November 11, 2005

Oroville Mercury Register

Pfc. Robertson Dies In Action
Carl Mason Robertson, 23, private first class, has been killed in action in France, his wife, living in the Paxton addition was notified today. Pfc. Robertson was inducted into the army on Dec. 30, slightly less than a year ago. Other survivors are two little daughters aged two and a half and one year, his father, George Monroe Robertson, living on Houston street and an older brother, Vohn Robertson, also with the United States Army, now believed to be in an occupied portion of Germany. Pfc. Robertson came here from Missouri. He was known to his friends here as “Penny “ Robertson. Mrs. Robertson is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Verner L. Taylor of Palermo Road. The couple were married in 1940. Prior to his induction he was employed at Bowman’s Beverages here. Mrs. Robertson is bookkeeper there now.

A LETTER FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT , THE ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE WASHINGTON, D. C.
31 December 1944,
Dear Mrs. Robertson,
It is with regret that I am writing to confirm the recent telegram informing you of the death of your husband, Private First Class Carl M. Robertson, Infantry, who was killed in action on 9 December 1944 in France. I fully understand your desire to learn as much as possible regarding the circumstances leading to his death. Recently provisions were made whereby there will be sent directly to the emergency addressee or the next of kin a letter containing further information about each person who dies overseas in the service of our country, and if this letter has not already been received, it may be expected soon. I know the sorrow this message has brought you and it is my hope that in time the knowledge of his heroic service to his country, even unto death, may be of sustaining comfort to you. I extend to you my deepest sympathy. Sincerely yours, J. A. Ulio, Major General, The Adjutant General.


A LETTER FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT , THE ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE WASHINGTON, D. C.
7 June 1945
Dear Mrs. Robertson,
There has been forwarded to this office from overseas, your letter of inquiry concerning your husband, Private First Class Carl W. Robertson. The distress you have suffered since you received the sad announcement of your husband’s death is most understandable and, realizing your desire to know the attending circumstances, I wish to advise you that an additional report has been received in the War Department. This report disclosed that on 9 December 1944 Carl was killed instantly, when he was struck by shrapnel falling from enemy artillery, while his platoon was conducting a house to house search near Bischwiller, France. The Quartermaster General, Army Service Forces, Washington 25, D. C., has been designated as the only source of information regarding the location of the grave and disposal of personal effects. That office will cooperate with you to the fullest extent with any of your inquiries. I realize how futile any words of mine may be to assuage your grief but I trust that the knowledge of your husband’s heroic sacrifice may be a source of sustaining comfort. You have my heartfelt sympathy in your bereavement. Sincerely yours, Robert H. Dunlop, Brigadier General Acting the Adjutant General of the Army.

Stu’s Notes: Almost 5 years now that I’ve been looking for stories of those that died from Oroville in our wars. The stories come in many ways. Jan Bales, who searched the Oroville Mercury Register 1917-1918 for all those who died in WWI. Kathleen Hillman who looked on Microfiche of the Oroville Mercury Register for 1944, the whole year, and Colleen Wycoff who gave me many, many Oroville Mercury’s of the 1940’s and 50’s. Stories come in bits and pieces, like a puzzle that is slowly coming together. Sometimes I stumble on a name just by pure luck. Wondering through our cemetery’s I have found some of our “Forgotten Hero’s”. A long time ago Kathleen gave me the story of Pfc. Carl Mason Robertson, now the “rest of the story” has come to me. Carl’s daughters Jan and Joan have moved back to Oroville after years somewhere else. Not only that, but they have joined our committee and jumped in whole-heartedly. Right when we needed the boost, along with Bill Plilar, Jan’s husband. It was meant to be. Like so many young American’s, Carl is buried in France, so far from home, but with those who fell with him. Jan gave me permission to use the letter from the War Department. Sad that over 400,000 such letters were sent in WWII. 60 such letters were sent to mothers in the Oroville area.

Sherry and Bob Morehouse and Crew of Post #9602 will be selling Buddy Poppies, the red poppies Veterans sell to help others. If you are reading this before 11:00 AM today, you have time to come down town Montgomery Street, to see Oroville’s Veterans Parade and hear Oroville’s famous announcer Jim Moll and view those who served our country so well. Lots of work goes into this event chaired by Jim Hollingsworth. The Oroville Exchange Club has organized this parade for seven years now. Also, weather permitting, The Flags will be flying up the hill at our Cemetery. What a sight to see. You must thank Berniece Hughes and crew for this. It’s a lot of work but a pleasure to do. Berniece’s husband, Carl, ran this event for years.