davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
A Yank On New Britain
The Story of Stout Hearted Leatherneck Sergeant
And His Precious Box of Cigars
By TSGT. ASA BORDAGES
marine Corps Combat Correspondent

So when we saw 'em downhill ahead
of us, l just shot under 'em eight or
ten feet and let 'er rise. 1t cut 'em
in two"
The lowest count of Sgt. Mitchell's
personal kill was nine Japs. Some
placed it as high as II or Is.
But Japanese bullet finally put
an end to the sergeant's hunting.
1t struck him in the jaw, knocking
three of his teeth inboard
That made Sgt. Mitchell mad. He
stood upright, splitting blood, swear
ing and splashing fire into the
bushes where the Japs were run
ming.
A Navy medical corpsman urged
him to stop for treatment, then tried
to persuade him to go to the rear.
Sgt Mitchell roared at the corps
man:
Get out of my way!"
He kept fighting until stopped by
LIST 1t. Edward S. Rust of East De-
troit, Mich. Then, after he had been
treated at nearby aid station, he
started back toward his outfit.
Ordered To Rear.
He was sopped by Maj. Gordon D.
Gayle of Austin, Tex, who ordered
him back with the wounded who
were being evacuated.
AS he waited to be taken back
Sgt. Mitchell at last opened his
cigars. He tried to smoke, but it
hurt his face. With his teeth miss
ing, he couldn't clench them prop
erly in his jaws. Rain was seeping
through the box. The cigars would
be sodden mess before he got to
the beach.
Sgt. Mitchell began giving his
cigars to all Corners. Dozens of Ma
rines squatting in the mud or NOV
ing up to the front line were putting
on his cigars or chewing them I'M
lighted as the reluctant sergeant left
for the rear.
''The damnedest things happen to
me, he complained as he departes,
"And here I am, dying for a smoke !"
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25

TALASEA, New Britain Ode
layed)-In the charge that dislodged
the japanese from the ridge on the
Marines right on the second day of
the three-day battle for Talasea was
a red-headed Marine sergeant-and
his box of cigars.
The leatherneck was Sergeant
Byrd Mitchell who was born and
reared in Washington, D. c., where,
prior to joining the Marine Corps,
ne earned his livelihood as street
car operator on the 18th Street line.
Priced Package Arrives.
The evening that the Marines
showed off from their base for their
victorious drive, little mail caught
up with them. There was box of
cigars for Sgt. Mitchell-his first in
months.
Before he had a chance to light
one, word came to move up. So
Mitchell tied them to his pack.
A heavy rain fell the second Gay
of the push. That had the sergeant
worried. He wondered what was
happening to his cigars.
The box was still on his pack
when he went into battle.
1.-THE first bunch of laps saw
was about 90" Sgt. Mitchell said in
describing the fight. "They came
a-charging. When we stopped shoot
ing, we counted II of 'em dead. l
don't know what happened to the
other three"
That was just over the crest of
the hill. Farther down, the Marines
knocked out a Jap automatic weapon
position.
Uses Japanese Weapon.
Sgt. Mitchell picked up a Nambu
light 1nachine-gun. He tried few
bursts. Singing his carbine, he
picked up some clips of Japanese
ammunition and went on, blasting
the enemy with their own weapons
Il didn't know how it would
shoot" he said, "but knew any
gun like that will rise as you fire.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25


S. S. Ship 2: 2 Patrols Standard.
A campfire, highlighted by a num-
Der of Patrol Stunts, was held Sat
urday night. Sunday morning,
Catholic Scouts were transported to
the o'clock Mass, while at 9
O'Clock, the Rev. Roy L. Sloop con-
Quoted Protestant service at the
camp.
At 8 o'clock Sunday afternoon the
entire camp assembled for the final
part of the activities, the holding Of
the Court of Honor, which was pre-
sided over by Judge Harvey Miller,
who was introduced by Roland
Long, president of the Council.
After the presentation of a num-
Der of Second Class, First Glass,
Star, Life and Merit Badge awards
Gall of which were reported in our
Scout Column" as the Scouts quail
fed at the Boards of Review, Judge
Miller called upon Wilson P. Spe-
row, vice-president of the Council,
to present the Eagle Awards to:
Jared McKown, Troop 20, Waynes-
boro, sponsored by the Methodist
Church, L. E. Ebeling, Scoutmaster;
and to William B. Green, John j.
Porter and Edward Raskin, all of
Troop 5, Hagerstown, sponsored by
the Presbyterian Church.
Calling on the parents of the hon
ored Scouts to come forward and
stand with their sons, Mr.. Sperow
Zone of the oldest Scouters in point
of service in the CounciD, in few
well-chosen words, congratulated
the four Scouts on their achieve
ment and then called on the mothers
to pin the Eagle emblems on their
sons Scout shirts.
This marked the end of the pro-
gram and the end of a great expert
ence for every Scout and Scouter
present.
The Camporee was under the gen.
eral supervision of Myril S. Hall,
Scout Executive, assisted by the
following Scout officials: Robert
Shircliff, John M. Miller, c. A. Bit
finger, Fred Spigler, Vernon Sigler,
James Fentrees, Lee Merriman, Da-
vid Crowley, Walter Grove, Robert
Wyand, Rock Smith, M. E. Ellinger,
and many other Scouters.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
Phone Co. Employees
Get Service Awards

