Allen, William

Corporal William Allen, 21, entered the service in December, 1841, and became a teletype operator in the signal corps. He is the son of Mrs. Bertha All, of Laguna Beach, Calif., and was born in Ionia, living here until he was 14, when they moved to California. Corporal Allen attended the Ionia schools, and later studied music at Long Beach. He has a brother, Bruce, in the service.

Ambrose, Joseph

Pfc. Joseph C. Ambrose, 20, left Ionia in October, 1940, with the Ionia company of the national guards. He was wounded in action in the southwest Pacific October 29, 1942, and died of his wounds within a short time. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Ambrose of Wayland.

Churchill, Winston

Pfc. Winston Churchill, 19, who entered the United States army last April, was assigned to the engineers, and went to Camp Forrest, Tenn., and later to Camp Edward, Mass., has been transferred to Fort Ord, California, for further training. He is the son of the late Percy Churchill, and Mrs. Maziebell Churchill of Ionia. He is a graduate of the Ionia high school class of 1940.

Comer, George W., Jr.

AN IONIA BOY WOUNDED IN PACIFIC AREA---A telegram from the war department Wednesday to Mr. and Mrs. George Comer, sr., of Ionia, notifying them that their son, Pfc. George W. Comer, jr., had been seriously wounded in the southwest Pacific. The telegram from the adjutant general of the United States was a follows: “Deeply regret to inform you your son, Pfc. George W. Comer was seriously wounded in action in the southwest Pacific area December 24. Reports will be forwarded when received.” Pfc. Comer left Ionia in October, 1940, for service. He is married, his wife being the former Bonnie Lee Kirby of Muir, and has a daughter aged two next February. With him in the southwest Pacific area has been his brother, Corp. Merle G. Comer.

Comer, Merle G.
Comer, George W., Jr.

Corp. Merle G. Comer, 25, went into the service in October, 1940, and went to Alexandria, La., for further training. Pvt. George W. Comer, jr., also left Ionia in October, 1940, and also went to Alexandria. The brothers were members of the Ionia company. Both attended the Ionia high school, and Merle was employed by Extruded Metals of Belding. They are now in New Guinea.

Connor, Murl B.

---Sgt. Murl B. Conner, 22, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Seldon W. Conner, Ionia. He went into the United States air corps last January, and received his basic training at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., completing schooling in teletype and as weather observer at Chanute Field. He was assigned to the weather squad at Baer Fields, Ind. Sgt. Conner graduated from the Ionia high school in 1937, and from Western State Teachers college at Kalamazoo in 1941.

Cope, Dale

IONIA JAP SPOTTER Staff Sergt. Dale Cope, 20-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Cope of 326 Adams street, Ionia, aided in spotting Jap machine guns and mortar placements before Buna village in New Guinea. Sergeant Cope and his companion, Corp. Rex Leland, directed American fire against the Japs at the time Corp. Leland was killed. Sergt. Cope was captain of the Ionia high school football team when he entered service with Company H in October 1940. See REX LELAND

Davis, Harold James

James DaHarold vis, 18, second class seaman, joined the United States navy in November, 1842, and trained at Great Lakes. He is a gunner’s mate. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Percy Davis, 630 Harrison Street, attended the Ionia high school, and was employed by the Ionia Desk Company.

Dreger, William

Corp. William Dreger, 21, entered the service in August, 1942, and went to Camp Wolters, Texas, for training. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Dreger of Ionia, a graduate of the Ionia high school, class of 1940, and worked in the Gibson factory at Greenville.

Dulek, Lloyd

---LLOYD DULEK, IONIAN, DEAD IN PACIFIC---Staff Sergeant Lloyd K. Dulek, 20-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Dulek, of 227 Adams street, Ionia, has been killed in action in the south Pacific war area according to a war department telegram received early Friday morning. The telegram is as follows: “The Secretary of War desires to express his deep regret that your son, Staff Sergeant Lloyd K. Dulek, was killed in action in defense of his country in the southwest Pacific area on December 19. Letter follows:” Sergeant Dulek left Ionia in 1940 with the Michigan National Guard. He was employed before he left as a milk carrier and did farm work. He has two brothers in the army. Pfc. Owen Dulek, 18, and Pvt. Richard Dulek , 21, is in North Africa.

