davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-21
Some two Bit atoll in the
Pacific Ocean
Nov. IL, 1914

Dear Friends:
Well here am on some two bit
atoll away out from nobody, down
among the coconut trees and liz
ards where a box of soda crackers
and a can of pork and beans look
like million dollars and taste
even better, where money isn't
worth the paper its printed on,
that's where I'm at and still its
a better place than where I used
to be, so I amt saying much for
the place used to be at, at least
we have no mosquitoes, which is a
Gods blessing and not one of mans
kinds half done jobs. We have
plenty of flies. Enough pitching
for this time unless some thing
starts me agoing once again.
Plenty of, cocoanuts to eat any
size shape or form, just like wom-
en- plenty to choose from, phooey.
There isn't such thing as skirt
any where near, course you wom-
en- need not get mad cause I
called you a skirt, your probably
all wearing pants at present which
is more then you can say a few
years back. ~ 9
The natives people are all gone
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-21

Somewhere in Holland
Dear Mr.. Reed:
Long time no hear from you
But have been informed by way
of the grapevine that you need a
personal letter from men before
you can continue to send me the
Courier-Reporter. So if this letter
will put me back. on your mailing
list I will greatly appreciate it..
have seen a lot Of country
since I, left the States. As a matter
of fact I have been in several
countries, namely: Scotland, South
Wales, and England, then came
France for quite a while, then be-
fore I knew it I had seen a bit of
Luxembourg, Belgium, and now
Holland.
While in Scotland I just had
country, in South Wales and Eng
land I had to learn what the
movies told me about-left hand
driving. Boy, is it a pain! Then
in France I had to learn to raise
my hand for the traditional hand
shake, yes, all the way from papa
to the baby in the buggy you must
pump their hand or they will feel
insulted. Then when you are
ready to leave after struggle of
trying to understand French and
teach them English, you must
shake his hand-and the baby's all
over again. Boy, what work
out!
have a sincere admiration for
the Belgian farmers. They keep
their farms perfect. Every inch of
ground is put to use. And their
livestock is really something to
see. Their cattle and horses are
of pure bred stock. It really thrills
one to see stock like that-not
just on some farms but all of them.
And Of course, in Holland I
have seen the windmills and
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-21
Pat O'Neil Receives
Air Pilots Wings

Patrick j. O'Neil, "a, son of Mr..
and Mrs. w. G. O'Neil, 803 Wash
ington Street, Kennewick, was
commissioned second lieutenant
and received the silver pilots
wings of the army air forces re-
Gently at the Altus (Okla0 army
air field.
From this advanced two-engined
pilot training school of the AAF
central flying command, with
headquarters at Randolph Field,
Tex, he will 60 on to further adj
vanced training at a multi-en-
gined bomber or fighter school, or
to the central instructors school
at Randolph Field. -.
After completing his advanced
course he will be ready to carry
the air attack over enemy terri
tory, or return as an instructor to
an advanced school.
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-21

look at him. I was sure I knew
him then, so I went over and
tapped him on the shoulder and
asked him where he was from,
and the reply was 'Kennewick. "
I told him my name and then
it came to me who he was-none
other than 1t. Wayne CARRIER.
& Boy, was I glad and surprised
to see him. We talked a while
and he gave me one of your pa
pers. He told me he had seen
Lester Liebel a few days before,
and spent the day with him. Sure
is swell to see someone you know
for a change.
And one more thing. Have you
been sending me a paper?
haven't received one for three
months or more. / know you are
and they, probably are piling up
somewhere. Hope they get here
soon as surely miss the news.
I hear Kennewick is growing. l
hope it's recognizable when We
come home. Well so much for
that. It's still wet as ever here
and the mud is terrible. So good
night for now and thanks for the
paper. Until then I remain.
RAY A. KUN.
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-21
Ice Cream Urges
Airlnen 10 Return

