November 12, 2004
Oroville Mercury Register. May 15, 1945
In The Fight
THREE BROTHERS NOW IN SERVICE
T-Sgt. Albert Thelander, of Rt. 2, is a tank driver with
the 3rd Army in Germany. He has seen action in Belgium
and Holland as well as in Germany. Being in a spearhead division,
liberating many prisoners and traveling fast, he has had a number
of hair-raising experiences. On one occasion, he was crossing a
bridge when a girder gave way and his tank crashed through the bridge
and turned over. No one was hurt. Another time a shell – luckily
a dud – entered the tank and pierced the top of the gas tank. The
Thelander luck still held, he said. Thelander has been in the army
since January, 1942. He is a graduate of Oroville High School. The
Thelanders have two other sons in the service.
Pvt. Robert K. Thelander is at Camp Wolters, Tex., where
he is receiving basic training as an infantryman assigned to a battalion
stressing rifle training. Before entering the army in March, he
was employed in the machine shops at an army depot in Stockton.
His hobby is making small models. A small air compressor made to
scale is said to operate perfectly when connected to electric power.
A one-cylinder gas engine and a cannon are among the other things
he has made. His superiors at the Stockton depot have complimented
him on his work.
Earl Thelander left recently for Camp Beale to begin his
service in the army.
Oroville Mercury Register February 23, 1951
Raymond “Doc” Verkerk, who has been starring at football
for the Fleet Team at San Diego for the past three seasons, has
turned his hand to wrestling this winter with notable success of
far. Latest information from the Navy base says that Verkerk recently
captured the heavyweight position on the Fleet wrestling team and
is yet to be defeated in matches with other service teams. Verkerk
was an outstanding lineman for the Oroville Tigers prior to his
graduation in 1947.
First Lt. Robert J. Burns has been transferred from Lackland
air base at San Antonio, Tex., to Sampson Air Force base at Geneva,
N.Y. He had been stationed at Lackland for three years. Lt. Burns
is attached to the adjutant’s office. He received his assignment
when some of the permanent personnel were moved to the New York
base. With his wife and two children, Karen, 5 and Robert J. Burns,
1½, he will have quarters at the base. Lt. Burns is the son of Mr.
and Mrs. Alvin Bills of Montgomery street.
Kenny Martin, 17 year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Martin,
Oroville, enlisted in the U. S. Army on February 20 and is now undergoing
training at Fort Ord. He enlisted for three years. He formerly attended
Oroville Union High School
.
Stu’s Notes: Bob Thelander was one of those that had a Military
Vehicle collection in Oroville. I have always enjoyed looking at
his collection. Pat his wife is a friend of mine. She still is involved
in the Military Vehicles. She has a very nice Jeep that my little
grand daughter, Jessica got to sit in recently. Pat had it down
at the benefit for children of those who were injured or died in
from Iraq and other wars. The Oliver North Foundation that provides
scholarships for these children. Pat is also a member of the Men
Who Built Oroville Dam Club. She worked in the warehouse during
the construction of the Dam. I feel like I have completely neglected
the Korean War in my articles. About two years ago I did write about
Robert Harley Young, who was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Remember to get a copy of the Diggens, Butte County Historical Society.
Stories of many Oroville heroes by James Lenhoff.
Another thank you to Shakey’s for supplying the tickets for our
Spaghetti lunch and show. More thanks to come.
The ladies who presented me with the $2,500 check from the VFW
Ladies Auxiliary 1747, were, President, Frosine Griffin, Secretary,
Virginia Bias and Treasurer Emma Nelson.