USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cochituate > Cochituate Jeep, 1945-1946 (World War II servicement) 1945-1946 > Part 9
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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
At the moment my company is stationed at the town of Andimeshk which you will probably not find on any map but which is reputed to be the hottest place on earth- temperatures go as high as 170 here in midsummer. Before we got things fixed up around here the men had to soak their mat- tresses in water before going to bed in order to get one or two hours of sleep a night. The
American soldier with his usual inventiveness found the answer to the problem with a screen made of camel grass with water trick- ling through it. This screen is placed in the window and a small fan inside the window draws the cool air in. There were very few few cases of heat exhaustion since this idea got under way.
I should like to be remembered to any and all of the people who may remember me. Many thanks again for the little paper. May all the lads be back where they belong before another year rolls around.
Sincerely,
Rowland W. Ashley Co. F., 363rd Engr. Regt. (ss) APO 797, c/o P. M. New York City
April 7. 1945
Dear Home Folks.
. Secondly and by far the most important, may I take this oppor- tunity to thank each and every- one of you back home for sending me the "The Jeep" each month. If the other servicemen and women from Cochituate find "The Jeep" as entertaining as I have (and I feel sure they do) then it is well worth all the time and effort put into its publication! It is cer-
tainly a wonderful conveyor of "home town news" to us who are away so many miles from home. (Continued on Page 5)
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The Cochituate Jeep
Chit-Chat Column
(Continued from Pagè 4)
Here in the jungles we have very little entertainment, practically nothing. However, I find addition- al enjoyment in rereading the copies of "The Jeep" of the past months.
There isn't very much I can say about my present location haven't had any time to look any- thing over other than the mess hall and my cot. Although the Japs have been driven out of here sometime ago, one can still see signs of life when they were here. In one of the shacks we used to set-up our supply room, there was a sign "Death to Americans" which was signed presumably by a Japanese officer, as it was in Japanese or some other similar language.
In some respects this place is much better then the last place we were at, mainly the climate, even though we are nearer the equator the atmosphere is much drier, al- though hotter. The damp climate we have just left was very poor for one's health. At present we are living in shacks made of grass and bamboo. However, I still would prefer to live in tents as we have ever since I've been overseas, as the "bashees" (that's the name for the shacks) harbor a great many insects in the grass. One of the most uncomfortable things is the water situation. Just about all the water we use has to be carried about 18 miles round trip. So you can see water is pretty scarce. I assure you it's rather difficult to keep even half-way clean. But we all know better days are coming.
May I once again express my sincere thanks for "The Jeep" which has been arriving regularly since its creation.
Sincerely, Johnny Bryant
"Daffynition" of a housewarming -"Last call for Wedding Presents." Did you hear about the rabbit that jumped through the fire and got de-furred?
In a letter to his father, Sebas- tian Selvitella of Park Lane, Ar- thur Selvitella, believed to be on Okinawa, writes: "I met a number of my buddies at Iwo Jimo. Some I spoke to but others I could only
Wins War Bond
GURNEY O. NICHOL, deceased The bond is being presented to his widow, Alpha E. Nichol, 94 Main street.
kneel and say a prayer for. I am hurt very much upon learning of the death of my pal, George Ful- lick. I was there and yet I did not know about it. It is very hard to realize many things. It will be difficult for me to write to George's father.
I looked for Charlie Smith and John Pelletier but could not find. them. Where are they now?
Yesterday I received a new town paper. I think it is great. Who thought of it? Good work. Keep it coming. That's the kind of stuff we boys like to get.
Town News (Continued from Page 2)
Little Johnnie Morrell has been quite ill with pneumonia at his home on Main street.
The knitting club met on Tues- day evening at the home of Doro- thy Gelinas on Pemberton road.
Mrs. Sadie Fiske is spending a few days with her sister in Fram- ingham.
The Men's Club and the Women's Society are holding a joint social activity on Thursday evening in the M. E. Church vestry. Miss Jane Schleicher will be the soloist and after the entertainment re- freshments will be served.
