USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cochituate > Cochituate Jeep, 1945-1946 (World War II servicement) 1945-1946 > Part 25
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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
For the fine photo of the three men of the Penny Sale .Committee, William Gallagher, "Buster" Damon and George Lewis, whose hard work made this Penny Sale such a suc- cess, we want to thank John Yeager for taking this picture for our last EXTRA edition of the JEEP.
The annual Legion Armistice Night Ball is taking the form of a dinner dance that will be held at the Mansion Inn. Five dollars per couple, and there will be plenty of eating and dancing for the money, where Mr. Scigliano is in charge of festivities.
STORY OF S/Sgt. FRANCIS C. HOOKER, USMC, LIBERATED JAPANESE PRISONER
Sgt. Hooker tells of his experi- ences from the time he left Shang- hai for the Philippines until he left Camp at Hawana, 950 Kilometers north of Tokyo in the following manner :
He left Cochituate in July, '38, to reenlist in the Marines and returned to China. In Nov. '41, things began to look pretty black, as the Japs were acting up, so the Marines were evacuated to Manila. From Manila the leathernecks were sent to Oolongapo, a small navy yard, about 100 miles from the capital. The Japs making it pretty hot, they were ordered to Corregidor where, on Dec. 29, '41, they were attacked and strafed incessantly for several days, and they laid on the ground scared, wondering if their surprise attack would ever cease. With provisions In the summer of '44, he with his other comrades were taken on board getting low and none in sight, the Marines and Army were obliged to a small freighter and crowded into
LELAND E. ROBINSON, RT 2/c Leland drew the names from the fishbowl. He says to his brothers : "Hello, Bob and Maurice," and to the rest of his hometown buddies : "It's an honor to draw the names of such swell people."
surrender to the Japs, who outnum- bered them. Under Jap guard they remained on Corregidor for about two weeks and then came the long- to-be-remembered march to Cabana- tuan, where he remained for 2 years and 3 months. While there he was treated for malnutrition, losing much weight, being hospitalized and some- times carried on a litter. He weighed only 90 pounds then. Living on a handful of rice a day was their gen- eral fare, but some of the prisoners even killed cats and dogs and ate them,-even snakes. They received some pretty harsh treatment, slapped, clubbed, and some even had to dig their own graves before being shot. Disease wracked their bodies and many died.
the hold of the ship where there was hardly enough air to breathe and sailed 12 days to the coast of Japan, thence to Tokyo, and travelled by rail to the camp, Hawana, they be- ing the first prisoners to take over. They had very few clothes, almost bare, and very little to keep them warm, as far as fuel was concerned. They worked in the dampness and snow, for they had 41 feet of snow that season, arriving in early Nov- ember and lasting until June. Up at 4:30 A. M. they travelled 3 miles up the side of a mountain to a copper mine, where they worked from 8:30 A. M. until 11:30 with an hour for their "light" lunch and then again to the third level below, 400 steps to make, to complete the day's work at 4:30 P. M. when they labored down the mountain, mostly sliding in the snow to the camp to a scanty cereal dish of rice, which was hard to swal- low. He said he knew it was to be all there was and had to eat or die. Each day the prisoners carried down with them a stick of wood, or any- thing they could pick up for fuel. As it grew nearer summer they cleared out stumps and made for themselves a small vegetable garden, but most of their produce was confiscated by the Jap guards. He said the earth was very black and things grew immense, - white radishes being about a foot long but not very edible as they were all watery. Their work in the garden was done on Sundays, part of the prisoners working in the morning and the remainder in the afternoon. They caught immense grasshoppers, boiled them and then put them in the sun to dry, which were added to the rice for nourish- ment. Toward the end of their con- finement they were given a few soy beans.