Eldred, Albert Ney

Ensign Albert Ney Eldred, 22, entered the United States navy in December, 1942, following completion of a course at University of Ilinois and his graduation as an ensign from midshipmans school in New York City. He is a graduate of the Ionia high school, class of 1938, a graduate of the literary department of the University of :Michigan, class of 1942, and was attending the University of Michigan law school when he left for naval schooling. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Foss O. Eldred of Ionia, and is married, his wife being the former Shirley Jean Hansen of Greenville.

Gonnella, Armand

IONIA SAILOR IS WOUNDED IN BATTLE ACTION-ARMANDO Gonnella , 23-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Gonnella of 1000 West Lincoln avenue, Ionia has been wounded in action according to a United States navy telegram received by his parents Friday afternoon. Gonnella, a ship’s cook, third class, has been in the United States navy since February 13, 1939. He attended Iiona high school and was employed at his father’s tavern before entering service of the navy. He has a brother, Alfred Gonella, who is employed at Willow Run bomber plant, and a sister, Nannie, at home. The telegram which the Gonnellas received Friday afternoon said in part: “The navy department deeply regrets to inform you that your son, Armando Gonnella, ship’s cook, third class, U,S.N., has been wounded in action in the performance of his duty in the service of his country. The department appreciates your great anxiety, but extent of wounds are not now available.” The telegram was signed by Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs, chief of navy personnel

AN IONIA BOY ABOARD LOST U. S. CRUISER---An Ionia boy, Armando Gonella, son of Mr. and Mrs. P. Gonella, 1000 West Lincoln avenue, was a ship’s cook, 3rd class on the heavy cruiser Northampton, lost in the naval battle of Guadalcanal the night of November 30. Armando has been reported as seriously wounded in action. “They just blew up all over the place,” said Captain Willard J. Kitts, III, captain of the Northampton, in describing damage done to Japanese naval vessels in the battle. It all happened in about 15 minutes at about midnight and Captain Kitts declared the Japs lost eight destroyers, two cruisers and four transports. Gunnery crews on the Northampton got at least two destroyers. Kitts, who is visiting his family in San Francisco, said discipline saved a large per cent of the crew. :My most lasting impression was the wonderful sprit of my men. They are beyond all praise. They are cheerful-witty-you can’t get them downhearted;” He said he believed everyone able to leave the ship was saved, some probably “because sharks operate by daylight.” He mentioned, too, the miraculous escape of a wounded seaman in that hell-like fury when his big ship was flaming to destruction and ammunition was exploding so that the length and breadth of the vessel looked like a great field of fireworks. The severely wounded seaman, (Captain Kitts did not know his name) was in a watch loft high in the mainmast. Shipmates reached him and were able to get him to a slightly lower level. He was given an opiate, but even this helped little. He demanded of those with him that if the ship was abandoned, he be left there as he couldn’t bear the pain of being moved another inch. They left the youth, with two life jackets, in his elevated station. In a short time all others took to life boats and rafts. As the big cruiser keeled over slowly and the mainmast dipped into the sea, the injured man supported by two life jackets, floated out into the waves. He was picked up quickly and now is recovering in a field hospital. The captain had another story: From his lifeboat, as the Northampton slowly overturned and then poised, bottom up, he was sure he saw tow figures dashing madly across the upturned keel. Then he decided that such things couldn’t be. But after the rescue, he said, he learned that his eyes had not betrayed him; that two Negro mess attendants-non swimmers-had been so loath to take to the water that they stuck with the ship, and as she rolled over they scrambled across the bottom like loggers riding a spinning log, and then jumped into the sea.

Horrocks, Elton J.

IONIA MOTHER, SON DEAD IN PACIFIC, HEARS SECOND SON WOUNDED IN ACTION.---Mrs. Claude Otto of Easton Township, who only a few weeks ago received word that her son, Pvt. Kenneth Horrocks, 20, had been killed in action in the South Pacific war front, has now received word that her other son has been wounded. Her son, Pvt. Elton J. Horrocks, 21, who saw his brother, Kenneth, killed as they fought the Japs, has been wounded the war department recently advised her. Said the war department “Deeply regret to inform you that your son, Pvt. Elton J. Horrocks, was slightly wounded in action in the Southwest Pacific area. Reports will be forwarded when received.

