USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Temple > Temple, New Hampshire, in World War II > Part 2
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A parade with Henry J. Leclair Post, American Legion, ser- vicemen of the war, and a group of British sailors who marched with the Peterborough band, arrived at the Temple Common where American Legion services were held. The line of march re-formed early in the afternoon and the graves of the Temple East Cemetery were decorated.
CORRESPONDENCE, SERGEANT QUINN Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps, Washington, D. C.
Aug. 26, 1948
My dear Mrs. Quinn :
I am directed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to forward to you the following posthumous awards to which you
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are entitled as the next of kin of the late First Sergeant David H. Quinn, U. S. Marine Corps Reserve: American Defense Service Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Victory Medal World War II Sincerely yours,
L. S. Hamel, Colonel, U. S. Marine Corps.
April 14, 1944
Dear Mrs. Quinn :
When permission was granted to write the families of those Marines who died so gallantly at Tarawa, I wrote your daughter- in-law in New Zealand regarding the death of your son, David. She wrote back, giving your address and stating that she would appreciate it if I would also write a note to you.
I knew David very well since he had been my First Sergeant for nearly eighteen months. We left the States together, spent a year together in New Zealand and were landing together at Tarawa when he was killed. He always did a wonderful job and relieved me of all my administrative work. He was trustworthy, loyal, and a hard worker.
We were in the same landing craft when he was struck from the front by an enemy shell. David was severely wounded but re- mained conscious till the end. He was not in much pain, how- ever. His last words were of you and his wife, both of whom he thought so much of. David and his wife had made wonderful plans for the future, of returning to New Hampshire and enjoying their lives together.
Needless to say, he died a hero's death at Tarawa and I shall always remember him as one of the finest Marines I have ever known.
I am certain that he was buried at sea although I had to leave him shortly after his death and therefore I cannot be sure. As I can recall, he did not leave any specific message for anyone al- though he spoke constantly of you and Zoe near the end. He was certainly brave, making no reference to himself or his wounds.
I know David must have been well liked by his friends at home since he was so popular throughout the battalion. As a First Sergeant he did a fine job and I could always depend upon him.
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I was temporarily absent from New Zealand when David was married but later I met his wife and I know that she is a wonder- ful girl, worthy of David's love.
I hope and pray that your other sons make out better than David did, although his death should never be regretted. He was doing a wonderful job for his country and many of us will never forget him.
MAJOR F. A. DURAND, U.S.M.C. F.M.F., Pacific, San Francisco.
From DAVID QUINN envelope, June 2, 1942, San Diego, California. Letter undated, but the year of death.
U.S.M.C., Co. "B" 2nd Amphibious Trac. Bn. 2nd MD, FMF, MCB San Diego, California
Dear Mom,
I received your letter and the box of candy and cookies. I enjoyed the box very much. I also got Dad's letter. I won't have time to write very much tonight as it is near bedtime. My back is better than it was, but I cannot do very much without getting tired. I have a 20 mile hike to go on tomorrow and so I will need plenty of rest tonight. It will take a little time before my back does get back to good shape. But I have much to do and so I will just keep going.
I am glad to know that I am going to receive my diploma. It was certainly nice of Mr. Smith to get it for me. I hope you will be able to attend the graduation exercises.
We have been on the machine-gun range part of the time this week and probably most of next week. It is a lot of fun to have about ten of them going at once and blowing the hell out of any- thing that we set up. Or else start shooting into the hillside about a mile away and rake it from one end to another. The dust and stones really fly when we set the guns into action. I reckon that a few Japs will scramble for cover when we start moving in on them.
I hope that you folks can get the garden planted in time for the growing season. I wouldn't mind being back there helping. It sure would be nice. I guess that by spring, 1944, Warren and I will be there to help with the planting.
Lots of love, DAVE
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In the Field (Company "C", 2nd Marine Div., FMF, care Fleet) March 16, 1943
Dear Folks;
Just a few lines to say that all is well and I am feeling fine. In order to comply with the censorship regulations we cannot give out any information as to where we are, the weather, or anything pertaining to the place where we are stationed.