Mr. James Adams, well known barber, has returned to business after a week's vacation. He and Mrs. Adams went to visit a son who is in the Service and has been ill in a hospital.
From The "Reading Mercury"
Pfc. William J. Scotland, son of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Scotland, of Cochituate, Mass., USA, was married to Miss Evelyn E. Fisher, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fisher of 3 Glebe road, Purley, Nr. Reading, Berkshire, in the Purley Church on Thursday, March 15, at 3:30 in the afternoon. The bride was given away by her father, Mr. Charles Fisher. The bride wore a dress of white figured silk with headdress of orange blossoms and long embroidered veil and carried a shower bouquet of red carnations. The bride was attended bv four bridesmaids dressed in pink taf- feta with turquoise feathered headdresses and carrying shower bouquets of assorted spring flowers.
The best man was Mr. William Fisher, brother of the bride.
The service was conducted by the Rev. E. Skuse and Mr. N. Cooper was at the organ. The hymns "Lead Us Heavenly Father" and "Love Divine" were sung, also Psalm sixty-seven.
The reception was held at the home of the bride's parents and attended by many guests.
Adv. in "The Framingham News" April 26, 1945:
FOR SALE-Horse manure; also three trunks and baby carriage. Apply 2 First street, Framingham.
Here is your chance, boys !- Pack your trunks, come home, push the baby carriage and start a garden!
6
The Cochituate Jeep
Lots More Room Aboard The Jeep
(Continued from Page 1)
Those at home make it a point to send in some item each week. Encourage your service boys and girls by taking time out for them with bits of news. You know your reporter. If not, the following are your good Editors, who will be glad to help on any news items:
Mrs. Edna Marston Miss Dorothy Gallagher Mr. Edwin Marston Mrs. Bernice Gerald Mr. and Mrs. Francis Gladu
All together we can make the Jeep better than ever with this over-the-fence banter of news.
Everyone is invited to become a regular Jeeper. Don't just cheer; work and cheer.
Servicemen's Column
From somewhere in the Pacific, Lt. Bob Keith writes this: "They're really doing a burning job `on Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka and that's first hand information from the boys that set the fires."
Robert F. Gladu, S 2/c, was home for the week-end. He is now in New York awaiting orders to sail.
Bobbie Pease, a former Cochitu- ate boy, is now undergoing boot training at Sampson, N. Y.
CSF. Everett Spear and CPO Thurber Handley, both of the Sea Bees, left this morning, April 25, for Camp Parks, Cal., after a few days' leave at their respective homes.
Lt. Wendell S. Marston, having reported to Wilmington, Del., for his reassignment after a twenty- one days' leave, is departing to- day for Great Falls, Montana, to continue in the ATC.
Sgt. Ethel B. Luzar of the WACS and her husband, Cpl. Clifford Luzar, have concluded their visit with Mr. and Mrs. William Lewis and are now visiting in Minne- apolis with Cpl. Luzar's parents.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT ' with apologies to RIPLEY
SINCE D-DAY THE 1115 15 ENGINEER CROUS
CLEARED AND MAINTAINSP ROADWAYS THE TOTAL LENGTH OF WHICH WOULD EQUAL A ROAD THƠM SAN FRANCISCO TO NEW YORK
CPEMOLKHEE MELBOYES CON- TANENS ENDUEN MATERIAL TO SURD ANOTHER VON SAHAG FOR MOSTWWMENT
SUPPLIED SUFFICIENT DRINKING WATER TO FLOAT FIVE UL. NAVY CRINSERS
PLACED END TO END RAWCALLE EQUAL THE COMBINED LENGTH OF THE GOLDEN GATE AND BROOKLYN BRIDGES
TO REMOVED ENEMY MINES WHICH IN ONS STACK WOULD TOWER HIGHER THAN THẾ COMBINED HEIGHT OF THE EMPIRE STATE AND THE R.C. A. BUILDINGS
THESE THINGS HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY THE 82 nd, 234th, AND 295 th ENGINEER COMBAT BATTABONS: 312 th UT. PONTON CO: 992nd TREADWAY BRIDGE CO4 739 th MINE EXPLORER ON.(CO.A') Itt PLATOON, 6DU LE EQUIPMENT CO. WHICH COMPRISE THE THS th ENGINEER COMBAT GROUP OF THE XIX CORPS. THIS GROUP HAS SUPPORTED SUCH FAMOUS DIVISIONS Al THE 2nd ARMORED, 3rd ARMORED, 29 th, 30th, 19 th, B3rd. 104 th, AND THE 113 th CAVALRY. THE GROUP'S NAME IS ASSOCIATED WITH ACTIONS AT SE LO, VIRE, THE SEINE, THE MAAS, AND THE ROER RIVERS THE GROUP HAS OFTEN FOUGHT IN THE LINE AS INFANTRY.
