USA > Indiana > Lake County > History Of Veterans Of Foreign Wars (1944) > Part 7
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Webster's wife Mary and his step-son, Edward Wag- ner, 16, lives at 2264 India- Webster napolis boulevard in Whiting. His step-daugh- er, Mrs. Steve Magy, lives in San Francisco.
Prior to his induction into the navy six months ago, Webster was employed at the 'Standard Oil company's refinery. Shortly be- fore he left the United States, his wife visited him in New York City.
Page Sixty-five
BUDDIES THROUGH TOUGH FIGHTING
Hammond Times, April 28, 1943
Left to right, Pvt. Ernest M. Vander Tuuk, Pvt. Edward C. Nelson and Pfc. Robert Her- rman.
Three Lake county homes were made brighter recently with the news that Pvt. Ernest M. Vander Tuuk of Highland, Pvt. Edward C. Nelson of Crown Point, and Rob- ert Herrman of Dyer were still alive and well after seeing action on the Tunisian battle front.
All three men, Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vander Tuuk learned in a letter from their son, are prisoners in a camp in Germany, hav- ing been moved there recently after previous- ly remaining in Italy as prisoners of the Nazi government.
The three buddies received their basic army training together at Camp Wheeler, Ga., and sent overseas together in February of 1942.
Seat Meissner as VFW Chief; Dedicate Books
Hammond Times, May 3, 1943
New officers of the Edward H. Larsen and Post No. 802, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and its auxiliary were installed and the 126- page war history book compiled by John W. Blume, post historian, was dedicated yest- erday afternoon in Odd Fellows Hall.
Adolph Starr of Lafayette, who was com- mander of the post in 1928, installed the post officers, headed by Werner P. Meissner, com- mander, while Mrs. Margaret Snowden, of Gary, district auxilliary president, inducted
the auxilliary officers headed by Mrs. Law- rence Buckle, president.
Presentation to Howard
James A. Howard, librarian for the Ham- mond Public libraries, acepted copies of the war history book presented for use in the li- braries, declaring they will prove invaluable historical data. A copy of the volume was presented to Rex L. Hidy of the Hammond Times, and copies will be presented to John P. Flanagan, VFW liason officer of Edward Hines Hospital; Charles Gordon Beck, man- ager of the hospital and its library.
Page Sixty-six
Install Officers and Dedicate Historical Book
Hammond Times, April 29, 1943.
Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars posts in Indiana's first district and Illinois will attend ceremonies in Hammond Sunday when new officers of the Edward H. Larsen VFW post 802, are installed and the 126-page war history book compiled by Post Historian John W. Blume is dedicated.
Adolph Starr of Lafayette, who was 1928 commander of the post, will install 1943-44 officers and Mrs. Margaret Snowden of Gary, district auxiliary president, will induct aux- iliary officers at the Odd Fellows' lodge hall, 467 State street, where Starr also will preside at dedication of Blume's historical works. Fol- lowing the installations and dedication, those in attendance will return to the VFW hall at 536 Sibley street.
Blume's data includes accounts of regional casualties and experiences of fighting men on the foreign war fronts in the present war, military and naval life of local men serving in World war II, a history of the Civil war, war with Spain, and the two World wars, na- tional and local VFW histories, biographical sketches of Larsen post commanders who served since 1921 and charter members in aux- iliary activities and Hammond civic projects. A review of the book will appear in tomor- row's editions of this newspaper.
Invite Families
The post has issued invitations to families and relatives of soldiers, sailors and marines of foreign service, who are mentioned in Blume's war history, to attend Sunday's in- stallation and book dedication. The foreign service list includes:
Joseph Bingham, Arthur R. Black, William R. Cassady, Nick Chintis, Ray C. Theil, James R. Fritz, Hubert J. Grabski, Dean Brahos, Harry Brahos, Eugene C. DeBoer, Leslie Ste- wart, Henry Engle, Eddie Johnson, Victor Jens, Donald Hutchings.
