The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-08-15
Service Briefs

AS Thomas II. Tate spent his
weekend leave from the U. s. Mari
time Service with his wife and fam
lily. AS Tate entered the service in
July, and expects TO complete his
training in about 10 weeks, He re.
turned TO Sheepshead Bay, New
York.
Pvt, Gerald Santure, nephew OF
Mrs. Thurlow ii. Hubbard. 43 +.
Forest Ave, is taking part in the
action in France. Pvt. Santure en-.
tered service March 20, 1943, and
was sent overseas the week after
Easter.
In what he described as a might
mare Commander Lawrence Leev.
er, former Ypsilanti businessman,
and brother OF Ray Lever, Ypsi-
lanti, landed on the French inva-
sion coast on D-Day, as commander
OF L. S. Naval beach battalion.
The landing OF Comm. Levers bat
talon was made in Lei (landing
craft infantry boats, and the men
helped set up vital beach installa.
tons.
In describing the actual landing
Commander Lever stated. I'VE
we're aboard some 40 small craft.
which the enemy left alone until
We were almost up TO the beach.
Then al fire broke loose. Some OF
our first ships ran into mines. Great
steel and concrete obstacles stick
ing out OF the veterinary OF them
mined-were our next difficulty.
Then oil bombs which spread fire
everywhere began TO fall followed
by Smelling from SIS and machine
guns"
Stamina. ingenuity, and resource
fulness were among the qualities,
besides bravery. that were outstand-
ing among the Navy men participant
ing in the action. Commander Leev-
er said, Never once during this or
deal did see any OF my men finch
or break up. They are certainly one
OF the bravest groups Of men in the
world. They knew that the success
OF the invasion on our beach de-
pended largely upon them and the
equipment which they carried. All
were determined TO get on the
beach. Fortunately most OF them
did"
The unit was able to set up par
tial operations in the afternoon OF
D-Day.
Prior to the Normandy landings,
Commander Levers unit under
went extensive invasion maneuvers
at Fort Pierce, Fla, Solomon Is.
land, in the Chesapeake Bay, and
also in England.
A veteran OF the last war, Com.
mander Lever served on Navy
transports running between France
and the United States, and re-
NAMED in the Naval Reserve. He
was called to active service in 1895
and was promoted to the rank OF
commander in August 1913. when he
was told to prepare for overseas
duty. He has been in England since
February. His unit is now back in
England, being rested, reassigned
and regrouped.
Pfc. r. Arlene Allen. WAC Air
Corps, arrived today from Hill Field
ogden. Utah, to spend her fifteen
day furlough with her parents. Mr..
and Mrs. Alfred ]. Allen OF Sher-
man st. This is Pfc. Aliens first
furlough after six months service.
Following her basic training at
Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, she was
transferred to her present station
at Hill Field where she Is on duty
in the Base Administration Office.
Her furlough plans include a week
end in Buffalo and visit with her
cousins, 1t Col. and Mrs. John r.
Grollemund at Camp Perry, Ohio.
with the Fifth Army. Italy-Pri-
yate First Class Lyle X. Nemeth,
/ II N. Summit ST., Ypsilanti. has
been cited by his regiment OF the
/ S8th Infantry Division and awarded