Horrocks, Kenneth W.

PARENTS OF IONIA BOY GET A LETTER FROM HIS CAPTAIN. Mrs. Claude Otto of Easton received the following letter from Captain Harry C. Mencleuski, who told her of the death of her son, Pfc. Kenneth W. Horrocks, who was killed in action early in November.-My dear Mrs. Otto: May I extend to you and your bereaved family the sincere sympathy of myself and the members of this company on the untimely death of your son, Kenneth W. Horrocks. At the time of his death, Pfc. Horrocks was performing a dangerous mission for his country, one, which called for courage, quick thinking, and steady nerve, all of which he possessed to an admirable degree. He will be missed by his comrades in the company and I assure you sincerely that the army has lost a most valuable and loyal soldier. Very sincerely yours, Harry C. Mencleuski, Captain.

Horrocks, Kenneth
Horrocks, Elton

IONIA COUNTY BROTHERS IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY PARTED BY DEATH-Pvt. Kenneth Horrocks , 20, reported killed in action in the southwest Pacific on November 5, and his brother, Elton Horrocks, 21, both of Easton, left Ionia together in October, 1940, and presumably have been together since, both being with the American forces in the Australian area of the southwest Pacific in the same unit. Both attended Ionia high school and both took up farming on completion of their schoolwork. Sons of Mrs. Claud Otto of Easton, and the late Thomas Horrocks, who died when Kenneth was two years of age, they were together in childhood, through school, at work, and in their military careers until death separated them in military action.

IONIA SOLDIER KILLED IN ACTION ‘SOMEWHERE IN SOUTHERN PACIFIC’-Ionia county’s first known “Killed in action” casualty of World war two was recorded here Monday with word that Pvt. Kenneth William Horrocks, 20, son of Mrs. Claude Otto, of Easton township had lost his life from Japanese gunfire in the South Pacific war zone. Word of Pvt. Horrocks’ death in action was relayed to Mrs. Otto from Horrocks’ wife, formerly Rosalie Cailleteau of Alexandria, Louisiana, late last week. The following is the telegram received by Mrs. Horrocks: “The secretary of war desires me to express his deep regret that your husband, Kenneth W. Horrocks, was killed in action in defense of his country in southwest Pacific area on November 5. Letter follows. The Adjutant General ” Pvt. Horrocks left Ionia in October, 1940. He was mustered into service before war was declared and was in training in Louisiana. Mrs. Otto received a letter from Kenneth dated November 2, three days before he was killed. It was a typical soldier letter which ended “I hope this finds you and the family in the best of health. As ever, your loving son, Ken.” Four letters, all of them written only a short time before November 5, were received from Kenneth during the past month. Pvt. Horrocks was born May 1, 1922, in Evergreen township, Montcalm County. He moved to Ionia when one year of age with his parents and when he was two years of age his father died. Before being called into active army service Pvt. Horrocks spent nine years living with his other at Prairie Creek and then moved to Ionia City. He attended Ionia high school. On December 10, 1941, Pvt. Horrocks was married to Miss Rosalie Galleteau at Alexandria, Louisiana. She was a resident of Alexandria. Surviving besides the wife are his mother and stepfather, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Otto, a brother, Pvt. Elton Horrocks, who is also in the southwest Pacific and probably saw action when his brother was killed; two other brothers, Otis of Gwinn and Otto of Lyons; a sister, Zelphia, at home, two half-sisters, Lois and Deloris, at home, a half-brother, Francis, at home, three stepsisters, Mrs. D.L. Sweet of Fenwick, Mrs. Harley Rhoades of South Haven, and Mrs. Russell Chambers of Ypsilanti.

Lance, William
Lance, George
Lance, Donald

Sons of Mrs. Charles Lance, 32 ½ Stevenson Place. Pfc. William Lance, 33, entered the service in August, 1943, and received his basic training in Tennessee and Kentucky. He is in Germany, where he has been serving with the United States army engineers. He attended St. John’s schools, and was employed in Ionia at the plant of the Michigan Artificial Ice Company. His wife is the former Thelma Whelan of Ionia. Pfc. George Lance, 25, entered the service in May, 1944, and received his basic training at Ft. McClellan. He is in the United States infantry, and has been serving in Germany with the Ninth army. He attended Ionia high school, and was employed by the Ypsilanti Reed Furniture Company. His wife is the former Lucille Nichols of Ionia. Pvt. Donald Lance, 22, entered the service in December, 1942, and has served with the United States army engineers in Germany. He attended the Ionia schools, and was employed by the Ypsilanti Reed Furniture Company.