James E. Groat, Arthur V. Barnett, Alfred
W. Wagner, Andy Kapornyai, Joseph Juscik, Leonard J. Fiedorowicz, Lester C. Simkins, Charles R. Foreman, Raymond Royce, E. W. Todd, E. E. Johnson, E. E. Nock, William L. Wolff, Robert B. Landfald, Ronald Smith.
Robert Smith, Joseph G. Bellamy, Roger H. Mueller, Hollis Kirkeiner, Clarence E. South, Raymond E. Hitzeman, Claude H. Asbell, Albert C. Nowak, John P. Rasmussen, Claude R. Heckman, Leonard S. Kozlowski, Richard Smith, Ernest H. Gehart, Charles E. Linkewicz, Edward A. Swanson.
Stanley Flis, Frank Kocal, Sidney C. Gora, Glen, D. Yarbrough, Ralph E. Jones, Charles Mauder, Leo de St. Aubin, John A. Sirovy, William E. Ballas, Norman J. Mccullough, Ernest Vander Tuuk, Edward C. Nelson, Robert Hermann, Vernon Bradowski, Leo L. Shryock.
Mike Trotsich, Frank Tall, Harry Planer, Joseph Peppiatt, Sigmund J. Zatorski, Carl M. Eaton, Warren Barton, William C. Kro- koski and Marge Bomberger.
Meissner New Commander
Post officers to be installed: Werner P. Meissner, commander; Paul Bobinsky, senior vice commander; Albert J. Klug, junior vice commander; Victor Smith, chaplain; Henry W. Carr, adjutant; Everett M. Todd, quarter- master; Claude Stokes, officer of the day; Blume, historian and service officer; Edwin Hitzeman, John K. Fischer and Charles A. Klaubo, trustees; Raymond Willison, sergeant major; Lee Franklin, guard and James Gam- mon and Gusippe Signorelli, color bearers.
Newly-elected auxiliary officers are Mrs. Lawrence Buckle, president; Mrs. Charles Pagett, senior vice president; Mrs. Owen Knerr, junior vice president; Mrs. Bessie Brough, treasurer; Mrs. John Casey chaplain; Mrs. James Fritz, conductor; Mrs. Margaret Franklin, guard, and Mrs. Henry Carr, trustee.
Page Sixty-seven
East Chicago Youth Hurt in Sea-Plane Battle
Harbor Boy is Nazi Prisoner
Hammond Times, April 29, 1943.
Seven months of action on the Pacific ocean haven't frightened George C. Lamb, an East Chicago youth with the American navy. He hopes that when he returns to the west coast after a short leave that Uncle Sam will send him to the At- lantic ocean for a crack at some German submarines.
His right hand bandaged and suffering with a severe back ailment, Lamb two weeks ago pulled into San Diego's naval receiving sta- tion with a small destroyer Lamb that had met a Jap submarine and airplane a few days previously.
Lamb's boat went through an area jammed with Jap submarines to escort transports as far as 300 miles from Guadalcanal.
During his trip into the dangerous waters of the Pacific, Lamb served as a sight setter. His crew blasted away at a Jap sub at one time but lost it.
A Jap plane then kept circling above his destroyer dropping explosives on all sides of the ship. One of them destroyed the magazine box and Lamb was injured by flying pieces of shrapnel. The plane was hit, however, and fell into the ocean.
Lamb's navy mates rescued 26 men from a sinking boat on their way back to American waters on the west coast. Details of the sink- ing were not revealed but every member of the crew was reported safe.
When Lamb arrived in San Diego, he im- mediately was promoted in rank from third class petty officer to second class. He wears emblems on his uniform showing that he has seen action in the Pacific three times and left American waters on two other occasions.
Lamb was in a fighting mood when he ar- rived by airplane to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Lamb. His father is a former city alderman.
"I'm craving for more action," he said. "I just hope the navy sends me to the Atlantic when I get back."
Hammond Times, April 29, 1943.
An appeal for clothing was made in a letter sent to his mother by Pvt. George Chigas, 22, of 3907 Hemlock street, Indiana Harbor, who is a prisoner of Germany.