The compelling force that makes
men struggle to keep a battered
bomber airborne takes odd forms.
In the case of the crew of the B-24
Liberator courageous" it was ice
cream.
Just before they took off on a
mission to Southeastern Germany,
someone reminded them that there
was ice cream for supper, and
that such a rare delicacy should
not be sighted. The nine men
standing around their four-engined
aircraft agreed, then promptly for
got it, concerning themselves with
getting their bombload to the tar
get many hundreds of miles away.
Flax interrupted the smooth
ness of the operation. Over the
target, two bursts bracketed the
bomber. Four holes appeared in
the Liberator; one in each Of the
two inboard engines, two in the
body of the aircraft. Number
two engine, the one on the pilots
left, went out Immediately, catch
ing fire at the same time. Stick
ing In formation, even climbing a
little. the pilot and his crew
barely had time to put out the
fire when number three engine
on the right of the cockpit, lost
all its oil and puttered out.
Right there the issue was de-
fined. Should the courageous"
and its crew, now out Of forma
ton and alone, gamble on getting
back to England on two engines,
or should they force-land in
France for repairs?
From somewhere came a re-
minder. "There's ice cream for
supper back at the base; X rations
if we land in France" That did
It H. -. ~.~--
Westward the bomber headed,
straight for England. And as the
crew put it, even though we had
to climb a little, a Lbs good
aircraft on any number of en-
gines."
There were a few details, like
jettisoning all loose equipment
ammunition, flax suits and SO
forth, avoiding cloud layers with
their dangerous icing conditions,
the potential danger any straggler
faces from the Luftwaffe when
coming home alone. But Paris was
sighted, and then the Channel.
After that it was a cinch .. ac-
,cording to the crew. Landing was
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-21
q 81 NEWS o. OCCUR QUIZ
'X5X !: Nun "s ,;'H''s''

as no self respecting person would
even live near a bunch of service
men. The lizards are from one
inch to three foot in length and
are harmless, also great bug eat
ers so I don't kill them, besides
they are interesting to watch.
The natives homes were made
out of cocoanut leaves woven
together and where you call
weather proof. It don't make a
whale lot of difference if they
did leak a little as it don't get
cold enough to amount to any
thing, in fact temperature don't
get below 80 even at night so a
little rain sort of cools and wash
es you off at the same time, as
for. clothes, all I wear is shoes
and shorts, almost as bad as the
modern women in those new fan
gled bathing suits which they say
they wear when they 60 bathing
but a person cant even tell they
have one on there is so little of the
suit Well maybe there is a short
age of cloth but the way I see
it wasted a person would never
think there is any shortage of any
thing, except our eats which are
very poor. Hash and more Hash
is our menu, bread, two slices
per day and some times only one
slice so that is why say a box Of
crackers are treat.
We have church every Sunday
in an Open-air station which was
built by some of the boys, it has
cocoanut leaves for q roof which
lay on cocoanut logs for rafters,
all you need is a roof to keep off
the sun, so we have plenty of
room. 49,. ..- s... <.-.-
The ocean is my bath tub and
I haven't found no kind of soap
that works in salt water, it doesn't
make any difference anyhow.
Well I wont see a white Xmas
this year again so will close.
LEO KIPPES.
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-21

no obstacle, as easy on two engines
as on four.
And so a little late and with
two small but heavy fragments of
flax as souvenirs, the crew report
ed for interrogation.
Anything unsual?"
"Nope, the usual thing. A little
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-21

flax, no fighters, and all bombs
on the target. Let's 60 get that
ice cream"
That's the story of how the
great American dessert brought
home the courageous and her
crew. Flight Officer Ivan Hawn,
KenneWick, was co-pilot.
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-21

wooden shoes.
hear that 1t. Earl Johns won
the DFC. Good for him. We can
all thank him and others like
him for putting the Jerry" where
he belongs.
Recently had the good fortune
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-21
ENGLAND

Dear Mr.. Reed:
This is just a note tonight. Hope
you don't mind. I just wanted to
inform you that tonight as I was
in Ship Service I saw a fellow
very familiar looking. Well, I
looked for a while and then came
back. After a few minutes he
turned around and I got good
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-21

of meeting Pvt. Billy Kirby of
White Bluffs. 1t was really a
pleasure to see someone from
home.
We all hope the day comes soon
that we can all return home. But
it seems that lot of work, a lot
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-21

Gerald Britton has been pro-
NOTED to Tech. Sgt, according to
word recently received by home
folks. Gerald is a locomotive en-
gineer in France.
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-21
3-pc. Bed Roo1n Set

Your search of FINE bedroom
group can end right here. You'll
like the way the fine veneers
contrast the big mirrors
the waterfall fronts. and the gen.
erous Size of each beautiful piece.
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-21
7 ra1ned Mirrors

