With The Men In Service: September 11, 1944
With The Men In Service
Will Return To Texas
Soon to report back to North Camp Hood, Tex., to resume his duties as an instructor in weapons is Cpl. R. D. Sunday, who has been spending a furlough at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn W. Sunday, of Platt.
The corporal, a graduate of Roosevelt High school, in Ypsllanti, worked as a newsboy for the Ann Arbor News for seven years and was employed at the Kresge Co., Ypsilanti, at the time of his induction last January.
At North Camp Hood, his only post since induction, he is attached to a tank destroyer unit.
Cpl. Sunday
Three Indoctrinated
Three local ensigns will be graduated from Naval Reserve Officer's indoctrination school, Tucson. Ariz. on Sept. 12, after completing 60-days of training in seamanship, navigation, ordnance, and communications.
All three naval officers, prior to their indoctrination training at the ‘"Desert Battleship," were graduated from the University college of engineering.
The most recent graduate is Ensign Thomas M. Bradley, 26 years old, who received his degree in naval architecture and marine engineering in 1944. He Is the son of Benjamen F. Bradley, of 112 Catherine St., and is married to the former Noreer Y. Phillips, of Jackson.
Ensign Robert Leslie Strickland received his degree in 1943 in the same field as did Ensign Bradley. He is the 24-year-old son of Leland T. Strickland, of 1354 Geddes Ave., and his wife is the former Jane Elizabeth Haygood, of Lawrenceburg, Tenn.
The third officer, Ensign Frederick John Seyfried, was graduated in June, 1940, receiving his degree in mechanical engineering. He is the son,of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Seyfried, of 1412 E. Park PI., and his wife the former Marion Linbert, lives at 711 E. Ann St. Seyfrled, 25 years old, worked for Magnesium Fabricators in Adrian, prior to his indoctrination.
MP Returns From Isles
After spending two months in the British Isles on escort duty with the 766th military police battalion, Lt. Roland E. Wurster, former patrolman of the Ann Arbor police force, has returned to the states and recently spent a few days in Ann Arbor visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Wurster, at their home on Fountain St.
At present, he is staying in Battle Creek with his wife, the former Grace Hall, of Ypsilanti, while he completes nine weeks of additional training at the provost marshall general school of Fort Custer.
Entering the Army in July, 1942, he received training at Fort Riley, Kas.; Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.; the provost marshall school of Fort Custer; Camp Maxey, Tex.; Fort Benning, Ga., and at Fort Jay on Governor's Island, N. Y.
Lt. Wurster
Navy Engineers
Two Ann Arbor men were graduated from basic engineering school at Great Lakes, Ill. The two who were selected for this training on the basis of their recruit training aptitude test scores are Louis Apostolou, 24, formerly of 903 Brown St., and Nicitas Elias Vlisides, 23, formerly of 201 E. Liberty St.
Warns War Optimists
About to complete his 30th bombing mission over Nazi Europe, Lt. Jack Pelton, pilot of a B-24, writes to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence D. Pelton, of 755 E. University Ave., telling them not to let down now--that the war is far from won, despite the premature optimism of the American citizens.
The lieutenant had I just talked with an officer, back in England after 30 days in the United States. The officer had remarked about the over optimism of most of the people back home who felt that the war would be over in a few weeks.
In his letter, the lieutenant writes, "The war news has been good—perhaps sensational would be the word to use, but believe me this war is far from won, and it won’t be over until we have smashed Hitler’s armies completely.
"Most people do not realize," he continued, "that Germany has not yet committed the greater part of her forces to the battle, but she will throw in all her reserves and fight ruthlessly and savagely when her homeland proper is attacked."
Lt. Pelton also mentioned that he had read of the recent strike at the Ford Highland Park plant where the workers were engaged in making Pratt and Whitney engines (the same type engine used in the Liberator bomber which the lieutenant is flying at present).
Saying that he considered their action a personal affront, he added, "Only yesterday, we had an engine go out on us and had to feather it and return to base. How can that engine be replaced and an adequate reserve be kept in stock if men are going to strike and quit building them?
"I wish I could take one of the strikers with us on a mission," he said, "and show him how urgently we need his help."
The lieutenant explained that he and his fellow fighters aren't bitter toward the strikers or the over-optimists, but merely curious and puzzled at their attitude.
Concluding his letter with a plea, he wrote, "I know that you will understand how we all feel and how badly we need the help of everyone at home.
"We don’t fly alone—the labor of the whole U. S. is there with us, represented by the finest aircraft in the world and we are mighty proud to fly them."
Lt. Pelton, who has been a member of the Army Air Forces since July, 1941, went overseas this spring, and since his arrival has been awarded the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters.
Prior to this, he had trained and served as a radio operator on a Flying Fortress at Scott Field, Ill., Tyndall Field, Fla., and Hendricks Field, Fla.
Transferring to pilot training in September, 1942, he took his pre-flight work at San Antonio, Tex., his primary flying at Ballinger Field, Tex.; his basic training, at Perring Field, Tex., and his advanced flying at Ellington Field, Tex.
His last weeks in this country were spent at Fort Worth, Tex., where he was given additional B-24 training before embarking for overseas duty.
He is a graduate of Flint Central High school, Flint Junior College, and was a student at the University school of music for one year before enlisting in the service. His wife is the former Jean Baker, of Flint.
Jack Pelton