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December 25, 2009

Oroville Mercury Register December 15, 1944
“Some Gave All”
Morningstar Dies In Crash
Aviation Cadet Everett Leo Morningstar, 23, formerly of Oroville was one of two pilots killed Wednesday in a crash of two training planes at Minter Field. Cadet Morningstar was the son of Mrs. Gertrude Morningstar of Oakland, formerly of Oroville, and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. P. B. Swinney of Bridge Street. He had been in the army about five years. Until entering the service he lived with his parents in the Wyandotte district. He is also survived by his wife and son Joseph of Salinas, and two sisters, Mrs. Edger Morris of Biggs and Mrs. Jacqueline Brown of Oakland..

Looking Back on Oroville’s Heroes, July 28, 2003
May 12, 1955
Gold Star Mothers To Have Potluck
At a recent meeting of Gold Star Mothers in Memorial Hall, Mrs. Bertha King, president, expressed appreciation to members and friends who helped to make the benefit ham dinner a success. Mrs. Cecil Tieck has invited the group of mothers and fathers to her home for a potluck dinner May 18. Refreshment hostesses were Mrs. King and Mrs. Gertrude Morningstar. Does anyone know about Gertrude Morningstar’s son or daughter? Was the street in Rancho Golden named after him or her? We know that Gold Star Mothers lost a son or daughter in the war.

Oroville Mercury Register headlines December 18, 1944 (65 years ago)
“German Drive Sets Front Aflame” Massive Battles As Yanks Face Big Test, Situation “Confused” In Center; Americans Driven Back two Miles.

Oroville Mercury Register headlines December 20, 1944 “German Offensive Dented “ Three Great Battles Rage On North Flank” Tide seems To Be Turning, Say U. P. Men At Front:; Location of Nazi Breach Still Secret.

Oroville Mercury Register December 20, 1944
Story Of First 36 Hours Finally Told Americans
Paris- (U.P.)-
Supreme Allied headquarters revealed today that in the first 48 hours of the Nazi counteroffensive- up to Monday noon- the Germans punched out gains of 18 to 20 miles, penetrating to within 22 miles of the great Allied base of Liege and cut off several large American groups on the 70 – mile Belgium – Luxembourg front. Supreme Allied headquarters for the first time lifted its security news blackout to tell, in part, the story of the first 36 hours of the German do-or-die counteroffensive.

Oroville Mercury Register, December 23, 1944 Headlines Allied War Planes Strike At Nazis ‘Perfect Weather’ allows Fleets To Attack; Dog Fights Numerous, With the U. S. Forces,
Western Front-UP)- Four flights of C47 transport planes dropped supplies to American troops in the Bastogne area of Belgium today. Five or six of the big planes were shot down by antiaircraft gunners as they flew in low to drop the supplies. Paris -(U.P.)- Clouds of Allied fighter-bombers, bombers, and fighters swarmed into the battle of Belgium today in perfect weather battering Nazi panzer forces from the Ourthe to the Rhine, and American armored forces scored an important defensive victory in a great tank battle nine miles west of St. Vith It was the moment that the Allied command had been waiting for-the first break in the weather since the Nazi offensive was launched just a week ago-and thousands of American and British planes of every type, including a great task force of Flying Fortresses and Liberators, joined the battle.

Stu’s Notes: The Battle of the Bulge, a term used after the fighting in the Great German Offensive, Dec. 16, 1944, 65 years ago. Thirty eight German Division attacked American forces in the lightly guarded Ardennes Forrest. The Germans crossed the Rhine River in the fog in a surprise attack and over run many American out post. The Americans fought back hard in many last stand heroic battles. At the start they were out numbered, 250,000 plus Germans vs. about 60,000 G. I.’s. The Germans had to have the town of Bastogne as all roads came through there. But due to unbelievable bravery and the answer “NUTS” to their demand of surrender by Gen. Anthony McAuliffe, whose men fought on and held on until the skies cleared, allowing our planes to fly. It took General Patton, in a mad dash from the South, with his tanks right before Christmas Day, to put the Germans on the run. It has been said that it was the biggest land battle America ever fought, sadly we had 100,000 casualties and I think over 25,000 men died on our side. But by January 1945, America was on it’s way to the outskirts of Berlin. So if you think things are not good this Christmas think of our Fighting Men and Women then and now. Things look a lot better over here don’t they? We are warm and snug and no body’s shooting at us, for the most part.

Aviation Cadet Everett Leo Morningstar died for his country, it seems we would know more about him, a man who gave his life for us. But up to this week we only knew a last name. I just found the above news clip.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!