COLUMN: News of our Boys in the Armed Forces – Apr. 5, 1945

William Abner Gatlin, PFC, U.S. Army, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Gatlin, Rt. 3, Andalusia, has been reported as missing in action. He was fighting with Gen. Patton’s Army in Germany.

James M. Taylor, Midshipman, USNR, has spent a few days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Taylor of Andalusia. Midshipman Taylor has been on sea duty in the Atlantic area.

James M. Prestwood, PFC, U.S. Army, recently arrived from New York to spend a few days leave before going to his new assignment in Texas. He says he has done a lot of traveling since entering the service but always enjoys his trips back home.

William Olen Teel, PVT, U.S. Marine Corps, son of Mrs. W.G. Teel, RT. 5, Andalusia, was wounded on Iwo Jima on Mar. 16 while serving with the 5th Marine Division. He writes that he is in the hospital and being well cared for.

Eric M. Campbell, 1st Lt., U.S. Army Air Corps, son of John A. Campbell, Rt. 5. Andalusia, has arrived at the Army Air Forces Distribution Center, Miami, Fl. He has returned from the European Theater where he flew 35 missions as a B-17 Navigator. 1st Lt. Campbell attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute before joining the Army Air Corps in Feb. 1943. During the seven months of combat, he was awarded the Air Medal with Five Oak Leaf Clusters.

Ralph L. Faulkner, Capt. U.S. Army, husband of Mrs. Essie Pearl Faulkner, of Andalusia, has arrived at the Army Ground Forces Distribution Center, Miami, Fl. Capt. Faulkner has served 18 months as Personnel Officer in the Southwest Pacific Theater of operations. He has been awarded the Asiatic-Pacific campaign ribbon and the Distinguished Unit citation. Before entering the service in Jan. 1940, Faulkner was employed by Alabama Textiles Products Corp. [Alatex] of Andalusia.

Mary K. Thweatt, 2nd Lt. U.S. Army [WACS], daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William M. Thweatt, 408 South Cotton St., Andalusia, has been promoted to 1st Lt. She received her basic training at Ft. Des Moines, Io. and was stationed at Syracuse, N.Y., at the message center of the Aircraft Warning Service. From there, she attended officer candidate school at Ft. Des Moines, Io. She was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in Aug. 1943 and assigned to the publications branch of the supply division as assistant chief, at Hill Army Air Field, Utah.

Arnold R. Davis, SSGT, U.S. Army, husband of Mrs. Annie Ruth Davis of Andalusia, has arrived at the Army Ground Forces Distribution Center, Miami, Fl. SSGT Davis has served 16 months as a squad leader in the Army in the European Theater of operations. During that time, he was awarded the European campaign ribbon with three battle stars, the Combat Infantryman badge, the American defense ribbon and the Purple Heart for wounds received during combat against the enemy. Before entering the service in Feb. 1942, he was employed as a grocery clerk in Andalusia.

Harvey D. Hicks, Sgt., U.S. Army, was killed in action on Feb. 24 on Corregidor, Philippines. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.V. Hicks, Rt. 3, Andalusia, were notified by telegram by the War Department on Mar. 20. Sgt. Hicks was a paratrooper in the Army for six years, three of them in the Pacific Theater. The Hicks family have another son, Marvin P. Hicks, SGT, U.S. Army, paratrooper-infantry, who joined the service in Jul. 1944 and is now serving in the European Theater.

Marron Jerome Ward Jr., SN 1/C, U.S. Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Marron J. Ward Sr., 223 River Falls St., Andalusia, has been killed in action. The family received the following telegram, from Vice Adm. Randall Jacobs, Chief of Personnel, U.S. Navy, “The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son, Marron Jerome Ward, Seaman 1/C, USNR, was killed in action while in the service of his country. This department extends to you its sincere sympathy in your great loss.” Plans for the burial have not been announced. Seaman Ward had been overseas for 15 months, taking part in several campaigns, including Iwo Jima. In a letter to his parents, he told his parents that he had been given an opportunity to come home after Iwo Jima’s capture but allowed a sick friend to take his place.

Herschel Q. Holley, 1st Lt., U.S. Army, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Manning Holley, Andalusia, has been awarded the Bronze Star. The award reads as follows: “The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to 1st Lt. Herschel Q. Holley, 315th Infantry, U.S. Army, for meritorious service in connections with military operations against an armed enemy on Dec. 15, 1944, in Germany. When his platoon was assigned the mission of building a bridge across a river, Lt. Holley displayed a high degree of leadership and aggressiveness in pushing the construction of the bridge to rapid completion. The platoon began their task at 1315 hours and completed it at 1600 hours. After working only two and three-quarter hours, under the most adverse conditions, the bridge was ready for the passage of vehicles. During this time. Lt. Holley and his men were subjected to enemy artillery, mortar and direct fire weapons. His leadership and fidelity to duty reflect great credit on the armed forces of the United States.”

Lt. Holley was wounded, according to the message received by his parents, and is recuperating in a hospital in France.

John Vick