USA > Indiana > Lake County > History Of Veterans Of Foreign Wars (1944) > Part 34
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LANDELL AT GUADALCANAL
D. Landell
Hammond Times, February 16, 1944
Mixing it up with the Nips in the Solo- mons. Cpl. Del Landell found the U. S. troops there bowling over the enemy much the same as the boys used to bowl strikes on the Perrin's alley's in Hammond, where Del served as as- sistant manager.
Cpl. Landell's home address is 537 Vine street, Hammond, and he is the nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Mickey Schutz. Schutz is man- ager of Perrin's. Landell was a popular boy those 300 games, Del!
around this town. Keep 'em bowling those 300 games, Del!
Page Three Hundred and Forty-three
MCCLANAHAN LANDS IN BRITAIN
C. Mcclanahan
Hammond Times, February 7, 1944 Cpl. T/5 Clarence McClanahan sent his moth- er a cable telling her of his safe arrival in Eng- land recently.
He is the son of Mrs. A. L. McClanahan 1135-150th street, Hammond. Cpl. McClana- han formerly worked at Lanham's Bolt com- pany in East Chicago prior to his induction into the army two years ago.
A graduate of Irving and Hammond high schools, class of 1939, Cpl. McClanahan is attached the armoured tank battalion forces.
NAZIS DON'T LIKE W. P.
R. Martinson
Hammond Times, Feb. 11, 1944
"The Germans are very allergic to W.P." Sgt. Richard N. Martinson, 84th chemical batallion, now in a rest camp after four months on the Mediterranean front, writes his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Martinson, 1828 Stanton Avenue, Whiting. W.P. is white phosphorus, contained in mortar shells which flames and cannot be brushed off.
Martinson, a George Rogers Clark grad- uate, where he won first national honors as a saxophone soloist, and who was employed at the tin mill laboratory of Inland Steel before entering the service, March 27, 1942, went overseas in April 1943 and was in the Sicilian invasion and also the invasion at Salerno, Italy.
V. F. W. MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
Top row, left to right: Representatives Fred E. Busbey, Illinois; William C. Cole, Missouri; John D. Me Williams, Connecticut. Bottom row, left to right: Ivor D. Fenton, Pennsylvania: Joe Starnes. Ala- bama; John P. Newsome, Alabama.
Page Three Hundred and Forty-four
LT. CLYDE CLEVELAND, SON OF LATE JUDGE, MISSING SINCE JAN. 24, ITALIAN AIR FIGHT
Hammond Times, February 8, 1944
Second Lt. Clyde Cleveland, son of the late Superior court judge, Clyde Cleveland, has been missing in action since Jan. 24th, when he failed to return to his base following an air battle over Italy, the war department inform- ed his mother, Mrs. Mildred Cleveland, 17 Lawndale St., Hammond, this week end.
Nearly three weeks ago Mrs. Cleveland re- ceived a letter, dated Feb. 2, from Brig. Gen. Edward M. Morris, Lt. Cleveland's command- ing officer, telling her that her only son shot down a German DO-217 plane last Jan. 24, the same day he was later reported mising.
The 24-year-old hero is a pilot of a Spitfire fighter plane and has been overseas nearly a year.
Lt. Cleveland was graduated from Ham-
Lt. Cleveland
mond high school and attended Indiana uni- versity for two years. He was employed at Inland Steel company's East Chicago plant when he entered the service.
He is a nephew of Henry Cleveland, assist- ant city attorney of Hammond who is also de- fense counsel in the denaturalization trial of Bernard Claassen.
82
Nearly every important measure on veteran welfare enacted Dy Congress must first be approved by the House Committee on Veteran Legislation. Here Carl J Schoeninger, Detroit, Mich., (right) Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U S., confers with Representative John E. Rankin, Miss .. chair- man of the committee
Page Three Hundred and Forty-five
A Drive for New Memebers 1944
Left to right seated are the officers of the post. Mother Anna Mulvey the only gold star mother of the Post. Mrs. Lee Franklin, Guard; Mrs. Claude Stokes, secretary; Mrs. Owen Knerr-Junior Vice president; Mrs. Charles Buckle, President; Mrs. James Fritz, Conduc- tress; Mrs. John Casey, Chaplain; Mrs. John Fischer, Pianist; Lillian Carr, Treasurer Pro
tem. Constance Bobinsky, District President; Verna Hansen, Color Guard, standing by flags, left to right, Ethel Willison, Color Guard; Mrs. Victor Smith, Color Guard; Mrs. Allee Fulk, Color Guard, and Mrs. Viola Jones standing by the center flag, Patriotic Instruc- tor.