c. Orville Briddell, an employee
in the Hagerstown Office of the
Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone
Company of Baltimore City, re-
ceived this month, a three-star en-
blem in recognition of fifteen years
of service with the company, and
Anna E. Hoover was presented with
a one-star emblem for five years of
service.
During May, Sc employees in the
c. and P. Telephone Company in
Maryland were awarded emblems.
They had an aggregate of 1,120 years
of service.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
Presentation of Four Eagle Scout Awards
Climaxes Record Council Camporee

On Sunday afternoon. before a
cheering crowd of close to six hun
dred Scouts and Scouters, plus an
other couple of hundred visitors,
four Scouts-one from Waynesboro
and three from Hagerstown-were
elevated to the rank of Eagle Scout,
the highest honor Scout can re-
ceive, at simple but impressive cere-
monies held at the close of the
fourth annual Washington Area
Council Camporee.
Five hundred and twenty-four
boys, divided into "a patrols, and So
Scouters, who acted as supervisors
and judges, took part, and from the
standpoint of both attendance and
achievement, all previous records
were broken.
Shortly after two o'clock Satur-
day afternoon, Scouts began arriv-
ing at the campsite (about halfway
between Hagerstown and Waynes-
boro). They left their Scout rooms
in cars, trucks, on foot and on BIZ
cycles, but, arriving within one mile
of the camp, each boy had to load
his equipment on his back and hike
the rest of the way.
Arriving at camp, each patrol was
inspected and then assigned a sec
ton in which to set up a ''PatroI
Camp" During the two-day meet
ing, patrols were judged on the basis
of equipment, camp facilities, food,
program activities and finally on the
appearance of their campsites on
leaving. Awards were divided into
three grades: Proficiency (Blue
Ribbon; Standard (Red Ribbon
and Participating yellow Ribbon)
Only ten patrols rated the Pro-
ficiency award, while 40 rated
Standard and the remaining "a rated
Participating.
The Proficiency and Standard rat
ing by Troops was as follows
Troop 1: l Patrol Standard.
Troop 2: 4 Patrols Proficiency,
Patrol Standard.
Troop 4: 1 Patrol Standard.
Troop 5: Patrol Proficiency, 8
Patrols Standard.
Troop 6: l Patrol Proficiency.
Troop Z: l Patrol Proficiency,
Patrols Standard
Troop 8: 2 Patrols Standard.
Troop 10: l Patrol Standard.
Troop II: 3 Patrols Standard.
Troop IL: / Patrol Proficiency,
Patrols Standard
Troop Is: Patrol Proficiency,
Patrols Standard.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
Lost!

The bulletin board serves
U. S. Marines as their daily
newspaper and one, ''some-
where in the South Pacific" is
complete even to the lost and
found column, according to
Sgt. Bill Allen, a Marine Corps
combat correspondent.
Recently, on the column of
missing articles, some wit
made the following entry:
"LOST-two years of fur
loughs."
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
Free Airplane Rides.

The Civil Air Patrol of Hagers-
town will give free airplane rides
next Sunday afternoon, May 20, at
the municipal airport, from 2:30 to
6 o'clock, to young men interested
in enlisting as aviation cadets.
All boys interested in becoming
aviation cadets are invited to take
advantage of this offer, but they
must first fill out and sign waiver,
which may be obtained at the army
recruiting office at the Hotel Pat
terson and present it to the pilot
preceding the flight.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
Fuel Oil Renewals.

