June 26, 2015

Oroville Mercury Register
February 8, 1944
Chico Men Believed In Marshall Drive
Chico - A number of Chico boys and many from other nearby towns in Northern California apparently are taking part in the attack now in progress on the Marshall Islands, according to press dispatches. It was learned that the Seventh Division, led by Major General Corlett and trained at Fort Ord are taking a prominent part in the action. Curtis D. O’Sullivan is leading an organization clearing out on the lagoon beach side of Kwajalein. Col. O’Sullivan was commanding officer of a unit composed of National Guardsmen from Northern California. A number of local officers and men formerly served with Col. O’Sullivan. (Stu-Company G Chico, more next week.)

Oroville Mercury Register
February 21, 1944
Social and Club News
Miss Irma Rae Grisley To Be Wed In March To Charles Fowler
Mrs. Ella Grisley of Bird Street has announced the engagement of her daughter, Irma Rae Grisley, to Charles Fowler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Fowler Sr., of Wilcox Avenue. The marriage is scheduled to take place in the early part of March at the Methodist Church. Miss Grisley is the daughter of the late John S. Grisley. She is a graduate of Oroville schools and from a beauty school at Sacramento. She operates a beauty shop on Robinson street. Fowler also graduated from Oroville schools. He was employed for many years at Briggs’ Variety store and later went to Richmond where he worked at the shipyards. Returning here, he became employed as truck driver for the Oroville Steam Laundry.(Stu-Defense work was very important to the War Effort.)

Oroville Mercury Register
February 21, 1944
Anti-Aircraft Unit To Be Guests At Dance
The regular Wednesday night dance at Recreation Center has been postponed to Saturday night it was announced by Walter Joslyn, director. The Saturday night dance will be for the men of the 381 Anti- Aircraft battery stationed at Oroville Airdrome and for members of the fighter and base headquarters outfits there. Music will be furnished by the high school band under the direction of Claude Wilson Jr.
(Stu-It’s hard to believe our Airport was once ringed with anti-aircraft pieces, maybe we could find one and put it on a pedestal out there.)

Oroville Mercury Register
February 21, 1944
Anglo-American-Soviet Alliance May Rule Globe For Generations
By John A. Reichmann, United press Staff Correspondent,
Washington - A source close to the British war office, rejecting alarmist attitudes toward Russia, declared today that prospects were good for a post-war Anglo-American-Soviet alliance that would pattern “life on this planet for generations to come.” His statement, believed to coincide with the opinions of many high officials in this country, foresaw a principal danger in the possibility that the western powers might draw back from such an alliance. Both in Europe and Asia, the British source said, there is emerging a new pattern of order fashioned by “new social concepts and the creation of new and tremendous centers of economic and political power.” In Europe, he said, the past dreams of expansion by two nations have been stopped-France after Waterloo and Germany after 1940. In the meantime Russia has emerged as the prime power and Berlin can no longer hope to become a capital of “enslaved Europe” unless it can achieve a military stalemate “and then divide the western democracies from their eastern partner by exploiting the “Bolshevik Bogey.”. New Stake As Nation Russia has gained a feeling of interdependence with the western powers. She cannot ignore either Europe or the Pacific. If she were to attempt to dominate Europe she would solidify European opposition against her under German leadership, and thus give Germany her only chance of resuming her role in world affairs. But Russia would have no incentive for such a policy because she has land, natural resources and manpower- all the elements of an empire within her borders. On the basis of these arguments, the British observer contended, none of the three powers has anything to fear from the others. The chief danger, he asserted would lie in the drawing back of the western powers from such an alliance.

Stu’s Notes:
How wrong Reichmann was; Russia was planning to Rule the World by it’s self. I truly believe many a young Americans are in their graves thanks to Communist Russia. Think Soviet Union and it sure didn’t include America. The new handicap ramp is coming right along at our Veterans Hall and I’ve been told when it is done the County will use the money that our Veterans Memorial Committee worked hard to acquire, will be used as a percentage match to the money we received from the Supplemental Benefit Fund, put up by the Department of Water Resources in conjunction with their new license application to run the Dam for 50 more years. The Fund is quite large and we hope to get more in the Future.