USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cochituate > Cochituate Jeep, 1945-1946 (World War II servicement) 1945-1946 > Part 29
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His search was finally ended when the ship reached port and he was introduced by a WAC greeter. Søt Mary DeLage of Southbridge, to Pfc. Norman Moore of Cochituate. Moore, like Lt. Kiley, hadn't heard a familiar voice in months. They talked together on the pier for 15
WM. A. RAFUS, JR., Cox. Bill is aboard an LCT, somewhere in Japan, but is to be moved soon. He has just received another hash mark. Experienced the invasions of Iwo Jima, Okinawa and several more.
minutes "just to hear each other's voices," they said.
At present Normie is at Fort Devens waiting to get back to see the family. Recently discharged from service is Bob, whom Normie hasn't seen in more than 3 years. Normie expects to re-enlist, and in so doing thought this was the only means of getting home to see his folks. His father, a former well- known photographer, is in poor health.
"OUR GANG"-PLANK
Leland E. Robinson is back in civilian life having been discharged from the Navy Thursday, Dec. 6th.
Arthur Selvitella was discharged from the Marine Corps on Monday, Dec. 1.
We are glad to welcome home several servicemen within the past two weeks. Coming at this season of the year makes it all the more thrilling, as they'll be able to spend Christmas back home with their families. May you all have the mer- riest of Christmases. Those to enjoy this privilege are :
M/Sgt. Kenneth L. Hooker, who has arrived from Naples, Italy.
M 1/c "Pal" Hartin from the Pacific theatre.
Edward J. Shakliks, CM 1/c, a Sea- Bee, who has been stationed on several of the S. Pacific Islands. Donna J. Bellfontaine, MoMM 1/c, whose family resides on Pleas- ant St.
C. Russell Thomas, TM 1/c.
Maj. George C. Bogren will have been discharged by the time you get your copy of the JEEP.
Pvt. Frank T. Smith on Nov. 30. Sgt. Russell Bowles on Nov. 26.
Cpl. Ralph P. Cooney. Lt. Gertrude E. Martin, ANC. Horace H. Wright of the SeaBees. Charles B. Tillson, Jr.
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TOWN NEWS
Barbara May Kinney, Sp 2/c, for- merly of this town, spent the week end at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl A. Palmer. Barbara expects to be transferred to Utah and spent most of the week end saying goodby to old friends.
Vincent Mascia who left with his family last month for Fla. had to return at the request of Uncle Sam for his physical. He has to report for induction on Jan. 12.
Mrs. Millie Palmer of Park Lane had the unfortunate experience of losing her billfold containing forty dollars out of her pocket-book on Main St., Cochituate. A check which was also in the pocket-book was returned by the finder.
The renovation of St. Zepherin's Church, started about two months ago, is nearly completed. The inter- ior of the church has been repainted, with appropriate, decorative effect. New electric light fixtures, also, have been installed, eight of them being in the form of large lanterns made of hammered Swedish iron.
Miss Marjorie Lareau attended the performance of "Oklahoma" on the night of the big storm and she was marooned in Wellesley with friends until late the next day.
Mrs. George Campbell and Mrs. John Hampstead were in charge of a very successful whist party held in St. Zepherin's church a week ago Tuesday night.
Miss Gertrude Martin has been visiting her brother, James, and his family in Springfield.
The observant M. & B. bus opera- tor states that a load of nice furni- ture was moved from the old Felch mansion on No. Main St. We will find out where the load went in time for the next issue of the JEEP.
Horace W. Wright, recently dis- charged from the SeaBees, and for- mer Cushman bakery salesman. was a recent visitor in town. He and his family now live in Haverhill.
Mrs. Francis Hooker came across country from San Francisco to visit with her husband. She was recently released from a Japanese internment camp in Shanghai, and it was a thrill for both young people to see one another after a period of four years' separation.
The Knitting Club met at Mar- garet Morrell's home on Main St. last Friday. The members helped celebrate Mrs. Dorothy Gelinas'
birthday.