The two Wilbur boys and their brother-in-law, Roland Mailhoit, had a happy reunion a short time ago, all members of the 3rd Army. Billie looks forward to seeing his 3-month-old son, William Arnold Jr., soon.
Pvt. Norman Moore with the 9th Army somewhere in Germany has been promoted to Private first- class. He has also been awarded the Combat Infantryman's badge. He has written and said he is sending to his mother as a sou- venir a German officer's sword.
Cpl. Fred Perry of the Harbor- craft wrote home and said he and Bernie Gallagher are working
nights on the same shift. Bernie is the M. P. on the job.
Charles Smith and Harold Hurl- but, USMC, met on Guam and had quite a talk about the old days when they played tennis. Charlie was the champion tennis player in Cochituate and Wayland. Har- old is the husband of the former Alice Forbes.
Cpl. Russell Bowles has been promoted to Sgt. at Camp Bland- ing, Fla.
Billy O'Connell, on Guam, writes home that he met Henry Perodeau and had quite a long chat with him of people and things back home.
Dickie Biggins, who is stationed at Sampson, has been released from the hospital, having recovered from scarlet fever, and expects to be home for the weekend.
John Anzivino, Mo. M. M 1/c, of Guam, is in the hospital with a torn cartilage of the knee. His wife received word that he is on a strict diet of powdered milk. He said when he has a piece of toast it tastes like a stak to him.
Lt. William L. Hardy, USNR, has left for the west coast to assume command of a naval gun boat. He is now a skipper in his own right and strange as it may seem he is in command of a ship that his father, William L. Hardy, Sr., served aboard 35 years ago in the year 1906. (Congratulations, Bill, from the Jeep on your promotion.)
Thomas Garvey, Jr., has written home to have his Serial Number added to his address in order that he may receive his Jeep without any delay. It's a strange coin- cidence but there is another Thomas Garvey on his ship, thus confusing their mail.
Frank Smith, of Dudley road, who is now in England, spent a seven-day furlough visiting his- toric points in and around Lon- don.
Marshall Frye of Main Street has been discharged from the Army.
Jimmy Flint of the Sea Bees is expected to arrive at his home on Dudley road sometime this week for a seven-day furlough. Jimmy was stationed somewhere in the Pacific for eighteen months but he was sent back to California. He has been in the hospital seven times with malaria. It will a well earned furlough, Jimmy.
1st. Lt.
Harriette MacMecken Conner, stationed at the 129th Gen- eral Hospital, describes the Jeep as a great refresher and promises that any of our Cochituate boys who pass through the 129th General can rest assured that they'll receive the best the hospital has to offer.
7
The Cochituate Jeep
Servicemen's Column
Lt. Robert Robinson reports that he received his first Jeep, and it was without doubt the best of its kind that had come from any man's home town. He said he had no idea that there was so much news in the "little ole Home" and it is such a pleasure to know what they are all doing, instead of just wondering. He says the atrocities committed in the Philippines have not even been touched upon in the newspaper.
Leland Robinson, Radar Tech- nician on a landing craft, recent- ly on Okinawa, is becoming quite an artist, painting pictures of Jap ships and a plane or two on the side of his ship. He says he never thought he'd live to see the day that he would wish to see a Jeep out-maneuver a ship, but he will keep hoping until the little Co- chituate Jeep catches up with him for he will surely love to see what the other boys are doing as well as the folks on the home front.
