In The Service Now-This Day In Norwood History-November 18, 1944

T-Sgt. Webber Is Member Of Group With Unit Citation

15TH AAF IN ITALY: T-Sgt. Edgar F. Webber. 28. son of Mrs. Maggie Webber, 905 Washington street, Norwood, an aerial engineer and gunner, is a member of a B-24 heavy bomber group which has been awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation, highest unit award, 15th AAF Headquarters announced.

He is now entitled to wear the Distinguished Unit ribbon. The award was given for the precision bombing of the Bad Voslau, ME 109 fighter plane factory. This new factory, the pride of Hermann Goering, had just swung into production. when it was attacked by the 15th AAF.

Despite intense flak and numerous enemy fighters, this particular group led its entire wing directly over the target, and literally wiped the factory off the face of the earth. Not one building was left untouched.

Called by the press “the finest example of precision bombing by Liberators,” the destruction was so complete the Nazis never made an attempt to rebuild the plant, or even remove the debris.

The group was commanded at the time of the attack by Col. Marden M. Munn of Albany, Calif., who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his leadership and flying skill.

Now commanded by Col. Henry K. Mooney of 4620 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, La„ this group has flown well over 100 missions to bomb strategic enemy military installations from the southern coast of France to the Black Sea, as well as giving air support to Allied forces in France and Italy, and to Soviet and Partisan troops in the Balkans.

Southwest China Services Confirm Local Servicemen

SOUTHWEST CHINA — Far from relatives and their home parishes a group of soldiers at this important Army base were confirmed in the rites of the Catholic church. In the line before the altar stood three young men from Massachusetts towns.

Staff Sergeant Pasauale F. Grasso, serving with the American instructors of Chinese troops, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Grasso, 18 Dean street, Norwood.

Cpl. Joseph Rauktis, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Domininkas A. Rauktis, 21 Plantation street, Worcester, is attached to the ordnance nnd maintenance section and Pvt. John L. Hutchins, who is also serving with American troops instructing the Chinese, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James M Hutchins, 8 Bonney street, Westwood.

The recreation hall had been redecorated. A tiny hand-organ played softly on a small pedestal in the center of the long, dim room. Candles burned on the altar, cast a soft light on flowers and draperies. A sliver cross, shaftlike, held the center, the cynosure of all eyes.

Most Reverend James E. Walsh, M.M., Superior of Maryknoll, Bishop of Sata, of the Catholic Foreign Mission was present to confirm a soldier-class from many states of the Union.

Gathered at the headquarters of Services of Supply from many branches of the armed forces, from outlying villages in southwest China, these young Catholic soldiers met to take another step in their relationship with their church.

As the men knelt before the altar. Bishop Walsh said the benediction, assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Patrick McNamara, of Rumford, R. I, assistant China-Burma-India theatre chaplain. Here, 12,000 miles from home, American soldiers were brought close to the spirit of America in the services of their church.

Following the confirmation services. all military and civilian personnel who attended the ceremonies were guests of Services of Supply at a special confirmation dinner in the headquarters’ messhall.

Norwood Soldier In On Capture Of Germans

WITH THE 45TH DIVISION OF SEVENTH AR M Y I N FRANCE—The wet weather plays tricks with many a doughboy’s weapon, and it was very fortunate that Private George Martindeal of Memphis, Tennessee, was not aware of the effect the weather had on his BAR when he led a patrol into the enemy lines.

The 45th Division patrol leader with Private Henry Shaheen, Dover. New Hampshire, and Private First Class Byron G. Wild of Norwood, was assigned to scout out the enemv fortified positions.

Slowly they approached the elaborate Kraut system of trenches and followed the intricate maze toward the rear of the enemy lines.
Rounding the corner slowly, Private Martindeal came upon a group jf Jerries crowded around a fire. The Yank pointed his BAR at them in a threatening manner and the Krauts surrendered immediately.

On the way back to our lines, one of the Jerries tried to escape. Both Martindeal and Wild fired, but only one shot was heard—Mar-tindeal’s weapon had failed to go off.

“It was a good thing Wild shot too,” laughed Martindeal. “He got the Jerry.” and then he added, “And it also was a good thing that I didn’t know my BAR wouldn’t shoot when I challenged the Heines in the trench.”

McGuff GraduatedAs Navigator

ELLINGTON FIELD, Texas—Aerial trail finding in distant skies is the objective ahead of another class of navigators just graduated at this station of the AAF Central Flying Training Command.

Skilled in all types of navigation, these men soon will be qualified to sit in the navigator’s chairs of bomber planes bound for Berlin and Tokyo. Here they have received their wings as navigators and their bars as second lieutenants or flight officers. They have achieved- the cool-brained accuracy and the familiarity with instruments which are requisites of success as navigators.

Among graduates was Flight Officer Thomas J. McGuff, 19, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. McGuff, 340 Washington street, Norwood. He was employed formerly with Plimton Press, Norwood.

Pvt. Theresa Dwyer At Fort Oglethorpe

Learning to soldier in the Women’s Army Corps, Pvt. Therea Dwyer, 13 Sycamore street, Norwood, is a member of the November class of recruits taking their basic training at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.

A graduate of Dorchester High for Girls, Pvt. Dwyer was formerly employed as a hostess at Seiler’s in Wellesley. A brother, Pfc. John J. Dwyer, is now serving overseas.

Immediately after completing her basic training Pvt. Dwyer will be assigned to active duty with the WAC.

