Rochester Courier Newpaper Articles from 1944

TWO ROCHESTER MEN ADDED TO WAR'S TOLL

BOTH LISTED KILLED IN ACTION

T SGT CARL R. CHAPMAN AND CORP. ROBERT W. DAVIS MAKE SUPREME SACRIFICE; BOTH YOUNG MEN ARE LOCAL GRADUATES

Coincident with the news of invasion of southern France, which is expected to shorten the international conflict. Two more homes in Rochester were saddened this week when word was received that loved ones had made the supreme sacrifice.

Technical Sergeant Carl Raymond Chapman, 26, a member of an infantry company serving in France, was killed in action July 26, according to word received by his wife, Mrs. Florence Chapman of 216 North Main street. And Corp. Robert W. Davis, 21 of the U.S. Marine Corps gave his life in the Western Pacific area.

OVERSEAS ON BIRTHDAY

Sgt. Chapman was sent overseas on his 26th birthday, January 15. He joined the Army three years ago and before going overseas was stationed in South Carolina. His wife, the former Miss Florence Guilette, was with him there, and came home to Rochester with him on his last furlough in November.

The last letter Mrs. Chapman received from her husband was dated July 23. At that time Sgt. Chapman had not heard of the birth of his son, Carl Raymond Chapman, Jr., on July 1.

SHRAPNEL PIERCES LETTER

Sgt. Chapman was in the D-Day invasion. One of the letters he sent sent from France had shrapnel holes through it. He wrote later explaining that shrapnel came through his canvas tent and pierced the letter before he had a chance to mail it. Mrs. Chapman also received a package last Friday containing silverware which had been delayed in the mails.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Preston Chapman, Summer Street, he attended the local schools and graduated in 1935. He was married May 31, 1943.

KILLED IN THE PACIFIC

Corp. Robert W. Davis, 21, of the U.S. Marine Corps has been killed in action somewhere in the Western Pacific area, according to a telegram received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Davis of 6 School Street, late last week.

The telegram, signed by Lt. General A. A. Vandergrift comandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, declared that temporary burial had been made in the locality where death occurred and that the family would be advised of any futher details.

Corp. Davis, a graduate of Spaulding H.S. in 1940 was born in Rochester, February 17, 1923. After graduation from NYA at University of New Hampshire for a year and then was employed at the Portsmouth Navy Yard until his enlistment in the Marine Corps on January 30, 1943. He trained at Parris Island and New River, NC and spent some time at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, Cal., before going overseas in January this year. He took part in the invasion of of the Marshall Islands and the Mariannas.

Besides his parents, he leaves a sister, Mrs. John Carrigan of Crockett Street, Rochester. He was a member of Rochester Grange.

A memorial service for Corp. Robert Davis will be held Sunday morning at the First Methodist church in conjuction with the regular service.


SERGT. BOUCHARD GETS AIR MEDAL

ROCHESTER TURRET GUNNER DECORATED FOR SKILL AND COURAGE

Staff Sergeant Andrew H. Bouchard, a top turret gunner and engineer on a flying fortress was recently decorated with the Air Medal, by order of the Commanding General of the 8th AAF, whose citation read in part, "For exceptional meritorious achievement while particpating in five separate bomber combat misions over enemy occupied Europe. The courage, skill and coolness displayed by staff Sergant Bouchard upon these occasions reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Services of the United States." The twenty-six-year-old staff sergant is a veteran of several highly important and devasting missions over Germany such as the ones on Berlin, Frankfurt and Schweinfurt.

Before he joined the Air Force, Bouchard worked for the Dover Shoe Company in Somersworth, NH. His mother, Mrs. Malyina Bouchard lives at 29 Third Street, Somersworth, NH.


CASTONGUAY GETS NAVAL CITATION

ROCHESTER MAN VOLUNTEERED FOR HAZARDOUS MISSION AFTER SHIP COLLISION

For volunteering for a hazardous mission "above and beyond the call of duty," Torpedoman Donald J. Castonguay, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Castonguay of 19 Lafayette street, has been cited by the commander of a North Atlantic convoy unit, it was learned here this week. The incident was said to have occurred somewhere in the Eastern Atlantic waters where the destroyer on which the former Rochester High School student was serving, was rammed by another vessel.

Young Castonguay, who was employed at the East Rochester plant of the Hubbard Shoe Co. before enlistment, has taken part in five engagements with enemy submarines while a member of the crew of the destroyer. He enlisted Dec. 27, 1941.