Choose from many shapes. all
with beautifully detailed gilt
frames and crystal clear mirrors.
Perfect for over your sofa.
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-21
End Tables

We have a nice assortment Of end
tables. coffee fables. ETC.. and no
doubt you'll be able 10 find just
what you want.
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-21

BE of
the
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-07
MIGHTY CRUISER
HITS THE WATER

CAMDEN, N. j., Feb. 6.'P-
The cruiser Atlanta, successor TO
the "Mighty Az that went down
with guns blazing off Guadalcanal
in November, 1912, slipped lazlly
into the Delaware River today at
the New York Shipbuilding Com
pany yards. 900
Her stern hit the water lat 1882
D. m. (EWT), SIS seconds after
Mrs. Margaret Mitchell Marsh,
author of sGone With the Wind,
smashed the traditional magnum
of champagne across the bow.
A crowd of approximately 5000,
including prominent Georgia resi-
dents and shipyard workers,
cheered as the Atlanta, fourth
warship to bear the name, slid
down the ways, and the sun broke
through the clouds just before she
hit the wind-lashed Delaware.
Capt. Samuel P. jenkins, last
man off the third Atlanta when
she was riddled by Japanese fire
after sinking an enemy cruiser
and destroyer, attended the
launching.
There were no speeches at to-
days ceremony, which went off
Continued on Page Five; Col. 81
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-07
BIPARTISAN u S.
TICKET PROPOSED

BUFFALO, N. Y, Feb. 6.-lR-
The Buffalo Courier-Express, an
independent newspaper, will pro-
pose tomorrow in a page one edi-
torial bipartisan ticket in the
1874 presidential election, with
both parties nominating Franklin
D. Roosevelt for a fourth term
and an outstanding Republican for
vice president.
The editorial urges a "complete
holiday from national party poll
tics in 1914"
1t calls for Roosevelt's resigna-
uon When an European armistice
lS signed, SO that he may head the
nneflcan peace conference dele
sd'loh, and leaves to his Republi-
s val; successor the task of carry
Ms through to victory the Asiatic
pnaSe of the war - and of hand
t in me domestic problems attend
Hus e. me return of peace"
+b me editorial expresses belief
, uras me procedure proposed comes
s "iuilll the framework of the con-
o oSS'u'lon; that it can be translat-
nart Hl'o action by the two major
vait es and that President Roose-
bla ' aI the head of the peace ia
AM An VIII hold the confidence of the
bnm and millions of people at
nome and abroad
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-07
Voting Merry o-Round
Is Entering 3rd Week
Senate Is Almost Back Where It Started
Two Weeks Ago-Decisi0n Is Wanted

WASHINGTON, Feb. g. ZAP =
Almost back where it started two
weeks ago, the Senate will resume
Its nip and tuck battle tomorrow
over the service vote bill with
administration leaders determined
to force another House decision
later on a proposed Federal war
ballot.
Caught temporarily in a parlia-
mentary tangle, the Senate will
begin the third week of debate
on the broadly revised Green-Lucas
Dill with opponents attempting to
set 1t aside and take up States
rights" measure the Senate pass
ed December 8. The House ap-
proved a similar measure Febru-
airy with some changes.
On the face of last weeks test
OF strength, the administration
seems to have the votes at hand
to keep this opposition move in
check until it can perfect the
Green-Lucas measure.
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-07
WORK IS RUSHED
ON TAX MEASURE
Leaders Hope To Send L
To White House Some
time Today

WASHINGTON. Feb. 6.IR-
Congress two top authorities or
taxation agreed today that the
new $2,315, 200, 900 revenue raising
bill can be sent to the White House
by Monday night.
If approved by President Roose-
welt it is counted on to lift total
federal revenue to $42, 239, zoo, 900 a
year.
Chairman Doughton (D-NC) OF
the House Ways and Means Com
mittee announced he would call up
the final draft of the bill as
agreed to by joint Senate-House
committee for action by the
House first thing tomorrow. Chair
man George D-Ga) of the SEN
ate Finance Committee said he
was prepared to follow suit quick
ly on his side of the capitol.
Senate Majority Leader Barley
predicted the conference commit
tees recommendations would be
dpP1 OVCo WllIlOQC Stcu ICCOIQ
vote.
The measure carries less than a
fourth of the $10,50O, 100000 de-
manded by the Treasury. Mr..
Roosevelt referred to it, while still
in the hands of the Senate, as un-
realistic. No one on Capitol Hill
processes to know whether he will
approve or veto it.
The measure proposes to pick UP
81, 051, 100000 through higher ex-
else taxes on liquor, furs, jewelry,
luggage, cabarets, railroad tick
cts, pool halls, telephone tolls and
other articles and services.
Corporations would pay $780,
100000 more in excess profits tax
es.
Individual income taxpayers
would be hit for 1864, 900, 900 more
than at present, principally
through abolition of the earned in
come credit and disallowance of
deductions for federal excise taxes
paid. Increases in postal rates
would account for the remaining
$96, 9O0,O 900.
1t he signs the bill, Mr.. Roose-
CONTINUED on Page Two; Col. 81
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-07

