September 27, 2002

Oroville Mercury January 4th, 8th and I1th, 1945

CAPTAIN R. H. KINGDON IS NEW YEARS' VISITOR
Word of the safe arrival of Capt. Richard H. Kingdon in Orlando, Florida was received here Saturday by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Kingdon of H Street, Oroville, Capt. Kingdon was a surprise visitor at his parents' home for New Year's Dinner. He had arrived by plane from his station in the Philippines in San Francisco on Dec. 31. After a few hours with his family he returned to the Bay City that evening and boarded a plane for Florida where he will take a five week course in communications with the Air Corps. Following his completion he will spend a Thirty-day leave before returning overseas. He is a graduate of Oroville Union High School and went to Chico State College before enlisting in the U. S. Army Air Corp. in the Spring of 1942. He was in New Guinea, for two years before going to the Philippines last October. Captain Kingdon,.25, possesses a "Presidential Citation" and four bronze stars. He belongs to the 5th Fighter command.


T.C. PATTISON IS NEW YEAR'S VISITOR
T. C. Pattison, fireman 1-C U.S.N., has reported back to his base in Oakland following a New Year's visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Pattison at their home on High Street. Pattison recently returned from the South Pacific.

COUPLE PLAN TO WED; TO NAME DATE LATER
Among the last local social affairs to be held in 1944 was the engagement tea given for Miss Marilyn West, whose marriage to Pvt. Walter F. Mitchell, is in the offing. Miss West is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. J. West of Las Plumas. Mitchell is the son of Mrs. E. F. Mitchell of Oroville, and the late Mr. Mitchell. No immediate date for the wedding has been set. Mitchell is in the Air Corp Troop Command. He is attending radio school
at Warrensburg, Mo.

RECREATION CENTER IS PRAISED BY CAMP BEALE
The Recreation center entertained over 300 service men and hostesses Wednesday evening with dancing and refreshments. The group from Camp Beale were in charge of Lt. Robert R. King and men from the Chico Army Air Field were in charge of Cpl. M. Shields. During dancing Intermission homemade cakes donated by the hostesses and women of the community were served by the Red Cross Motor Corps in charge of Miss Alma Ghianda. L. A. Casagrande's "All Star" orchestra furnished the music. Mrs. R.W. Freitas, center hostess, was in charge of the hostesses. A. L. Scott, director, made public a letter from Lt. Col. McNeill, executive officer, and Col. Geesen, commanding officer of the personnel replacement depot at Camp Beale, stating their sincere appreciation for the successful efforts of the Oroville center in providing good clean entertainment for the enlisted men. They said that the Oroville dances had established an enviable reputation among the men to the extent that there was ordinarily a waiting list, and that headquarters showed its interest in the matter by making an exception and providing transportation for men attending the Oroville recreation center.

Stu's Notes - I worked for Alma Ghianda and family, Joe, Edna, Norma and Rudy on their ranch and winery in Thermalito for six years. They were some of the nicest people 1 knew. Rudy served in the U.S. Army during this war.