In early August of '45, they heard their guards talking about the B-29s flying over, and finally believed it when they saw with their own eyes the planes coming over dropping chutes,-about 70 of them which contained clothing, sweets and cigar- ettes. Cigarettes, did you say? They would give about all their posses- sions for a cigarette. This was like "pennies from heaven," and there
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The Cochituate Jeep
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HOORAY ! ! ! MOVIES ARE COMING TO TOWN ! !
Starting Saturday, Nov. 10, the Charles Alward Post, American Legion, is sponsoring a movie show to be held every Saturday through- out the season. The best in pictures will be shown, the same as you see in any of the neighborhood theatres and featuring the popular stars of today.
The opening picture will be, "His- tory is Made at Night," starring Charles Boyer and Jean Arthur. There will be a special school chil- dren's matinee at 2:30 Saturday afternoon, Nov. 10, evening perform- ance at 8 o'clock. The show is under the direction of William A. "Toke" Loker.
Treat yourself to some real enter- tainment and also do a good turn for the American Legion.
NOTES FOR THE NIMRODS
The hunting season officially opened with a barrage of ack-ack on the Sudbury meadows, Saturday morning, Oct. 13th, as the duck sea- son was started. Few hunters col- lected their limit, but there were many reported bags of two or three blacks and teal. The opening-dayers seemed to be too anxious, after a long winter of waiting, and blasted at the feathered game at unbeliev- able distances and heights. The small potholes and swamps gave bet- ter results for many. Huge rafts of geese and ducks have been reported migrating around the Cape's shores.
There seem to be more pheasant around this year, also gray squirrel. The Fish and Game Division has done a marvelous job in stocking local farms with the familiar ring- necks this fall and hunters have hopes that this addition of game birds will improve the sport in the town's woods and fields in future seasons.
Cpl. WILLIAM F. TOBIN
He has been in the service three years. He is a flight engineer in the Air Force, stationed at Hendricks Field, Fla.
Ideal conditions have prevailed this Fall, except for several days of cold rain this week. The foliage has been in full color, and the brisk Autumn air has that nip which all sportsmen enjoy and appreciate as the true hunting atmosphere.
Town News
Mrs. Charles Cook gave birth to a baby girl last week at the Waltham hospital. The baby's father, Sgt. Charles Cook, is stationed at Walla Walla, Wash.
Joint installation of officers of the Charles H. Alward post and unit were held Oct. 22. The officers of both post and unit marched in to- gether to be installed. The install- ing officers were department histor- ian Anna Buckley, assisted by Mrs. Mary Nutter. Those installed were : Commander, William Brooks; senior
unit : President, Minnie Richardso first vice president, Edith Blomgre second vice president, Marian Ho mer; secretary, Sally Potvin; trea urer, Alice Nolan; chaplain, Ma1 Favour; historian, Rose Lizott sergeant-at-arms, Mildred Grotor executive board, Elizabeth Pet1 grew, Dorothy Gelinas, Hazel Ta; lor. The retiring officers receive gifts as did the installing officer Gold Star certificates were presen ed to the families of the decease veterans of World War II. T1 table for the collation was decorate with red, white and blue candles ar fall flowers. Sandwiches, cake, co fee and punch was served under th direction of Mrs. Elizabeth Pett grew. Dancing was enjoyed until late hour.
Mrs. Carol Noone of Lake Roa spent the holiday weekend in Ne York City with friends.
The John Shakliks, formerly ( Lake Road and now of Easthan; write that they are enjoying the new home on the Cape very much
On Saturday night, October 27tl thirty-eight members of the Methd dist Youth Fellowship enjoyed a cos tume Hallowe'en Party, which wa held in Mrs. Eric Nelson's appropr ately decorated cellar. Hallowe'e games were played and refreshment were served.