Cpl. Acey Thomas Fighting In Gothic Line, Italy

WITH THE FIFTH ARMY, ITALY —Cpl. Acey D. Thomas, 96 Dean Street, radio operator serving with the 53rd Signal Battalion now in its 27th month overseas, is fighting in the Gothic Line on the Fifth Army front in Italy.

Sailing from England with II Army Corps, the signalmen fought their way ashore at Arzew, Northern Algeria on D-Day. Three days later, following capitulation of French forces which had at first resisted fiercely, the 53rd entered Oran.

During the Tunisian campaign, when the corps was operating as an army, the battalion shouldered the full burden of providing communication for II Corps.

In the Sicilian campaign, the 53rd served again with II Corps, which battered its way from Scog-litti to Messina to bring the campaign to a successful conclusion.

Landing at Paestum, the unit began its fourth campaign by enduring three months of heartbreaking mountain fighting in southern Italy. Later the battalion was relieved at Cassino to participate in the big spring offensive.

The 53rd was still with II Corps when it charged across the lower Garigliano River northwest of Minturno, reached the beleaguered Fifth Array forces of the beachhead around Anzio a fortnight later and 10 days after that moved into Rome. In recognition of its services in maintaining corps ommunications despite^swiftly changing tactical situations, the unit received the Fifth Army Plaque and Clasp from II Corps Commander Major General Geoffrey Keyes, who presented it for Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark, commanding general of Fifth Army.

The signalmen are now engaged in maintaining communications beyond Futa Pass, which fell to the men of II Corps.

Pvt. Rowen Graduates At Truax Field

Pvt. Robert B. Rowen, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Rowen of 20 Pleasant Court, Norwood, has been graduated from the AAF Training Command’s aircraft radio mechanics school at Truax Field, Madison, Wisconsin, where he studied the servicing of radio equipment used on U. S. bombers.

Lt. Kallstrom Is Promoted To Captain

AN EIGHTH AIR FORCE BOMBER STATION, England— The promotion of Everett H. Kallstrom, 26, of Norwood, from the grade of first lieutenant to captain has been announced by Colonel Frank P. Bostrom, of Bangor, Maine, commanding officer of the B-17 Flying Fortress group with which Kallstrom is a navigator.

Capt. Kallstrom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugo A. Kallstrom, of 33 Brookfield road, Norwood, and prior to entering the Army Air Forces in April. 1942, worked as a printer for the Plimpton Press on Lenox avenue in Norwood.

Two Norwood Men Get Infantryman Badge

WITH THE 37TH INFANTRY DIVISION IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC — (Special) — Cited for service in combat against the Japanese, two residents of Norwood have been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge—a silver rifle on a blue field imposed on a silver wreath.

They are: Private First Class Charles F. Correia, 21, whose wife, the former Bridget Ann Foliy, lives at 56 Cross Street, and Private Hebert Granlund, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Granlund, 26 Third Street.

Both are members of an Infantry regiment that blasted Japanese attacks on Hill 129, Bougainville Island. They have been overseas a year serving also in New Caledonia and Guadalcanal.

Correia is the father of an 18-month-old son, Charles F., Jr. Granlund has a brother. Private Henry, 23, in the Army Air Forces.

S-Sgt. Ernest Connors 6th Armored Squad Leader

WITH THE FIFTH ARMY, ITALY—S/Sgt. Ernest T. Connors, Colonial Inn, Norwood, squad leader, is fighting with the 6th Armored Infantry Battalion, veteran combat unit oi the 1st Armored Division, now pushing the Germans back os the Fifth Army front in northern Italy.

Veteran of major campaigns in the Mediterranean theater, the battalion landed west of Oran, North Africa, at H-hour of D-Day of the 1942 invasion, took part in the notable Tunisian engagements of Maknassey, Station Sened, Faid Pass, Sebietla, Kasserine, the famous “Mouse-Trap” around Ma-teur and Ferryville.,

Coming to Italy, the battalion next saw action before Cassino when the Allies were stopped short of that important goal. Given the mission of capturing Mt. Porcia, the unit fought four days against frantic German resistance in adverse weather conditions and took its objective. This was considered the bloodiest battle the 6th ever fought. Casualties were three-quarters as great as the total casualties suffered throughout the entire African campaign.
Joining other units of Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark’s Fifth Army on- the Anzio Beachhead six days after’ the initial landing, the 6th fought throughout the stalemate, then spearheaded several of the attacks around Cisterna, Campomonto and Valmontone in the May breakout. With a battalion of the 1st Armored Division tanks, the 6th successfully, repulsed a strong Gelman counterattack near Valmontone.

In the drive to Rome, the unit was attached to a fast moving task force of armor and infantry.

Always in close pursuit of the retreating Germans north of the Italian capital, the 6th engaged in a particularly bitter fight in breeching Highway 68 east of Volterra.

Repulsed in an attack towards hill overlooking the highway, the battalion regrouped and the next morning, took the high ground and advanced across the vital road. It was the initial breech of the highway.

Moving toward the Gothic line, the 6th played an important part in insuring General Clark’s Fifth Army another great victory.

Joins The Navy

John E. Reilly 17, 111 Berwick Street, Norwood, who recently volunteered for naval service was sworn into the Navy Wednesday at the Federal Building, Boston.

The patriotic youth attended Christian Bros. Academy in’ Albany, N. Y. and until recently has been employed as a mail carrier.

(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)