November 21, 2003
Oroville Mercury Register April 3rd 1945
In the Fight
HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE YEARS
Cpl. Neithel G. Owens is visiting his father. J. C. Owens
,of Feather Falls. He has just returned to the United States after
serving 35 months, almost three years, with the U. S. Infantry as
a radio technician. He has a rating of Technician 5th
grade. Owens entered the army about four years ago and has seen
action in many pats of the Pacific area. He has been in Australia
and New Guinea. Before entering the army, he was employed by Feather
River Pine Mills.
GLENN BIGGS SPENDS A WEEK AT HOME
A-C Glenn Biggs has returned to his base at Selman Field,
Monroe, La., after spending a week at his home here. He is in his
final phase of training for navigator. Biggs is the son of Mr. and
Mrs. E. P. Biggs of Thermalito. He graduated from Marysville High
and attended Yuba College. Before joining the cadets, he was employed
as an aviation mechanic. Two of his brothers are also serving in
the armed forces of their country.
TABER VIEWED AS GOOD “FIND”
An article appearing in the Stars and Stripes published in England
announces that Cpl. Billy Conn, No. 1 world heavyweight contender,
and his pilot, Johnny Ray, have taken over the management of
Pfc. “King Tut,” Taber, generally regarded as the best ring
prospect in the European theatre of war. “Taber, whose home is in
Oroville, will move his headquarters to Pittsburgh when peace time
rolls around,” the article read. “The coast middleweight has impressed
ETO Boxing followers for months with his 38 successes in 39 bouts
but he turned a deaf ear to all professional offers until Conn showed
an interest and desire to handle him. “He’s a real find and should
make his mark in the middleweight picture,” Conn commented. “I’ve
sized Tut up as another Freddie Apostoll. He still has a lot to
learn before he’s turned loose against the seasoned middleweights
back home, however”. “Tut accompanied Conn on the latter’s tour
of the Mediterranean, acquiring many of his manager’s ring characteristics
on the trip. At times Conn boxed with his new charge to point out
mistakes he made. And Billy knows all the answers’ is the way Tut
puts it. ‘I’m getting more reach out of my left jab and also learning
how to move away, under or roll from a right hand smash to the head.’”
Taber is the son of Mrs. C. A. Farmer of High Street. He has been
in the army since February 1943. His wife and son, Tommy, live at
Morgan, Utah.
Stu’s notes: I talked to Art Wells, of Chico. Author of
Duwks Ducks. I always see him December 7th at the Gridley
Fair Grounds. Art was a Marine during WWII and was quite involved
with the Army Ducks used in the invasion of many far off Islands
in the Pacific. We will meet there at the Memorial Flag Pole in
Honor of Pearl Harbor and those who lost their lives on that day.
Well over 2000 men and women. The ceremony always starts at 9:55am.
The California time that the first bomb and bullet fell out of the
peaceful blue sky on Sunday morning so long ago. The public is invited.
There will be about 20 or so Pearl Survivors and their wives. Each
year there are a few less of the group. Although a few new ones
come to the group. All are now 80 years old or more on this 62nd
anniversary . A Gridley boy has the distinction of being the first
killed in the Pearl Harbor attack. He is McCutchen.