Leland, Rex

IONIA SOLDIER DIES A HERO IN NEW GUINEA; DIRECTED COMRADES’ FIRE-Corp. Rex Leland, Wounded, Refused to Quit His Post in Tree-Third Day Brings Death. By Murlin Spencer. With American Forces in New Guinea (Delayed)--- This is a letter to the mother and father of Corporal Rex Leland of Ionia, Michigan. It’s to tell you that Rex died a hero-that his pals in the American forces say so, and they want you to know it. The story was told to me, as we stood knee-deep in water on a side trail leading to Buna. In the list of heroic deeds Rex’s must rank among the best. You have this from Lieutenant P. L. Schwartz of Syracuse, N. Y., and the others agreed when he said that you should be told about Rex. “He did as much as any man I know.” Lieutenant Schwartz said, “and I think his folks would like to know. “Rex was with us a short way outside Buna village. We all were between two lines of fire-a Jap machine gun on one side, ours on the other. This was on Dec. 1. “Rex climbed a tree to observe the results of mortar fire and to help direct it. He took chances of getting hit from both sides, but he stayed all afternoon and the mortar fire knocked out a Jap machine gun and hit a cocoanut tree, blowing Jap snipers in all directions.” Corporal Leland suffered an arm wound in the action but refused to leave his tree. “The next day>” Lieutenant Schwartz went on, “Rex. Sergeant Dale Cope (also of Ionia), and I ---- to an observation post within 30 yards of the Japs, where we could observe the target-the Jap machine gun nest. We stayed there until it was put out of action. “One mortar dud landed only three feet away. “On Dec.3 Rex climbed another tree almost on the outskirts of Buna village and again directed our mortar fire. It was then he was killed. Corporal Rex Leland, 23, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Rolland Leland of Easton township. Mr. Leland is employed by the Murray Corporation at Belding. A brother, John, is also employed there. Corp. Leland left Ionia in 1940 as a member of Company H, and after training in Louisiana, was sent with his outfit to Australia and later to New Guinea. Mr. and Mrs. Leland received a V-mail letter from their son dated November 7, in which he told them he was very busy but would write every chance he got. In 1938, Corp. Leland was graduated from the Ionia high school, where he was an honor student. Before entering service he was employed on his father’s farm. He is survived by his parents, a brother, Corporal Ralph Leland at Camp Davis, North Carolina, a brother, John, of Orleans, and a sister Hazel, an Ionia high school graduate last June.

REX LELAND-MacARTHUR AWARDS A POSHUMOUS SILVER STAR FOR HEROISM TO REX LELAND.

Leland, Rex
Leland, Ralph

IONIA COUNTY BROTHERS IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY PARTED BY DEATH---The sons of Mr. and Mrs. Rolland Leland of Easton. Corp. Rex Leland, 23, who left Ionia with Company H in October, 1940, has been reported in Associated press dispatches from New Guinea as killed in action while playing a hero’s role in observing enemy position and directing the fire of American heavy guns. Rex was graduated from the Ionia high school in 1938, and worked on a farm until his company was called into service. Corp. Ralph Leland, 21, entered the service in August, 1942, and was attached to the coast artillery anti-aircraft division, receiving training at Camp Wallace, Texas. Later he was transferred to Camp Davis, North Carolina, where he attended anti-aircraft radio school. In November he was made a corporal, Ralph was graduated from Ionia high school in 1940

