March 8, 2013

Oroville Mercury-Register
June 20, 1942
Biggs Youths Listed Among U. S. Missing
Leslie Hammer, Paul Armstrong Not Accounted For
Two Biggs youths, Leslie Hammer and Paul Armstrong are reported “missing in action with U. S. armed forces in the Pacific, according to official notice received by their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Kuhlma have not received word from their son, Quentin Kuhlma, believed to be at a point of safety in the Pacific following active duty on the war front.

Oroville Mercury Register
June 19, 1942
(caption of picture) Piping All Hands
The shrill whistle of a bo’s’n’s pipe sounds on the seven seas these days as America’s gallant Navy patrols the deep. Pictured here is an unusual character study of a United States Coast Guard boatswain’s mate with pipe. Oroville Mercury Register

December 24, 1943
In The Fight
Corp. Stubbs Is Radio Man With ‘Railsplitters’
Corp. L. J. Stubbs returned to his Camp Claiborne, La., army station after a furlough visit with his wife and small daughter at Sacramento and with his parents, Luther Stubbs and Mrs. Frances Stubbs of Oroville. Serving with the old “Kentucky Railsplitter” outfit, he went to Louisiana for maneuvers after being based at Camp Howze, Tex., for nine months. He is training in reconnaissance and is a radio man, second class. Winter in Texas is nothing like winter at home, Corp. Stubbs said Moving across the continent he has told his relatives there is “no state like California for me.” Stubbs attended the Oroville elementary schools and was a 1938 Oroville Union high school graduate. During his recent Oroville visit, Corp. Stubbs helped his grandmother, Mrs. Sarah C. Stubbs of Montgomery street, observe her 94th birthday anniversary.

Lt. Lineker Wins Wings At Army Flying School
Elbert W. Lineker of Chico, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Lineker of Oroville, has successfully completed the Army Air Force advanced flying school training at Williams Field, Chandler, Arizona, and has been commissioned second lieutenant. The pilot is a former student of Oroville High School.

Drobish Selected As Outstanding Air Cadet
Cadet Harry Boardman Drobish, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Drobish of Bangor, was awarded a medal as the outstanding cadet of his class of 400 men at graduation from primary training at Cal-Aero school near Ontario recently. The selection was made on flying record and attitude on the flight line ground school grades and record of conduct and demerits. Drobish is now undergoing basic training at the same school. He received a private pilot license while attending school at the University of California at Davis in 1942. He enlisted last March while a student at the College of Agriculture of the University of California, where he was a junior.

Stu’s Notes:
I want to thank the Eagles big time for Flying the Blue Star Flag that represents we have men and women over seas. Although many have come home to Oroville over the years, some from this area are always coming and going “Over There”. On a windy day it is quite a site to see flying on their tall flag pole, so when you are downtown look up. The OVMPC and I bought 12 of these flags. Benny Brown Ford had one which was stolen; one of our clubs was stolen at the Veterans hall, as were two of mine. Pretty sad, isn’t it, that a person would stoop so low as to take something with such meaning.

We will start next week planning our Memorial Day Ceremony. A big thanks to Oroville Veterans Memorial Park Committee Member Sherry Morehouse, for getting it going.

I haven't written of Leslie Hammer; he never made it home. As for Quentin Kuhlma, we have nothing on our website about him. We do not know the fate of Paul Armstrong.

Abraham Lincoln was a Railsplitter. I would like to know the history of the “Kentucky Rail-splitter’s”.

Oct. 4, 2002 I wrote about an Allison Lineker, 18 with parents Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Lineker of Palermo. Allison was stationed at San Diego along with Gene Ludwig. Gene is a supporter of our Memorial. I will probably see him at the upcoming DBA Corn Beef and Cabbage luncheon. Maybe he can tell me more about the Lineker’s. Gene and Allison went into the Navy Jan. 1945.

I wrote of Cadet Harry B. Drobish, April 28, 2006. You can read it on our website thanks to Daryl Autrey, our Webmaster. www.orovilleveteransmemorilapark.org

Remember the St. Patrick’s Luncheon to benefit our Oroville Veterans Memorial Park, Wednesday, March 13th from 11am to 1:30pm at the FRSA center 1335 Myers St. Downtown Oroville, Corned beef and cabbage lunch with drink and dessert; $8 per person. You may purchase lunch tickets in advance at: Betty Jean’s 1920 Bird St. or Coffee Diem 1382 Myers St. “To Go” orders are available. Sponsored by Oroville Downtown Business Association, for more information please contact John Casner at 533-2721. Also, The Men’s Auxiliary of the 1747 VFW is cooking a St. Patrick’s Day Dinner, Sunday, March 17th at 1:00Pm at the VFW Canteen 1901 Elgin Street, all you can eat and Raffle. Proceeds from dinner to benefit the Men’s Auxiliary VFW 1747.