The renewals for fuel oil heating
rations will soon be mailed out
to consumers by the local Office OF
Price Administration.
All applicants are requested to
read the application carefully and
give all information which pertains
to their use of fuel oil for heat and
hot water.
The renewal forms returned to
the Ration Board will be processed
and the new fuel oil coupons mailed
to the consumers between June Is
and September l.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
st. Mary,s Student Honored.

Kathleen Kerns, of st. Mary's
Catholic School. received the award
of book of her OWN choosing as
prize for identifying the greatest
number of book characters enacted
by the Woodland Way Book Club at
the Washington County Free Lii
brary.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
Heads Howard st. PTA.

Msr. j. E. Staley was installed as
president of Howard Street Parent
Teacher Association, at the final
meeting of the year, held last week
Others elected to Office include
Mrs. Norman Barnes and Mrs. ]. S.
Murdoch, vice presidents Miss June
Harrison, secretary; Miss Mary
Gale, assistant; Mrs. D. H. Rhodes
treasurer; Mrs. Sydney Doarnberg-
er, assistant.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
Aussies @Austerity Campaign.

The first Yanks arriving in Aus
tralia found in operation the Aus
terity Campaign" the Australian
News and Information Bureau says.
Austerity was described as growing
vegetables in strips Of gardens, in
tubs and window boxes as hav-
ing no canned foods except a few
meats, no fancy bread. no jelly,
four gallons of gasoline month, no
wrapping paper, no matted milk,
no chocolate candy. no spices, and
rationed tea. sugar and clothes.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
YMCA Youth Meetings.

The next in series of youth
mass meetings will be held on Sun
day afternoon, May %, at 2:30
o'clock in the Y. M. c. A. auditor
ium.
An interesting and valuable pro-
gram has been planned on Negro
spirituals, their value and what they
mean to us today. Also included
on the program will be an outstand-
ing speaker end vocal so1oist.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
LAVINIA WYATT WINS
WAC COMMISSION

Sgt. Lavinia R. Wyatt, who made
many friends during her stay in Ha-
gerstown as member of the local
Army Recruiting Station staff, grad
uated from the Officer Candidate
School at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia,
on May 20, and was commissioned a
second lieutenant in the Women's
Army Corps.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
24s2 Fairchild Men In Service.

The Fairchild Aircraft Division
has announced that 2432 of it's en-
ployes are serving in the Armed
Forces. The names and addresses
of most of them have been posted
in the ~ plants in the city and a
campaign is under way to keep
them well supplied with letters
from their former co-workers.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
WAC Gets Service Ribbon.

Tech. Sgt Ada Gladys Grove,
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Daniel j.
Grove, 1877 Randolph avenue, has
been awarded the red and white
striped ribbon. indicative of one
year of fidelity, efficiency and honor
in the service of the Army.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
Brief Notes On Local Happenings

Company, held last week, the fol-
lowing officers were elected: Chair
man of the Board, Charles c. Harri-
son 3rd; president, George B. Dan
iel; vice-president and manager,
E. c. Burton.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
Quail Placed In County.

A total of 324 bob-white quail
were distributed in various parts of
Washington county the first of this
week by Deputy Game Warden Al
bert Champion with assistance of
sportsmen.
The quail were liberated on farms
and woodlands suitable to them
from Indian Springs south to View
erton.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
Local Boy Wounded.

Pvt. Osmond L. Poole, of BIG
South Potomac street, has been
wounded in action somewhere in
Italy, according to word received
by his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Willard
G. Poole.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
RATION
DEADLINES
NOTICE

Unless otherwise stated, all
Ration stamps are now good
indefinitely.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
Promoted To Captain.

Lieut.. Jacob Forney Young, Jr.,
son of Mr. and Mrs. j. Forney
Young, Long Meadows, has been
promoted to the rank of captain in
the Army Air Corps.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
CANNED GOODS

Is Blue stamps, A8 through
Q8, in Book No. 4 are good
now.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25

Great Britain was known to the
ancient Romans as the island of tin.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
MEAT, BUTTER,

now.
MEAT, BUTTER,
OILS
10 Red stamps, A8 through
To, in Book No. 4, are good
now.
SUGAR
Stamps No. 30 and 81 in
Ration Book No. 4 are each
good for 5 lbs. Stamp No.
40 is also valid now, good
for 5 lbs. of canning sugar
and can be used through
Feb. %, 1945.
GASOLINE
Last day for use of No. 10
"a" gasoline coupons
June 81. "B" and 'tC'' cou-
pons expire according to
dates on individual books.
SHOES
Shoe stamps l and 2, on the
"airplane" sheet in Ration
Book No. 3, are good now.
FUEL OIL
Period 4 and coupons are
good now and can be used
through August 81.
TIRE INSPECTION
Periodic tire inspections
have been discontinued.
But keep your tire
inspection record, as you
will need it when you apply
for renewal of your gas ra-
ton.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25
Gas Co. officials Elected.