Lombard, John

CAPT. JOHN LOMBARD OF IONIA SHOOTS DOWN HIS SIXTH JAPANESE PLANE. In a fierce air battle which started when Japanese raided an American airdrome in western Yunan province, China, Captain John Lombard of Ionia brought his confirmed total of Jap planes to six by shooting down one Zero, according to delayed Associated Press dispatches from its correspondents with the United States air forces in China. The Japs lost at least seven planes and possibly 12 when the Americans, outnumbered more than three to one, engaged 18 enemy bombers and 20 fighters. One American pilot was listed as missing. Captain Lombard said after the fight: “The Zeros were eager to fight for a change. I don’t think they had met our fighters before. They seemed pretty good pilots and apparently were flying new equipment.” American medium bombers in quick retaliation, again dropped tons of bombs on the Japanese base at Lashio, terminus of the Burma road, keeping up the strong air offensive against Key enemy points in Burma launched by Brig. Gen. Claire L. Chennault, commander of the U.S. army air forces in China. Co. Herbert Morgan of Freedom, Pa. Gen. Chennault’s operations chief, said the damage to the airdrome was minor and the only casualties were two mechanics, slightly wounded by bomb fragments. All planes got off the airdrome before the attack. The fighters closed in on the Japanese northwest of the field and two Zeros, protecting the bombers, were shot down quickly. They crashed near the airport. The Japanese than turned southward and American pilots gave chase down the valley, picking off Zeros after Zero and probably downing one bomber. The running battle lasted about 20 minutes.

Lytle, Howard

Sgt. Howard Lytle, 23, entered the service in January, 1941, and was attached to the military police of the United States army. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Lytle, Ionia. May 29, 1941 was married to Dorothy Erridge of Ionia. Before entering the service he drove a Shortway lines bus.

Messecar, Guy

Staff Sgt. Guy Messecar, 22, entered the United States army in November, 1940, a year after his graduation from the Ionia high school. He was located with an army fighter squadron at Wheeler Field, Hawaii. Sergeant Messecar is the son of Mrs. Ralph Blessing of Ionia.

Miser, Frank
Miser, Donald

Frank Misner, 22, who entered the service last April, is in the tank corps with the infantry, and is overseas. Donald Misner, 21, also in the infantry, went into service in July. They are sons of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Misner of Ionia township.

Mitchell, Harold L.

---DEAD IONIA SOLDIER IS GIVEN HONOR---Staff Sergeant Harold L. Mitchell, Ionia county’s first soldier to receive the distinguished service cross for bravery in action, has been awarded, posthumously, the purple heart by Major General J. A. Ulio of Washington. Word of the decoration was received by Sergt. Mitchell’s father, Frank G. Mitchell, of Orleans, a Michigan reformatory guard. Sergeant Mitchell was killed in action in New Guinea several months ago. Before his death he had been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by General MacArthur for bravery in action.. Notification that the Distinguished Service Cross would be sent to Mitchell’s father was received this week. The Purple Heart decoration arrived at the Mitchell home last week. Following is the letter which accompanied the Purple Heart medal: Mr. Frank C. Mitchell, R.R. I Orleans, Michigan. My Dear Mr. Mitchell: I have the honor to inform you that the purple heart decoration has been awarded, posthumously, to your son, Staff Sergeant Harold L. Mitchell, Infantry, who made the supreme sacrifice in defense of his country. The Purple Heart was originally established by Gen. George Washington at Newburgh, August 7, 1782, during the war of the revolution. Out of respect to the memory of General Washington and in recognition of his military achievements, the decoration was received by the war department on February 22, 1932, the two hundredth anniversary of his birth. It is awarded to the persons who, while serving in any capacity with the army of the United States, and wounded in action against an enemy of the United States, or are killed in action, or who die as a direct result of wounds received in action. An engraved certificate relating to this award will be forwarded to you at a later date. The Purple Heart decoration will be forwarded direct to you by the commanding officer Philadelphia Depot, Philadelphia, Penn., and should be received by you within 10 days or two week. Very truly yours, J. A. Ulio, Major General, The Adjutant General

Moorhead, Raymond

IONIA SAILOR, SAVED FROM -A CARRIER, HOME Raymond Moorhead, 20-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Moorhead of Ionia rural route 3, has arrived in Ionia to visit his parents after escaping death when his ship the United States aircraft carrier Hornet was sunk in battle with Japs. Young Moorhead, a former student of Ionia high school, is a second class machinist’s mate and is spending a 10-day leave with his parents.

Patrick, Frank J.

The son of the late Mr. And Mrs. Fred Patrick of Berlin township, Pfc. Frank J. Patrick, 18, entered the United States army engineers in February, 1941, and went to camp in Massachusetts for training. After the death of his parents he lived in the family of an uncle, Gerald Robinson. He attended the Ionia high school. He has two sisters, Mrs. John Badder, Rt. 2 Ionia, and Lois Patrick.