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The Cochituate Jeep
TOWN NEWS
Miss Esther Nisbet of N. Main St. is ill at home but all her friends wish her a very speedy recovery.
Fred Ward, Lake Path, is serious- ly ill in the hospital. He recently buried his brother who lived in Caribou, Maine.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Perry have bought a two-apartment house in Waltham. They have sold their three houses on Rice Rd.
Folks! There is a man in "Dog- patch" who will do anything to accommodate anyone such as-mind babies, fix radios, taxi service, take your wife out if you are too busy, in fact, he's the best little man in town.
Mrs. J. M. Rafus of Crest Rd. announced the engagement of her daughter, Marion Louise Rafus, to Gordon Atkinson of Dorchester, at a very pretty birthday and engage- ment party held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Trotman of Main St. Marion received many beautiful gifts and a very enjoyable time was had by all, including her school friends from Wayland High School.
HARRY WINTHROP CRAIG Harry Winthrop Craig, 57, Way- land police chief for the past 16 years until his retirement on Sept. 1 of this year, died last Sunday at his home, 4 Harrison St., Cochituate, following a long period of gradually failing health.
He was born in Nova Scotia, a son of the late John A. and Ella A. (Buckler) Craig. Coming to this country when less than one year of age, he made his home in both Way- land center and Cochituate during his entire life. He attended and was graduated from Wayland schools. He was a veteran of World War I with a record of service in the army, and he was the first fellow to be called in the draft from the town of Wayland.
For several years he was a mem- ber of the Wayland Water Board and at one time served the town of Wayland as fire chief. He was a member of the New England Asso- ciation of Chiefs of Police and be- longed to Charles H. Alward Post, A. L.
Surviving are his wife, G. Frances (Frazer) Craig, and three sisters, Mrs. Florence M. Snow, Mrs. Stella M. Furbush and Mrs. Charles M. Nelson. all of Cochituate. There are also several nieces and nephews.
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Full military honors were accord- ed at funeral services conducted in the Gibbs Memorial Funeral Home on Wednesday afternoon at two p.m. Rev. David M. Angell, pastor of Cochituate Methodist Church offici-
Cpl. CHARLES R. SMITH
He has been a Leatherneck for 3 years, one and a half years of which he has spent in the South Pacific. He has seen plenty of action, having been wounded at Iwo Jima.
ated and Mrs. Ernest W. Schleicher presided at the organ. Interment followed in the family lot in Lake- view Cemetery.
In spite of the torrential downpour on Thursday, many people had the courage to attend the Christmas Sale of the Women's Society of Christian Service at the M. E. Church vestry. There was a fine display of these women's handiwork, enabling people to purchase. At 6:30 p.m., a scrump- tious turkey dinner, with all the fix- in's, was served to a capacity crowd. Mrs. Alvin Brown of North Natick turned in over 100 aprons, which she herself had made for this sale. Mrs. Arthur Holden Dudley was chair- man of this very successful affair.
In the last issue of the JEEP, it was noted that dandelions were in bloom, but that tune was greatly changed when November went out. She went out like a lion, with heavy rains, changing to snow, which was a surprise to all. In the past week we have had two kinds of rain, light rain and heavy,-mostly heavy. Com- ing as it did, with about three inches of snow, followed by winds of hur- ricane force, our town was a verit- able headache. Then, with its freez- ing rain, the highways were quite hazardous and cars were stalled on hills. Mother Nature
However,
was kind and melted the ice and driving became more . normal. No serious accidents were reported. At this writing, we are experiencing wet snow with promise of colder weath- er. Oh, well, such is our New Eng- land weather !
Henry Perodeau, recently dis- charged from the SeaBees, has re- sumed his duties as a bus driver.
The regular meeting and birthday party of the Legion Auxiliary was held on Monday evening at the home of Mrs. Gertie Bishop. Four new members were taken in,- Mesdames Grace Hardy, Madeline Hampstead, Marjorie Schofield and Ruth Brooks. A delicious supper was served by the following com- mittee: Mesdames Gertie Bishop, Mildred Groton, Dorothy Gelinas, Blanche Burke, Louise Marston and Sally Potvin.