I hope that by this time you have heard from Warren. It is hard to say just where he might be. But wherever he is, I reckon he will make out all right.
Well, so much for now. Say hello to all the family and give my best regards. All one can say is hello and goodbye. But don't worry about me as everything is fine. Best wishes and love to all.
DAVE
Last letter from Sergeant Quinn.
Kittie E. Quinn
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LEON BLOOD Killed in action May 1944
LEON BLOOD, Gunner's Mate, Third Class, U. S. Navy, lost his life by accidental drowning while in service on the Marshall Islands, Pacific battle area.
Leon was born in Temple, New Hampshire, November 14, 1921 and was educated at the grammar school of Temple. He enlisted at twenty-one years of age and was inducted September 4, 1942. He received basic training at Newport, Rhode Island; left there Novem- ber 20, 1942, for Philadelphia and continued training at Annapolis, Maryland, until February 6th, 1943. He was then assigned to the destroyer, U. S. S. Sante Fé and served in action in the Aleutian Islands, the Gilberts, Wake Island, the Marshalls and the Solomons.
Action in this theater of World War II in which Leon participated on the U.S.S. Santa Fé included : April 26, 1943, Attu, first bombard- ment of enemy-held island; May 11-23, 1943, Attu, seizure, covering force; July 8, 1943, Kiska, bombardment; July 22, 1943, Kiska, continued bombardment; August 15, 1943, Kiska, bombardment in dense fog evacuation. These actions covered the first on the enemy- held Attu and Kiska Islands.
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Action in this area that followed included: September 18, 1943, Tarawa, air strike, the approach undetected; October 5-6, 1943, Wake Island, an opposed bombardment; November 8, 1943, Bougainville, night air attack with three planes shot down; November 20-22, 1943, Tarawa, seizure by U. S. Marines, under bombardment of the island; December 4-5, 1943, Kwajalein, night attack; February 16, Truk, air strike and air attack, undetected approach.
In 1944 the Santa Fé participated in the following: January 30, 1944, opposed bombardment of Wotje; February 2, 1944, seizure of Kwajalein under opposition; February 21-March 21, opposed air strikes on Truk, Saipan, Palau, and Yap. April 21, 1944, action re- sulting in the seizure of Hollandia Island by Allied units; April 22- 30, 1944, the islands of Wakde-Sawar and Truk were bombarded; May 1, 1944 marked Leon's last action, the strike against Ponape Island.
No details of Leon's death were supplied by the Navy.
Memorial services for Gunner's Mate Leon Blood were held Sunday afternoon, May 14, 1944, at the Congregational Church, Temple, New Hampshire. Rev. David Railsback, former Chaplain U.S.N. of Greenville, assisted by Rev. Timothy Paddon, Rear Admiral Lackey and U. S. Senator Charles Tobey officiated.
Admiral Lackey spoke of Leon's fine record and rapid advancement in the U. S. Navy. Senator Tobey spoke of the fine character of the young man.
Instrumental music was furnished by Herbert Willard, Alvin Holt, Jr., and Ervin Rockwood. Lawrence Hill was organist. Taps was sounded at close of the service by Herbert Willard and Alvin Holt, Jr.
On October 9, 1947, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Blood received word that the body of their son, Leon, Gunner's Mate 3rd Class, U.S.S. Navy had been received on the S.S. Hindaknot at San Francisco, from where it was brought to Temple. A military funeral was held October 30, 1947 at the Temple, New Hampshire, Congregational Church. Inter- ment was in the new cemetery, Temple.
Annie B. Blood
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Carrol! Allen
David H. Bigelow
VAY0
Wallace R. Blood
Donald Brown
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ALLEN, CARROLL, Quartermaster, Second Class, U. S. Navy. b. August 28, 1924, Nashua, New Hampshire. Parents, Ruby and Ole Alfson. Educated, grammar school, Temple, New Hampshire. High school, Wilton, New Hampshire.
