1922. After he was 4 years of age his parents moved to Lansing, Illinois, where they still reside at the present time. at 18430 Chicago avenue. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Claude R. Heckman.
He attended the public schools in Lansing and Thornton Fractional high school in Calu- met City, Illinois. He enlisted in the Navy, September 7, 1942 and assigned to his ship at Bremmerton, Washington. He saw plenty of active service in the Aleutians, and the South- west Pacific. At the present time he is some- where in the Atlantic.
Robert E. Heckman was born December 31, 1924 in Hammond, Indiana, he was two years old when his parents moved to Lansing, Illinois. He too was educated in the same schools that his brother attended. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps August 3, 1942. He received three months training at Camp Elliott at San Diego, California, and sailed for overseas duty about November 5, 1942. He saw active service in Guadalcanal in December, 1942 and was stricken with Ma- laria fever in January, 1943. He was sent to New Zealand and was there for about five months.
He was in the battle of Tarawa on Novem- ber 20, 1943 and fought for seventy-two
Robert E. Heckman
hours, being one of the eighty-two men left in his outfit, and coming through without a scratch. He has served in Toluga, New He- brides, New Caledonia, and at the present time his location is unknown.
DEDICATED To the Memory of
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR COMRADES
The fifteenth day of February is here once more.
To remember our Comrades of the Spanish- American War.
The boys who fought and died for us in "Ninety-eight."
Their Memory we must remember and com- memorate.
Bully beef, hard tack and very little pay.
The regulars and volunteers will not forget this day.
They too, fought and marched thru mud and rain.
"Remember Pearl Harbor," but also "Remem- ber The Maine."
Salute these Comrades who's ranks are grow- ing thin.
Pay tribute, on the street or any building you are in.
And let us pray, that our boys overseas.
Will bring us Victory with everlasting Peace. -WM. KROKOSKI Chaplain, Post 802 V.F.W.
Page Two Hundred Eighty-nine
EUGENE C. SMITH
Eugene C. Smith
Eugene C. Smith was born October 4, 1922 in Danville, Illinois. While still a very small boy his parents moved to Hammond, Indiana - receiving his education in the schools there, and graduated from Hammond high school in 1940.
He is the son of Carl and Mildred Smith, residing at 6604 Arkansas avenue in Ham- mond. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. Before enlisting in the United States Army he was employed by the American Steel Foundry Company in Hammond. He has one brother Roy Edward Smith who is still at home.
He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps April 5, 1941 and was sent to Ft. Ben- jamin Harrison at Indianapolis, Indiana - from there to Marsh Field, California and was there from April 15 to November 1, 1941. On November 1st he was sent to his Port of Embarkation, San Francisco, California and went to the Philippine Islands, arriving there about December 8th. On this date he sent greetings home by Radiogram. Two days later the Japs made a raid on the Islands in which he was seriously wounded.
On Christmas Eve his parents were notified by the War Department that Eugene was
seriously wounded. From that date to the present time (February 22nd, 1944) they have never received any communication from him. The parents have made several contacts with the War Department, but to date they have been unable to locate him. The supposi- tion is that he was captured by the Japs when they took possession of the Islands on May 10, 1942.
In a letter from the War Department dated May 7, 1943, we quote "The records of the War Department show your son, Pvt. Eugene C. Smith, No. 15,062,345 Air Corps, missing in action in Philippine Islands since May 7, 1942." His parents are hoping and praying that Eugene may be well and alive, and that some day not in the to far future he may be home with them again.
THE THILMONT BROTHERS
Raymond A. Thilmont was born February 14, 1921 in Highland, Indiana. He was edu- cated in the schools in Highland and Ham- mond Technical high school. They were the sons of Allen and Florence Thilmont.
Raymond was inducted into the United States Army October 21, 1942 and was sent
Raymond Thilmont
to Fort Benjamin Harrison at Indianapolis, Indiana - then to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he
Page Two Hundred Ninety
spent the most of his training in the States.
Raymond was called home on account of the death of his father who passed away on November 20, 1942. He is in the Army Anti Air Craft Division, Battery D, 163rd A.A.A. Bn., serial number 35562607.
After about 9 months of training at Fort Bliss, Texas he was sent to the Port of Em-
Robert Thilmont
barkation, San Francisco, California, his des- tination was Australia, from there to New Guinea, and now the family does not know where he is only in the South Pacific area.
Robert J. Thilmont was born September 25, 1925 in Highland and was educated in the schools there and also Hammond Tech high school. He was one of the stars of the Ham- mond Tech Basketball team in 1942.
He was inducted into the United States Army February 15, 1943, and was sent to Fort Benjamin Harrison at Indianapolis, Indiana. Then to Wolters, Texas, and on June 22, 1943 he was transferred to Camp San Luis Obispo, California - from there to the Port of Em- barkation, San Francisco, California - to the Hawaiian Islands where he is at the present time. He is in Company C, 1st Infantry, Serial number 35095307.
