Oroville Mercury December 4, 1951
News From Oroville Men In The Service
Bert Grant, yeoman seaman apprentice in Uncle Sam’s Navy, has been
ordered to Kodiak, Alaska, for assignment. He is the son of Mrs.
Clara Grant, Fourth Avenue and a 1949 graduate of Oroville Union
High School. He received recruit training at San Diego Naval Training
Station and attended yeoman’s school there. He visited Oroville
on leave while en route from San Diego to Alaska.
Undergoing recruit training at the U. S. Naval Training Center,
San Diego, are three men from the Oroville area. All airmen recruits,
USN, they are Malcolm K. Gibson Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm
Gibson, of Palermo, Robert A. Parker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Don C.
Parker of Palermo, and Charles E. Rogers, son on Mr. and Mrs. Clarence
R. Rogers of Route 1. Upon completion of their 11-week training
period at the training center, graduates are assigned to duty stations
with the fleet or at Navy shore stations, or are sent to service
schools for advanced technical training.
Sgt. Raymond W. Fields, whose wife lives on Route 3, Oroville is
serving as mess steward of Company E of the 1st Cavalry
Division’s 7th Regiment in Korea. The Californian, who
was a cook in civilian life, has been in Korea for the past six
months. He served for the first two months as a rifleman but because
of his prior experience, was transferred to the kitchen. Fields
has been keeping the men of his company well fed and happy despite
the fact that his kitchen is often under enemy artillery, mortar
and small arms fire. “Good meals are a good morale booster,” Fields
claims, “and these guys deserve nothing but the best.”
Ralph W. Vangundy, damage control man, second class, USN, of Bridge
Street Oroville, is part of the regular Navy complement attached
to the Officers’ “Combat Information Center” School, located at
the U. S. Naval Air Station, Glenview, Ill. The mission of the school
is the training of men to control aircraft through the use of radar.
This entails the directing of the Navy’s latest gasoline and jet-propelled
aircraft, which are operated around the clock in all types of weather.
Radar is called upon to play an ever-increasing role in modern war
fare as the range and speed of aircraft are increased.
Sgt. John E. Crook Jr., son of the Rev. Mr. John Crook and Mrs.
Crook of Palermo is back from Korea and will be here Thursday for
a 30 day leave, he informed his parents by phone this morning. Crook
arrived in Camp Stoneman yesterday after serving as an infantry
platoon sergeant and machine-gunner for 21 months in Korea.
Oroville Worker Killed On Guam
Floyd A. Byers, son of Mr. and Mrs. August J. Byers, proprietors
of the Rock House on the Feather River highway, has been killed
on Guam, according to word received here. Mr. Byers reportedly was
killed Nov. 17 when he fell from scaffolding while working on a
construction job for the Navy. He was a civilian employee of the
Navy. The body will be shipped to Oroville for burial.
Stu’s Notes: Next event will be Memorial Day Ceremony at the
Oroville Memorial Park Cemetery on Lincoln Street. Starting at 11AM
on May 25, 2009. Followed by a ceremony on the Old Green Bridge
at 1pm the Nelson Avenue (Thermalito School, my alma mater) Band
with Director Bob Christenson as their leader. The Thermalito Band
played at this event in the 1940’s and 50’s, let’s hope they play
on our bridge long into the future. Last year there were 7 students
and this year 10 or more will be there to play. They did a good
job last year and I really look forward to hearing them this year.
I also thank Greg Kemp, Thermalito School superintendent and the
school board for allowing this to happen. After the Ceremony there
will be a Barbeque lunch at the Veterans Memorial Hall on Montgomery
St.. The cost will be $7 for Adults and $2 for children under 12.,
offered by the American Legion Post 95. Vene Thompson, Chairman
of this event Call Joan Lee 589-1058 for more information. The Dance
and Spaghetti Dinner went well. Jim Halsey and his Band did their
usual command performance up on the stage. Thanks to all of you
who came and enjoyed this event. I would like to thank Feather Falls
Casino for the door prize, my ticket that Jack Brereton sold me
won.