William Dial, an Army dischargee, and his wife, the former Edith Dun- bar, have gone to Tennessee to make their permanent home.
It appears that our printers of the JEEP, the Messrs. Hallenbrook, are undergoing a bit of hard luck. Joseph Hallenbrook recently came from the Newton Hospital and is just getting on his feet. Now his wife, Cora Hallenbrook, is a patient at Framingham Union Hospital, and Roy's wife had an operation at Leonard Morse Hospital. Best wish- es for a speedy recovery to both you ladies !
Several of our returned veterans have secured employment at the Dennison plant for the present. They are: Ed McGee, Fran Gallagher, Bill Scotland and Wendy Marston.
Mrs. Hazel Patriquin, the former Hazel Moore, whose husband has returned to this town after 4 years of government work at Pearl Har- bor, has gone to housekeeping with her husband and little boy up on Old Connecticut Path.
Of our famous and loyal Studio Gang, there have been eight in ser- vice. Wimpy Williams, John Mc- Carthy, George Toohill, Mrs. Charles Smith's two sons, Charles and John, Mrs. Frank Burke's two sons, Fran- cis and Edward, Mrs. Fisher's hus- band, Francis, all of whom "praise the Lord" are safely in the good old U.S.A.
Mrs. Charles M. Mathews of 95 Main St., with a party of friends, attended Fritz Kreisler's concert at Symphony Hall, Boston, on Sunday. Mrs. Christine P. Hyde, formerly of Cochituate but more recently a resident of Glendale, Calif., is leav- ing on Dec. 15th to make her home with her sister in Roslindale, Mass.
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The Cochituate Jeep
TOWN NEWS
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Bigwood of Commonwealth Rd., F., are receiv- ing congratulations on the birth of their second daughter on Dec. 9th at the Leonard Morse Hospital, Natick.
SERVICEMEN'S COLUMN
Paul Thomas, our jovial sailor boy, was discharged on Dec. 2nd, and he now makes his home in Marlboro with his wife and baby daughter.
Henry Perodeau, former CM 2/c of the SeaBees, is a dischargee.
Frank Merrill has written his mother telling her that he has been promoted to a first lieutenant. He said it came as quite a surprise. At present he is enroute to Japan from Biak.
Buddy Kneeland and his wife, who have been visiting with relatives and friends in town, reported to Raleigh, N. C., on Dec. 3rd, where he will learn of his further assignment.
Lt. Ervin Scheicher, having been sent across the country to California, has now returned to the East coast, where he is stationed at Camp Pickett, Va. He expects to leave the country for the European theatre within a few days.
Ralph Lumley, S 2/c, recently sent his mother some interesting pictures of Guam, the island on which he is presently stationed.
Albie Smith has written his mother from Manila stating that she had better set a place for him at the Christmas dinner table.
Kenneth Hooker, having been dis- charged, is visiting with his parents on Pemberton Rd. His wife and little daughter accompanied him from Albany, N. Y.
Charlie Demartini, husband of the former Eleanor Bemis, has been dis- charged from the Army Air Corps. and lives with his family on Pember- ton Rd.
Lt. Francis Wilson has been as- signed to duty at Mitchell Field.
Douglas Scotland, HA 1/c, now wearing a sailor uniform again after a short period in Marine "greens," spent the week end at his home on Lake Rd. Doug is presently sta- tioned at New London, Conn.
Rolie Henderson and Ralphie Lumley see each other quite often, according to a recent letter from Ralphie, as both are in the same camp area on Guam. Bill O'Connell is six miles away from them and Dayton Nelson is about eight miles away. A fifth Cochituate fellow, Charlie Smith, has left Guam for the States.
