1944 . . .

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
February 4, 1944

NEWS of the Boys in the Service.

Wendell A. Rhodes, who left the Sentinel office last June to enlist in the Navy, is home on leave. He has just completed a course in radio at the naval training school at Farragut, Idaho, and will report at San Francisco for ship duty when his leave is up.

Major James R. Wernli, son of O. R. Wernli of LeMars, is now in command of the 396th Fighter Squadron somewhere in England. The Major could not tell much about himself, except that he is in good health and plenty busy.

Allen R. Bartels, electrician’s mage, son of R. C. Bartels, 820 Central Ave. S.W., LeMars, has completed his basic training at the Submarine School, New London, Conn., and will be entitled to wear the two dolphin insignia of the submarine service after further experience aboard a submarine to demonstrate he is fully qualified to carry out the duties of his rate. Bartels graduated from LeMars High in 1942, joined the Navy last March and had preliminary instruction at Farragut, Idaho.

Ralph Wickersham, motor machinist mate second class, and bride arrived Monday for a visit in the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Penning. The couple left Thursday morning for San Francisco where they will visit before returning to Long Beach where Ralph will report for duty.

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, February 11, 1944

NEWS OF THE BOYS IN THE SERVICE.

Lt. R. J. Fisch is spending a 10-day furlough with his family in LeMars. He arrived Saturday from Miami Beach, Florida, where he was with the Army Air Force Redistribution Station No. 2. He will go to Buckley Field, Denver, Colorado.

Carl Schultz, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Schultz, 126 Eighth St. S.W. returned, Thursday, to Pinedale Camp, California, after two weeks furlough. He is with an Army air corps.

Lester Witt, C. C. Steward of U.S. Navy, left Sunday to return to his duties in New York after spending a 15 day furlough with relatives.

Sergeant Roy Bouma received word Saturday to report for duty immediately at Camp Polk, La. He left Saturday for Louisiana, but his wife remained here with her mother, Mrs. Tina Miller.

The Twelfth Army Air Force announces that Staff Sergeant Edwin H. Wendt of LeMars has been awarded the good conduct medal for ten months efficient service with that organization.

Nelson Larson, machinists mate 2nd class, arrived home Wednesday for a visit with relatives in Fredonia. He has been in service with the Navy in the southwest Pacific.

Henry Poeckes, who has seen several months service in the southwest Pacific, was recently promoted to staff sergeant. He is with the Army supply department in the Solomons.

Sgt. Herman Charleson, who is stationed at Camp Buckner, West Virginia, is home on a furlough visiting relatives.

Robert J. Walsh, seaman first class who finished his radio training last week at Farragut, Idaho, has been ordered to report at San Francisco, where he will be assigned to sea duty in the southwest Pacific. Seaman Walsh is a son of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Walsh of LeMars.

READERS LETTERS.

January 31, 1944
Editor Sentinel:
Having read your paper for the past three months, I am writing these few lines to let you know how much I enjoy it. I don’t have a subscription in for it, but receive it from my sister, Mrs. Dwight Riter, R.R. No. 5, LeMars. It really peps me up when I call for my mail and see the Sentinel in the box. One article was of very much interest to me last week. The one of the ladies of LeMars started a canteen. If this is one of those projects where women of the community pass out food and hot coffee at the trains, well I can say for myself that it is a wonderful idea. The women of almost every city throughout Ohio have one and they are really appreciated by all service men. I know the people of the community are very busy also but I want to stress also how important mail from home can be to a soldier. That is one of the things that the soldier lives for from day to day and if a week or so goes by and he doesn’t receive any mail from home he begins to wonder if the folks back home haven’t forgotten him. Myself I have just been transferred to this Cadet Training Detachment and already have received mail from home, but I know dozens more who haven’t, it is for them I am writing this. If you have a little extra room in your paper this next week, I would surely appreciate it if you would run an article on this subject.~A/S Willard E. Anstine, 26th College Training Detachment (Air Crew) Mount Union College, Alliance, Ohio.

LeMars Globe-Post
February 21, 1944

LIEUT. KOENIG WRITING A BOOK IN GERMAN PRISON.
The Globe-Post has just received a postcard, sent by Lieut. Robert M. Koenig, German prisoner of war No. 2215, and dated Nov. 30. On the card Lieut. Koenig says:
“This is probably a novel form of Christmas card—even to The Globe-Post. With the aid of the Red Cross, the Kriege dance band, and some (possibly) German beer, we are planning a big holiday celebration.

“I am writing a book called ‘Out of the Sack’ which I hope to publish on my return. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all. Bob.”