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January 18, 2008

Oroville Mercury Register
September 8, 1943


Capt. Lofgren Dies In War Over Europe
Parents Notified While Expecting Son On Furlough
Death today had closed the heroic career of a Richvale airplane pilot, Capt. Maurice A. Lofgren, 28, three times decorated for his exploits during the North African campaign. While they were awaiting word saying he was en route home on a leave after long hours in combat, his parents, Dr. and Mrs. A. J. Lofgren of Chico and Richvale, received a telegram from the war department informing them that their son died over the European war theatre.

His death occurred, August 30, the war department said, but there were no other details. A few weeks ago Capt. Lofgren wrote to his parents saying he hoped to be home for pheasant hunting this season. Going to England en route here on his leave, Capt. Lofgren was detained to fly a plane for a general.

He was a top airman. He piloted Eddie Rickenbacker on one of his hops and was one of the pilots interviewed by a group of senators touring the war area recently. The flier had been decorated with the air medal, an oak leaf cluster and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a graduate of Chico State College and the Los Angeles School for Chiropractors. Prior to entering the service, he was associated with his father in Chico. He married Elinore Longanecker of Biggs, August 10, 1942. Mrs. Lofgren is engaged in secretarial work in the bay area. Capt. Lofgren is survived by his parents and three brothers, Floyd and Jerome of Chico, and Sidney of the U. S. army, now stationed in Alaska, and by a sister, Mrs. Annette Kurth of Berkeley.

Airdrome Needs Taxi Service Letter states
Herbert C. Brown of Brownies Taxi, was exhibiting today a letter “to whom it may concern” and signed by Maj. Peter H. Wrote, executive officer at the Oroville Airdrome, which expressed the need for taxi service. “Due to the lack of a commercial bus for transportation to Oroville from this airdrome,” the letter reads, “it is most convenient for both officers and enlisted men to have taxi service at their disposal at any time for the personnel to return to duty.” Brown said he had given the original of the letter to the examiner for the Office of Defense Transportation, who said it might help Brown to get additional gasoline for his taxi. Brown announced Monday that he would not be able to operate during the balance of September because he could not get a definite decision on his appeal for gas. Brown said he did not blame the local ration board for his inability to get gas but said the delay is due to the Sacramento, office of ODT Brown’s car is bearing a humorous card on the windshield with the wording “Brownie’s Dog House.” He has informed doctors in Oroville that he has enough gas to answer their emergency calls.

Soldier Goes Far For Short Visit
On a nine-day furlough, Pvt. Stanley Foss, with an airborne armored division at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, was able to spend only a day and a half of it with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Foss of Robinson Street, Oroville. The rest of the time was consumed traveling to and from camp. He arrived in Oroville by bus at 2 a.m. Saturday and left at 1 p.m. Sunday to report for duty.

Paradise Resident Wounded In Action
Mrs. Laura Dwyer of Paradise has received notice from the war department that her son, Corp. Harold V. Corr of Oakland has been injured seriously in the North African war theatre. The injury occurred August 9. Corr, who has been in the service three years, left for overseas from Melbeth, Nev. He was stationed at Camp Ord, Oct. 10, 1942.

Pfc. James Costello Here On Furlough
Pfc. James Costello, former Oroville postal clerk, arrived here last Thursday from Kingman, Arizona, where he is a mechanic in the Army Air Corps. Costello’s wife is on vacation from the Department of Agriculture and the couple are receiving visits from friends and relatives at their home on Robinson Street.

Wm. Blower Family Visits In Oroville
Mr. and Mrs. William Blower and family of Richmond spent yesterday in Oroville visiting with Lawrence Brady and renewing old acquaintances. The Blowers are former residents of this district. Other members of the family visiting here were Adelle Blower and Howard and Carlton Blower. The latter two are officers in the U. S. navy.

USWV Auxiliary Plans First Term Meeting
Resuming sessions after a recess during July and August, Auxiliary No. 95, USWV, will meet Thursday at 8 p.m. in Memorial Hall. Mrs. Emma C. Molloy, president urges all members to be present.

Stu’s Notes: Update on the Mill’s boys I recently wrote about. A granddaughter, Jennifer, called and thanked me for their story I found in a old Mercury. Her call made my day. Seems it was probably brother Johnny that I lived next to long ago. And that her Grandfather Joe is still alive and well. The Mill’s brothers served their country very well. So many soldiers died from the Oroville and Butte County area, but I find very few stories of those that were wounded. It is sad that those young men training at our Oroville Airdrome had such a hard time to get around our wonderful place here. They were going off to war and should have had transportation to where the girls were! Could USWV be United States Women Veterans? This is the first time I’ve heard of the USWV.