Oroville Mercury
July 30, 1951
News From Oroville Men In The Service
Pvt. Harold Cardoza, formerly of Crescent Mills, has left
San Francisco on the USNS Gen. William Black bound for Yokahama,
Japan. Cardoza who joined the Army, Feb. 19, and trained as an infantryman
at Camp Roberts, left this country July 12. He was sent to Japan
as a replacement and will join the 40th division there.
His wife, Mrs. Lorna Cardoza lives on Quincy Road with her parents.
Cardoza is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Cardoza who live at Crescent
Mills.
Pvt. Harold Allen Lerner, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lerner of
Route 2, Oroville, California, has begun 16 weeks of training as
an infantryman at Fort Ord with Company H, 63rd Infantry
Regiment, Sixth Infantry Division. Private Lerner is a graduate
of Oroville Union High School.
Pvt. Norman D. MacKenzie, son of Mr. and Mrs. K. F. MacKenzie, Las
Plumas, upon completing basic training with Battery B at Camp Roberts,
has been selected to attend the leaders course there. This course,
started three years ago, was established as an eight weeks course
and is to train “selected, potential leaders.” Upon completing the
course Pvt. MacKenzie will receive a certificate of graduation.
He was graduated from Oroville High School in 1948.
T-Sgt Robert Ott, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Ott of Biggs, recently
arrived at Travis Air Force base from March Field and has been assigned
to the 31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. Ott was
in the Air Force Reserves and was ordered back into the service
April 16, being sent to Hamilton Field. He enlisted in the Air Corps
in 1943 and flew 35 combat missions in Italy as an aerial photographer-gunner
during World War II.
Oroville Mercury
December 27, 1950
Oroville Man Reports on First Hand Study of Conditions
in The Orient When Mike Cestone, 47, is following his life-time
work he is aboard ship traveling to far-off lands as the “sparks”
on a freighting vessel. When he is at home, he is the proprietor
of the Circle Drive-In at 671 Montgomery Street, where he makes
“the best Italian style meat balls in town.” For Cestone is a lieutenant
in the U. S. Merchant Marine and a senior radio officer, a post
he won after overcoming handicaps that might have disheartened less
talented and determined persons. It was in 1921 that Cestone first
went to sea. Through the years he participated in much of the union
rough and tumble that have marked the famous ports of the United
States—New York, New Orleans, Galveston and San Francisco. Cestone
is in Oroville now after two months in the Orient and Philippine
Islands aboard the President McKinley. While in port he learned
much of what the working men think of the present war situation
and particularly of the United States. Here are some of his observations:
Philippines. “There is a lot trouble there with a revolutionary
movement apparently growing stronger.” He said he did not know whether
the Hukbalahaps were Communist-led, but added that the people he
talked with charged the Philippine government had failed to bring
about land reforms it had promised. “The vast majority of Filipinos,”
he said, “favored the United States over any other allegiance, but
many are listening to Huk promises.”
(to be continued)
Stu’s Notes: I have written before of Norman MacKenzie, but not
much. I think he still lives around Oroville. He was a Coach at
Oroville High when I was there over 52 years ago. Mike Cestone had
quite a career, you will learn next week that he served in WWII.
I never ate at the Circle Drive-In in the 50’s as we never ate in
restaurants what with 5 kids and mom and dad, we ate always at home,
or Grandma’s, we had the best cooked food bar none- Mom’s and Grandmas
cooking. Lynn and I ate there in the 70’s. Maybe there was a different
owner by then. It was kind of neat eating in a circle you could
look around at everyone.
In just one week, Friday, September 17th,
we will have a program in honor of POW/MIA Recognition Day, on the
steps of the Veterans Memorial Hall on Montgomery Street, at 7pm.
Our guest speaker will be Bob Wolfersberger, Prisoner of War of
the Japanese 1942-1945. Please come and let Bob know that Oroville
has “Not Forgotten” these long Forgotten men.
If you have a motorcycle or know someone who does, tell them of
the Motorcycle Rally/Poker-Run, 117 mile scenic route thru the Sierra
Foothills. All proceeds benefit “Oroville Veterans
Memorial Park For all of Butte County”. The Run starts
and ends at Feather Falls Casino. There will be live music from
Bill Mangus and the Crossroads Band, with cash prizes. Pins, wrist-bands
and Tee Shirts for the 1st 200 registered.
The date is Saturday, Sept 18, 2010. Registration is from 7:00am
to 9:00am. Poker Run begins at 8:30am the awards will be between
5pm and 7pm; cost is $25 Single and $15 for Passenger. Cash prizes
will be $500 High hand, $300 Low hand. Discount rooms will be available
at The Lodge on site. For more information you can call 589-5748.