NAVY, FDR HONOR TWIN CITY HERO Slain Sgt. Merritt Walton Gets Medal, and Citation
Hammond Times, February 4, 1944
After giving his life to silence an enemy machine gun which menaced his unit on
Sgt. Walton
Guadalcanal, Marine Platoon Sgt. Merritt C. Walton of East Chicago has been awarded posthumously the navy cross with a presi- dential citation.
"Sgt. Walton" the citation read, "volun- tarily proceeded to reconnoite the position of a hostile machine gun which threatened his
platoon's right flank. After skillfully spotting the weapon's location, he courageously par- ticipated in a daring attack and realized suc- ces in silencing this deadly menace before he died of fatal wounds."
The 27-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Walton, 717 West Chicago avenue, Sgt. Wal- ton was wounded fatally in the Solomon Is- lands Aug. 7, 1942. The war department no- tified his parents of his death Sept. 3, of that year.
A marine for six and one-half years, he ser- ved three and one-half years in China, where he was assigned to duty on the USS Marble- head. He enlisted after the first four years and volunteered for duty in the first marine para- trooper divisions
The Waltons, who formerly lived in Sut- ton, Neb., moved to East Chicago, about sev- en years ago and their son's last visit to the Twin Cities was in March 1942.
In adition to his parents, he is survived by one sister, Clarice, who lives in California.
Page Three Hundred and Forty-six
VFW HONORS 55 LEADERS
Five Hammond Men to Be Feted at Banquet for Patriotic Services
Hammond Times, March 30, 1944
GARY-A banquet honoring the 55 men ci- ted during the last three years by the district Veterans of Foreign Wars organization for outstanding patriotic service ; will be held Fri- day night at 6:30 o'clock in the Steel City Post 909 clubrooms, Washington St., Joseph Deschenes announced today.
Included in the 55 are five Hammond men; Raymond M. Fox, W. H. McPherson, E. D. Anderson, E. A. Longgood and Rex L. Hidy. The citations were awarded during the dist- rict commandership of James F. Pace, Gary.
Each district post will be presented with an engraved citation listing all 55 names. A plaque honoring 125 sons and daughters of Steel City Post 909 members now in service will be dedicated.
PVT. GREENING DIES IN ACTION
War Department Notifies Mother
Pvt. Greening
Hammond Times, February 4, 1944
A former Hammond man, Pvt. Harold Greening, was killed in action last Jan. 15 in the south Pacific battle zone, the war depart- ment informed his mother, Mrs. Anna Gock- en, Highland, yesterday.
No details of his death were included in the telegram but the mother was assured a letter giving the manner of his death follows.
Prior to his induction into the army Oct. 23, 1942, Pvt. Greening lived with his mother at 4837 Hickory avenue, Hammond, and was employed by the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company, East Chicago.
He was sent overseas late in 1942. Other survivors include a brother, Hiram Greening, and four sisters, Mrs. Roy Anderson, Lincoln, Neb .; Mrs Raymond Boyd and Mrs. Harold Wilson, both of Hammond and Mrs. Bruch- man, Highland.
COMMENDED FOR EFFICIENCY
Hammond Times, March 2, 1944
M. BOKORI
The U. S. army unit in the Aleutian area, with which Cpl. Mike L. Bokori serves, re- cently commended him for "exceptionally efficient performance in the carrying out of his military duties with the army engineers."
Capt. Fred W. Richards thus cited Cpl. M. L. Bokori, 525 144th street, East Chicago. The captain said Bokori's work is outstand- ing and had been accomplished under the most adverse conditions. The corporal has been in Alaska since October, 1942, and is now stationed, as the military censors put it, "somewhere in the Aleutians."
Page Three Hundred and Forty-seven
FICKLE FORTUNE FADES
A. Stone
Hammond Times, February 27, 1944
Luck was flying with Sgt. Arnold Stone last New Year's eve when he and his buddies dropped bombs into France. Luck, and cour- age and that sort of blind faith that makes a youngster of 21 feel that the god of battles is bound to be with him in his first fight.
The Hammond youth came back to Britain a hero. There were 142 flak holes in his four- motor Flying Fortress "Hangover." But Stone's skin was whole.