BERNARD SUFFERS SLIGHT WOUNDS

ROCHESTER PRIVATE CASUALTY IN BITTER ITALIAN CAMPAIGN Pvt. Wilfred Bernard, son of Mrs. Leona Bernard of 65 Maple Street, Rochester has been slightly wounded in action in Italy, according to a telegram received late last week from the War Department. The telegram indicated that a letter containing more detail would follow.

Pvt. Bernard, who entered the service February 4, 1943, saw service in the North African campaign prior to taking part in the fighting in Italy. He was employed at the Portsmouth Navy Yard before entering the service.


PICTURES REVEAL JAP BRUTALITY

Rochester people who have delayed in buying an extra war bond in the Fourth War Loan campaign, should see the pictures on display in the windows of the N.H. Public Service Co. this week. The pictures taken in China just before Pearl Harbor, by a Rochester man in the U.S. Marine Corps, reveal some of the sickening brutalities practiced by Japanese troops on the Chinese, most of whom could live well on what the average American family throws away each day, have fought the little brown men for almost eight years rather than submit to Japanese domination.

THREE BROTHERS SERVE

Three sons of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Raab of Main Street, East Rochester are serving in the Army. Pfc. Arthur Raab entered the service in May 1942, he has seen service in Alaska. He is now at Camp McCall with a troop unit. Edgar Raab is a flight engineer and gunner located somewhere in England. He entered the service in October, 1942. Pvt. Adolph Raab entered the Army in May 1943, and is with an Army Medical detachment at Camp Ellis, IL

TWO ROCHESTER MEN AWARDED PURPLE HEART

POSTHUMOUS DECORATIONS GIVEN PVT. A.R. NEWHALL AND PVT. PHILLIP HIRST

Three Strafford county men, two of whom were killed in action in Italy, and the third wounded in the South Pacific, were awarded the Purple Heart, oldest U.S. military decoration, by the War and Navy Department this past week.

Posthumous awards of the medal, which was established by order of General George Washington, were made to Pvt. Alfred R. Newhall, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred R. Newhall of 79 1/2 Wakefield street, who was killed in action at the Volturno river in Italy, October 13, 1943, and Pvt. Philip H. Hirst, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Hirst of 26 Charles street who was killed in action in the Italian theatre, Nov. 26.

Pvt. Roy Rogers, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Rogers of Orange street, Farmington, a member of the U.S. Marines Corps, was awarded the medal at a hospital base in the South Pacific are for wounds received in recent action, his parents were notified this week.


FIGHTING GONIC BROTHERS

Pvt. George F. Hurley and Pvt. Sidney J. Hurley, sons of Councilman and Mrs. John J. hurley of Gonic, have seen plenty of active service. George graduated from Rochester High School in 1939, entered the service October 7, 1942 and is with the famous First Division which saw service in North Africa, Sicily, and is now in Italy. Sidney graduated from Spaulding in 1941, entered the service in December 1942 and saw service in North Africa.

LAMBERT DIES AT ARMY CAMP

INJURIES RECEIVED ON MANOEUVERS FATAL TO ROCHESTER SOLDIER

Corp. Robert Lambert, 22, a former resident of Rochester, died Feb. 14 at an Army hospital at Camp Rucker, Ala., from injuries received while on manoeuvers, according to word received by his mother, Mrs. Clara Lambert of 21 Knights court. Details of the accident have not been received.

Cpl. Lambert was born in Epping, Oct. 21, 1921. He resided in Rochester for a number of years and was employed as an edge setter at the factory of H.O. Rondeau Shoe company at Farmington. He maried Miss Lucille Gauthier of Sanford, ME and made his home at 34 Washington St., sanford, while employed at a South Portland shipyard.

He passed his physical examination at Manchester, Oct. 16, 1942 and was inducted a short time later, being sent by Selective Service Board no. 17 of Rochester to Camp Devens.

He leaves his wife, his mother, four sisters, Mrs. George Burbank, Mrs. Peter Tremblay, Mrs. Edgar Caragnan, and Miss Irene Lambert; a brother, Romeo Lambert and a stepsister and two stepbrothers.


LT. VARNEY GETS FLYING CROSS

ROCHESTER MAN, NAVIGATOR OF LIGHT BOMBER, AGAIN DECORATED

Lieut. Robert G. Varney, 25, navigator of a marauder bomber in the Eighth Air Force, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for work over occupied Europe, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Varney, Sr., of 30 Leonard Street, were notified this week. Lieut. Varney has been in England eight months and is a veteran of uncounted missions over enemy territory.

Lieut. Varney is a graduate of Dartmouth College and entered the service in February 1942. He received his wings at Albany, GA., in the Autumn of 1942 and has been in the Eighth Air Force in England for the past eight months. He has been previously awarded the Air Medal and two Oak Leaf Clusters.


