December 4, 2015

Red McCutcheon Lands Merchant Marine Berth
A quest begun the day after Pearl Harbor, has finally ended in success for “Red” McCutcheon. Red, whose real name in Laverne Herbert McCutcheon, is now in the service of his country in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Turned down by every other branch of the service because of an ear ailment, Red was pretty happy when he was finally accepted by the merchant marine. According to a letter from his mother, Mrs. W.A. McCutcheon of Vallejo, formerly of Oroville, Red has a special reason for wanting to “even the score” with the Japanese. His younger brother, Harrell (Cotton) McCutcheon was killed in action Dec. 7, 1941. Red will be 23 years of age on the eighteenth of August. When he was 11, he had an accident that almost resulted in the loss of one of his arms. Mrs. McCutcheon tells how thankful she is that her son did not lose his arm so that today he can fight to help avenge his brother’s death and that of all the other boys who have sacrificed their lives for freedom. “I am praying that he will return,” she concludes her letter.

Lt. Van Dyke Wins Medal
Lt. William L. Van Dyke of Oroville and member of the U.S. 10th Air Force has been awarded the air medal for operational and combat missions in the Far East, the War Department has announced. Action for which the recognition was made is listed as having taken place in India, Burma and China. Another Butte county man to receive the medal is Lt. Warren D. Rose of Chico.

Pvt. Edward Fain Line Soldier Now Pvt.
Edward Fain, of Rt. 3, Oroville, has completed thirteen weeks of strenuous basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and is now ready to be classed as a “line soldier” of the Armored Force. The 1st Armored Group, which is comparatively new as an Armored Force Unit, is designed to play an important part in the phases of the war, in which coordination between Infantry and Tanks is so necessary, according to the Armored Force public relations section at Fort Knox.

Seaman Shirley Aileen Green, Waves, who visited her home in Oroville last week, following her graduation as store keeper 3/c from the U.S. naval training station for storekeepers at Indiana University August 20. Mrs. Green, wife of Pfc. Edward Green, who is serving with the Marines in Hawaii, was one of fourteen in the graduating class of WAVES and Marines to receive special commendation from Capt. W. E. A. Mullen, USN, commanding officer, for leadership and qualities demonstrated during the training period. She is the daughter of Mrs. Nick Kallas of Montgomery Street. Mrs. Green was to report Monday for new assignment.

Given to me by Stan Rinehart, from 7 December 1941
The Air Force Story, Published by The Pacific Air Forces Office of History; Chapter VII After the Attack To You Our Fallen (at Pearl Harbor)
The barracks now are silent where once your laughter rang, The steel guitar is broken where around your bunks we sang. As the stars give way to morning in Oahu’s cloud-swept sky Old Glory’s proudly waving there seeped in heroes’ crimson dye. Can you hear us there in heaven as the dawn patrol takes flight? On silvery wings your memory soars in holy freedom’s fight. The Kona wind blows softly now, the palm trees whisper low, but all America will remember whence came this dastard’s blow. Let the Nipponese remember this, as they cringe beneath the sky, at Hickam’s flaming vengeance for you, the first to die!
By, Sgt. W. Joe Brimm, Hickam Field.

Stu’s Notes:
The above story about Red McCutcheon lists his brother Harrell (Cotton) McCutcheon killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor, he is Officially listed as the first to die that December 7, 1941. I’ve written quite a bit about him that you can read on our website. There is a big granite statue of him at the Gridley – Biggs Cemetery. The Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony at the old site started at 8:55. I’ve been told it now starts at 9:30 at the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery, but come early. The only two Pearl Harbor military survivors from this area that I know of are Vere Gardner and Art Wells. Just think about the start of WWII, in the Pacific, for America and the 400,000 lives lost from America.