In The Service Now-This Day In Norwood History-March 9, 1944

SERGEANT

William W. Fish Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. William W. Fish of Norwood has been in the Army since April 9, 1942, He is now an airplane mechanic and is stationed at Greenville Army

Arrives Overseas

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Curran of East Hoyle street had word this week that their son, Pharmacist’s Mate second class Leonard Curran, U.S N., had arrived safely in the Mediterranean theatre. He sent his parents a cable from there. Pharmacist’s Mate Curran is working with the typhus commission.

Reunion In England

Pfc. Harold Peterson and T.Sgt Robert E Grow have at last met in England.

They have written and planned to get together since Sgt. Grow wont over last May, but each time they missed each other by only a few hours.

But Grow had occasion to go to his old base for a few of his belongings, and was told that a fellow was looking for him. The description given Grow was so vague that he had no idea as to who it could be, and the fellow had left to go over to Grow’s new base.

There was apparently no way for Grow to get back until later that evening and while Grow was debating what to do, his former Co-Pilot, who had been over enemy territory with him, happened along and after Grow related his predicament, he right then and there offered to fly him back.

Upon arriving at his base, Grow was told that the young man had been and gone, so Grow hustled into town, anxious to see who this persistent soldier was who was going to a lot of trouble to find him.

After visiting the Red Cross and searching just about everywhere, Grow placed his last bet on the dining room and there to his utter surprise was Pfc Peterson, in line waiting for chow.

Both boys had a long talk about home and Grow says in his letter to his folks that Peterson looks good and feels good.

Pfc. Peterson’s assignment now is to drive the U S O. Players around and he says that he enjoys his very interesting work

T.-Sgt. Grow has completed his twenty-fifth mission over enemy territory and is now held as an instructor He has been decorated with the D F C , Air Medal, four Oak Leaf Clusters and two Silver Stars.

All who know these boys are very pleased and happy that at last Pete and Bob have met, as it is almost two years since they have seen each other. Before entering the service both these boys were employed by Jack’s Taxi and both of them have many friends in town.

Pfc. Peterson is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Peterson of 40 Press Avenue, while T -Sgt. Grow is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert G. Grow, 179 Roosevelt Avenue.

S-Sgf. Antonelli, Tail Gunner, Home After 25 Missions

After a year’s absence during which he made 25 missions over Nazi territory as a member of Uncle Sam’s air force, Staff Sergeant Daniel J. Antonelli, son of Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Antorielli of 21 Tremont street, is home in Norwood enjoying a brief furlough.

Wearing the coveted Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross with one cluster, Antonelli has distinguished himself in the Army Air Force and saw plenty of action as a tail gunner on a Flying Fortress.

Antonelli was in on the bombing of Bremen, Germany, on several occasions and has been on raids over Keil, Paris and Wilhelmshaven as well as other Allied targets.

He completed his 25th mission over enemy territory on January 25th and left for home and his furlough soon afterward.

The closest he ever got to Berlin was on a raid over Halberstadt on Jan. 11. “It was the toughest fight I was ever on,” Antonelli stated. “We were surrounded by German fighters and under flak fire for over two hours and it was plenty tough. We put up a terrific fight and came out alright. It was our pilot who should get all the credit as he brought our crippled ship safely back to England and when we landed we all jumped from the plane and kissed the ground”.

Antonelli entered the Army on June 23, 1942. lie has another brother, Angelo, 22, who is also in the Air Force and is in training to become a pilot. Before joining the service, Antonelli was employed at the Winslow Bros, & Smith Tannery.

St Sgt Purpura Awarded D. F. C. At English Base

A NINTH AIR FORCE MEDIUM BOMBER STATION, England

“Staff Sergeant Joseph F. Purpura is cited for extraordinary achievement while serving as a tail-gunner on a B-20 airplane on bombardment missions over enemy-occupied Europe.”

With this citation, S/Sgt. Purpura, of Norwood, Massachusetts, was presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross at this Martin Marauder Base recently.

The citation goes on to say:

“Sgt. Purpura exhibited soldierly resourcefulness and untiring energy in his unflinching devotion to duty. Many of the missions were dispatched under adverse conditions and against vitally important enemy targets Sgt. Purpura’s undaunted bravery and coolness under fire are representative of the highest traditions of the Army Air Force ”

Besides the D.F C. he also holds the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

Sgt. Purpura, who lived with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Augustino Purpura, at 1123 Washington Street, in Norwood, graduated from Norwood High School in June of 1940, then went to work as a floor-coverer for “Bird & Sons, Incorporated,” of East Walpole, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the army on July 15 of 1942 at Camp Devons, Massachusetts. He attended Gunnery School at Tyndall Field, Panama City, Florida, and left for overseas service in April of 1943.

Sgt. Purpura has been officially credited with the “probable destruction” of a Fockc-Wulfe 190 on one of the 30 missions he has flown over German-occupied Holland, Belgium and France.

Here is the story in his own words.

“The date was the Third of November, the target, St. Omer, France. As we went over the enemy coast, our left engine began to smoke and splutter.

The next thing 1 knew, we had dropped out of formation and were straggling about 400 yards behind the others. A moment later I spotted a F. W. 100 coming in from the rear about 1200 yards away.

I waited until he got within 1000 yards and opened fire. My tracers seemed to go into his ship but he kept coming in and firing until he was about 50 yards off our tail. Then he suddenly dived down. The waist gunner then opened up on him, and the the last he saw, the Fockc-Wulfe was spinning down, through the clouds. Later on, four more enemy fighters came in, but our waist and turret gunners kept them off until our escorting Spitfires took over. It may have been said before, but God bless those Spits!

For a fighting ship, Sgt. Purpura is pretty much in love with the B26. “The Marauder is a fast baby,” he contends, “and one of the best combat ships in the air. I wouldn’t trade her for any other, unless it were the Clipper heading for home!”

(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)