Both boys received the sad message that their mother, Mrs. Florence Thilmont had
passed away January 16, 1944. Both were overseas when they received this message. Their hearts heavy with grief with both par- ents gone and two sisters and a small brother at home. The youngest brother John who is eight years old and Blanch and Ruth are the ones who are keeping the home fires burning, and Glenn the oldest brother who is married lives in Hammond.
ELMER AUSTGEN
Elmer J. Austgen, born June 30, 1916 in Hammond, Indiana. He is the son of Pete and Mary Austgen who live at 5257 State Line street in Hammond. He was educated in the St. Joseph and Catholic Central high school.
Elmer J. Austgen
Before entering the service of the United States Army he was employed by the Lever Bros. Company. He was inducted April 16, 1942 and went to Camp Leonard Wood, Mis- souri, from there he was transferred to Camp Shelby, Mississippi. He was the only child of the Austgen family.
He is now at the Port of Embarkation in New York a Corporal in Co. A, 512th M. P. Bn. A.P.O. 9494, c/o Postmaster, New York City, N. Y. Serial No. 35352416.
He was married to Miss Patrice McShane, who is the daughter of James and Mary Mc- Shane of Hammond, Indiana. Elmer is 28 years old and has already served 22 months in the Army.
Page Two Hundred Ninety-one
SGT. NED EDWIN YORK
Sgt. Ned York
Sgt. Ned Edwin York was born July 1st, 1915 in Covington, Indiana and was the son of Charles and Mable York. He has four brothers, David, Paul, Charles, and Robert, and two sisters Elizabeth and Helen who reside in Hammond. Ned is in the United States Army at San Antonio, Texas.
He was inducted June 24, 1941 and went to Fort Riley, Kansas, and from there to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he received the promotion of technician 4th grade. He served in the following Camps in Texas on the Mexican border. Fort D. A. Russell, at Marfa, Camp Persito and Camp Brownsville at Brownsville, Texas. He was then transferred to Camp White Oregon at Medford, Oregon, there he was promoted to Staff Sergeant.
Before leaving the state of Texas, while at El Paso in June, 1942, he was married to Miss Anna Mae White who is the daughter of Oliver S. and Agnes White, 6332 Jefferson street, Hammond, Indiana.
While at Camp White, Oregon, he was called home to the bedside of his father who was very ill. He spent several days with him and while returning to Camp his father passed away on October 1, 1942 by the time he re-
turned to the Camp and he received the news it was to late for him to get back for the funeral.
On January 23, 1944 he received his Port of Embarkation orders to destination un- known. He received a furlough to go home on March 25, and returned to Portland, Oregon February 11 to return to his unit there.
PURPLE HEART AWARDED TO JACK RASMUSSEN
Jack Rasmussen
Mrs. John Rasmussen of Chicago avenue received a package this week containing a purple heart award, and several other smaller ribbon citations including a ribbon and star given for service in the South Pacific theatre of war, from her son Jack who is with the Marines somewhere in the south Pacific.
Jack received the purple heart for having been wounded in action during the Guadal- canal campaign about a year ago. A letter accompanied the package. In the letter Jack told his mother that instead of the anticipated furlough home he was again being sent into action. He has been confined to a hospital for the past several months. The letter was written on October 29, and received here November 27. Jack has observed two birthdays in the Pacific war area.
Page Two Hundred Ninety-two
NATIVES HOP WITH JOY
Lansing Journal
Native women on the south Pacific island atoll of Tarawa were so grateful when Amer- ican marines freed them from their Jap cap- tors that they danced for hours to entertain their liberators.
This interesting sidelight on the bloody battle for the "mile of hell" was contained in a letter written to Mr. and Mrs. John Ras- mussen of Chicago avenue, Lansing, by their son, Marine Pvt. Jack Rasmussen.
And Pvt. Rasmussen doesn't speak from hearsay, either, for he was one of the heroes of the battle. It wasn't his first active en- counter with the Japs, for he also had fought them on Guadalcanal last February, receiving minor wounds that later reverted into malarial fever.
Although his wordage in the letter was limited by marine corps orders, Pvt. Rasmus- sen said he was allowed to say "the big battle of Tarawa is finished and all the Japs are killed."
CHARLES BINGHAM
Charles Bingham
Pfc. Charles Bingham, born October 2, 1921 in Taylorville, Illinois, enlisted in the
United States Marines in 1941, and at that time became engaged to Marjorie Rasmussen of Lansing, Illinois. As soon as the United States declared war they got married and Charles left immediately for Iceland, and at the present time he is still there. Charles is a member of the Edward H. Larsen Post. His serial number is 16017095.