Faith and courage remained, but flckle for- tune flitted to other favorites.
Yesterday Sgt. Stone was reported missing in action.
Word came to his aunt, Mrs. Harold Bynes, of 923 State street. Arnold had been like a son to her since his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Stone were killed in an automobile accident three years ago. She saw him through his last year at Roosevelt high school, East Chicago and gave him a mother's embrace when he left his construction company job to go to war. That was 15 months ago. She had no children of her own and Arnold sort of rounded out the family circle - herself, her husband and the boy.
Arnold has been a regular writer home since that big night when he got his first taste of war in giving Hitler such a New Year's pres- ent. Mrs. Bynes and Arnold's sister, Mrs. Clyde McBride, of 621 E. 7th street, Gary, have heard of his many exploits since the first miraculous escape.
"An act of God," Arnold an dhis fellow fighters called it when their flak-riddled fort- ress took fire over a French air target but
managed to get home through a swarm of Hun fighter planes.
But that was just his first experience. Others followed. Arnold was promoted from bombardier to waist gunner. On mission after mission he went and many were his narrow escapes from death, other acts attributed to a watchful Diety seeing him through every time.
The war seemed to be going along fine for Arnold. His superior recognized his bravery and skill. You could read that much between the lines in his letters. His younger brother, James Richard Stone, was so proud of Arnold. James got into the navy when he was only 16. But his guardians took him out. So Arnold had to do the fighting for the whole family. If only his luck would hold out - but the god of battles rings the changes on its acts with disconcerting rapidity.
And Arnold's luck didn't hold.
DECORATED - PROMOTED Hammond Times, February 14, 1944
R. J. Baldwin
Veteran of the Sicilian campaign and the south of Rome landing, wearer of the order of the Purple Heart and twice wounded in battle, Robert Baldwin of Hammond has been promoted from ensign to naval lieutenant (j.g.).
News of the young officer's promotion came yesterday to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Baldwin, of 439 Waltham street. He served as gunnery and communications officer on an amphibious LST for almost a year in the Med- iterranean war theater. He was awarded the Purple Heart last September and sent it to his parents.
Lt. Baldwin, 23, is a graduate of Hammond high school and Drake university.
Page Three Hundred and Forty-eight
For the Orphans of War Veterans
America's Greatest Child Welfare Project - the V. F. W. National Home
Through the facilities of the V. F. W. Na - tional Home, at Eaton Rapids, Mich., the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is the only veteran fraternity that offers its members the security of knowing their children will never be forced to seek the shel- ter of an unfriendly roof or the drab, colorless supervision of an orphanage maintained by public charity.
Since 1925, the V. F. W. National Home has provided shelter and protection for the orphaned sons and daughters of deceased members of the V. F. W. Regardless of the cause of the father's death - the dependent children of a veteran who dies during his ac- tive membership status are eligible to the advantages of the V. F. W. National Home. These include all the necessities and comforts of a healthy, happy youth - food, clothing, medical and dental care, excellent public school education, religious training along the lines of his family background. All this is pro- vided at absolutely no cost to the veteran -
either before or after his death - or to his family!
To say that the V. F. W. National Home provides an ideal environment for the growth and development of boys and girls up to 18 years of age is not to exaggerate in a single degree. Few private homes, anywhere in the country, can provide children the variety of benefits enjoyed by the wards of the V.F.W. National Home.
The Home occupies a 640-acre tract of rich, rolling Michigan farm land in the valley of the Grand River, a few miles from Eaton Rapids. Here there has been built a "child village," of some 22 family-size homes - attractive brick residences of varied but har- monizing design. Here also are modern, well- equipped farm and dairy buildings, a small but efficient hospital unit built several years ago by the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary at a cost of $35,000. The Auxiliary also was the donor of the more recent Community Center, a large, handsome $65,000 building whose facil-
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ities include complete gymnasium equipment and an auditorium with a stage, suitable for various kinds of entertainments, shows and parties.
Then there is the playground and athletic field recently completed at a cost of $10,000 by the Military Order of the Cootie, V.F.W. fun degree. Funds are now being collected for an outdoor swimming pool to be installed by the M.O.C. as soon as the end of the war releases the necessary materials.
