May 19, 2006

Oroville Mercury Register March 1943

HARRIS LEAVES SOON FOR SEABEE QUARTERS
Art Harris, former Oroville dairyman, leaves Tuesday for Norfolk Va., where he will enter a training camp for the Seabees. He enlisted in the navy recently as a fireman, first class, and has received his orders to report. His wife, Mrs. Evelyn Harris, will remain in Oroville where she is teaching in the elementary schools.

Joseph May
While a good many are having trouble getting their pound or so of meat a weak, Joseph May, 20, navy electrician, is getting steaks so tender “you can cut ‘em with a fork”. May is in a navy school in Minneapolis. Before he joined up he was an electrician’s helper with the Western Pacific here. Mrs. May is staying with her mother, Mrs. Margaret Fenley, on Hewitt Avenue. May was a student at Oroville Union High School.

BILL ROSE ADVANCED, HIS PARENTS RECEIVE LETTER
The parents of Corporal Bill C. Rose, 18, who has been in the Army for just three months, have received a letter from headquarters of the 11th Armored Division in Camp Polk. Louisiana, stating that Rose has been promoted to the grade of technician 5th grade (equivalent to corporal). “In this splendid achievement both he and his family can take just pride,” the letter states. The letter is signed by Charles S. Kilburn, Brigadier General, U.S.A. Commanding. Young Rose attended high school here for a year. During that time he won two ribbons for art work at the state fair. He went into the tank corps on his eighteenth birthday.

LOCAL MAN ADVANCED TO FIRST SERGEANT IN STATE GUARD
Oakland - It was officially announced today by the 9th Regimental Headquarters of the California State Guard that a former Oroville man had been promoted from the rank of sergeant to first sergeant in the guard. He is John L. Frayne 53, who was formerly connected with the United States Forest Service here until his enlistment in the Guard in May of 1942. Previous to entering the forest service, Frayne had served with the United States Navy and saw action at Vera Cruz, Mexico, in 1914 and in World War 1 enlisted with the U. S. Army and saw service from April 1918 until April of 1921. He is a graduate of the University of Montana.

Three More Oroville Men Report At Idaho Station
FARRAGUT, IDAHO - Three more men Lyle R. (Mac) Turk, Billy Zirkle and Kenneth C. Fitzsimmons, from Oroville, Calif. have reported for duty at the U. S. Naval Training Station here, for preparation to fight our enemies on the seven seas. Their first few weeks in the uniform of a bluejacket will be devoted to learning the fundamentals of seamanship. Physical hardening will also be an important part of the training, as the men of the fleet must be in peak physical condition. Living in the mountains of northern Idaho, on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, they will soon be ready for further specialized training in a navy service school or duty with the fleet at sea. Turk’s wife is Mrs. Kathryn Turk on Third avenue, Zirkle is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy V. Zirkle, and Fitzsimmons is the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Magerus, Route 2.

Stu’s Notes: I received a call about last weeks story about Jimmy Koch who flew for the Royal Canadian Air Force, Marvin McLain, O.H.S. Class of 1937, called me (as he has in the past) about our Hero’s of long ago. Marvin tells me Jimmy was truly an American who was in his high school class. He has lost contact and thinks he has passed on. John Frayne served his country well.
I hope to see many of you out at the Memorial Day services on Monday, May 29h at 11:00AM. It is held at the Oroville Memorial Park Cemetery on Lincoln Blvd. After the service come to the First United Methodist Church at 45 Acacia Ave for a Barbeque from 12 to 1:30. It is a fund raiser Barbeque with 25% of the profits for our Veterans Memorial Park. It is $7. for adults, $3.50 for children. The menu is BBQ Ribs, baked beans, potato Salad, Green salad, Egg Rolls, dessert, punch and coffee. Remember this Saturday at our Oroville Airport, the Experimental Aircraft Association is having their annual open house. Over 10 years now. Model A’s, food, fun, airplanes and me with some information on our project.
It won’t be long before we have a sign up on our lot. The one we have with the City of Oroville, right next to the Boss on Montgomery Street.
Happy Birthday Grandson Noah Fishkin, 2 years old today!