At special meeting of the Board
of Directors of the Hagerstown Gas
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25

10 Red stamps, A8 through
To, in Book No. 4, are good
now.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-05-25

now.
Smyrna times., 1944-09-21
APPLE CROP HIT
Hurricane of Last Week Blows
Yield From Trees

The promising apple crop OF
Kent and Sussex Counties suffered
a severe setback because of Thurs
days hurricane. University of Del
aware farm extension officials esti-
mate that about 80 per cent of the
crop in Kent County and from 60
to 70 percent of the crop in Sussex
were torn from branches by the
heavy wind. However, orchardists
hope that at least half of the APP
Piles on the ground can be saved
through rapid picking. Fortunate
ly, there are still available to or
chardists West Indian labor and
Nazi prisoners. 1t is also said that
considerable of the tomato crop in
Sussex County is under water and
spelling.
Smyrna times., 1944-09-21

In memory of Brother Willard w.
Wright who died Wednesday, September 10,
1914.
Once again death hath summoned a
Brother Odd Fellow, and the golden gate
way to the Eternal City has opened to well
come him to his home. He has completed
his work in the ministering to the wants
of the afflicted, in shedding light into dark
ened souls and in bringing Joy into the
places of misery, and as his reward has
received the plaudit well done" from the
Supreme Master.
And Whereas, the all-wise and merciful
Master of the Universe has called our be-
loved and respected Brother home, and he
having been true and faithful member of
our beloved Order, therefore be it
RESOLVED. That Morning Star Lodge.
No. 8, / %. o. F. of Smyrna, Delaware in
testimony of her loss, drape its Charter in
mourning for thirty days and that we
tender to the family of our deceased broth
er our sincere coincidence in their deep af-
Fiction and that a copy of these resolutions
be sent to the family.
WIN. H. LURTY,
JOS. W. ENNIS,
HARRY W. CLOUD.
Committee.
Smyrna times., 1944-09-21

Thanks for all the interesting in
formation Corporal. I know I'll
sleep lot better at night now that
I know what B. U. (O.T.U.) (V.H.)
means. Let's hope that others feel
better also.
Now as to this business about
taking up space in the column.
Soldier, you're all wrong on that
point. We want to know what all
Our Boys and Girls are doing in
the Service. This wish to not con-
fined to any class, creed, place of
service or what have you. When
we say that this column is freely
open to all Service folks and their
friends, we mean just that. There
is room for all, and the latch string
is always hanging on the outside as
an invitation for you to enter.
Frank, we're more than sorry to
learn about your accident. This
sympathy is coming to you a bit
late we fear, but we're not to
blame on that score. The regret
we feel is none the less genuine.
Hope that you will get fixed up
there in Salina. Let us know how
your injury is coming along. And
don't wait so long the next time!
AS to the fair ladies of Kansas,
son, from the way your letter
sounds, you'll be out on the prowl
just as soon as the hospital doctors
give you the green light. In that
respect let me remark that Amer
lea has gained the reputation as
being a nation of hunters. 1t is
quite apparents you are no excep-
tion.
Well, Corporal, here's wishing
you the very best, and a quick re-
covery from your present knee in
jury. You'll be at disadvantage
stalking game out there in Kansas
unless you get the joints oiled up
right.
Smyrna times., 1944-09-21

column while other fellows in the
combat areas had so many inter-
esting experiences to write about.
At present I'm still attached to
the Pratt Army Air Base, just
transferred here to have a knee
specialist look me over. This knee
injury is my most serious handicap
at the moment. I'm held for
further observation to be followed
by an operation later. AS 1 write
1 do not have any idea of the
length of time I will remain here.
I think your column is most in
teresting. Through its service /
am able to learn where many of
the fellows 1 attended school with
are now located.
I want to thank you, along with
hundreds of others now in the SER
vice, for having thought up such
an important contribution to Ser
vice folk.
1 find that the girls in Kansas
are fairly tall and rather husky.
(Corn fed, in other words. have
not dated up any so far, due to my
being confined in the hospital.
Here's hoping for a speedy Vic
tory,
Frank
Cpl. Frank B. Orzolek
A. S. N. 32485076
Smokey Hill A. A. F.
Station Hospital, Ward c
Salina, Kansas.
P. S. In recent reply to my sis
ter, Genve, you insisted on know
ing what all the authorizations
meant on the address you issued
under the date of August oath,
1914. I refer to that part: 246th
B. u. (OT.U.) (V.H.)
Well, I'm afraid I must tell you.
There may be many others as cur
ious as you. Frankly, I'm glad to
hear that you're interested. So
here goes. B. U. means Base Unit.
o. T. U. means Overseas Teaming
Unit. V. H. means Very Heavy.
This refers to the B-29 Bombers,
etc.
Smyrna times., 1944-09-21