Pvt. Chigas' letter, written on ruled paper, is date March 18 and asks also that no more mail be sent to him at his former address in north Africa.
"Here's my first letter from Germany. I hope everyone at home is feeling as fine and in as good health as I. I know you will be worrying until you get this letter.
"I'm getting enough to eat, living in a warm barrack and medical attention if ever need be. So you see, there is nothing to worry about. One thing that I'd like to have more of is clothing. I've asked for some in postcards previous to this letter.
"You can only send them through the American Red Cross. They will instruct you about the packages.
"Tell all my friends not to send any more mail to me addressed to my old address. Do what you can on that side. So until the next letter or card, I'll be signing off. P. S. I guess this letter will go air mail."
Pvt. Chigas was inducted into the service in October, 1941, and was attached to the anti-tank division. He was among the first contingent of American soldiers sent overseas to Ireland.
From Ireland he was sent to Scotland and then to north Africa where he took part in the Allied drive of chasing Marshall Erwin Rommel's division across desert lands in the southern Tunisia campaign. It is believed that he was captured by the Nazis in the Feb. 14- 20 German drive against American troops in southern Tunisia.
Before entering the service, young Chigas was employed at the Inland Steel company.
Page Sixty-eight
First World War History Off Press-Shows Heroism of Calumet Region Men
By A. J. KOTT
Hammond Times, April 30, 1943.
Veterans of Foreign Wars of Edward H. Larsen Post 802 of Hammond - who were heroes then-have issued the first of historical volumes to immortalize the heroism of Calu- met region men who are making the supreme sacrifice all over the embattled world.
The inaugural war history volume makes liberal use of magazine and Hammond Times articles to record for posterity-in red, white and blue-the World war II story of local sons, husbands and fathers in the foxholes, tanks, planes, fighting ships and bombed con- voys.
802
John W. Blume, Author
Data for the publication was compiled by John W. Blume, post historian, who is now amassing material for the second volume of what probably will be the region's most treas- ured and valuable naval and military reference in the day when Calumet fighters lay down arms and freedom replaces tyranny all over the world. Blume served with the famous Rainbow division during the first World war.
The VFW publication spans a year from March 18, 1942, when Gen. Douglas Mac- Arthur arrived in Australia to assume su- preme command of United Nations forces in that theater, to March 25, 1943, when Pfc. Sigmond J. Zatorski, AAF, of Hammond, died of pneumonia as a result of valiant Guadal- canal duties in the epic struggle for Hender- son field and when news was received of the loss at sea of Coastguardsman Carl M. Eaton of Hammond.
Enshrines Local Heroes
The chronical enshrines other such names as Lt. John R. Van de Lester of Hammond, fallen hero in the defense of the Philippines; Signalman Joseph Bingham and Marine Wil- liam R. Cassady of Hammond and Seaman Arthur R. Black of Lake Hills, who went down with the cruiser USS Houston in the Java sea struggle; Pfc. Lester C. Simkins of Hammond, marine air corps gunner, who blasted Jap planes out of the sky before he lost his life in the southwest Pacific, and Sea- man Robert B. Landfald of Black Oak, naval combat victim in the Pacific theater.
From the rough, hilly front of the decisive Tunisian campaign and the steaming, treach- erous Solomons and Guadalcanal jungles - New Guinea - the tropics and Australia - comes this partial list of Calumet wounded: Aerial Radioman Eddie Johnson and Pfc. Ed- ward A. Swanson of Hammond, Sgt. Leonard J. Fiedorowicz, and Pvt. Albert R. Miller of Calumet City, Pvt. John B. Rasmussen of Lansing, Pfc. John A. Sirovy of Lowell and Lt. William E. Gallas of East Chicago.
List Those Missing
Still others under arms patrol in the far corners of the earth and seven seas are listed as "missing in action": Pvt. Frank Kocal, Pfc. Leo L. Shryock, Pvt. Mike Trotsich, Jr., Sgt.