Inducted U. S. Maritime Service, September 17, 1942. Transferred to U. S. Navy, January 2, 1943. Basic Training: Sheepshead Bay, New York, Cooks and Bakers School; Naval Training Station, New- port, Rhode Island; Naval Mine Warfare School, Yorktown, Virginia; U.S.S. Yard Mine Sweeper, 289. U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt (C.V.D. 42).
Served 26 months on Mine Sweeper Y.M.S. 289; 4 months service, U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Decorations and Citations:
World War II Medal Minecraft Insignia
American Area Medal
Asiatic Pacific Area Medal with 2 Bronze Stars Good Conduct Medal
Discharged from Active Duty January 20, 1946, Boston, Massa- chusetts. Employed as stock clerk, Abbott Machine Shop, Wilton, New Hampshire.
Married Elinor Curtis, September 9, 1945, Milford, New Hamp- shire.
BIGELOW, DAVID H., Aviation Radioman Second Class (ARMI2/c). U. S. Naval Reserve. b. 17 June, 1926, Cambridge, Mass. Parents, Karl Worth and Margaret Johnson Bigelow. Education, A. B. Colum- bia College, 1949. Enlisted, Washington, D. C. 17 August, 1943. Basic Training, Boot Camp, Bainbridge, Md. Aviation Radio and Gunners' Schools, N.A.S. Jacksonville, Fla.
Served 20 months in U. S., mostly Jacksonville, Fla., San Diego, Calif., Oakland, Calif. 12 months Pacific Area, flying from bases on Hawaii and Guam.
Organizations. Most of active duty with Naval Air Transport Service, Pacific Wing.
Military Occupational Specialty. Radio Operator aboard naval air transport airplanes of the R5D (C-54) type.
Decorations and Citations:
Pacific and American Theater Ribbons
Victory Medal
Unit Commendation
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Discharged from active duty 5 April, 1946, Bainbridge, Md. Civilian occupation, personnel work with U. S. Dept. of Defense, Washington, D. C.
Marital status, single.
The Unit Commendation mentioned above was awarded to VR-6 (Rescue Squadron Six) for its efficient air evacuation of wounded from Iwo Jima and Okinawa to rear hospitals. The operation was not hazardous, but it was the first large-scale effort of its kind.
BLOOD, WALLACE, R., Staff Sergeant, U. S. Infantry. b. October 3, 1920, Temple, New Hampshire. Parents, Annie B. and Fred C. Blood. Educated Temple, New Hampshire, grammar school.
Inducted Manchester, New Hampshire, October 8, 1942. Basic Training, Camp Shelby, Mississippi.
Served Camp Shelby, Mississippi, 6 months. California Desert Maneuvers 5 months. Overseas Preparation, Fort Dix, New Jersey, 2 months. Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia, (Port of Embarkation) 2 weeks. Maneuvers, North Africa, 3 months. Action, Fifth Army, Italy, 20 months. Member 85th Division, 339th Infantry Regiment, Company K. Occupational Specialty, Squad Leader.
Decorations and Citations:
Good Conduct Medal
North African Campaign Medal
European Campaign Decoration with Three Bronze Stars Discharged Fort Bragg, North Carolina, November 2, 1945. Employed as carpenter.
Married Frances Jacobus, September 23, 1945.
STOLEN ART
In June, 1945, it was reported that the Fifth U. S. Army, stationed in Italy, discovered a vast store of precious stolen art treasure taken by Germans from all parts of Italy and hidden in a Fifteenth Century castle. Three New Hampshire soldiers of the 339th U. S. Infantry, one of these being Sergeant Blood, were active in this discovery.
BROWN, DONALD, Chief Electricians Mate, U. S. Navy. b. June 18, 1922. Educated, grammar school, Temple, New Hampshire. High School, Appleton Academy, New Ipswich, New Hampshire.
Inducted, January 26, 1942, Boston, Massachusetts. Basic Train- ing: Newport, Rhode Island. Naval Training School, Detroit,
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Michigan. Electrical Interior Communication School, Washington, D. C.
