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Show "THE April, 1945 CENTERVILLE Service News and Notes southern France, Gene has llown missions into industrial Germany and blasted vital targets in Vienna, Munich and From the Mail Bag From somewhere in New Guinea comes the following word from Pvt. Leon Reeves, under date of March 13: I have wanted to write before, but our free time is very limited. I would like to express my appreciation to you, for the publication of the Newsette. To read of the happenings there at home makes us feel we arent quite so far away. You are doing a great work through this publication, and I know it is greatly appreciated by us all. I look forward to receiving each issue, and I read them through two or three times to make sure I havent overlooked a thing. It is a grand little paper, so keep the press rolling. I know that I am late but I would like to send my thanks and appreciation to the many of you who sent me Christmas Cards and Seasons Greetings. I want to thank each and every one of you, and I assure you they were greatly ap- preciated. where I have been. For some time I was in England and got to see Jack Pettit. We had quite a time together, but the army hurried me on and at present Im in France. From what I hear theres a number of Centerville boys here Leslie Beer, Osro Smith, and others. Maybe we will run into each other sometime, I hope so anyway. Keep those papers rolling. My best regards to you all at home, hoping to be with you soon. Release from 15th AAF in Italy Lt. Gene G. Halvorsen has been awarded the Air Medal at a 4 Liberator base here. Lt. Halvorsen, 15th Air Force B-2- navigator, recently arrived in Italy and began flying combat missions immediately. Member of a veteran group that figured in the great Ploesti attacks and the invasion of Page Three NEWSETTE d heavily-defende- CENTERVILLE BROTHERS Marv Hess and some of Roys other friends. Had dinner on the ship and we talked over old times. p condition. He has Roys in a swell tan, plenty of friends, good chow, high morale and all that could be expected. He showed me tip-to- MEET IN PACIFIC On an unnamed island southwest Pacific two sons and Mrs. Spencer Hatch had an unexpected but happy meeting. Lt. (j.g.) Spencer F. Hatch, pilot of a Hellcat fighter plane, having aided in the sinking of two Japanese destroyers in Manila Bay and flying fighter cover for the invasion of Luzon, was granted a brief rest on one of the islands. While there, the large troop transport on which his brother, Pfc. Roy F. Hatch, is acting as captains orderly, reached the island. Relative to the meeting, Lt. Hatch writes, Guess what? Roy and I just got together today visit. Boy, for a four or it was really great seeing him. I got on board his ship and met five-ho- ur all over his ship and it really is a honey. Hes surely got the racket, just rides back and forth to the Turn to page four r. I am still on New Guinea, but, am afraid, not for long. The most thrilling experience I have had since arriving overseas was meeting Wesley Tingey. When Wes tapped me on the shoulder I was so surprised you could have knocked me down with a feather. It was like meeting a brother. He is still the same old Wes. Then a few nights later I was again surprised when Melvin Hancock came to see me. We walked down to see Wes, and between the three of us we really had a sewing circle. Yes, I believe we talked about each of you. Wesley and Melvin have both been moved up, so again I feel alone. Of the fifteen months I have spent in the army, Wes and Mel were the first two fellows I have met from good old Centerville. What a place to meet old friends, New Guinea. Man, it is as hot and dusty here as it was in Camp Bark-eleTexas. I suppose a few of you remember my profound cussing of Texas, but I am afraid it is a little worse about New Guinea. Though the days, weeks, and months are long, and for the most part lonely, we know that one of these days God will see fit to end this terrible war. Thumbs up, and all the luck you need, when you need it. I am in hopes of seeing you all in good old Centerville I y, soon. yy From Lawrence Barber in France: Im sitting here tonight at a tele- type switchboard doing the job Uncle Sam taught me while I was in the States. Its just been a little over six months since I last saw but my good old Centerville, thoughts have been there day and night. Also with you people who provide us away from home with the Newsette its truly a wonderful paper. I have kept every copy since coming in the service, and you cant imagine the feeling I get each time I look back through them and see all the old familiar faces and read of things we knew about. You may like to hear a little about what Ive been doing here and Our own Sgt. Douglas Roberts is carrying on with church activities, even though he is half way around the world from home. He and a group of companions are shown in front of the tiny church they attend at Karachi, India. They are, besides Doug, left to right: Cpl. Carl Burning-ham- , Bountiful; Sgt. Dean Clark, Provo; Pvt. James Logson, Lehi; and Sgt. Clay Reed, Mesa, Arizona. |