Page Sixty-nine
Archie Terrill, Master Sgt. John Schroeder and Pfc. Rudolph Horvatich of Hammond, Pvt. Glenn D. Yardbrough and Pfc. Norman J. Mccullough of Calumet City, Pvt. Ernest Vander Tuuk of Highland, Pvt. Edward C. Nelson of Crown Point and Sgt. Leslie A. Stewart of East Chicago.
And some of the boys who were fashioning the noose with which to strangle the barbaric ambitions of Axis powers are held Jap and German prisoners: Pfc. Hubert J. Grabski, Cpl. Nick Chintis, Pfc. James E. Groat and Pvt. Sidney C. Gora of Hammond, Leonard S. Kozlowski of Calumet City and Staff Sgt. Vernon Bardowski of East Chicago, who are among a score of regional men captured in north Africa.
Blumes' 126-page collection, bound in leatherette, also embodies the heroic exploits in the air of Lt. Eugene C. De Boer of Mun- ster, top-notch dog-fighting pilot of south- west Pacific fame, and the harrowing trans- port flights of Capt. Albert E. Nowak; on the sea the thrilling saga of U. S .- Jap battles from a veteran Hammond sailor, Hollis Kirkeiner, and on land the stories of Ernest E. Nock, Jr., of Hammond, buster of Nazi tanks in the chase of Rommel's ragged legions, 1st Sgt. Edward E. Johnson, injured survivor of a gallant band of Guadalcanal scrappers and Sgt. Charles Roy Foreman of Whiting, hero of Dieppe operations.
First to Join VFW
Full of photos and covering primarily for- eign service, the book sketches the army, navy and marine lives of local men, home front contributions to the morale and welfare of fighting men and the father and son narra- tives of Edward Hitzeman of World war I and Sgt. Raymond E. Hitzeman of World war II and Louis B. Barton of the first World war and Warren Barton of the second World war-men with the same combat spirits then and now; only the clothes are different.
James R. Fritz, fireman 1st class was the first veteran of World war II foreign service to join the VFW post, which is known as a two-fisted, militant veteran fraternity with the national welfare and welfare of the vet- eran and his dependents as its main objective. The ex-service group now is active in post- war discussions so the boys of this war won't
have to sell apples on street corners.
Tribute to Rev. Streeter
The post's 1938-39 commander, James J. Dugan, the "fighting Irishman," is back in khaki in overseas service.
Blume's data also includes biographical treatment of Rev. George R. Streeter, Ham- mond's last living Civil war veteran, Larsen post charter members and commanders from Herman E. Granger, 1921 commander, to Werner P. Meissner, who will be installed as 1943 VFW chief Sunday when the book is dedicated at ceremonies at the Odd Fellows' hall.
The post was named after the World war I victim of a Chateau Thierry gas attack and shares headquarters at 536 Sibley street with its auxiliary of women, formed in 1930 with Mrs. Emma Paul as president and now oper- ating under the guidance of Mrs. Lawrence Buckle.
The two units already have invested $25,- 000 in war savings, contribute generously to the Veterans Administration facility at Hines, Ill., and the widows and orphans home at Eaton Rapids, Mich., and have garnered bril- liant national and local honors for fraternal, civic and humanitarian endeavors.
Schools to Get Copies
All activities in the 25 year history of the club, including the 1923 recital presentation here of Mme. Ernestine Schuman-Heink are outlined in the historical gem. In addition, the publication lists VFW members of outstand- ing service on foreign soil and hostile waters, gives factual data on the war years from 1849 through 1899 when Cuba and Philippine cam- paigners organized the national VFW to the present advances towards Berlin, Tokyo and Rome.
Supplements in the book relate the history of the "Buddy Poppy," articles of the World war I armistice with Germany, the organiza- tion of the AEF and formation of its combat army and flag code and regulations.
The historical volumes will be put on the shelves of all Hammond public libraries after the official presentations to Chief Librarian James Howard at Sunday's dedication cere- monies at 2 p. m.
Page Seventy
Make $5000 Bond Purchase
uy your WAR STAMP
49,718
Hammond Times, April 30, 1943.
