The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-05-19
NEWS OF MEN IN THE SERVICE


 An Eighth AAF Liberator Station, England-Sergeant Alexander " Mole, of 233 Easton avenue, Water bury, Connecticut, is a member of the ground crew at a B-24 Liberator Base in England. He works in the ordnance department.
 One of those men who plays an important part in bombing missions without sitting in on the briefing or the interrogation, he has the re- sponsibility of making sure that when the bombers take off from their base on missions over Ger many or occupied territory, the palnes and motors won't fail, the guns won't am, that the machines are in perfect shape, and that all is in readiness to drop bombs on the enemy.
 All hours of the day and night his section is on the line servicing and readying the planes for the job to be done. The men refer to the ships as "our babies and eagerly watch the number of bombs indi- eating missions painted on the fuSelage.
 The ground men have the feeling that the planes belong to them, and they just let the pilots, navi- gators, bombardiers, and gunners fly them.
 Brigadier General Hodges, head of the Liberator Division in Eng land, recently citeG his Squadron flor distinguished and outstanding performance of duty by completing twenty-five aeriS' combat missions against the enemy without the loss of an aircraft or crew many of the missions were accomplished in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire and formidable opposition from enemy fighters. The successful ful- fillment of these dangerous mis- sions is due to the extraordinary courage. skill and devotion to duty displayed by every man in the or ganization. The tenacity of pur- pose and the resultant efficiency displayed by both ground and com- bat personnel of the Squadron re- fleets great credit upon themselves and the United States Army Air Forces
 Sergeant Mole is a graduate of ordnance school. Aberdeen, Md, and before entering the Armed Forces, February IS, l94S, was employed by Naugatuck Chemical Co.
 He is a graduate of the Crosby High School and former president of the Catholic Youth Council of Waterbury.
 William P. Girnik of ll8 Park terrace has been promoted to first lieutenant, according to War De- partment announcement.
 Miss Alma Bakutis and Miss Mary Ann Murphy, both of l45 Easton avenue, have been commissioned sec- ond lieutenants in the Army Nurse corps.
 Captain Frederick K. Drescher, son of MT. and Mrs. Alfred R. Drescher of IS Wildwood aVenne, is serving with a personnel unit at the smyrna Army air field, Tenn, He is a former district manager of the eastern district of Interstate Ac- counts and Service, Inc.
 Private Domenic Forino of South Leonard street has received an over- seas assignment and has left Camp Pickett. Va. for a port of embarka- ton. He is the son of MT. and Mrs. John B. FOriao. and the husband Of the former Gertrude Palazd Of John street.
 4 Navy Gross awarded to Marine Corporal John J. Spillane has been received by his parents, Mir. and Mrs Michael Spillane of 37 Bronson street. Corporal Spillane is receiy- Ing treatment at the naval hospital in San Diego, Calf, for wounds sustained in action at Tarawa last November 20. He was injured when a Jap grenade. which he attempted to toss back, exploded in his hand. His parents received his Purple Heart several months ago.
 -maufa0Esyo n
 Sergeant Henry D. Peterson, son Of Nr. and Mrs. Henry r. Peter