Oroville Mercury
September 8, 1952
A Paradise, helicopter pilot serving in Korea recently helped
rescue more than two hundred UN artillerymen marooned by flood waters.
Maj. Charles A. Johnson, was one of five U. S. Army pilots who made
more than 200 trips to evacuate U. S. and Korean Service Corps personnel
who were surrounded by eight feet of water. Only one man at a time
could be moved by the small helicopters to a high position about
a mile away. The ground force was stranded when a Korean river rose
from less that four feet to 27-8 feet in late July at the height
of the rainy season.
Oroville Mercury
June 12, 1942
USO Will Benefit Soldiers In Oroville
In conference with state officials of the USO in Oroville Wednesday
Earl Ward, chairman of the USO campaign committee, secured an agreement
by which 15 per cent of the funds collected in the present drive
will be retained for work with soldiers in this community. These
funds locally can be used for giving supplies to men on troop trains
or for local events planned for the men stationed in this district.
Jeff Hall, director of the campaign for northern California, expressed
great satisfaction at the success of the Oroville organization and
has asked that Oroville form a permanent committee to be known as
the USO citizens’ committee to administer the fund and provide for
local needs. The chairmen named by the various service and fraternal
organizations in the present campaign will doubtless form the nucleus
of this committee. “I sincerely trust that our people will see the
need for this important work and will make a bit of a sacrifice
in order that we may furnish our fighting men, who are sacrificing
so much, with places where they can get wholesome recreation,” Ward
said, ”The USO provides reading rooms, places to ,meet civilians
like you and me to time over a lonesome hour.”Valley Briefs Marriages
Boom Chico- The marriage license business is booming here since
the Chico Army Flying School was opened, with ten army men applying
or receiving licenses since May 6.
Many in service Chico- Scores of Chico State College graduating
seniors were in the service and unable to be present when graduation
services were held in Chico State College Thursday.
Susanville Flier Reported Missing
Fletcher Hancock, 21, a member of the RAF eagle squadron of
American volunteer fliers, today was reported missing in action
June 5, according to a telegram received by his parents, Mr. and
Mrs. H. Hancock of Susanville. The telegram was received from London.
Hancock had been flying from an English base.
Soldier Pay Bill Goes To White House
The Senate completes legislation: $50 to be base salary.
Washington –(UP)- The senate Thursday completed action on legislation
to raise that base pay of buck privates and apprentice seamen to
$50 a month. The bill will make American fighting men the highest
paid in the world, effective as of June 1. The bill sponsored by
Sen. Edwin C. Johnson (D., Colo.) received final approval after
a lengthy conference between members of the house and senate to
adjust conflicting versions of the pay scales. It now goes to the
White House for President t Roosevelt’s signature.
An ad:
DANCE SATURDAY, JUNE 13TH 9P.M. TO 2A.M.
At the New El Medio community Club Hall West end of Elgin St.
(West of Thode’s Store)
Good Music Admission: 50c till 9:30 – 75c after 9:30 Ladies Free,
Service men admitted to dance and supper free. Phone 885.
Stu’s Notes: Oroville has a long history of supporting it’s Veterans.
Hopefully more will come forward to finish a memorial to them that
they rightfully deserve. Some people when I say we need money say,
well Stu I thought you had enough. No we don’t. How about those
Fly-Boys who came to our towns and took our girls away? I always
want the rest of the Story. I wonder if young Fletcher Hancock made
it home. Military pay? Did Roosevelt sign the Bill? A call to Oroville
Veterans Memorial Park Committee Member and formerly Apprentice
Seaman Bob Morehouse, yes Bob went in the Navy about 1944 at $50
a month and fought in the Pacific, thank you Bob. He could have
very well have died in the Invasion that didn’t happen. Seamen were
paid by the storekeeper on board ship in cash. Money orders could
be sent home. Poker and dice games were to be found on board.
Remember Memorial Day, May 25th.