On October 21st, several friend tendered Miss Louisa LaMotte c Lake Road a party in honor of he birthday.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur D. Dooley c Boston and Miss Eleanor Parrish C North Main Street are visiting wit their son and fiance respectivel over the weekend at Stamford, Con1
The Fleet's In! These were th words flashed over the nation. Abou 14 ships of the victorious America fleet were tied up in Boston, in prep aration for celebrating Navy Day Many of our Navy-minded folk from town had the privilege o inspecting the Wasp, the North Car olina, and many other war-scarre: ships. Throngs gathered at the Nav: Yard, aboard the Frigate Constitu tion, for memorial services, at which time many Gold Star mothers wer in attendance.
Mrs. Doris Hammond, who joined forces with Mrs. Oswald Whitney in raising funds for bonds for ou servicefolk, was pleasantly surprised this past week when her husband
vice commander, Joseph Keefe ; jun- ior vice commander, Alexander Har- dy ; adjutant, Perry A. Marston, Jr .; chaplain, Phillip Burbank ; historian, James Bolton ; sergeant-at-arms, Albert Nicolazzo; executive commit- tee, Richard H. Burchill. For the | came home to be discharged.
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The Cochituate Jeep
Town News
I.yle Shufelt has joined the ranks of a working boy again. He has returned to his former position at Wellesley Press until January, when he will attend Boston University.
Mrs. Harold Taylor and Ernest Schleicher were awarded citations for their outstanding work for the Red Cross in the past years, at the annual meeting of the Red Cross held last week.
On last Tuesday evening, the Men's Club held its opening meeting of the season at the M. E. Church vestry with about 40 present, includ- ing many former servicemen. Ernest WV. Schleicher, president of the club, was master of ceremony, and intro- duced Mr. Healey of the FBI, the speaker of the evening. He talked on German and Japanese espionage and draftee delinquents. It goes without saying that all the gentle- men enjoyed the supper of turkey and all the fixin's.
When an article in the Victory Forum of the Boston Globe ap- peared in last Monday's edition of the paper, Mrs. John McEnroy was deluged with 'phone calls about the article. It seems "Sonny," Mrs. McEnroy's son, lost his identifica- tion bracelet in August, shortly before he was inducted into the Army, at the mill dam, and a Fram- ingham person found it. Mrs. McEn- roy has written to the Globe asking that the person who recovered it notify her of his identity and she will give him a reward for its return.
"Dar" Bleasdale and his cousin, Fred Mullen, both discharged ser- vicemen, have bought a truck and have gone into the trucking busi- ness. Good luck, boys, in your new venture !
Since Billie Wilbur has become a civilian again, he is now employed at Diehl's in Wellesley. Ralphie, his brother, is on terminal leave and expects to be discharged from the Army in another week.
Mrs. Clara Siok gave a Hallowe'en party Saturday, Oct. 27th, for her friends and neighbors.
The Boy Scout troops of Coch'tu- ate, Wayland, Weston and Sudbury are holding a joint Hallowe'en party at Wayland High School, Oct. 31s Mrs. Arthur Dudley of Mitchell St. gave a Hallowe'en party for the Cubs Oct. 31. It was also her birth- day and the Cubs presented her with a surprise gift.
Pfc. Wm. J. SCOTLAND
On an extended furlough, having returned to his home from the European theatre in Sept. He hopes to get his discharge soon now that the point system has been reduced.
On Oct. 18th, a 8-lb. boy was born in the San Francisco Naval Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. William I. Hardy. The new arrival has been named William Hardy, Jr.
Alexander Hardy was a guest of Father Shanahan, Father Yang and Mr. Anthony Raleigh, a journalist, for dinner on Monday evening. These men have just returned from China.
Mr. Henry Townsend of Damon St. has been a patient at the Leon- ard Morse Hospital but he is now at home recuperating from his ap- pendectomy.
Miss Eleanor Smith of Pemberton Rd. had the misfortune to receive a severe burn on her arm while at work.
George Fullick is doing quite a bit of ripping down and building up at his home on Damon St. He is rip- ping down the barn at the rear of his house and he expects to remodel his house for a two-family one.
Little Tommy Demartini, 4 months old son of Cpl. and Mrs. Charles Demartini, has been ill with the measles.