Left to right, Mrs. Claude Jones, president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars auxiliary No. 802, and Mrs. Lawrence Buckle, president elect, are shown with Mrs. William Boyd, de- fense chairman of the group, accepting a check for $5,000 in war bonds from Miss
Mary J. Conway, treasurer of the Illinois Bell Telephone Employees South Suburban Fed- eral Credit union No. 1424.
The $5,000 purchase by the credit union makes a total to date of $12,500 in war sav- ings bonds bought by employee group.
Page Seventy-one
War Veterans Break Bread With Inductees
A BITE WITH
A BITE
THE
Hammond Times, April 30, 1943.
Calumet City reservists leaving for active military and naval duty this morning received the benefits of war experiences of four veteran Calumet City sailors, soldiers and pilots who dropped in for one of the breakfasts which the Calumet City Junior Women's club serves to all departing inductees at the Calumet City fire station before the recruits leave for in- duction centers.
Shown from left to right are: Pfc. Walter J. Walerowicz, home from South American service; John Jaranowski, Jr., seaman, second class; Miss Clare Winglaire who is in charge of the breakfast project; Edward Swanson of the marines, who was wounded in South
Pacific action; and William Witke, naval aviator; Leo Guza; Jack Riota, and Ervin Hudik, the latter three being among the con- tingent which left for basic training.
Mayor John Jaranowski, shown standing at the rear of the group, is on hand to give the boys one of his regular official sendoffs. The breakfast project was inaugurated in Novem- ber to provide reservists with a warm waiting depot before they board buses. Coffee and doughnuts is purchased by the Calumet City Lions club and served under Miss Winglaire's direction. Businessmen in the city contribute cigarets which are distributed to the service- men.
Page Seventy-two
Cells of Fighting Japs
Hammond Times, April 29, 1943.
Bringing home a shrapnel wound as a re- minder of the big push at Tulagi and Guadal- canal, Pvt. Edward A. Swanson, a Calumet City marine, said:
"Fighting the Japs is a job to do just like working any place else. You have a job, you are told to go forward and there is no thought of turning back."
The son of Mrs. Leota Swanson, 556 Forsythe avenue, the young marine is at home now on his first furlough since he was inducted 16 months ago.
With the first group of marines to land at Guadalcanal, Swanson spent most of the time from Aug. 7 to Nov. 4 on the island of Tulagi, where they lived in fox holes for the first month and a half.
Speaking modestly of his part in the south Pacific action, the wounded marine said that he participated in three or four raids on small bands of Japanese soldiers on Guadalcanal. During those raids, he explained, the natives were excellent guides, knowing the jungle like a book.
The raids on the Japanese, Swanson went on, lasted from three days to a week and it was during the last big push at Guadalcanal that he received a shrapnel wound during front line fighting in November.
In Tulagi Hospital
Leaving Tulagi Nov. 4, he was taken to a hospital in New Caledonia, where he remained for a month and a half, and from there was sent to a New Zealand hospital. The people of New Zealand, he said, treated the American soldiers wonderfully.
"The natives of New Caledonia were good to us too," he went on, "but the French lang- uage spoken there made hospitality more difficult."
Speaking of life during the Pacific battle, Swanson said that they generally had enough food, although it was almost entirely canned rations. However, they did prepare a hot meal for them whenever possible, he added.
After a month and a half of living in fox
holes on Tulagi, the marines took time out when things got a little quieter, Swanson said, and made huts of palm leaves and grass, equipped with bunks woven from rope.
The Calumet City marine, who pointed out that he lost most of his best friends during the Pacific battles, praised the officers in charge of the Guadalcanal battles.
"We had good officers," he declared. "Many of them were rather young but they had the ability and 'gunmption' to lead their men wherever and whenever necessary."
Joined to Fight
Swanson will be at home until the middle of May when he is to report back to a navy hospital for a final check-up and further as- signment to duty.
"I joined the marines to fight," he main- tains, "and I am ready for action again where- ever they want to send me."