Maurice Robinson, still stationed at Dartmouth, spent the week- end on a little trip to Montreal to see the apple blossoms. While there he had a nice steak.
Capt. J. H. Masse of the War Shipping Administration warns our men against souvenirs
that may cripple or kill some loved one at home. To quote from the of- ficial Navv magazine. "If vou don't care whether you get home in one piece don't read this. But men are needleslly killed or wounded by 'harmless' souvenirs they pick up on the battlefields-Jap grenades, mortar shells, rifles, pistols, bomb fuses. And their folks at home are being killed or maimed by innocent looking trophies sent
home from overseas severa1 killed and a dozen wounded during a single month .
. a 13-yr .- old boy with his right hand gone . two boys 14 and 10, killed as they examined a mortar shell. If you want to get home intact yourself -- and if you want to protect those at home-remember this: death is too high a price to pay for any souvenir."
Pvt. Frank T. Smith writes from England to thank the Jeep for his!
Wins War Bond
Pfc. LAWRENCE H. BERG
He is now in Germany in the 4th Armored Division of Gen. Pat- ton's 3rd Army.
War Bond gift, especially Carylle for making him one of the lucky ones. He also writes he appreciates the Jeep very much.
Pvt. William Morris of Wood- land road received an honorable discharge from the Army on April 12.
Cpl. William Tobin of Maiden Lane plans to be married on May 6 to Jeannette Langevin of Ber- lin, New Hampshire.
Sp. 3/c Barbara Mae Kinney spent the week-end at the home of Mrs. Carl A. Palmer of Pris- cilla Path.
S. 1/c John O'Connell, formerly of Indian road, spent the week- end here visiting friends. He has just returned from duty on the European Zone. He will be on leave until his ship is repaired. His brother, Cpl. Henry O'Connell is somewhere in Germany at present.
Mrs. A. J. Stanley of Lake Shore Drive received word that her son, Sgt. John Bryant, stationed in India with the A. A. F., had been awarded the Bronze Star.
A. O. M. 3/c Joseph Lee Stra- fuss of Lake Path has returned to the Pacific Coast after a fif- teen-day furlough.
Sgt. John Bryant of the A. A. F. has been transferred from India® to Burma. John recently was awarded the Bronze Star.
Mr. and Mrs. George Lewis re- ceived a letter from their son, So. M. 2/c. Robert Lewis, saying that he is O. K. It has been sev- eral weeks since his last letter.
In Charlie Butler's last letter he states that he's somewhere in Italy. Only complaint, besides the distance from home, is the hot days and the cold nights.
In a letter sent by Charlie Smith to his mother it was learned that Johnny Pelletier left Guam April 6 on his way home. Latest reports are he has reached Santiago.
Bud Strafuss has been home for fourteen days and will return to duty at Whitbey Island, Washing- ton.
Cpl. Norman Sleeper says he is getting to be very adept at pack- ing and unpacking his knapsack while keeping up with the boys "On the March" in Europe. However, he's living like a king with a boat, a black valet, etc., picked from Hitler's "Elite Supermen."
Lt. Ben Sleeper is living in Flushing, N. Y., and at present is on a self-imposed diet. Watch those pounds, Bennie, or vou soon will be buying a new uniform.
Almon Pickard, M. O. M. M. 2/c, came from the South Pacific re- cently and is visiting his brother, Fred Pickard, on West Plain street, whom he found ill. He has been taken to the hospital.
Reed Gerald returned from his station in China reaching New York on Tuesday night. He had a fine trip by plane leaving China on Wednesday. Pfc. Gerald will attend Ordnance Officers' Candi- date School at Aberdeen, Mary- land. The night before he left China his friends there gave himn a party. Two boys, well known around here, attended-Sgt. Lvle Shufelt from West Plain street and Walter MacMahon from
1 Natick.
8
The Cochituate Jeep
Servicemen's Column
Cpl. William Tobin has moved from Texas to Hendricks Field, Fla. He expects a furlough next month and intends to be married in Berlin, N. H.