A detailed description of the V.F.W. Na- tional Home should include the beautiful orchard, whose trees bear all the apples the children at the Home can eat, besides provid- ing a surplus for marketing. The Home is largely self-sustaining in the matter of garden produce, chicken, eggs and dairy products. Surplus supplies in all these commodities are sold and the proceeds devoted to the mainten- ance funds of the Home.
So much for the principal physical attri- butes of the V.F.W. National Home although it would require thousands of words to ade- quately describe the healthful Michigan climate with its sparkling winters whose heavy snows provide the Home youngsters with the skiing, sledding and skating they love - its sunfilled summers under cloudless blue skies when healthy young bodies grow strong and tanned and buoyant young spirits expand in a wise proportion of congenial duties and wholesome pleasures.
In the 18 years since the V.F.W. National Home was established, it has expanded into a million dollar project, supported through the activities of the V.F.W. and its Auxiliary. Most of the cottage units were built by the several state Departments of the V.F.W. Additional cottages are planned for early con- struction immediately following the termina- tion of the present war. Particularly interest- ing is the fact that the members of the V.F. W. have never been assessed to support the Home. Its maintenance is entirely voluntary on the part of the individual members and units. One valuable source of the necessary funds is provided by the annual nationwide Buddy Poppy distribution, with one cent from the sale of each Buddy Poppy being devoted to the Home.
To thoroughly understand the relationship of the V.F.W. to its National Home, it is necessary to know the idealism behind the project. To every member of the Gold Chev- ron Order, the Eaton Rapids institution is a living memorial to his comrades-in-arms who have died. There is a close personal bond be- tween the members of the V.F.W. As veterans of active service overseas, in America's wars, campaigns and armed expeditions, they share a background of hazardous experience, of service, hardship and sacrifice that makes the word "patriotism" a living reality to them all. Such men feel a sense of personal responsibility to one another. Their proudest boast is that the first purpose of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is "to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan."
This is the ideal which inspires the personal pride with which every member of the V.F.W. contemplates the children of the V.F.W. Na- tional Home. Only his flesh-and-blood child- ren are more dear to him than the boys and girls of his former comrades, the wards of the V.F.W. National Home. That these children should become the finest type of American man and woman is an ambition he shares with every other member of the order. That is why the children at the Home, from their earliest years, are afforded every possible advantage that wise planning and instruction can give them. They learn pride in their heritage of patriotic service "above and beyond the call of duty." They learn to share in the responsi- bilities of life at the Home.
Because there is no form of regimentation at the V.F.W. National Home-there are no uniforms, no drills, no "official inspections" or other customs which belong to the tradi- Θ›ional "institution," the children are allowed to express their personal tastes in clothing just as normal girls and boys do everywhere. Spe- cial talents are fostered by dancing or music lessons. Hobbies are encouraged and provide a source of wholesome competition.
Leadership in school activities is also en- couraged with the result that Home children participate in every school club, play or other extra-curricular program. Since its beginning, the Home has been able to boast that its young wards are on every honor roll of the Eaton
Page Three Hundred and Fifty
Rapids high and grade schools. Its boys are on the track, baseball, basketball and football teams. Its girls serve as school librarians, mem- bers of choral clubs and on the staffs of school publications.
All this well-directed training and experi- ence helps the boys and girls of the V.F.W. National Home to reach the age of 18 as well- rounded young men and women, capable in numerous ways, and fully prepared to go on to further schooling or to embark upon their respective careers in their chosen fields.
Since December 7, 1941, more than 50 boys who have been graduated from the Home, and two girls, have entered the Armed Forces. The service star flag at the Home already bears one gold star, in memory of Lawrence Sims, a radio operator on a Navy plane that failed to return to its base after an air mission in the Pacific last summer. Lawrence had been cited twice by the Navy Department-once for bravery during the attack on Pearl Har- bor and once for scoring direct hits on enemy vessels from the air.
The husband - or father - who joins the Armed Forces today has one great anxiety. What will become of his wife and children should he fail to return?
American soldiers, sailors and marines face with unflinching courage the hardships and sufferings and dangers of warfare. They gladly endure discomfort, illness, weariness and hard work. They eagerly obey the orders that put them into direct conflict with the enemy. All the pleasures and luxuries of peacetime, they discard without a thought. Their one sincere desire is to meet the enemy and defeat him
and-if their lives must be sacrificed to that end-they will pay the price gladly.