Johnnie O'Connell of the Army Air Force is enjoying a furlough at
U.S. NAVY
STEPHEN D. BERGIN, A/S Recently released from the hospital at USNTC, Great Lakes, Ill. He has been a bluejacket for 3 years, hav- ing seen service in the South Pacific aboard the Bon Homme Richard air- craft carrier.
his home on Cochituate Rd.
Pfc. Patricia A. Brooks, MCWR, expects to be home on a furlough over the Christmas holidays.
Joseph "Bud" Strafuss of the Navy has been transferred from Washing- ton to the Fargo Bldg., Boston. When last seen he was an S.P. on Boston Common !
Cpl. Fred Perry, having been transferred to another outfit again, hopes he will be coming back to the States soon.
George Trudel, after four years' service with the Army, has been dis- charged. He is the husband of the former Marguerite Hartin.
Edward Lizotte, S1/c, is still at Yokohama, but he hopes to get back to the States in February.
"Red" Perodeau has sent a tele- gram to his wife, stating he has arrived in California from the Southwest Pacific. He hopes to make home by the 22nd of this month.
Many thanks for Rolie Hender- son's address. For those who might be interested in writing to Rolie, here it is: George Roland Hender- son, F 2/c, JCA Navy 926, Box 11, c/o FPO, San Francisco, Cal.
Bill Fairclough was home on a 3-day pass this past week. He is
recuperating from a hernia opera- tion and is convalescing at a hospital at Ft. Monmouth, N. J.
Pfc. Richard Groton remembered his mother's birthday by sending her a cablegram. He said he hopes to be home to join in the Christmas festivities.
Dan Lindbohm, EM 2/c, aboard the USS Boise, telephoned from New York to his mother, Mrs. Syl- vester Landry, last Thursday eve- ning saying that his ship had just docked, after bringing home service- men from the ETO, via LeHavre. The ship left on Saturday for Europe for another crossing, and he said he hoped to dock again in New York before Christmas so that he might spend the holidays at his home. Pfc. E Landry, learning of Donald's arrival in LeHavre, got a pass and travelled 500 miles in an attempt to see Dan, but he arrived at the port of em- barkation 3 hours too late. Tough luck, Syl; better luck next time.
Lawrie Ekdahl's address is Pvt. N. I. Ekdahl, 38491984, Inf. Co. K, 4th Plat .. APO 21438, c/o PM., New York, in case some of his hometown friends wish to send him a Christ- mas card.
Cpl. Charlie Smith, USMC, is feel- ing swell now that he is on his way from Guam. He feels sure that he will make home by Christmas.
Paul Malloy arrived home Satur- day on an 8-day leave. He looks well and happy although he did not grow extra fond of Camp Peary, Va., where he received his boot training. Upon reporting back to duty, he ex- pects to be sent to California and then to Pacific duty. He feels rather hopeful of seeing some of the world during the next four years, as he has signed up for that time.
Frank Smith of Dudley Rd. ar- rived home on Friday, Nov. 30th. In spite of the fact that his outfit wait- ed in Southampton, England for two months, they were finally shipped from Glasgow, Scotland on the Lib- erty ship USS George Hanley. Due to perhaps a little of both ship and rough weather, it took sixteen days to make the trip across. Frank has seen service in England, France, Germany and Belgium, but he still feels there is no place like home. His mother, Mrs. Dora Cain, cele- brated his long awaited homecoming by giving an elaborate turkey dinner with all the necessary fixings; and to add to the festivities, they enter- tained as guests the Walkers of Wellesley Hills and the Blomgrens of N. Main St.
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The Cochituate Jeep
SERVICEMEN'S COLUMN
In a recent letter received by Mrs. J. M. Rafus from her son Bill, he told her that he participated in the invasions on Iwo Jima, Okinawa and that he is now stationed in Japan. He sent his mother a very odd look- ing pressed flower which he picked in Okinawa. As yet, he said, he had not received the Jeep and he thinks perhaps his Unit No. should be on his address, which he enclosed as : William A. Rafus, Cox 202-49-34 U.S.S.L.S.T. (6) 1221 (Group 103) F.P.O., San Francisco, Cal. He closed his letter with a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all his pals and friends in Cochituate and hopes he will be home by this time next year.
