The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-11-29
! NEWS OF MEN M THE SERVICE

With The Fifth Army, Italy-out- fitting the infantry troops of the 88th Blue Devil" Division, fighting in Italy this winter with lieutenant General Mark w. Clarks Fifth Army, became the seasonal task of Corporal Edward J. Kelly of Water bury, Connecticut and his quarter master comrades.
 To equip the entire division took four weeks, with quartermaster trucks transporting the supplies over more than 40 miles of muddy, rain- rutted roads, some of which have been called the worst in Italy,
 The "heavy weather" issue was in addition to tho normal function of the section, which also must handle supplies of web equipment, tentage, kitchen equipment, clean ing and preserving materials, office supplies, stoves, and gas and oil, as well as salvage and repair and per- sonal effects of Ilen killed or wounded in combat.
 Kelly is the son of MT. and Mrs. Philip Kelly of 1079 South Main street, Waterbury.
 Michael Spil4.L, son of MT. and Mrs. John Spina of 42 Bishop street, has been advanced to technical ser- geant in France, where he is with 8 combat engineers unit. He has been overseas 28 months and is a veteran of invasions in Africa, Pan- telleria, Sicily, Italy, and southern France.
 Flight Officer Edward A. Orantas of sos Wilson street is now serving in India with a combat crew unit. The son of MT. and Mrs. Anthony Orantas, he received his aerial gum ners wings and commission last July at San Marcos, Texas. He entered the Army Feb. 26, 1943.
 Three local, Marines who particip- ated in the invasion of Peleiu have arrived on the west coast and are expected here on furloughs shortly. They are Private First Class Francis L. Hart of Scovill road, Private First Class Joseph F. Simkus of 152 South Leonard street, and Private First Class William Hastedt of 561 Wa tertown avenue.
 18th AAF in Italy-Second Lieu tenant William J. Gray, Jr., 24, of RED. No. l, East street, Waterbury, Conn.,, has been assigned to the old est heavy bodmbardment group in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. He is a pilot on 18th Air Force Flying Fortress.
 Lieutenant Gray, graduate of Mt. Vernon High school, was em- ployed by the American Brass Go. when he enlisted in the Air Forces on May IS, 1922. He won his wings and commission at George Field, III.
 The organization to which he has been assigned has flown over $50 combat missions bombing enemy installations In almost every Axis dominated country in Europe from bases in England, North Africa, Rus sia, and Italy.
 A memorial Mass, for Pfc. Francis Mccarthy, son of MT. and Mrs. Thomas J. Mccarthy, 1513 Baldwin street, first Waterbury regular po- liceman to die in World War II, will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier church Monday at 7:30.
 Some of his experiences as a Marine Corps combat correspondent were described by S-Sgt. Alfred E. Lewis at yesterdays Rotary club meeting at the Elton. Motion pie lures of B-29 Superfortress in the process of construction were also shown. Harold E. Tabor, superinten- dent of the Waterbury district of Prudential Insurance Co.,, was in- troduced as a new member at the club.
 City officials today received Christ mas cards from Dewey Roach, sup- erintendent of police now serving with the U. s. Army Military Police Forces in Belgium, as 8 captain. It has been reported that Captain Roach had been hopeful of return ing to the States by Christmas.