Served 4 weeks, Newport, Rhode Island; 16 weeks, Detroit, Michi- gan; 1 year U.S.S. Wharton, South Pacific; 3 months Submarine Chaser Training Center, Miami, Florida; 2 years English Channel area, Submarine Chaser 1354; 36 weeks U.S.S. Mount Olympus, South Pole Expedition; U.S.S. Submarine Chaser, 391, U.S.S. Landing Submarine Chaser, 551, Norfolk, Virginia. Total period, 5 years, 10 months and 6 days.
Discharged, Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Virginia, December 12, 1947. Employed, electrician, Temple, New Hampshire.
Married Hazel C. Colburn, January 19, 1946, Washington, D. C.
SOUTH POLE EXPEDITION, 1946
I was in the U. S. Electrical Interior Communications School, Washington, D. C. waiting for orders in 1946. There was a call for the post of Chief Electrician, U.S.S. Mount Olympus and I was given the post. We sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, with 2 cargo ships, an icebreaker, airplane and submarine in December, 1946, for Admiral Byrd's headquarters, Little America, the South Pole.
Our destination had been held secret, but our course down the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal with stops at Panama City, at Australia and New Zealand, then into the great swells of the Pacific and to the south, gave a clue as to our mission. Gradually the ocean became calmer, the waters dark blue and choppy, at last calm. Floating ice and a few icebergs slowed us. We were nearing the un- known Antarctic land. Eventually the crew from the icebreaker would jump ashore, if the ice surface may be so described, dig into the snow that covered the ice, put in stakes, and pour in water freezing these mooring stakes.
I watched the strange scene as we approached the ice shelf; flaky surfaces with spaces of calm water, level, not too cold, but gradually, with our approach, icebergs could be sighted. The icebreaker leading, we came at last to Ross Bay. We tied up to the ice and I looked at the mainland. The background seemed like a climb, the horizon was restricted and one's vision was limited. We had daylight day and night. This Antarctic summer was similar in temperature to a New Hampshire November but one had to wear sun glasses. A phenome- non was that the sun was never in sight, but the reflected glare of the sunlight on the ice was unbearable to the naked eye. Where the water was clear, brilliant colors could be seen beneath the surface.
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It was completely quiet, no waves, no sound, a place of mystery. There were no buildings or shelters of any kind to be seen. Previously- erected Little Americas were covered. Soon a new Little America was established.
I had 4 men in my outfit; for equipment, a gyro compass, a loud- speaker, telephone system and other important communication equipment. In line of duty, I could not leave the ship, but I had a feeling of being a member of an historic expedition. We enjoyed good food, mainly dehydrated, although we ran out of vegetables.
If I were to tell of my greatest thrill on this trip, it would be our entrance to Ross Bay. This narrow entrance, menaced by towering icebergs, is shaped like a keyhole. The bergs, slow-moving, but enormous, may block the passage. They are of strange architecture, like buildings or bridges. Motion pictures were made on land and from the Olympus. The light was favorable for taking pictures. A type of seal with fangs attacked a camera man, an experience not likely to occur ordinarily. Our photographs were developed on the voyage back and formed the background for a nationally-shown mo- tion picture. All in all, a trip to the South Pole was an event in the life of a Temple man.
CARR, WILLIAM EDWARD, First Lieutenant, Ordnance, attached to Army Air Force. b. June 17, 1915, Temple, New Hampshire. Parents, Florence J. and Alexander Carr. Educated grammar school, Temple, New Hampshire, high school, Wilton, New Hampshire.
Inducted Manchester, New Hampshire, August 31, 1942. Basic Training: Keesler Field, Biloxi, Mississippi, 3 months, September through December, 1942; Ordnance Officers Candidate School, Aber- deen, Maryland, 13 weeks, December through March, 1943.
Served: April to July, 1943, 2059th Ordnance Company, Air Transport Command, Morrison Field, West Palm Beach, Florida. July to August, 1943, Fort Crook Ordnance Base, Omaha, Nebraska (Officers' School). August 1943, to February 1944, Headquarters North Atlantic Wing, Air Transport Command, Presque Isle, Maine. February 1944 to April 1945, Headquarters North Atlantic Division, Air Transport Command, Manchester, New Hampshire. April 1945 to November, 1945, 1386th Army Air Forces Base Unit, Meeks Field, Iceland. Military Occupational Specialty, Assistant Division Ord- nance Officer.