Mrs. Francis Hartin and little Frankie have been visiting Spring- field, Vt.
Vincent Mascia was a patient at the Community Hospital in Fram- ingham but he is now at home and looking forward to spending the winter in Florida with his family.
Miss Helen Gladu is at present working for the Community Health Association in Framingham.
Warren D. Valentine is looking forward to a visit from his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Valentine. It's been sometime since they have been here as they are liv- ing in Monterey, Mexico.
Teachers' Convention, which was held Friday, Oct. 26th, came just at the right time this year; it gave many of our youngsters the oppor- tunity to see the Wasp which is in Boston for Navy Day.
Mrs. Charles Norris of Edgewood Rd. had as her guests over the week end, her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Jackson and son, M/Sgt. Arthur Jackson, Jr. of Lynn.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Barry spent a few days this past week at their cot- tage on W. Plain St.
"OUR GANG"-PLANK
Pfc. Lawrence (I,oggy) Berg has returned home after spending 18 months in Europe and 37 months in the service. He received his dis- charge in New York last Wednes- day. Also he holds the presidential citation.
John Anzivino, MoMM. 1/c, after spending seven months in hospitals, has been honorably discharged from the Navy Sea Bees. He was stationed at Guam for several months with the C. B. Maintenance Unit 602, they being the first unit to set foot on Yokosuka Air Base at Yokosuka, Japan. He is glad to be back among the home folks.
After 3 years, 2 months and 9 days of service, CSF Everett C. Spear of the SeaBees has received an honor- able discharge and is now at his home on Bradford St. Most of his time with the outfit was spent in the Pacific.
Maj. Edward F. McGee, Jr., is on a terminal leave from the AAC with his wife and little daughter at his parents' home. He expects his final discharge papers on Feb. 19, '46.
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The Cochituate Jeep
"OUR GANG"-PLANK
Vernon F. Baker, SM 3/c, has been on leave for a few days.
Norm Sleeper has received his dis- charge from the Army and is now at his home in Newton with his family.
Donald F. Lindbohm, EM 2/c, has been spending a 7-day leave with his mother on Quincy Rd. while his ship, the USS Boise, is docked at New York, which is among a group of ships here in our ports in celebra- tion of Navy Day.
Lt. Wendell Marston is home on his terminal leave pending discharge. He reported to Grenier Field, Man- chester, N. H., for separation. Wen- dy has 43 months of service with the Air Force, fourteen of which were spent in the CBI on the hazardous "hump" aerial air route to China. He was awarded the D.F.C., Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster and two bronze battle stars while in the Asiatic theatre. Since his return to the States, Lt. Marston has been stationed at Great Falls, Mont., fer- rying fighters and transports to the Russians at Fairbanks, Alaska, and later on was transferred to Dallas, Texas, where he was flying return- ees from the West Coast to separa- tion centers. After a terminal leave of 35 days, Wendy goes into the garb of a civilian. He expresses desire to see all his old buddies, Turk Merrill, Russ Thomas, the Robinson boys and all the rest of the gang.
T-5 Elwin A. Potter returned on Friday from the ETO on the Trans- port George Washington, disembark- ing at New York.
"Russ" Thomas, TM 1/c, is around town renewing acquaintances with his former friends and neighbors.
Pfc. John A. Lindbohm, who has been transferred to the 66th Div., 264th Bn., is expecting to leave France on or about Oct. 31st, part of his division having already em- barked.
Servicemen's Column
Raymond McMillen, MM 3/c, re- turned home after 10 months in the Pacific. His ship, the "Clytie." is stationed in New London, Conn. Ray does not expect to be dis- charged until the first of the year.
ARTHUR D. DOOLEY, RdM 1/c At present on board PC 552 at Stamford, Conn., having been there for Navy Day celebration.
