COLUMN: ‘News from Our Boys in the Armed Forces’ – February 24, 1944

SGT Berry O’Neal, U.S. Army will arrive in Andalusia Sunday to spend a 21-day furlough with his family. SGT. O’Neal has been in the hospital at Thomasville, Ga. since his return from the battle area in Italy.

Staff Sergeant Joe Donaldson, U.S. Army spent a 15-day furlough with his wife, the former Edna Louise Brawner. He has returned to his new assignment in North Carolina.

The many friends of Miss Eloise Brown, U.S. Marine Corps, will be interested to know that she has been promoted to Lieutenant. She is stationed at the Naval Air Station, Norman, Oklahoma.

SGT Howard Thompson, U.S. Army, was a weekend guest of his mother, Mrs. Sybil Thompson of Andalusia. SGT Thompson is stationed at Camp Shelby, Mississippi.

James Cooper, a member of the Indiantown Gap, Pa. Army Air Corps post band, spent last week with his mother, Mrs. Maxie Cooper.

Cadet Claud Clark Jr. of the Tulane University training school in New Orleans, is spending 16 days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Claud Clark, Sr.

Aviation Cadet Charles E. Brawner, U.S Army Air Corps, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Eugene Brawner Jr., 312 Church St., Andalusia, has arrived at the twin-engine advanced flying school at Pampa Army Air Field, Texas. He will undergo nine weeks of training.

D.J. Daughtry, PHM2C, U.S. Navy, spent the past week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Daughtry of Rt. 2, Andalusia. He has been in the service for 13 months and is stationed at the Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, Cal. He met lots of friends while here. He looks great and we wish him the very best of health and a speedy return to good old Alabama.

Lt. George W. Hutcherson Jr., U.S. Army Air Corps, son of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Hutcherson Sr. of Rt. 1, Red Level, has been promoted to first pilot of a B-24 Liberator bomber somewhere in India. Hutcherson was inducted on April 11, 1941 and received basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. He served in the 28th Infantry Division for 18 months before being accepted for flight training. His preflight training was done at Davis-Monthan Army Air Field, Tucson, Arizona. He received advanced training at Stockton Army Air Field, California, where he earned his pilot’s wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Before entering the service, Hutcherson graduated from Red Level High School and had two years training at Troy State Teachers College. He also taught for three years in the public schools of the county.

Rex J. Hutcherson, son of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Hutcherson Sr. of Rt. 1, Red Level, has completed four months training at the U.S. Maritime Service Training Station at St. Petersburg, Florida. He is spending a few days with his family before leaving for his new assignment in New Orleans. He is a graduate of Red Level High School.

On Feb. 15, Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Harrell received notice from the War Department that their son, PFC Alford L. Harrell. U.S. Army, had been seriously wounded in action in the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. A temporary mailing address was given as Hospital Base Post Office No. 15, APO 958, San Francisco, Ca.

Author’s note: On March 3, the War Department notified PFC Harrell’s parents that their son had “died on Feb. 3 as a result of wounds received in action.” They were later notified that he had been buried at sea. In July 1959, PFC Harrell’s mother, Ida B. Harrell, of Opp, Alabama, applied for a marker for her son. It was placed at the Enon Baptist Church Cemetery in Covington County, Alabama. One of PFC Harrell’s surviving brothers, Elie Harrell, would later become sheriff of Covington County. Elie Harrell’s son, Don Harrell, would also serve as Covington County sheriff. Don died August 23 this year.

John Vick