Buddy Butler, one of our sum- mer residents and nephew of Mrs. Helen Smith, is home on furlough from Camp Blanding. He visited Cochituate the other day and told his aunt how much he appreciated her sending him the Jeep and what a swell paper it is.
Donna J. Bellefontaine, M. O. M. M. 2/c, has been transferred again. Destination is not known.
Pfc. Richard Groton writes home that he has received another copy of the Jeep, saying he would like to write to the Editors personally, but is pretty much pressed for time. He said Mom was in a good position to tell them he appreci- ated the Jeep very much.
Lt. Albert Smith came up from Washington to spend the week- end with his wife, the former June Hamilton, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. Howard Smith.
Ralph J. Lumley of Lake road is now at Sampson, N. Y., receiv- ing his A/S training.
Pfc. Sylvester Landry of the 1253rd Engr. Bn., somewhere in Germany with 9th
the Army, writes: "We're doing very impor- tant work at night. It sounds and looks like the fourth of July . .
Being French comes in pretty handy. All I have to do is give them a cigarette and ask and they will get eggs for me. I just went up and got some eggs. I boiled them good and hard and, boy, did they taste good."
Mary MacClellan of West Plain street, cadet nurse at the Newton Hospital, is home for three weeks' vacation.
Wins War Bond
Pfc. ROBERT G. MERRITT
Nothing to report as to his whereabouts, except he's his way to the South Pacific.
Memorial Service For George Travis
Formerly of Cochituate
A memorial service will be held for Pfc. George Travis, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Travis, 143 Lincoln Street, Framingham, who was killed in action in Germany on April 18, on Sunday afternoon, May 6, at 3 o'clock in Wesley Methodist church.
James J. McGrath Post 74 Amer- ican Legion, will take part and the service will be conducted by the pastor, Rev. John Hillman Lavele.
Pfc. William J. Scotland sent the item (page 6) of his outfit. 115th Engineers achievements which is a real record of good work.
Margaret Lawrence, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Lawrence, School Street, has been awarded a full tuition scholarship at the Fay Secretarial school, Boston.
I Am a Story
I am a most universal and yet a most widely rejected story.
I am a "dirty story." Sometimes I am referred to as "slightly soiled" or "shady" ---
But regardless of such moderating terms, the fact remains that I am very much in need of laundering. I KNOW THAT
I am often very lonely-being ac- cepted into a social group of which I am not always proud to be a mem- ber. And I seldom am invited to those groups or to those occasions which I should really enjoy attend- ing. I doubt that I have contributed anything to the progress of man- kind that has helped to inspire or exalt him-and in my more lonely and desolate moments this troubles me more than I want you to know.
This is why I am speaking so frankly now. I wonder if persons would miss me, should I turn my talents and attention elsewhere.
I contemplate it seriously.
It is both disturbing and dull to go through generations of time knowing that you are of little or no worth.
I am a story.
I am a universal and yet most widely rejected story.
I am the "dirty story."
I am very much in need of laund- ering. I KNOW THAT
Baseball Line-up
Robert Moran
Catcher
Charles Bowers
Pitcher and
Third Base
Francis Laughlin First Base
Bradford Whitney Second Base Edward Maley and Catcher Third Base and Pitcher John Tivnan Shortstop
George Butler Center Field
Charles Russell Left Field
William Costello Right Field
Subsitutes:
Richard Burke Richard Benson John Handrahan
Third Base Outfield Outfield
AVRILAND PUBLIC LIBRAS
The Cochituate
Jeep
Conveyor Of News From The Folks At Home To Their Service Men And Women Everywhere
No. 8
May 18, 1945
MAIL ADDRESS
P. O. Box 70, Cochituate, Mass.
V-E Day
Unlike London, Paris and New York, Boston and COCHITUATE with sober mien and decorous behaviour yesterday shunned the holiday tumult of V-E Day, and turned to meditation and prayer in the churches to give more sat- isfying expression to the tidings of the official end of war in Eur- ope. Except for one brief burst of hilarity, a momentary flurry of torn paper, immediately after the official announcement of President Truman, the towering shadow of war in the Pacific cast a pall over most all of us. We're proud to say Cochituate showed none of
that jovous celebrating, instead our church doors were flung open wide and many people stopped dur- ing the day to utter a few words of thanks to Almighty God and to fervently pray for a Total Victory in the near future. In the evening, services were held in our churches In the city the short-lived effort to launch carefree carnival in the streets never did eventuate. The laughter and gayety died and the crowds were found in the churches filling the aisles and kneeling at the shrines and at no time were those who will remain where they fell, forgotten.