After enlisting in the marines 16 months ago, the Calumet City man trained at San Diego for seven months and was sent overseas from there. He was graduated from Thornton Fractional high school and later was employed at the Hammond plant of the Pullman- Standard Car Manufacturing company.
In Since Sept. 1. Hammond Times, May 11, 1943
Sgt. Anthony Juszczak, 28, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Juszczak, 4851 Wegg avenue, East Chicago, now is stationed overseas. In the army since Sept. of last year, he was em- ployed at Youngstown Sheet and Tube company, and is a former student at the Roo- sevelt high school, East Chi cago.
His brothers, Pvts. Eddie and Juszczak Stanley, are stationed at Camp Campbell, Ky., and somewhere in Eng- land, respectively.
Page Seventy-three
Hold Memorial Services for Bicanic a War Casualty
Hammond Times, April 28, 1943
Memorial services were held in Whiting yesterday for Pfc. Peter Bicanic, 22, who died Feb. 8 in north Africa after being seriously wounded in action.
Bicanic
The news of his death was received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bicanic, 1934 Clay street, Hammond, in a telegram from the U.S. war department. They had been previously notified, he had been seriously wounded February 1.
A graduate of Hammond Technical High school in 1938, Bicanic was employed at the Youngstown Sheet and Tube company in East Chicago prior to his induction into the army Oct. 15, 1941. He had served overseas since January, 1942, being stationed first in Ireland.
The deceased has two brothers in the armed services, Pvt. John and Micheal, seaman first Class. In addition he is survived by parents, a brother Phillip, and four sisters, Mary, Don- alda, Mrs. Helen Nickolich of Gary and Mrs. Agnes Zawadski.
Michael Bicanic, who was a member of Hamond Technical high school's 1940 state championship team, was married Saturday.
John Toth, Jr., Whiting Sgt., is Missing
Hammond Times, April 27, 1943
Staff Sgt. John Toth, Jr., a gunner and assistant radio operator on a "Flying Fort- ress," has been reported missing in action in the European area since April 16, according to a telegram from the war department re- ceived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Toth, 1510 Fred street, Whiting.
It so happened that the day the war depart- ment telegram arrived, the Toths also received a letter from their son which he had written April 14. Saturday they received an Easter gift of roses.
Believed to be stationed somewhere in England, Sgt. Toth has been overseas for about six weeks. He enlisted in the army air force 10 months ago.
Prior to his induction into the army Toth was in the drum and bugle corps of the Amer- ican Legion post No. 80 in Whiting and was a drummer with regional orchestras. He also was employed at the Sinclair refining com- pany.
Pvt. Tropeich a Nazi Prisoner
Hammond Times, April 28, 1943
A letter from their son, Pvt. Mike Trop- eich, yesterday informed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Tropeich, Sr., 1133 Moss street, Hammond, that he is a prisoner of the Ger- mans.
The letter passed by the German censor, adds that he was captured Feb. 17 in Africa and arrived in Germany March 7. An infan- try man, he has been overseas since January of 1942 and was among the first troops to land in Africa.
His parents were informed earlier that he was "missing in action." Two other Ham- mond youths wrote their parents Monday that they were German prisoners.
Pvt. Tropeich, 26-year-old, was employed by the Junior Toy Co. prior to his entering service in October, 1941. A brother, Tech. Sgt. Joseph, shared the family joy when the letter arrived. He is currently spending a short furlough from New Orleans, La., here.
Page Seventy-four
Service Center Welcomes 1000th and 1001st Guests
Hammond Times, May 4, 1943
A five dollar check and a long distance telephone conversation with a sweetheart were rewards presented to George Chalos, seaman second class, and Sgt. Stanley Sarzyniak, res- pectively yesterday on their being pronounc- ed the 1000th and 1001st visitors to Ham- mond's New Service Center, opened Jan. 21.
The day started out gloomily for Chalos, who was home for a "surprise" visit with par- ents at 937 Kenwood street, Hammond, only to discover that they were out of town. His
five-dollar consolation was donated by the Hammond Lions club.
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