Eddie Burke arrived home Friday afternoon after 23 months in the So. Pacific. He was a coxswain on a submarine chaser and saw plenty of action around the Solomons and Guam but don't ask him if he saw any action because he'll say, "Nope !" Ed received his boot training in Newport and was sent to So. Rich- mond, Va., the University of Illinois, Philadelphia and New Orleans for further training before he went overseas. He crossed the Equator five times and it was pretty hot in more ways than one around his chaser. While he was in Guam, he met Charlie Smith and just before coming to San Francisco he met "Pal" Hartin in Honolulu. He tried to find Billy McArthur while there but found that Bill had left the day before. At Guam he had hoped to see Billy O'Connell and all the other boys from home there but he didn't get back on the beach again. He is home for thirty days but will report back to the Fargo Bldg. for further assignment after his leave. He's mighty glad to be around again and hopes he will get shore duty around here until he is discharged.
T/Sgt. Francis Burke arrived in San Francisco last week and is sweating it out awaiting transporta- tion to Devens. While coming into San Francisco Harbor, he spotted his brother Ed's ship and took sev- eral pictures to prove it, but he didn't know Ed was then on his way home. He spent 27 months in India with the Air Force and has spent the last couple of months in China. In a telegram received by his folks Sunday a.m. he said he hopes to fly across the country. When he does get to Devens he will be discharged but we hope he comes home in uni- form as we've never seen him in his army garb. The only one we've ever seen him wear has "Socony" written on it !
Pfc. THOMAS W. BERGIN
Tommie, an infantryman, one of our younger members of the service, is stationed at Camp Edwards. He was inducted on May 3, 1945.
Francis Carter of Natick, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Carter formerly of Cochituate, is home on leave. He was at Okinawa during the typhoon and lost his shoes. Francis is also a nephew of Mrs. Peter Ploss of W. Plain St.
Cpl. Raymond Reynold, Common- wealth Rd., telephoned home from San Francisco that he was on his way home, making the trip by plane. He has been overseas 26 months and has 97 points to his credit.
Pfc. Wallace Decker landed in New York Friday morning. He ex- pected to reach home in time to celebrate his 21st birthday. Wallace has been overseas one and one-half years.
The Selvitella family of Maiden Lane was very happy this week. Arthur Selvitella came home for good after more than three years in the service, and his sister, Geraldine, HA 3/c, came home on a short pass to see her brother.
Donald Stultz, S 1/c, received the copy of the JEEP in which he was a lucky bond winner. He would like to thank all those who made the bond possible. He enjoys the JEEP very much, and while on Okinawa a few weeks ago he met Billy Kerri- gan, formerly of this town. Billy read the JEEPS that Donald had saved with much interest. It recalled to Billy all the happy years he had spent in Cochituate, so he sat down and wrote to several of his old friends in this town.
The L. S. T. to which Anthony Romano, S 1/c, was assigned more than a year and a half ago, has been decommissioned. It grounded on a coral reef during a typhoon a few months ago and although the ship did not sink and the men were still
aboard her it was impossible to pull her off the reef and fix her up, so Tony will be assigned to another ship. He has hopes of coming to the States for reassignment, but may pick up his new ship at Okinawa.
That combination that you will remember on the football field at Wayland in 1944, Maley and Daly, still continues. Red Maley and John Daly met in boot training at Bain- bridge, Md., and they looked up another Cochituate boy, Tommy Noonan. They had a great time re- calling with fond affection, this town, which only a few short weeks ago seemed like a pretty unexciting place to them.
Arthur D. "Bud" Dooley, Rdm 1/c, stationed at New London, Conn., is home for the week end. He expects his discharge about February 1st.
John Riley, S 1/c, wrote home that he is in hopes of arriving home from Guam in time to celebrate Christmas with the family.
Capt. Ivan Beal sent cablegrams to his wife and daughter from Yoko- hama, wishing them a very merry Christmas.
