August 2, 2002

February 1945. Gerson Sees Ship Near His Go Down.
Lt. George Gerson of the Merchant Marine Service and Ray King, storekeeper, third class of the U. S. Navy, have been on leave at their homes in Oroville. Since joining the Merchant Marines 25 months ago Lt. Gerson says he has traveled 175,000 miles, visited every continent, and has been in every battle zone. They encountered no trouble until the last trip through the Mediterranean when they were in two air raids. In the first one eleven planes flew over but were driven off without doing any damage. In the second raid, seven planes took part. Three of them were shot down but not before they had sunk the ship behind the one Lt. Gerson was on. Gerson is home on a leave that he hopes will extend to a month. King enlisted in the Navy a year ago and was sent to Farragut for initial training. He has been in the Naval Supply Depot at Clearfield, Utah, since last August selling shoes and other supplies. King is a partner in the local Burton & King shoe store.

Hears From Son, Who Is Prisoner of The Japanese
Mrs. R. H. Dennis has received word after many months that her son, Wm. Dennis, is in good health although a prisoner of the Japanese. No information was given in the card written by him to his wife, who lives in Pullman, Wash., and forwarded the news on to Mrs. Dennis. Mrs. Dennis has three other sons in the war. Dr. Robert Dennis has been advanced to Lieutenant commander and is in the south Pacific. Gene is a technical sergeant and a radio operator for a bomber at Victorville. LaVerne is a pharmacist's mate in the Navy.

Capt. Allread Finds 'Snow and More Snow'
Friends of Capt. Dewey Allread, formerly employed by the Oroville Bank of America, have received a recent letter saying that he has been experiencing cold weather in the European theater of war. He said there has been "snow and more snow" and he is afraid his feet will never be warm again." On one occasion he has crossed into Germany But of all the places he has visited, he says "Give me good old California."

Charles Chapman Wounded in Germany
Pfc. Charles (Red) Chapman, 28, was slightly wounded in action January 20 in Germany, according to telegram received Wednesday by his wife, Mary E. Chapman of Mitchell Avenue. Prior to his military service Chapman was employed as a linoleum layer at Hills Furniture store. He has been overseas since November, 1944.

On a sadder note:
Learn That Nephew Was Killed In War
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Phillips of Oroville have received word that their nephew, Pfc. William R. Phillips, was killed in action during the invasion of the Palau Islands. The letter also informed them he had been awarded the Purple Heart. Pfc. Phillips was a member of Company D321- Infantry. He was born July 5,1923. He attended the local grammar schools and high schools. He was also a nephew of George Phillips of Oroville