WOUNDED

Pvt. Richard R. Norris, son of Mrs. Nettie Bickford of 25 Congress street, was wounded in action in Italy, Jan. 31, according to word received by his mother last week. He was employed at the Hubbard Shoe company before entering the service in April 1943.

TWO ROCHESTER MEN KILLED IN ACTION

BOTH LOST IN ITALY JUNE 4

PFC. PAUL AND PVT. WILLIAM LACROIX WERE WITH INFANTRY UNIT; LIEUT. ERWIN BROWN MISSING OVER FRANCE; PVT. COLBROTH, PARATROOPER, SEVERELY WOUNDED IN INVASION

Five homes in this area knew the grim tradegy of war this past week as War Department telegrams brought word that two Rochester men had been killed in action, a Rochester and a Somersworth man were missing in action and another Rochester soldier severely wounded.

The list included the following

KILLED IN ACTION

Pfc. Leon J. A. Paul, Rochester

Pvt. William Lacroix, Jr.,

MISSING IN ACTION

Major Edward J. Gagnae, Somersworth

Lieut. Erwin Brown, Rochester

WOUNDED IN ACTION

Pvt. Robert L. Colbroth, Rochester

Pfc. Paul enlisted Dec. 7, 1942, and was stationed at Camp Gruber, Okla and at camps in Louisiana and Texas before going overseas with an infantry company last fall. He was stationed for a time in North Africa before his service in the Italian campaign.

Mrs. Paul had a letter from him three weeks ago and at that time he had seen considerable action in Italy. He was graduated from the Holy Rosary school in 1937 and for a time was employed at Colby's restuarant. Before entering the service he was working at the Somersworth branch of the Navy Yard. A telegram received by his mother, Sunday, said he was killed in Italy, June 4. He is the son of Amadee and Mrs. Lyndon Paul, Besides his parents he leaves two sisters, Mrs. Lionel Thiberge and Mrs. Louise LeMayne, both of Rochester.

William Lacroix, Jr., 19 son of Mr. and Mrs. William Lacroix of Railroad Avenue Gonic was killed in action near Rome, Italy, June 4, his parents were notified by the War Department, Saturday evening. He was a member of an infantry unit of the 45th division.

Young Lacroix entered the service March 30, 1943 and trained at Camp Wheeler, GA., he went overseas in October and was located for a time in North Africa, He had been previously wounded on the Anzio beachhead last March but had recovered and returned to duty with his unit.

He was a graduate of St. Leo's School, Gonic and was employed by the Gonic Manafacturing Company as a weaver prior to entering the service. Besides his parents, he leaves a brother, Scaman George Lacroix, 17, stationed at Newport, R.I.


CASUALTY LIST INCLUDES TWO FROM DISTRICT

ROCHESTER MAN REPORTED KILLED

PVT. NORMAN HERBERT, SPAULDING FOOTBALL ACE, DIES IN ITALY; CAPT. FREDERICK TRAFTON OF FARMINGTON MISSING AFTER ACTION OVER EUROPE

With residents of Rochester and surrounding localities pausing in their hurried routines, making final plans to pay fitting tribute to men who laid down their lives in other wars that the American way of life might survive, sorrow came to two more homes in the area this week, with the announcement from the War Department that a Rochester youth had been killed in action and a Farmington captain was missing in action

Pvt. Norman J. Hebert, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest J. Hebert of Maple Street, and a former Spaulding High School football ace, was killed in action in Italy April 24; and a telegram received by Frederick O. Trafton Sr., of Farmington reported his son, Capt. Frederick O. Trafton Jr., was missing since a flight over the Balkan provinces, April 26.

Pvt. Hebert was an end on the 1941-1942 football team entered the service in June 1943, soon after graduation from Spaulding High. He trained in Fort McCellan, Ala., and later was transferred to Fort Meade, MD., from where he went overseas as a member of an infantry regiment. When his parents last heard from him he was on the Anzio beachhead.

Norman Hebert was born in Rochester May 31, 1924 and attended the Holy Rosary school before entering the Spaulding H.S. where he was graduated in 1943. Before entering the service he was employed for a short time during vacations at the plant of the Spaulding Fibre company. He was an only child and had been home on furlough only about three months before his death in action was reported.