Mrs. Marjorie Bingham
After he left for Iceland his wife Marjorie joined the WAC's and was sent to Camp Polk in Louisiana for her training. She was there for several months and was given a medical discharge. The Rasmussen family live at 18508 Chicago avenue in Lansing. Marjorie is a mem- ber of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Larsen Post and also has a brother serving overseas.
WILLIAM T. WARMAN
Pvt. William T. Warman was born in Cleaton, Kentucky, December 15, 1915 and enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Knox, Ky. on July 5, 1940 and was assigned to the 13th Armored Regiment. His serial number is 15041844.
He was the only child of Jacob L. and Car- rie E. Warman who now live in Hammond, Indiana.
He left the States on the Queen Mary the
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early part of May, 1942 to Belfast, Ireland and remained there about 11 months. He then went to Liverpool, England, remaining there about six weeks. He left Liverpool on the U.S.S. Brazil for Africa. He was in the Supply Detachment hauling supplies to the front, and saw his first action with the enemy at Algers, Africa.
William T. Warman
He also made the Tunisian Campaign and was shell shocked in this engagement. He was first taken to the Field Hospital at Tunisia, and then by plane a distance of 800 miles to the 6th General Hospital at Oran, Africa, making the flight in 31/2 hours. This was a Free French Hospital operated by the Amer- icans - while there he saw General Giraud the French General. He was in this hospital about 5 weeks.
He was then transferred by plane to Casa- blanca a distance of about 800 miles and placed in a hospital there for about two months. He arrived at Casablanca about a week after President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill had been there.
He sailed from Casablanca on April 20, 1943 and landed on Staten Island April 27th, he entered Haloran General Hospital there, and remained there about one week and was transferred to Darnell General Hospital at Danville, Kentucky. He was discharged from
this hospital on July 14, 1943 and sent direct from there to the Veterans Facility at Fort Custer, Michigan, remaining there about three weeks and came to his home in Hammond, Indiana.
RICHARD ARTHUR ORPHEY
Richard A. Orphey
Richard Arthur Orphey was born March 15, 1924 in Hammond, Indiana, and educated in the All Saints and Hammond high schools. He made application for enlistment in the Marine Corps in February, 1942 and was ac- cepted in June of the same year. The reason they were so slow in accepting him was on account of his height. He is 6 ft. 3 1/4 inches tall.
He received his boot training in Paris Island, South Carolina, then transferred to New York where he received a course in Radio, after he finished this course he joined the 4th Volun- teer Raiders. He left San Diego, California February 9, 1943 for the South Pacific area. They received a letter from him once while he was in a hospital in New Zealand. He holds the rating of a Corporal, and his serial num- ber is 406086.
He is the son of Peter F. and Gertrude Or-
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phey who reside at 1030 Drackert street in Hammond. Richard returned to the United States in June, 1943 having had Malaria fever. At the present time he is in the Naval Air Base in Astoria, Oregon. He has been re- examined and is ready for overseas duty again. He has a brother Francis who is in the Navy, and one sister, Mrs. Winifred Horvath of Hammond, Indiana.
MOTHER AND SON
PFC. EDWARD E. FRANZ
Edward E. Franz
Edward E. Franz was born June 20, 1920 in Chicago Heights, Illinois, and was educated in the schools there. His father served in the First World War and was Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Chicago Heights.
Edward was inducted October 16, 1941, and was sent overseas August 22, 1942 and landed in England, from there to Cassablanca, Africa, and took an active part in the cam- paign there. He was also in the invasion cam- paign in Sicily. His serial number is 35169805,
he is in the Army 78th Ordinance Company, Depot.
MRS. LILLIAN KNERR
Mrs. Lillian Knerr
Mrs. Lillian Knerr the wife of Owen C. Knerr - the present historian of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Edward H. Larsen Post No. 802 - is the daughter of John and Mary Tanner of Chicago Heights, Illinois. Her son, Edward E. Franz has served in the African and Sicilian campaigns.
Mrs. Knerr has served this Post as Historian for more than two years - was Color Bearer in 1942, Junior Vice President in 1943-1944. At the present time she has been placed in charge of the Booth in the Minas Department Store to promote the sale of War Bonds.
The Edward H. Larsen Post publishes a monthly bulletin edited by Henry W. Carr, which Mrs. Knerr has had the honor of nam- ing, "OUR COMRADES." A contest was conducted by the Auxiliary and many names were turned in. Mrs. Knerr won with her title "OUR COMRDES."
Page Two Hundred Ninety-five
MOTHER AND SON
PAUL FRITZ
Paul Fritz
Paul Fritz was born December 18, 1924 in Lawrenceville, Illinois, and is the son of James A. and Jennie Fritz of Lansing, Illinois. He has a brother in the United States Navy who has already seen plenty of service, having had two ships torpedoed that he was on. If it is action that you crave you certainly get it when your ship is struck by a torpedo.
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