Piggott, Richard Frank
Piggott, Patrick
Piggott, Jeremiah E.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Piggott, 403 Division Street, Ionia. Staff Sergt. Richard Frank Piggott, 26, entered the service in April, 1941, and was attached to the United States army signal corps on line construction. Previous to entering the service he was a rural electric lineman. He went to Camp Boyee, Texas. Sergeant Piggott completed the eight grade in the Pewamo district school. Pvt. Patrick Piggott, 20, entered the service in September, 1942, being assigned to the engineers, and going to a camp in North Carolina for training. He attended the Pewamo high school and then drove a truck for the Grand Valley Packing Company. Jeremiah E. Piggott, 19, able seaman, joined the United States navy in June, 1942, and went to the Norfolk, Virginia, receiving station for training. He attended Pewamo high school and was employed in Ionia by the Symons store.

Raymore, Lowell

Corp. Lowell Raymor, 25, entered the United States army in July, 1941, and took a course in cooking, graduating from the army school as first class cook. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Raymor, East Main Street, attended the Ionia schools, and was employed at the Gibson factory in Greenville. July 15, 1941, he married to Miss Pauline Pulsipher of Ionia, who is making her home at Camp Robinson.

Renucci, Edward

Sgt. Edward Renucci, 29, went into the service in May, 1941, won a medal for sharpshooting, and was assigned to the military police stationed in Connecticut, near Hartford. He was recently transferred to Fort Custer. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Pedro Renucci, 540 State Street, Ionia. He attended Ionia high school, Ionia, and was employed by the Fisher Body in Lansing. Sergeant Renucci is married, Mrs. Renucci being the former Leona Fedewa of Pewamo. Mrs. Renucci, who went to Connecticut with her husband, is now working in Hartford, and has not yet returned to Michigan.

Reterstoff, William A.

Pvt. William A. Reterstoff, 21, entered the signal corps as a radio operator in September 1942. He trained at Camp Crowder, Missouri. The son of Mr. and Mrs. William L. Reterstoff of Ionia, and a graduate of Ionia high school, class of 1940.

Rushford, Charles L.

Corp. Charles L. Rushford, who died of wounds received in action in the southwest Pacific, according to word received by his parents Tuesday, left Ionia in October, 1940, to serve in the United States army. He had been in active service against the Japanese in the southwest Pacific for some time before he received the wounds which caused his death. Corporal Rushford was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rushford, 647 Bayard Street, and was a graduate of the Ionia high school. He would have been 27 years of age next Sunday. Besides his parents, one brother, William, 18, survives.

Sartouis, Bernard J.

Pfc. Bernard J. Sarlouis, 35l, went into service in the medical corps in April, 1942, training at Camp Robiinson, Arkansas. He is the son of Mrs. M. Sarlouis of Ionia. He is a graduate of SS. Peter and Paul academy, Ionia, and of the general hospital in Springfield, Mo. He worked for the Fisher Body in Lansing. He has been stationed at Fort Blanding, Fla.

Setchfield, Bruce K.
Setchfield, Winthrop C.

---Bruce K. Setchfield, 28, has been in the service since October.1941. An Ionia high school graduate, he left work with the plant police at the Hudson Motor company in Detroit to enter the service. He has been stationed in North Ireland. Winthrop C. Setchfield, 24, entered the navy I n1938, and was a first class machinist. He was at Dutch Harbor, Alaska, at the time it was bombed by the Japanese. Their mother, Mrs. Mabel E. Setchfield, resides at 221 Jackson Street, Ionia.

Signs, Elton
Signs, Charles Jr.

Elton Signs, 22, motor machinist mate 2/c, entered the service in July, 1942, and is in the United States coast guard. He took booth training at Almeda, Calif., and attended school in advanced training in Connecticut, and took additional training at Beloit, Wis. He is on active sea duty. He was graduated from Ionia high school in 1938, and was employed by the Clark Equipment Company at Buchanan on defense work. Sergt. Charles Signs, jr., 19, entered service in January 1943, and has been assigned to the radar division of the United States air force. He was graduated from the Ionia high school in 1942, and worked at the Willow Run bomber plant as an airplane rigger.

Slowinski, Roy A.