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Decorations :
American Service Medal
European African Middle Eastern Service Medal Relieved from active duty, Separation Center, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, November 20, 1945. Employed Unit Manager, Stanley Home Products Co. Inc., Westfield, Massachusetts.
Married Caroline J. McGuire, February 17, 1945.
TEMPLE APPLE ORCHARDS IN WARTIME
There was an unusually large crop of McIntosh apples in the Temple, New Hampshire, apple orchards in October, 1944. Practi- cally all labor was in wartime service and although school children were allowed long week-ends for the picking, there was danger of the crop being lost. To meet the emergency German prisoners of war were transported by bus, under guard, to Temple. British seamen, stationed at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, while their ship was under repairs at Boston, also helped as volunteers.
The large Carr and Hill orchards were especially served by these men. In the Carr orchards Germans enjoyed the harvesting, munched huge bologna and cheese sandwiches supplied by their camp and were given all the coffee they would drink by Mrs. Carr, mother of First Lieutenant Carr.
Tramping through the orchards one learned that the 250 Germans selected to pick New Hampshire apples, of all ages and walks of life, were not fanatics. Curly-headed blondes, red-heads, tall, short but lean, they represented many types of professions; painters, paper- hangers, miners, munition makers, and an occasional University professor.
A most impressive example of enemy cooperation was seen in the orchards of Mrs. Florence Carr, an American woman personally directing a gang of war prisoners. She reached her orchards daily ahead of guards, instructed the boys not to hurry as they were learn- ing, just not bruise the fruit. She stood by all day to see that things went smoothly, and they did. When she gave orders, she meant them. In middle age and fighting her way to make a living on rocky, old land, after having had hard luck in the poultry business, Mrs. Carr made history.
She had a son in the service, but her feeling toward the enemy was not that of unreasoning hatred but a belief that prisoners were human beings, sick of war and all its miseries, responsive to kindness.
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William E. Carr
Clayton O. Davidson
Hervey F. Davidson
Warren E. Davidson
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She saw that the men had cigarettes. At the noon hour, pitchers of cold milk and steaming coffee with real cream and war-rationed sugar were served. The Germans whistled and sang at their work. Delicate McIntosh apples were not bruised. It was required that the trees be picked clean no matter how much spot picking was involved. Despite the fact that a man failed, through inexperience, to pick his 25 boxes daily as required, if he showed effort, Mrs. Carr had the guard credit him with that number. She persuaded the County Agent to send prisoners back for picking the Baldwin crop if they were willing. They came.
The British seamen who were stationed in 1944 at Camp Devens while their ship was at Boston for repairs were of real assistance in picking apples in the Hill orchards. They were from London mainly and the countryside of Temple seemed to them like the English country which they felt it a privilege in boyhood to visit. After work, they lay in the grass and ate apples, all they wanted, and they were loathe to return to camp. They practically saved the Hill crops. One seaman walked more than ten miles in the late autumn of 1944 to see if there were any jobs he could do to help Mrs. Hill. They spoke of dreading their return to the theater of war.
DAVIDSON, CLAYTON ORLO, Captain U. S. Army Air Force Pilot. b. November 23, 1915, Temple, New Hampshire. Parents, Maude M. and Everett W. Davidson. Educated grammar school, Temple, New Hampshire. High school, Wilton, New Hampshire.
Inducted U. S. Army, Manchester, New Hampshire, March 25, 1941. Basic Training: U. S. Army, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Camp Blanding, Florida; New Hampshire's 172nd Field Artillery Regiment. Participated in maneuvers through the Carolinas in fall of 1941.
Applied for and received transfer to the Army Air Corps and was sent to the West Coast, thence to San Antonio, Texas for Pre-Flight School. Sweetwater, Texas, (Avenger Field) for Primary-Flight training. Enid, Oklahoma, for Basic-Flight training. Pampa, Texas, for Advanced Twin-Engine training. Graduated, Pampa, Texas, receiving silver pilot wings and commission as Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Force.