vote them up or we vote them
down.
Bryson's bill, to- outlaw traffic
in all beverages containing more
than. one-haf of one per cent of
alcohol by volume, has as its an.
nounced aim the expediting of war
production by curling absentee
ism which Bryson says is caused
largely by weekend drinking and
payday sprees. Bryson said he is
not interested at this time in
pushing legislation for permanent
prohibition.
The fact that the committee has
held no further meetings on the
bill since it heard proponents at
public hearing last month does
not mean it will be allowed to die
of neglect, Bryson declared. He
pointed out that Chairman Hobbs
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-07
BRITAIN, SPAIN
RELATIONS TENSE

LONDON, Feb. 6. -P)- Bri.
tain's attitude has suddenly stiff
fened over Spain's violations Of
neutrality, and the Sunday Oh.
server declared today this might
mean war" if Generalissimo Fran
cisco Franco praves recalcitrant
despite sharp Allied government
protests.
The same paper declared TIA
liam midget submarines had been
based in 1940-43 at Algeciras, Spa
nish port three miles from Gibral.
tar, to raid Mediterranean ship.
ping.
A showdown with Spain within
Two weeks was predicted by di.
plomats here who said the next
move is up to Franco.
The British press again demand
ed strong action" to see thai
Franco fulfills the principles oil
neutrality by curling German
agents in Spanish Tangier, re-
turning informed Italian warships
CONTINUED on Page Two; Col. y
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-07
Rome Bridgehead Under Attack;
Air Offensive Continues:
1f<wajalein Won; Helsinki Raided
Il PLANES ARE LOST
Air Bases And French
Coast Are Principal
Targets

LONDON, Feb. g. [P) - The
American Eighth Air Force sent
its heavy and Marauder bombers
laundering out over the Nazi air
bases and coastal defenses oil
France for the second successive
day today, keeping unbroken the
most intensive period of daylight
bombing in history.
A joint British-American com.
Elunique announced that from all
operations four heavy bombers,
enc light bomber, two fighter
bombers and four fighters were
missing, a total of II planes,
against enemy losses of II.
1t said enemy opposition was
light, and listed targets of the
heavies as the Pas de Calais area
and five air fields in northwest
France, while Marauders attack
ed two air fields and other objec.
tives and Mosquitoes and fighter.
bombers raided northern France
and damaged an enemy mine
sweeper.
Ranging for hundreds of miles
over occupied territory, the four
engined giants smashed at the
hangers, barracks, machine shops,
ammunition dumps and aerial in
stallations upon which Hitler must
depend to oppose the Allied land
INVASION. Other formations bat
tered at Germany's toward posi-
tons in the Pas-de-Calais coastal
area.
The Vichy radio said bombs fell
in the southwestern district of
Paris today causing damage and
casualties, and indicated the Am
erican bombers were hitting again
at Nazi airdromes nesting in the
French capitals outskirts.
An alert was sounded at Basic,
Switzerland, early tonight, sug-
costing that the Raj might be
keeping the offensive rolling well
into it's second week with another
night stab at the continent.
Today's Marauder blow at
French installations was t h e
fourth mission of the month for
the light American bombers
which made the assault without
loss.
The heavy and medium bonn
pers were escorted again by fleets
If American, Raj and Canadian
fighters, weaving above, below
Continued on Page Two; Col. g.
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-07
SOVIETS ATTACK
FINNISH CAPITAL