Capt. Chas. B. Tillson, Jr., has re- turned from overseas and is on ter- minal leave from Camp Devens. He stopped for a short visit with his parents before going on to Brook- lyn, N. Y., to meet his wife and children. They are all expected back at the Tillson Farm for the holidays.
Wilfred Perry, Rice Rd., expects to be home from Missouri about Dec. 16th. His brother, Francis, is also coming home from Ft. Bragg, N. C. They will spend the holidays at their home.
CHIT-CHAT COLUMN
Davisville, R. I. December 7, 1945.
Dear Folks :-
Thank you so much for the bond which I received last week. The Jeep itself is really swell and getting a bond for each one of us is a won- derful thing.
I have shown the Jeep to a good many fellows from all sections of the country and so far no one has seen anything to even compare with it. They all think it is tops.
The folks in Cochituate who have organized the Jeep and gathered its many news items sure deserve a lot of credit.
Thanks again for the bond and each issue of the Jeep.
Sincerely, Lawrence C. Neale.
We're all glad to have you get a bond, Larry, and thanks for those nice words !
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The Cochituate Jeep
CHIT-CHAT COLUMN
Dear Friends :
I have been receiving the "Jeep" for a long time now, but every new issue seems as wonderful as the one before it. Many times I have slipped a paper in the typewriter to write and thank you for the special privi- lege that you extended to me in sending it to me, but each time it seemed that there were so menv others from our home town who had so much more to say and so much more too talk about. Perhaps now that the war is over it may not be taking too much of your time to read a letter from one who stayed on this side.
During the time I've been in the service, I've seen many home-town papers that were prepared for and sent to the members of the services. I can honestly say that there hasn'+ been one of them that favorably compared with the "Jeep." Partic- ularly I enjoyed the pictures that were printed in it. They seemed to bring the town of Cochituate and the many friends who are there very close, and it gave us the realization that they were "in there pitching" to help the boys along.
There is plenty of work left here in Washington, and there seem to be plenty of men here to do it. One of the most difficult aspects of the assignment is finding a place to live. Once that has been accomplished the other work seems like child's play.
In the Judge Advocate General's Department, the work is humming along much as it has always done With the mass termination of con- tracts, the suits against cost-plus contractors, the many claims by soldiers and civilians, the courts- martial and clemency reviews, we manage to keep pretty busy. It
keeps us from wondering too much, how soon we will be home.
From the latest news, it appears that the home-coming day (already arrived for some) would not be far away, and we know that that will be a happy time for everyone. When the day does arrive, I know that the Jeep can close its books with a feel- ing of satisfaction, the feeling of satisfaction that comes with a job well done.
Cordially yours. Richard W. Bishop.
Thank you so much for your swell letter, Dick. May we add, we, the staff, have thoroughly enjoyed pre- paring the JEEP. Our pleasure has also been great in that, all the ser- vice men and women have so thor- oughly enjoyed the JEEP.
Pfc. N. LAWRENCE EKDAHL He has been in the service since June, '45. From the latest reports he expects to leave the States very soon,-destination undisclosed.
We received a most interesting letter from Ralph L. Snell, S 1/c, USN, aboard the USS Quick, which we would like to share with you. To quote, "My ship will be leaving soon for Japan. I will not be there for long as I will be sent to the states for discharge in February. I am glad I will have a chance to see Japan before my discharge. I want to see just what those little ones were fighting for. I still think we should give this place to the Japs to live on. What a hole !
"I believe I will be able to see my brother on the way to Japan as he is still in the Marshalls and we will have to refuel there.
"So long for awhile,
Ralphie."
The Jeep Box 70
Cochituate, Mass.
Dear Editors and Townfolk,
My sincere thanks to you all for the bond and the great little paper which has meant so much to all the service men from Cochituate. Con- gratulations on the Penny Sale which netted such an amount and made possible so many lucky win- ners. Much work and the backing of all sure contributed to your great success.
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