Phase training in B-17 type, heavy bombardment aircraft at Pyote, Texas, and Dyersburg, Tennessee; from there to Port of Embarka- tion, Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. Sailed for the European Theater of Operation on the Queen Elizabeth, November 2nd, 1943, arriving
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Scotland the 9th. Assigned to 379th Bombardment Group in the Eighth Air Force, stationed in England.
Service: Completed 30 Combat Missions over Germany and the occupied countries during the winter of 1943-44 in B-17 type aircraft.
Decorations and Citations:
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Distinguished Flying Cross
American Campaign Medal
European African Middle Eastern Service Medal World War II Victory Medal
Following the tour of combat, assigned to a ferrying squadron and ferried airplanes throughout the British Isles for 90 days when re- ceived orders to return to the United States. Boarded a C-54 aircraft loaded with pilots that left from the south of Wales on the morning of August 13th, 1944. Stopped at Iceland to re-fuel and get a bite to eat. Landed at Presque Isle, Maine, the evening of the same day.
From the Re-distribution Center at Atlantic City, New Jersey, assigned to Langley Field, Virginia. Flew B-17's there for radar instruction until the end of World War II.
Relieved from active duty as Captain on July 31, 1946, at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.
Married Gladys O. Clement, Temple, New Hampshire, August 27, 1944.
Employed, Simonds Saw and Steel Co., Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
DAVIDSON, DONALD F., Fireman, First-class, U. S. Navy. b. No- vember 8, 1922, Temple, New Hampshire. Parents, Maude M. and Everett W. Davidson. Educated grammar school, Temple, New Hampshire. Appleton Academy, New Ipswich, New Hampshire.
Inducted U. S. Navy, March 28, 1943, Manchester, New Hamp- shire. Basic Training: Naval Training Station, Newport, Rhode Island; Wentworth Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
Served: Invasions; Palau, Ulithi, Leyte, Luzon, Iwo Jima, Oki- nawa.
Decorations :
American Theater Ribbon Asiatic Pacific Theater, 6 stars Philippine Liberation, 2 stars Navy Unit Citation
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Discharged November 13, 1945. Employed on corrugated box machine, General Fiber Box Co., West Springfield, Massachusetts.
Married Lillie M. Monroe, Wilmington, North Carolina, July 7, 1945.
DAVIDSON, HERVEY F., Private, U. S. Army, Armored Division. b. July 1, 1917, Temple, New Hampshire. Parents, Maude M. and Everett W. Davidson. Educated grammar school, Temple, New Hampshire. High school, Wilton, New Hampshire.
Inducted June 2, 1941, Manchester, New Hampshire. Basic Training: Camp Croft, South Carolina. Was eighth enlistment from Temple, New Hampshire.
Served Fort Benning, Georgia, October 1, 1941 to April 1, 1942. Fort Bragg, North Carolina, April 1, 1942, to August 6, 1942. Europe, Africa, Middle East Theater, August 6, 1942, to March 31, 1945. Overseas service included maneuvers in England; battles at Kassering Pass, Sheitla, El Guettar and Bizerta in Tunisia; Mignano, Naples, Florence, Foggia, Anzio, Rome, Siena, Pisa and the mountains of Italy.
Military Occupational Specialty, Anti-tank Crewman, Company B, 894th Tank Destroyer Battalion.
Decorations and Citations:
Good Conduct Medal European African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon, 3 stars American Defense Service Medal Unit Citation, 1st British Division Unit Citation, French Expeditionary Corps Distinguished Unit Badge
Discharged May 14, 1945, Fort Devens, Massachusetts. Employed as machinist, Abbott Machine Shop, Wilton, New Hampshire.
DAVIDSON, WARREN E., Lieutenant U. S. Naval Reserve. b. February 8, 1914, Temple, New Hampshire. Parents, Maude M. and Everett W. Davidson. Educated grammar school, Temple, New Hampshire. High school, Wilton, New Hampshire. Northeastern University.
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