Joseph Courchine, CM 1/c, is sta- tioned in Davisville, R. I., awaiting discharge. Joe had three buddies
Sgt. Charles Butler of Sycamore Rd. is home from Georgia on a 10- day furlough.
who had served overseas with him home for the weekend.
Pfc. Fitz Stevens, Jr., is now sta- tioned at Oakland, Calif. He said that he expects to be discharged about the 10th of next month.
Mabel Jackson received word from her husband, PO 1/c Loring Jackson, that he has been in the hospital for over three weeks but is well on the road to recovery now. He is stationed in New Caledonia.
Pfc. Robert Merritt sent a letter to his mother written Oct. 18. He is in Tokyo. He said their living quar- ters are the Japanese Military Acad- emy. He said he received quite a bit of mail; the first in two months. He sends his best regards to all his friends here at home.
Sgt. Charles Heroux, brother of Mrs. Lester Merritt, has returned home after spending 14 months in the ETO. He brought his sister some of the famous perfume from Paris.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Burke received a telephone call today from their son, Edward Burke, saying he had
arrived in San Francisco, well and safe. He will arrive home in Decem- ber.
Edward Shakliks of the SeaBees is in the Philippines awaiting trans- portation to the States. Ed has been in the SeaBees 27 months and over- seas 19 months.
Down at Cherry Point, North Car- olina, Pfc. Patricia Brooks, MCWR, and C. Douglas Scotland, HA 1/c, recently enjoyed a get-together and chat about Cochituate.
Pvt. Lawrence Ekdahl is enjoying a fifteen-day furlough at his home. "Eki" arrived home Saturday, the 27th, from Camp Croft, S. C., where he was attached to the Intelligence section of the Infantry. After his furlough, he reports to Camp Pick- ett, Virginia.
Lt. Robert Keith arrived in town Oct. 24th. Bob is enjoying his leave after the long time he spent in the Pacific.
Roscoe Dusseault, on road patrol of the 27th Gun Bn., is now located at Heidelburg, Germany,-a city which wasn't bombed.
"Jackie" Baudreau, who was in- ducted on Oct. 4th, is now at Camp MacClellan, Ala. His correct name is Joseph S. Baudreau, Jr., and his parents make their home on Doran Rd.
Pfc. Arthur Merrill, in the ETO, has been transferred to the 102nd Infantry. He is now at the port of embarkation awaiting his turn to get home.
Lt. Walter Cheslak, husband of the former Ruth Schleicher, spent Sunday with his family before pro- ceeding to Camp Beale, Cal., his new station.
Robert A. Hooker, S 2/c, has a new address : Navy 3962, Anchor Sec., c/o FPO, San Francisco, Cal. He is doing shore duty now in the Philippines, awaiting further trans- fer.
Pfc. Louis Henry, who has been troubled for 18 months with a fun- gus growth on his feet, is showing much improvement in his condition. He has written to his mother asking that she visit a buddy of his at Cush- ing Hospital, Framingham, who was with him at Scofield Barracks, T. H.
T/Cpl. Russell Hooker, who had arrived at Camp Detroit, thinking he was leaving for home, has now re- turned to Frankfurt, Germany, just waiting for the word to embark.
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The Cochituate Jeep
Bob Perodeau has been hospital- ized at Okinawa with an injured back. He says he's getting along fine and expects to be with his out- fit again before long.
Pfc. Charles Smith, USMC, has written his mother saying he has been promoted to corporal.
Robert Hardy was operated on for hernia at the Naval Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. The operation was successful and he is now convalesc- ing.
S/Sgt. I. L. Dame, Jr., sent word this past week that he had survived the latest hurricane but that he had lost his Motor Pool in Okinawa. He wrote that this had happened before and they expected it would again and were making preparations for it. He also states that he would give anything to be home for Thanks- giving. They have had no fresh food since June 6th.
Percy Steele, Sr., was discharged from the SeaBees a month ago and is back at his home in Roxbury. He was stationed on the east coast of Okinawa. He says the "Jeep" is a grand little paper.