There was a confusion of closing most of the stores, and most of the stores, except the food and drug stores d'd close. Even the liquor stores and bars where jubilation was supposed to spill over, were as uncrowded as Joe Perodeau's vege- table stand in mid-Derember. Our own little village was just as quiet as the proverbial church mouse but don't think we weren't exuberant over the glad news; we were, but as one fellow said, "I didn't see the last celebration. I was away in service. But I got a kid overseas. I haven't got anything to celebrate yet." That was the exact feeling of the mobs. Those of us who don't remember the Armistice of 1918 sheepishly put away our horns and flags and will strive to our
(Continued on Page 6)
Hi Fellas!
All they let me draw was ten names so I had to pass up a lot of you.
Wish you were all home here. The Old Town sure looks good. Luck to you all. Hope I see you all soon.
Johnny Pell
Just at present Johnny Pelletier seems to be our Town Hero. Ev- eryone has been looking forward to seeing Johnny come marching home as he has seen a great deal of action since he joined the Mar- ines in August 1942, at the ripe old age of seventeen. Johnny first I'nded near Auchland, New Zea-
land, February 1943. He fought on Bougainville and Guam where he received two citations and the Bronze Star. He was also in the battle of Iwo Jima and it was there he was wounded and was sent back to Guam. After two years of a dehydrated diet, we imagine the food rationing will be extra hard on Johnny. Although Johnny didn't actually march home, he is here and glad to be here too. We're all mighty glad, too, Johnny. The Jeep in particular was very proud to have the honor of having
Johnny draw the names of the Bond winners this week.
10 BONDS
Largest number given in any issue and drawn on V-E Day.
The Editors of
Jeep feel in-
deed honored that this spirit of patriotism which was started by the Jeep, giving a bond to a man or woman in the armed forces, is still being carried through in fly- ing colors. This issue is proud to announce that there are ten bonds for our servicemen and women. These donors are: Cornelius J. Ma- guire, a veteran of World War I, and a leading citizen interested in all civic affairs of the town; Mary Griffin, tavern proprietor, George Scigliano of the Mansion Inn, Ben Johnson, our congenial druggist, Bill Morrisey, man about town, and with whom many of our bovs and girls have bussed it to High School; Walter Bartberger, who has made many of the cuts used in the Jeer; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Townsend, the latter long a resident of Co- chituate, the former Marion Fiske; Fred Gibbs, well known mortician and a member of the popular Derby Club; the management of Sadie's Restaurant and a bond from neighbors and friends, with best wishes :- Mrs. Mary Patnode, Mrs. Myrtle Sparks, Mrs. Bernice Pettigrew, Mrs. Ida Slaman, Mrs. Ida Scott, Mrs. Florence Galagher, Mrs. Laura McKav, Mrs. Doris Hammond, Mrs. Ruth Starett, Mrs. Gertrude Stahl, Mrs. Irene Maley, Mrs. Alice Burke, Mrs. Bertha Nel- son, Mrs. Mary Moore, Mrs. Christ- ian Garny, Miss Ida Hershey, Mrs. Carrie Simpson.
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Moore and family wish to gratefully ac- knowledge and thank the town folk for their expressions of sym- pathy in the loss of their son and brother, Pfc. Clifford G. Moore.
2
The Cochituate Jeep
NOTIFY
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Write for special news that you may wish; The Jeep is at your service.
Please send something of interest
for the Service Chit-Chat Column regularly-Keep in touch around the Globe- through this column.
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