The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-20
FIGHTER PILOTS
 RECEIVE AWARDS
Another Oak Leaf Cluster for Lieuts. Vincent Ray,
 Richard SpeIlman

An Eighth Air Force Fighter Station, England-Two pilots from western Connecticut recently re- ceived another Oak Leaf cluster award to their Air Medals for me ritorious achievement" during Eighth Air Force bombing attacks on vital German industries and military installations.
 They are: First It. Vincent S.. Ray, Willow street, and First Lieu tenant Richard c. Spellman, 20, of Prospect, Conn.
 First Lieut. Ray, a P-51 Mustang fighter pilot, was awarded third Oak Leaf cluster, by Col. Philip E. Tukey, Jr., commanding officer of the 356th Fighter group. Ray en- listed in the Army Air forces III February, 1943, and was commis- stoned in March, 1944. He was promoted to first lieutenant in De- cember. The son of MT. and Mrs. Samuel w. Ray, Ill Watertown avenue, the pilots wife, Mrs. Shir- ley Ray, resides at 153 Willow street, Waterbury.
 It. Richard C. Spellman, co-pilot on a B-17 Fly.ng Fortress, has re- gently been awarded the Fifth Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal fol "meritorious achievement" during Eighth Air Force bombing attacks on vital German industries and mil itary installations
 The official citation accompany ing the award of the Oak Leaf Gus ter commented on the courage coolness i':d skill displayed by It Spellman upon these occasions aS reflecting great credit upon him. self and the Armed Forces of the United States" The presentation was made by his group commander Colonel Wm. J. WrigglesWorth.
 The son of MT. and Mrs. Carl C. Spellman of Summit Road, Prospect Conn, It. Spellman, before uter- ing the Army Air Forces in Novem' Der, 1942, was student at the Uni versity of Connecticut. He received his pilots wings in March, l944, al Victoria, TeXaS.
 He is at present enjoying a fur tough with his parents.
 Air Technical Service Command in France-Rushed across the chan mel by plane and convoy, S.-Sgt Stanley B. Balcauskas, husband oi Mrs. Adele s. BalcauSkaS of 12z Sunnyside avenue, Waterbury (66) Connecticut, is now working at headquarters of Air Technical Serv- ice command in France, helping to keep Americas bombers and fight CTS flying.
 Past of the vast organization which broke records before D-Day supplying the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces in their pre-invasion opera tions, S.-Sgt. BalcauskaS is doing his share to prepare the Air Forces for the final blow against Germany.
 S.-Sgt. BalcauskaS has been in the European theater of operations for IA months.
 Aboard The SS LST 35G In An | SOOuIll V OooU OA OSAAi5 oAAANA constant attack from Nazi pillboxes for seven hours on Normandy beach seems a long way in the past to the crew of the LIST 356. now en- gagged in making comparatively easy shuttle runs across the English Channel with supplies for Allied forces.
 Included in the crew of the ship that was beached by low tide on D. Day -plus-nine and exposed to Nazi fire, was Frances J. Porto, 45 Ridge street, Waterbury, Conn.
 Porto, prior to his entry into the Navy on Feb. II, 194t, worked as a soda clerk for the Baldwin Phar- macy, and attended Leavenworth High school. He is the son of MT and Mrs. Frank Porto, 45 Ridge street.
 An Eighth Ar Force Bomber Base, England.-Technical Sergean1 Gotherd l.. Johnson, P, of Thom- aston, engineer and top turreLt gun ner on an Eighth Air Force B-l1 Flying Fortress. has been awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to his Ali Medal, previously won, and equiva- lent to another award of the medal
 The award was for ''meritorious achievement" during bombing at tacks by Lieut.. Col. Chester c. Cox's 388th Bomb. Group against Nazi wal industries and military targets 1T cooperation with Allied groun.' forces.
 He is the son of MT. and Mrs Frederick L. Johnson of Route l Reynolds Bridge, ThOmaston. Be- fore entering the AAF in October .942, he was employed by the Setl Thomas Clocks Go.
 Private Arthur Newell. 2l, Wa: wounded in action in Germany or March A, according to War De. partment telegram received by Dt sister. Mrs. Dorothy M. Gould. " Frost road. 0oing overseas las October. the soldier has served with an armored unit in France Belgium and Germany.