Pfc. Roy A. Slowinski, 35, a member of the United States coast artillery, is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Roman Slowinski of Berlin township. Prior to entering the service he worked in Pontiac in the foundry of the Pontiac Motorcar Company. In Ionia he attended SS.Peter and Paul academy.

Smith, Herman W. Jr.

Herman M. Smith, jr., 23, entered the United States coast guard in January, 1942. He is coxswain. An Ionia high school graduate, class of 1937, he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman M. Smith, 424 Jones street, and was a Grand Trunk railroad clerk before entering the service.

Stanton, Lewis

Pvt. Lewis Stanton, 20, entered the service in August 1942, in the medical department of the United States army. He is the son of Mr. And Mrs. John Stanton, Ionia RFD 3, and attended Ionia high school. Pvt. Stanton is married, his wife having been a Portland girl.

Stilwell, Merritt Philip

Pvt. Merritt Philip Stilwell, 21, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Corel Stilwell of Ionia. He entered the service in August 1942, in the field artillery, and went for training to Camp Roberts, California. He is a graduate of the Ionia high school, and was employed by Gibson of Greenville. He is married, Mrs. Stilwell being the former Marie Fox of Ionia.

Townsend, John

LT. TOWNSEND DIES IN ARMY BOMBER CRASH---Second Lieutenant John Sherman Townsend, 22-years-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Townsened of Ionia township, has been killed in the crash and resulting explosion of a B-24 Liberator four-engine bomber, at the army air base at Wendover, Utah. Death of the young Ionia flyer was announced in a was department telegram delivered to Mr. and Mrs. Townsend Thursday evening. According to press dispatches released at Salt Lake City, Lieut. Townsend was one of nine men, four of them officers, and five enlisted men, who lost their lives when a four-engine bomber crashed and burned five miles east of the army base at Wendover Field, Utah, early Thursday. No other men were listed as Michigan residents. According to air base officials the bomber was approaching the field after a routine flight when it suddenly crashed and exploded. The war department telegram announcing their son’s death was delivered about 6 o’clock Thursday evening by Lawrence I. Hale, Ionia county Red Cross chairman. The body will be sent to Grand Rapids. See LT. TOWNSEND-Page 2. Sorry no page 2.

Vandervelde, Philip

Philip Vandervelde, 20, seaman second class, entered the naval reserves in July, 1942. He is the son of Mrs. Florence Abbruzzese of Ionia, and attended the Ionia high school. He was employed in Lansing as a roofer.

Vargo, John S.

Pvt. John S. Vargo, 20, entered the service in August, 1942, training at Camp Patrick, Va. He is the son of Mrs. Elizabeth Vargo of Ionia, and attended SS. Peter and Paul academy. He was employed on construction work at Lansing.

Vogt, Verner C.

Pvt. Verner C. Vogt, 28, entered the service in June, 1942, and was assigned to Curtis Wright technical school at Santa Monica, California, studying as an air force ground mechanic. He is the son of Mr. And Mrs. George Vogt, 519 Brooks street, Ionia, and a graduated of the Ionia high school.

Wagner, Joy

IONIA COUNTY WOMEN IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY---Aux. Joy Wagner, 21, joined the WAACs in October, 1942, and signed up for overseas duty, going to Des Moines, Ia., for training. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wagner, now of Detroit, formerly of Ionia, and was graduated from the Ionia high school with the class of 1940. Following graduation she was employed as a stenographer by a Detroit firm.

Warner, Byron S.

Pvt. Byron S. Warner, 26, was the first Ionia county soldier who died in the service of his country and whose body was brought home for burial. Pvt. Warner entered the United States army in April, 1941, and was sent to Camp Livingston, La. While he was being transferred he became ill, and died of pneumonia in the army hospital at Camp Devens, Mass., April 16, 1941. He was a graduate of the Muir high school and had worked on a farm near Saranac prior to entering the service. He was the son of Mrs. Ethel Warner and the late Rupert Warnear of Ronald township.

Wiggins, Douglas S.

Pfc. Douglas Wiggins, 26, entered the service in October, 1940, going to Camp Livingston, La., for training. He has been reported killed in action in New Guinea, December 24, 1942. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Wiggins of Easton township, and worked on the farm while at home. He attended Belding high school.