June 25, 2010

The Chico Enterprise
May 1, 1944
Capt. Stanley Foster Killed In Bomber Crash Friday
Captain Stanley Foster, 22, of Paradise, husband of Frances Gloria Foster, was killed when a four engined B-24 bomber from Kirtland Field, Albuquerque, N. M., crashed Friday night in the hills nine miles west of Merna, Neb., the field public relations office announced, according to the Associated Press. Capt. Foster was born May 18, 1921, in Kuman, Calif., where he attended grammar school, before moving to Orland. He was president of the Orland high school student body, graduating in 1937. The same fall he attended Fresno State College, and was in his third year of the engineering corps when he entered the service. At first he was in the 185^th infantry. He advanced from a private to a sergeant in six months. Christmas Eve, 1941, he was transferred to the Air Corps and was commissioned a first lieutenant in June 1942. Christmas Eve, 1942 he piloted his first bomber in combat, when he participated in the raid on Wake Island. Soon after, he was transferred to the South Pacific, where he took part in over 60 combat missions. He was awarded the air medal, three oak leaf clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross with four oak leaf clusters. He came home last November and was married in Fresno to the former Gloria Golden, from Wenatche, Washington. He was an instructor at Albuquerque, N. M., in the B-24 group. Surviving besides his wife, are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert C. W. Foster, Paradise; his sisters, Mrs. Gilbert Holmes, Clovis; Mrs. Milton Munger, Mrs. Ross Wood and Mrs. Mary Jobe all of Berkeley; his brothers Sgt. Gordon P. Foster, Pacific area and Glen Foster, Paradise. Sgt and Mrs. Harry Harder are driving Mrs. Foster from New Mexico to Paradise, where the military funeral is to be held. Nugents in Chico are in charge of funeral arrangements.

The Chico Enterprise
May 14, 1945
S/Sgt. Foster of Paradise Killed On Okinawa
Paradise, May 14- Staff Sergeant Gordon P. Foster, who would have been 22 years old tomorrow, was killed on Okinawa April 21, the War Department today notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert G. W. Foster of Paradise. This is the second son the Fosters have lost in this war. Sgt. Foster was born in Kerman, Fresno county and graduated from Orland High school. He entered the service with Company G National Guard, 184^th Infantry in 1941. His brother, Captain Stanley Foster was killed one year ago in a bomber crash near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Another Brother Glenn, is a student at Chico High School. He is also survived by four sisters, Mrs. Gilbert Holmes of Clovis, Mrs. Milton Munger of Berkeley, Mrs. Ross Wood of Oregon, and Mrs. Marry Jobe of Berkeley.

Oroville Mercury Register
May 8, 1951
News From Oroville Men In The Service
Richard N. LaRose, fireman, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace L. LaRose of Elgin Street, Oroville is serving aboard the net tender USS Elder operating in the Far East. A horn-bowed ship, the Elder can lay and maintain anti-submarine nets for protection of harbors and fleet anchorages. Before entering the Navy June 15, 1949, he was graduated from Oroville Union High School.

Jesse F. Watson, Jr., seaman, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse F. Watson of Route 1, Paradise, is serving aboard the Navy’s attack cargo ship USS Virgo, attached to Service Squadron 3, which is supplying United Nations warships in the Far East.

Stu’s Notes: When I read the accomplishments of Young Captain Stanley Foster by the age of 22 years old I think that man did more in those few years than many do in a lifetime. It is extremely sad that his parents had to suffer the loss of another son a year later while fighting in the last big Battle of WWII. Had he been the only son left he probably could have come home when his brother died, but then again he may have wanted to finish the fight.

Two young heroes of Kerman, in Fresno County, Orland, Paradise, America and the World were lost. We must be thankful for having men like them, as my old friend Nick would say, “We Saved The World” and they did.

Today, 60 years ago the North Koreans fired across the border, June 25, 1950 before sunrise. After WWII the Japanese lost Korea and the world powers made two Korea’s North and South, divided by the 38^th Parallel. In the North Communist and the South a Republic. Then the North Koreans swarmed across the border, and the Korean War began. What did it mean to Oroville and Butte County, a lot, soon our men were over there many never to return alive.