Gerald Baker, Cox., who had not been heard from for five weeks wrote a letter home that he has left Manila, loaded at Leyte and is now at Honshu, Japan. He also wrote he has not received the "Jeep" for some time and is looking forward to receiving them. He is anxious to get back to good, old Cochituate.
Joe Starrett is back in Germany about ten miles outside Bremen in a Supply Depot. On their way there from Norway they ran into one of the storms they have been having in the North Sea and was blown 200 miles off their course. If all goes well he expects to be a civilian by next May.
Charlie Starrett's ship, the new cruiser, Helena, is taking part in New York's Navy Day celebration.
Alton "Stub" Bigelow, WT 3/c, USN, husband of the former Doro- thy Bergin, arrived at San Francisco on the Manila Bay carrier and is expected home soon. He served with the 3rd fleet on the USS Ault and was present at the signing of the peace treaty at Tokyo Bay.
James Flint is enroute to the good old U. S. A. He is expected to land in Boston any one of these days.
Walter O'Connell was home for five days last week. He left for Shumacher, Calif., with his destina- tion unknown.
Frank Smith, son of Mrs. Dora Cain of Dudley Rd., is also enroute to his old home town. He left Southampton, England, and his friends are anxiously awaiting news of him.
T/Sgt. Fran Burke isn't quite as badly off as it may have sounded in our last JEEP. He is in the hos- pital in Chungking with yellow jaundice but not yellow fever.
Pfc. Johnny O'Connell is still at the Air Base in Missouri, where he has been stationed for some time. He expects to be on the road again flying from one large city to another.
Leland Robinson, RT 2/c, arrived home Oct. 16th from Vallejo, Calif., on a 30-day leave. He will report back to Chelsea Hospital.
James Smith, CPHM, of Haw- thorne Rd., had heard rumors that he was one of the lucky bond win- ners in the last issue of the JEEP. When he bought his JEEP he glanced through it-no picture of him-another navy rumor. How- ever, on a second look he discovered on the last page a picture of a bud- dy who was stationed in the Fargo Building with him. As far as he knew this buddy had never been to Cochituate. On further investigation he discovered his own name under the photograph. The mystery was solved. The wrong picture had been taken out of the group photograph he had given to the JEEP. Chief Smith thought the error amusing and so did his buddy who asked Smith to purchase several copies of the JEEP for him to give his friends .- One way of increasing cir- culation.
Cpl. Albert F. Lawrence arrived home last week with his discharge papers. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence of Harrison St. and he lived here only a short time be- fore he went into service. He was a member of the Waltham National Guard and left with them five years ago for Camp Edwards. From there he was sent directly to the South Pacific and he was in Australia, New Caledonia and Guadalcanal. He saw a great deal of action before he contracted malaria and was sent back to Camp Walters, Texas, for hospitalization and he has been there ever since he arrived back in this country. He is married to the former Dorothy White of Newton- ville and they are now making their home in Newton. We're glad to know you're back, "Shiner"!
Francis C. Hooker
was plenty of everything. Messages came down from the planes asking if they needed medicine or medical supplies, and then it was written on top of their buildings that sulfadrugs were needed for the sick.
On Sept. 13th, they left this hell- hole for Tokyo, where they were processed, sailed for Guam, where there was more processing and then on to the good old United States. Francis arrived at his parent's home about the middle of October and has been having a check-up at Chelsea Naval Hospital.
There were 540 in the camp at Hawana, Japan, forty of whom were English.
S/Sgt. Hooker is making every possible effort to contact his wife, an English girl whom he married in Shanghai, but up to the present writing he has had no word as to her whereabouts. She was interned at Shanghai when last heard from.
He still has all his papers which he was able to keep from the time of his capture, and another thing he cherishes is an Army spoon which he had had all through his ordeal. He said, "It isn't the value of the thing, but it means much to me."
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