In The Service Now-This Day In Norwood History-September 18, 1942

The following letter has been sent in about Corporal Jerry J. Collins, in the Solomon Islands with the Marines.

Dear Editor

I would like to inform you that Norwood man, Corporal Jerry J Collins, U. S. M C., is in action with Naval and Marine forces in the Soloman Islands. It is under- stood that Corporal Collins landed on Guadalcanal Island under the command of Colonel Merritt Ed- son, famed Marine raider Jerry’s home is at 14 Allen road.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve at Boston, While attending his junior year in high school, Jerry was called to active duty by the Navy Department in 1940.

He was transferred to the historical Marine base at Quantico, Virginia. There he was assigned to the famous fighting Fifth Regiment, which had gained worldwide fame in the World War.

From there he joined up with Naval forces and was detailed to tropical duty at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Gregory. He was with Marine forces in Miami last summer, where Naval forces had used that city as the operating base.

He was then transferred back to Quantico, Virginia, and then to New River, North Carolina, where he became an American Pioneer. He left New River for patrol duty with the fleet in the days following Pear Harbor. He was at sea for two months.

About four months ago, he left the continental United States and sailed into Pacific waters, where he went into action with the fleet. He is one of the men who was chosen from all the Marine Corps to form the special Marine outfit which is making spectacular history in the Solomon Islands.

Official word received on September 16, reveals that he is on Guadalcanal Island. As far as it is known here, Collins is the first Norwood boy from St Catherine’s Parish to be in action with the Marines in the Solomons.

Here is a letter received this morning via the new Victory Mail.

J. J. Collins
M. C. Unit 960
% P.M.-S.F.
8-20-42

“Dear Ma:

Once more I have a chance to drop you a line—hoping you and the family are feeling as fit as I do.

I am on Guadalcanal and at the rate things are happening, it won’t be long before I’m home again, (for good.)

Tell Pop to keep things in circulation till I get there—can say no more.

Still have received no mall.

Write Anyway.

So Long.

Love.

Jerry.”

The above was passed by the Naval Censor.

Private Frank D. Ruscio of 44 Willow Street, Norwood, is now undergoing his recruit training at the famous Marine Corps “boot camp” at Parris Island, South Carolina.

Private Ruscio attended Junior High School in Norwood and is anxious to be assigned to the famous Fleet Marine Force upon completion of his recruit training.

Private First Class Peter Dulkis of 17 Tremont Street, Norwood, a member of the Engineers Division of the U. S. Army, is now stationed somewhere in Australia. Dulkls enlisted in the Army December 7, the day war was declared. He trained at Fort Belvoir, Virginia and Camp Claiborne, Louisiana.

He was formerly a mechanic at Dulkis Service Station on Washington Street, Norwood. His brother, ‘Brownie, is serving in the tank division at Camp Shelby, Mississippi.

Private Thomas J. Hynes, 87 Howard street, who enlisted in the Marines in January of this year, has recently been heard from. Tommy, as his friends knew him, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Hynes.

He graduated from local schools and worked at the Norwood A & P for several years. Previous to his enlistment, he was on the payroll of Holliston Mills.

Private Hynes got his basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, and then was stationed at New River, North Carolina, for a short period. He was then transferred to the Marine Base at San Diego, California.

He had not been heard from for three months until a recent letter which said that he was somewhere overseas but was unable to give the location.

Word of the safe arrival somewhere in England of Pvt. Robert F. Bothwell of Washington Street has been received by his father, William J. Bothwell, 6 Chapel Street.

Robert enlisted in the Army January 5th and trained at MacDill Field, Florida, and Braderton Airport, Sarasota, Florida; He’s with a bombardier squadron somewhere in England.

Before entering the Army, Robert was a mechanic at Bird A Son, East Walpole.

Pvt Edward A. Bothwell, Robert’s brother, has returned to New Orleans, La., after spending a 15-day furlough with his family. Edward was inducted into the Army September 7, 1941, and trained at Camp Shelby, Miss., and Camp Wheeler, Ga., and is now stationed in New Orleans.

Before entering the Army, Edward was employed as a machinist at Winslow Bros. & Smith.

P F.C. Ned F. Stewart Jr., son of Dr. and Mrs. Ned F. Stewart, is now an x-ray technician with his outfit in New Caledonia. Stewart, a photography enthusiast, used the hospital basement for developing his films of New Caledonia, and so was given the x-ray job.

Pvt Carl E. Edman, Munroe street, has moved from his last station in Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Pecos, Texas.

Staff Sergeant Ernest G. Paciorkowski of the 101st Observation Squadron has moved to the Harrisburg Municipal Airport, Pennsylvania.

Apprentice Seaman, Fran Heylin, who recently was home on a brief furlough following his initial Navy training at Newport is one of seven men selected from a group of 1,800 for Quartermaster School. The course will take four months.

Heylin’s new address is: Francis C. Heylin, Apprentice Seaman, Quartermaster’s School, Co. 1564— U. S. N T. S., Coddington Point, Newport, R. I.

Postcard from Air Cadet E. J. Wiesmann, at the Greenville Army Flying School, sent the Free Press reads

“Hello Folks—Just a line to let all my friends know where I am. It’s cheaper this way. By the way, are any fellows left in Norwood? Am in basic flight training now.”

Cadet Wiesmann may be addressed at:

A/C E. J. Wiesmann
G.A.F.S. Squadron C
Barracks 36, Room 7
Greenville, Mississippi

(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)