FOUR BROTHERS SERVE

Rochester is proud of the four Michael boys, sons of Joseph Michael of 10 Union street, who are among the largest family groups from the city serving in the armed forces. First to enlist was Warrant Officer Fredrick Michael, former scout leader, who went to the Navy in May 1941. After visiting nearly every friendly port in the seven seas, including Singapore at the time of the evacutation, he was transferred to shore duty some months ago and is now a personnel director at a Naval hospital at Oakland, CA. George entered the Army in May 1942 as Private, received a medical discharge and promptly entered the Merchant service. He is currently ashore but expects to return to duty this summer. Pfc. Joseph Michael youngest of the four brothers recently received his wings as an aerial gunner in the Air Force after entering the service in 1943. Lt. Edward Michael has recently been promoted to First Lt. and is attached to the Sanitary Division of an Army Air unit at Chicopee, MA. He entered the Army in May 1943 and trained in several hospitals including John Hopkins.

WOUNDED

Pvt. Raymond Mealey, son of Mrs. Myrtle Mealey of 7 Front Street, Rochester, who was critically injured in the South Pacific area where he has been stationed for some time. No further information has been received.

PVT. COOLEY, MISING SINCE PEARL HARBOR, "PRESUMED DEAD;"

Official silence as to the probable fate of Pvt. Manuel P. Cooley, former Rochester High School football player, who has been missing since the Japanese attack on the Phillippines, was broken this week when his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cooley of Heaton street, were notified by the War Department that he was "presumed to be dead".

ROCHESTER MAN THOUGHT LOST

CORP. LAWRENCE BICKFORD MISSING IN ACTION SINCE FEB. 17

The tragedy of war came to a modest apartment for the second time within a month when Mrs. Nettie Bickford of 25 Congress Street was notified last week that her son, Corp. Lawrence Bickford, 21, has been missing in action in Italy since February 17. A half-brother, Pvt. George R. Norris, is in an Army hospital somewhere in Italy recovering from wounds caused by machine gun bullets, January 31.

The information was received in a telegram from the War Department to his brother, Russell O. Bickford of the Old Dover road and declared that further information would be forwarded as received.

Corp. Bickford who before entering the service in September 1941, was employed by Gordon Foss as a laborer, has been overseas for nearly a year as a member of a tank battalion. Sergt. Leon Bickford is stationed somewhere in England.


ROCHESTER MAN MISSING, THREE OTHERS DECORATED

SERGT. GILBERT LOST ON ITALIAN FRONT

SGT. HATCH WOUNDED AT ANZIO; PAUL CURRIER CITED BY ADMIRAL HALSEY FOR CLEANING OUT JAP SNIPER NEST; SERGT. LAGRASSE WEARS UNIT AWARD

One Rochester man is reported missing in action over Italy, a second has been slightly wounded on the Anzio beachhead, while two others have been decorated for conspiciuos action on widely seperated fronts.

Staff Sergt. Alfred R. Gilbert, a radio gunner on a medium bomber and veteran of nearly 50 missions over enemy territory, has been missing in action in Italy since January 29, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gilbert of the Dry Hill Road, were notified this week. The telegram stated that further information would be forwarded as soon as received.

For gallantry in action at the Anzio beachhead in Italy, Feb. 7, when he was wounded in the leg, First Sergeant Norman N. Hatch has been awarded the Purple Heart, according to a letter received here Tuesday by his father, Patrolman Nelson S. Hatch, and one received by his mother, Mrs. Jennie Hatch of Heaton Street.

Meanwhile Pharmacist's Mate Paul Currier, former Rochester High School football ace, was awarded the Silver Star and a citation by Admiral Hasley, Naval commander in the Southwest Pacific, "for conspicuos gallantry and intrepidity against the enemy." during the landing at Cape Torokina, Bourgainville Island, on November 1. The citation says specifically For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity against the enemy while serving with a Marine battallion during the landing at Cape Torokina, Bourgainville, British Solomon Islands, on Nov. 1, 1943, Currier disembarked from a landing craft and immediatly rushed to the assistance of the wounded on the beach, rendering first aid and attempting to drag them to cover. While doing, he was subjected to fire from the jungle nearby, which endangered the lives of the injured under his care. Procuring a sub-machine gun he charged single-handed into the jungle where he attacked and destroyed six Japanese soldiers who were firing at him. He then returned to the wounded men and evacuated them safely. His courageous conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Home on his first furlough in more than a year, Sergt. Rene Lagasse of 90 Portland Street, is wearing the blue ribbon of a Presidential citation presented to his unit, the original aerial antisubmarine squadron, which has taken the measure of German undersea boats from England to Casablanca.

Sergt. Gilbert, a native of Rochester and a graduate of Rochester High School, was employed in the Somersworth branch of the Portsmouth Navy Yard prior to enlistment in July 1942. He trained at Army air fields in Florida and Texas and went to North Africa in March 1943. His unit took part in the landing at Salerno as well as the first bombing of Rome. He had also taken part in missions over occupied France.