Pfc. John c. George
A. S. N. 32950112
A. P. o. sos, o Postmaster
New York City, New York
Sgt. James A. Gooding
A. S. N. 324s787S
A. P. o. 168, C o Postmaster
New York City, New York
balance of address on application
Pvt. William w. Harris
A. S. N. 32958O63
A. P. o. 260, Postmaster
New York City, New York
balance of address on application
T-Sgt. william S. Lamb
1230th S. c. S. u. Up. W.
Fort Dix, New Jersey
Pfc. William H. Minner, Jr.
A. S. N. 32956494
u. S. Army
A. P. o. 514, C o Postmaster
New York City, New York
balance of address on application
S-Sgt. Lloyd A. Pleasanton
A. S. N. 697S714
Co. E, 222nd Infantry Regiment
Rainbow Division
A. P. o. All
Camp Gruber, Oklahoma
Pvt. Leland c. Slaughter
A. P. o. STA, C o Postmaster
Balance of address on application
New York City, New York
James L. Stewart, P. NJ. &c
o Fleet Post Office
New York City, New York
Balance of address on application
Pfc. George D. Wright
M. S. N. 903711
o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
Balance of address on application
Smyrna times., 1944-09-21
Your friend,
Genve

And thank you, Miss Genve Or
zolek. We greatly admire the way
you have been pulling for your
brother Frank, ever since he enter
ed the Service. Bet you were quite
a bit SURPRISED to find this young
mans letter listed right above
yoursl
Yes, and Dribbles joins Miss Or
zolek in her appeal that our read
ers take this opportunity to write
her brother out there in Salina,
Kansas. There is no dispute as to
the value of mail to our Service
folks, and this is especially true
when they are confined in hos
pitfalls. There the days pass slowly
enough at the best. Your letters
will certainly go a long ways to
help out during Franks idle hours.
What do you say? Sure, I knew
you would not let your old friend
down when he needs you.
Miss Orzolek, your brothers
change of address was printed in
the September 14th issue of The
Smyrna Times. No doubt you have
seen it listed there by this time.
And, thanks agani for your con-
tinued cooperation and friendli-
ness.
Smyrna times., 1944-09-21
RESOLUTIONS


Whereas: Willard w. Wright, member
of Citizens Hose Co., No. l., Inc, of Smyr-
ma, Delaware. was called by death on We'd
nesday last, September Is in the 18th year
of his age.
And Whereas: Brother Wright has spent
long and useful life in this community,
and in all regards had proved himself a
useful man of affairs and won the esteem
and regard of the people of this commun-
ity.
He had always evinced life interest in
the affairs of this Company and in his
younger days gave it his close personal at
tention, He was kindly man in temper
ment, firm in his opinions, honest and
straight in his dealings, so that altogether
he made favorable and lasting impress
upon this community as an honest man and
good citizen.
This Company while lamenting his loss,
bow in submission to the will of the Most
High but desire to place upon record this
tribute as to his life and character.
Therefore be it Resolved that this minute
be spread upon the records of this Com
pany and that a copy of the same be sent
to the family of the deceased and copy
be given to the Press for publication.
Smyrna times., 1944-09-21
NOTICE

In pursuance of an order of Ernest B.
Raughley, Register of Wills. in and for
Kent County, Delaware. dated August 80.
A. D. 1914 notice is hereby given of the
granting Letters Testamentary on the
estate of John Fletcher Pratt on the 30th
day of August A. d. 1914. All persons
having claims against the said John
Fletcher Pratt, deceased. are required to
exhibit the same to such Executrix within
one year after the date of the granting of
such Letters. or abide by the law In that
behalf. which provides that such claims
against the said estate not 30 exhibited
shall be forever barred.
ADDIE K. PRATT.
Executrix of
John Fletcher Pratt, deceased.