June 23, 2006

Oroville Mercury Register 1943

PVT. NORVIL ENGASSER AT CAMP HOWZE, TEXAS
Pvt. Norvil Engasser, son of Mrs. Louise Engasser, recently wrote his mother from Camp Howze, Texas, to say that he had just received his first copy of the Mercury and “boy does it seem good. I have read it three times and could enjoy reading it three times more.” Engasser reported Nov. 16 at Monterey and was sent to Texas where he is stationed with Company C. 334 infantry, 84th division. He also writes that the basic training is hard but interesting and that “a fellow can make or break himself.” He continues that the men are allowed to go to church each Sunday and that he thinks that is a good thing.

OROVILLE MAN IN AFRICA DOESN’T LIKE CAKES
Frank St. Claire of the Army Air Force, in a letter to a friend here tells of the interesting towns and people of North Africa. He particularly mentions the town adjacent to his post. He writes that the meals in restaurants are so differently served from the customary way in America and he is sure that the cakes contain absolutely no sugar because they are so tasteless. St. Clair is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Windos St. Clair of Ocean Beach, formerly of Garden Ranch. He was graduated from Oroville High School in 1940 and at the time of his enlistment was employed at the Western Pacific roundhouse. In his letter he also expresses his gratitude for the facilities offered by the Red Cross Service Club.

HEIMBURGER BELIEVED TO BE ON BATTLE LINE
Corporal Leslie Heimburger of Oroville is believed to be in active service against the Japanese in the South Pacific. He wrote his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Heimburger, recently indicating that he was in the battle some following his transfer from Hawaii. He is attached to a field artillery unit.

FORMER SPORTS EDITOR TRAINING TO FLY
William H. P. (Bill) Dolan Jr., former Mercury sports editor, has qualified for training as an aviation cadet, according to word received from friends here. Dolan writes that he will be stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, until he has completed his basic training and for as long after that as it takes for him to be assigned to a pre-flight school. He continues that he is now in full swing with basic training and finds it tough but he is “still crazy about it.” Dolan is the son of Mrs. Theresa Doherty of Oroville. He attended the local high school and was prominent in journalism and dramatics while there. He was graduated in 1940. Prior to his entry into the service he was employed by the California Water Service. He was chairman of the entertainments committee of the Oroville USO Citizen’s Committee and responsible for providing a great deal of good entertainment for service men stationed here.

BAKER EXPECTS ACTIVE SEA SERVICE SHORTLY
Albert Earl Baker, 17, of the U.S. Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. F. (Bud) Baker of Thermailto, has been assigned to a destroyer now undergoing repairs, and expects to be placed on seagoing duty soon. Baker, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John Baker and Mr. and Mrs. C. A. McCloud of Oroville enlisted Dec. 7, on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. He received his preliminary training at Camp Farragut, Ida. After his graduation he spent a 10 day furlough visiting here. He was assigned to a destroyer after graduation. Baker was a senior at Oroville high school at the time of his enlistment.

Stu’s Notes: This Sunday, July 25th from 8AM to12PM, will be a Pancake Breakfast to benefit the Oroville Veterans Memorial Park, $5. Adults, $2. Children, at the 10OF Hall, 1470 Oliver Street, just down the hill from the Depot. Committee member, Jack Brereton is a long time member of the IOOF has organized this event. All proceeds are to go to the OVMP. We have just had our 5th year anniversary at the Veterans Memorial Hall. Greg Melton of Land Image, came and we gave him input on drawing new plans, the Memorial will stay basically the same, we will just have less parking than we had hoped for. The Gallery of American Military History, including pictures of those from Oroville that gave the ultimate sacrifice, is being put together in the Main Meeting Hall at our Veterans Memorial Hall. Our leader on this project is Bob Jackson, local historian and a retired Las Plumas High School teacher. This project, hopefully, will be viewed by local schools and others on certain occasions. The History of our brave men and women should be known by all. Wal-Mart and the Oroville Exchange Club have contributed to this project. Many Thanks. The Oroville Veterans Memorial Park Committee will be at the up coming Berry Creek Festival. It is always the 2nd Saturday of August. It is at the Berry Creek Grange Hall, August 12th. OVMPC member and Berry Creek Grange, Ted Grainger, has been involved with this for years, Lynn and I always enjoy the Festival.