But - what of their families? That is the shadow that hovers over thousands of mem- bers of America's Armed Forces today who have wives and children at home. They shrink from imposing on their loved ones the price of peace they themselves are willing to pay. If they could know that their wives and children would be cared for, sheltered and pro- tected-that their comfort and future secur- ity would be assured-their greatest anxiety would be erased.
To such men, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States offers freedom from worry and haunting fear. Membership in the V.F.W .- America's Gold Chevron Order of combat service men and veterans-conveys to the wife and children of each member, eligi- bility to the V.F.W. National Home when and if it is needed. The continued mainten- ance of the V.F.W. National Home-so long as its protection is needed for the children of America's deceased veterans - is a sacred re- sponsibility of the V.F.W .- one which it will never shirk.
It has frequently been said this is a "young man's war." Nevertheless, the nation's soldiers, sailors and marines of today represent the na- tion's fathers of tomorrow. That's why the story of the V.F.W. National Home is im- portant to every man who will earn his V.F. W. eligibility in this war. Just as the govern- ment insurance for which he subscribes will furnish security for himself or for his depend- ent parents, his V.F.W. membership will af- ford additional protection for his wife and children, during the years to follow, through the facilities of the V.F. W. National Home.
Page Three Hundred and Fifty-one
Government Benefits For World War II Veterans
Under laws enacted by the Congress of the United States as of May 1, 1943
V.F.W. Ready to Assist World War II Veterans
Since the law provides that the American Red Cross is the only authorized agency per- mitted to contact members of the Armed Forces in Army and Navy hospitals for the purpose of filing original claims for compen- sation, insurance, etc., the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U. S., and other veterans' organi- zations, are prohibited by the War and Navy Department from giving any assistance to these men.
The veteran, however, if he so desires, may prefer to have the V.F.W. represent him in the adjudication of his claim. He can exercise this privilege by signing a power of attorney ( (Form P-22) in favor of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U. S. at the time of filing his original claim, or any time thereafter. This power of attorney will authorize the V.F.W. to act as his legal representative in the prose- cution of his claim with the Veterans Admin- istration.
When the present war was forced upon the United States, our country was far less pre- pared to meet the problems involved than it should have been. However, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U. S. was ready to submit to the Congress proposed legislation dealing with the welfare and security of those called upon to serve in the Armed Forces-and their dependents. Because many members of Con- gress are veterans of past wars, with first- hand experience in the handling of veteran problems, the legislation proposed by the V.F.W. received swift and favorable consider-
ation. As a result, those serving with the Armed Forces in this war are less handicapped than the veterans of any previous war in the history of this government.
This is a summary of the major benefits to which World War II Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard members, and their dependents, are entitled under legislation en- acted by the Congress of the United States to date. This presentation deserves the careful study of all V.F.W. and Auxiliary members who can help disseminate the information contained therein to all persons serving in World War II and their relatives at home. You are urged to preserve this summary for future reference.
ALLOWANCE AND ALLOTMENT -
ARMY
Under the new Servicemen's Dependents Allowance Act of 1942, which the President signed on June 23, 1942, allowances are pro- vided for the wives and children, and certain dependent relatives, of men in the lower grades of the Army. This benefit is limited to relatives and dependents of enlisted men in the Seventh, Sixth, Fifth and Fourth Grades. In the Army, these grades are: Private, Private First Class, Technician Fifth Grade, Corporal, Technician Fourth Grade and Sergeant.
The Act provides a family allowance for the wife and children of a soldier in one of these grades; and, if the soldier desires, a family allowance for certain other relatives of the soldier if they are dependent upon him for a substantial portion of their support.
Here is how the law works: A soldier, who has relatives or dependents who are eligible, gets an official application form from his
Page Three Hundred and Fifty-two
Commanding Officer. He fills out the form, following the simple directions printed there- on. He then returns the form to his Com- manding Officer.
If his application is approved, the allowance to his relatives or dependents will begin to accrue on the first of the next succeeding month following the date of application, and will be payable to the relatives or dependents following the end of that month. The allow- ance will continue to be payable each month thereafter as long as the soldier and his rela- tives or dependents remain eligible for it, up until six months after the present war ends.
Relatives and dependents should not file an application if they know one has been filed by the soldier. If they apply, however, relatives and dependents must use the official applica- tion form, and must accompany their appli- cations with certain documentary evidence.
If the soldier files the application, he is al- lowed six months in which to furnish the documentary evidence. This evidence is ex- plained on the application form.
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