Hatch's letter written February 22 does not give much information beyond the statement that he was wounded in action and has been hospitalized for a time, but that his wound was not of a serious nature. He said he was able to up and around although somewhat lame. He said in his letter he was sending his Purple Heart award home to his wife the former Miss Dora Ferland, to whom he was married in February, 1942.


MISING IN ACTION - CALLAGHAN SEVERELY WOUNDED

News of the Allied advance into Rome, which thrilled countless thousands, was tinged with sadness for one Rochester family, as it brought word that one of two sons serving his country was wounded in action, while another family was notified the husband was missing.

Sped from Italy by wireless to Washington, and thence by telegram to Rochester, came the news last Saturday night to Mr. and Mrs. James Callaghan of 2 Church Street, that their son Pfc. Donald Callaghan was seriously wounded in action. Sunday morning, Mrs. Myrtle H. Schlenker learned from the Navy Department that her husband, seaman John J. Schlenker, was missing in action while in the performance of his duty.

Seaman Schlenker, a son of Mrs. Bernice Schlenker and the late Joseph Schlenker, entered service last September and took his boot training at the Newport Naval Training Station. Soon afterward he was assigned to duty with a ship in convoy duty and had made three trips across.

He was a graduate of the Rochester Schools and had been employed by the Gonic Manafacturing company before entering the service.


GONIC MAN ON LOST DESTROYER

WAYNE WALLINGFORD SAVED FROM TURNER, SUNK AT NEW YORK

Wayne Wallingford, a member of the crew of the destroyer Turner, which exploded and sunk from an unexplained cause in New York harbor last week, escaped uninjured, he notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wallingford of the Hansonvile district, Gonic, last Wednesday night.

Release of the name of the lost ship by the Navy Department Wednesday, excited the apprehension of Mr. and Mrs. Wallingford and they appealed to Mrs. Burt R. Cooper, Home Service Chairman of Rochester Chapter of the American Red Cross, to aid in getting word of their son. As a result of Mr. Cooper's work, Wayne called his family from New York Wednesday night to advise them he was safe and sound.

The castrophe occurred almost a year from the date of his enlistment on January 6, 1943.


WOUNDED

Pvt. Richard Carlson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Carlson of 18 Adams Ave., was reported as wounded in action in France on June 11. Pvt. Carlson, a graduate of Spaulding High School, is an infantry man and had previously served in the Italian campaign.

PURPLE HEART FOR TRUMELLE

ROCHESTER MAN WOUNDED AT CASSINO

Another Rochester man has been wounded in action. Pfc. Roland E. Turmelle, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest J. Turmelle of the Old Milton road, was awarded the Purple Heart as the result of wounds received at Cassino, Italy, in January, his parents were notified this week. He is reported to be recovering satisfactorily.

Pfc. Turmelle entered the service April 3, 1943, and after 17 weeks training at Camp Wheeler, GA., went overseas, where he was soon in combat service with a chemical battalion.


ON ACTIVE SERVICE

A rugged looking soldier in any man's army, Corp. Leon Duquette, son of Mrs. Albertine Duquette of the Ten Rod Road, is in a rugged fighting unit, the U.S. Paratroopers. He is now on the Anzio beachhead in Italy and previous to going there was in North Africa for nearly a year, His brother, Leo, is somewhere in the South Pacific with an Army unit that has seen plenty of action

Pvt. Lyle Hartford is with a medical supply unit somewhere in England awaiting the day when the Yanks go over to call on Hitler. He is the son of Mrs. Lyle F. Hartford of East Rochester and entered the service on January 22, 1943.

Corp. Technician Charles Masse, son of Mr. and Mrs. Napoleon Masse of Gonic, looks familar to Straford County sports fans, even in the unifrom of Uncle Sam. The former Rochester High School and UNH sports ace, now in Italy with an anti-aircraft battery, saw action in North Africa and also managed a baseball team under 'Zeke' Banura, former Washington Senator great. Corp. Masse entered the service October 7, 1942.

Gunner's Mate Maurice Bedard of the U.S. Naval Armed Guard entered the service June, 1942. Since then he has seen a lot of shooting in the Atlantic convoy service and at the North African invasion. He is the son of Mrs. Arthur Bedard of 14 Pearl Street, Rochester.

Edmund W. Morphy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Morphy of the Chestnut Hills road, took part in the in the invasion of Sicily and at Salerno aboard one of Uncle Sam's fighting ships. He entered the service in February, 1943, when he reached his 18th birthday.
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