October 5, 2007
Oroville Mercury Register
November 1, 1945
SERVICE CORNER…
Roy McBride Is Missing
Roy J. McBride, MoMM 2/c, well known in Bangor, has been reported
missing in action. He was aboard the submarine, USS Bonefish, which
failed to return as scheduled from an offensive war patrol it was
conducting in restricted waters patrolled by enemy air and surface
forces. This vessel continually distinguished itself after its first
appearance in enemy waters, by its successful and relentless attacks
against the enemy. Mr. McBride’s mother is Mrs. Marie McBride, of
Sacramento and his grandmother is Mrs. J. C. Etherton, Bangor.
Clyde Fry Receives Discharge From Navy
Clyde J. Fry, son of Mrs. Anna Fry, Pine Street, received his discharge
from the United States Navy Oct. 12, after 2 ½ years service. Fry,
who was a MoMM 3/c, was awarded three service ribbons and one bronze
star, for participation in a major battle in France. Prior to his
discharge he was stationed for four months at Lake City, Fla., and
was discharged from the separation center, the Naval Air Station
at Jacksonville. Fry is working for the Western Pacific Railroad
here in Oroville.
Edward Evans Wears The Air Medal
Staff Sergeant Edward W. Evans of 3rd Avenue in Oroville,
left the Oahu army personnel center recently, for return to the
mainland and discharge. A former member of the 7th Air
Force, Sgt. Evans wears the Air Medal which was awarded for the
aerial offensive against Japan. He has also been in air action over
the Eastern Mandated islands and the Western Pacific. Prior to his
entry into the service, he was a dental technician. A graduate of
Sacramento Junior College, Sgt. Evans resides with his wife Zada,
at 3rd Ave. in Oroville.
Troxel Back on S. P. Job After 18 Months Service
Vernon Troxel, who recently returned to his civilian job as fireman
on the Southern Pacific Railroad out of Stockton. Troxel’s wife
is the former Alma Gilbert of Amador County. The couple has a daughter
nine months old. The ex-serviceman is the son of Mrs. Taylor Brinkerhoff
of Oroville. He was in the army for a year and a half and just prior
to his discharge was stationed at Cheyenne, Wyo. He was awarded
the Sharpshooter’s Medal. Troxel is a graduate of Oroville High
school, class of ’36.
Jack Reppert Gets His Discharge
T/5 Jack Reppert, son of Mrs. Jessie Reppert and the late B. F.
Reppert, Thermalito, was honorably discharged from the United States
Army Sept 23 at Camp Beale. Before he entered the service in June,
1942, he lived in San Francisco where he taught in jr.high school.
Reppert served his country for three and one half years, three of
which were spent overseas. He was a member of the famed 3rd
infantry division in Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Austria and
Germany. A corporal at the time of his discharge, Jack won nine
battle stars, the bronze star, a presidential citation, good conduct
medal, European, African and Middle Eastern campaign and the Croix
de Guerre with palm. The latter was presented to him for assisting
the 1st French Army in the capture of Comar Pocket, making
the crossing of the Rhine possible at that point.
Stu’s Notes: Roy went down with his Submarine and all “Hands”
were lost, June 18, 1945. Oroville’s own James MacDonald helped
me on information about Roy. James is an Oroville High School Graduate
and is a retired Submariner. I wrote about Roy January 3, 2003.
Roy died 2 months before the war ended. What the brave men of that
Submarine did was beyond the call of duty by giving their lives,
I’m sure they saved the lives of many Americans.
We hope to see you at “The Art of Food and Wine, A Southeast
Asian Odyssey” presented by the Feather Falls Casino a Benefit for
The Oroville Veterans Memorial Park. It will be on October 17 from
6:30 to 9PM. For tickets call Debra Lucero & Associates at 530-228-2860
or the Feather Falls Casino Box Office at 530-533-3885, ext510.
As I watch THE WAR on T.V. I think, I’m watching my heroes.
They came from Oroville, Chico, Gridley, Biggs-East Biggs, Paradise,
Richvale, Dayton, Nord, Palermo, Yankee Hill, Berry Creek, Pentz,
Forest Ranch, Inskip, Wyandotte, Cohasset, Butte Meadows, Cherokee,
DeSabia, Sterling City, Magalia, Bangor, Honcut, Thermalito, South
Oroville and Chapman Town. One Chico Airbase flyer is lost in our
Pacific Ocean off San Francisco. They died on almost every battle
area of so many wars, all over the world. Many so far away. They
all died serving their country, many in combat, others in accidents,
but they died for us, either way. They died all around Chico, so
many so Forgotten, so long ago and then some not so long ago. One
man fell from the sky and died on a street in Thermalito, just 11
years ago and was basically forgotten. Three crashed and died near
Richardson springs. 2 died on Sugar Loaf Mt. in Thermalito. Why
weren’t their names cast in stone long ago? I truly don’t know Oroville
is the county seat, and this is the place to honor them all. But
we need HELP from all the above named towns. We have many names
from these towns, but I know there are many more. As I think of
these men I truly think, why are we squabbling over getting the
money to to honor these great heroes of Butte County? Let’s just
get the money and do it!