STOCKHOLM, Feb. 6. - up -
Helsinki was bombed tonight by
several hundred Russian planes,
it was announced in dispatches
from the Finnish capital to the
Swedish press.
(This may be the start of a Rus
sian campaign to get Finland out
If the war as result of the So
Wet successes on the northern
front from Leningrad into Esto-
MAJ
Helsinki has been raided many
times in the past but accounts U.s.
ually have told of 80 to go raid
ers, never several hundred"
Buildings throughout the city
were blasted, and first reports said
there were many victims.
Telephone communication both
inside and outside Finland was
broken.
The Helsinki radio said, how
ever, that both high explosives and
incendiaties were rained on the
town, which lies across the Gulf OF
Finland less than 200 miles from
the Leningrad area.
Reports reaching the Finnish le-
cation in Stockholm said the a-
larm sounded at p. m. Fires
were spotted soon after.
For months there have been per-
iodic alarms in Helsinki appar-
emily caused by Russian scout
planes, but only rarely were
bombs dropped.
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-07
new VERSION OF
THE P % USED

WASHINGTON, Feb. G. R -
A new version of the P-38 Light
ming, capable of fighting in the
thin air eight miles above the earth
while maneuvering at high speeds,
is escorting long range bombers
as well as making its own bomb
ing missions, the Army Air Forces
disclosed today.
The presence of P-38's as es-
corts for bombers ranging far into
Germany has been reported lNe-
ly in dispatches from abroad, but
it was not until today's announce
ment by the AAF that details on
the performance of the lew series
ship was revealed.
The new P-38 has increased it's
service ceiling 'well in excess of
&C, 1000 feet" the AAF' reported.
This high altitude ance ap-
parently results in part from two
other improvements, 30 per cent
increase in horsepower and the
addition of "aileron boosters"
The power increase comes from
the installation of an improved
turbo-supercharger and new inter-
cooler installations which enables
Continued on Page Five; Col. 81
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-07
Carolina Scion Demands Shov- Do1un
On His Wartime Prohibition Bill

w WASHINGTON, Feb. %R-
t aep' Bryson D-sC) called today
NJ a showdown on his national
"a n prohibition bill.
n,, me House Judiciary Committee
o "nicn has had the proposal under
a WINS since early last year
wv, only one hearing, should
.o'e 1t up or vote it down." the
oIollhlan said in an interview.
D. n member Of the committee,
Tyson said he is certain the
5 soup would not evade the issue
~ ou' would take a stand one way
anofher. He believes, he added,
,n;4 majority of the committee is
~. our committee does not side
he oeA or pigeon hole legislation"
tho S ,' referring to predictions
e oi1 would be shelved. eve
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-07

DALAI of the subcommittee con
sidering the measure has been IL
for several weeks.
Gas soon as Mr.. Hobbs returns
to his office I intend to ask him to
set a date for additional hearings
for proponents" Bryson said. ''My
next witnesses will be industrial.
leaders who will tell about the eff
feet liquor drinking is having on
war production.
Opponents of the bill, led by
Rep. Cochran D-Mo), plan to de-
mand that a date be set to hear
their views if the committee re.
opens hearings. The Bryson bill,
Cochran charged, is an effort ito
impose prohibition while millions
of men in uniform, most of whom
are opposed to the proposal, are
unable to assert their views"
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-07
SPECIAL WAR BOND
WEEK IS PLANNED

w1NsTON-sALEM, Feb. 6.-R
Mrs. Karl Bishopric of Spray
chairman of the ,women's division
of the North Carolina War Savings
Staff. has designated St. Valen'
tines week, February TIA, as q
period of ''bond-buying for the
bows" State War Bond headquar'
tiers announced here today.
Urging that North Carolina Wo'
men and each home figuratively
sent Valentine to men in the
armed forces by buying a bond OF
bonds during the week, Mrs. Bish'
opric said that if this can be. &C
complished cit would indeed be
Valentine Day that would not be
forgotten for some time to come. "
Every home was asked by the
women's division head to show the
Fourth War Loan sticker = signi.
flying purchase of extra bonds
on windows from St. Valentine s
week until the end of the drive.
eve are not asking our people
to give bonds to the boys" said
Mrs. Bishopric. ''We are asking
them to lend their money so that
the boys may use it. It's a real
way of putting heart into St.
Valentines Day."
The plan was given the endorse
ment of State War Finance Chair
man Clarence T. Leinbach, who
said, 81 can think of no better way
of observing st. Valentines Day
than by doing something for the
men who are giving so much for
u.s."