COLUMN: News of our Boys in the Armed Forces – Mar. 29, 1945

Earlie J. Jones, Sgt., U.S Army, son of Mr. and Mrs. U.I. Jones, Rt. 2, Andalusia, has returned from overseas and is in Battey State Army Hospital in Rome, Ga. He joined the Army in Nov. 1940 at Ft. Benning, Ga., where he received basic training. He was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division and participated in “Operation Torch,” the invasion of N. Africa in Dec. 1942. Sgt. Jones later participated in battles in Holland, where he received the Bronze Star, and Germany, where he was wounded. He was sent to hospitals in France and England before being sent to the States.

James O. Powell, Sgt., U.S. Army Air Corps, is serving with the 29th Fighter Squadron, Oxnard Air Force Base, Ca. Sgt. Powell writes that, in his spare time, he is writing for the Press-Courier, a large daily newspaper in Oxnard. Before he entered the service, Jones was writing for the Alabama Journal in Montgomery, Al. and later, for the Columbus, Ga. daily, as editor. Sgt. Jones writes that he finds his new work exciting and is working under some great, big-time newspapermen including a former associate editor of the Wall Street Journal and a former circulation manager at the Omaha World Telegram.

Allen Cook, Seaman, U.S. Navy Reserve, arrived from New York to spend a few days with his family.

Z.T. Jones, PFC, U.S. Army Air Corps, was recently promoted to Corporal. He is stationed at Westover Army Air Field, Ma.

John Jackson, PFC, U.S. Army, son of Mrs. Lilian Jackson of Andalusia, is recovering from severe frostbite in a hospital overseas. He was serving on the German front when he was exposed to the severe cold.

Howard C. Stokes, SOM [Sonar man] 3/C, U.S. Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. G.C. Stokes of Falco, Al., has been in the Pacific for five months and has taken part in the Luzon landings in the Philippines. Stokes graduated from Pleasant Home High School in 1942 and entered the service in Nov. 1943.

John B. Mott, Tech Sgt., U.S. Army, husband of Mrs. Elender Mott of Red Level, Al., is serving on the fighting front in Germany. He has sent the Star-News two poems that he has written, “Fox Hole Dreams” and “Buzz Bombs.” We would like to publish the poems but cannot for lack of space. Tech Sgt. Mott has the right spirit and is an ideal soldier. What’s more, he doesn’t like the Germans and neither do we.

Andalusia Soldier wounded in Germany

Charles E. Cook, PFC, U.S. Army, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lendford C. Cook, Rt. 3, Andalusia, was wounded in the left leg near Lutzkampen, Germany. He is recuperating in the 317th Station Hospital in England. PFC Cook wrote his parents, “We were attacking a Nazi stronghold in the woods after being pinned down for two days by heavy machine gun fire. Our squads became separated and I was sent out to make contact again. On the way, I saw a German machine gun nest but they didn’t see me. I reported back to my officer and he dispatched a small party under my direction to clean things up. The Nazis saw us coming and opened fire, wounding me. We were able to capture the Germans and I was given first aid.” 

Before entering the Army in Jan. 1943, PFC Cook was a machinist’s helper for the Hollingsworth and Whitney Corporation of Andalusia.

Air Medal to be Awarded to Lt. James W. Grimmett Posthumously

Lt. James W. Grimmett, U.S. Army Air Corps, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence A. Grimmett, Sr., of Andalusia, was killed in action in Germany on Feb. 4, 1944. His parents received the following letter from the Adjutant General’s Office in the War Department dated Mar. 6, 1945:

“Dear Mr. and Mrs. Grimmett,

I have the honor to inform you that by direction of the President, an Air Medal and two additional Oak Leaf Clusters, representing two additional awards of the same decoration, have been posthumously awarded to your son, 2nd Lt. James W. Grimmett. The citation is as follows:

Air Medal and Two Oak Leaf Clusters

“For exceptionally meritorious achievement, while participating in 15 separate bomber combat missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The courage, coolness, and skill displayed by this Officer upon these occasions reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.”

The decorations will be forwarded by the Commanding General, Fourth Service Command, Atlanta, Ga., who will select an officer to make the presentation. The officer selected will communicate with you concerning your wishes in the matter.

May I again express my deepest sympathy to you in your bereavement. “

John Vick