davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1945-10-04
Red Blood, Red Socks Wrote Strange Saga
of Two Heroes in Bloody Okinawa Battle

bx lSe LII. JIM IL LUCAos
United States Marine Corps
written for NEA Service)
OKINAWA (Delayed) - The
reddest pair Of socks in the
First Division saved the life Of
1st 1t. Fitzgerald Atkinson, "a,
Of Nashville, Tenn, and provid-
ed . happy ending for one Of
the strangest stories Of the war.
Lieutenant Atkinson had ia
ken his tank into Okinawa's
Mzado valley twice in three
days, killing 100 Japs. He had
drawn nothing more Furnishing
than mortar fire, which he
weathered easily. Then all hell
broke loose.
His tank had been destroyed,
all but one member of his crew
were dead, and Jerry had been
wounded eight times. The pay
off came when Marines took
him for a Jap, and put friend
ly" bullet into his already rid
died body before they realized
their mistake.
When their General Sherman
tank was hit by anti-tank gun
fire, his driver tried frantically
to escape. but the impact had
broken the tracks. Before Lieu
tenant Atkinson could shout in
structions over the tanks radio
communication syst m, two
more shells tore home, perma-
nently wrecking his mount. One
man was killed.
MANAGE TO ESCAPE
Cpl. Robert r. Boardman, Fl,
of Salem, Ore, pointing to
flames already breaking out in
side the tank, and Atkinson
gave the order to clear out. Be-
fore it could be carried out, how
ever, another shell crashed
through the turret, killing the
gunner sitting directly in front
of him. Atkinson's leg was bad
ly torn and burned, but he and
Boardman managed to escape.
Unable to walk, Jerry was
attempting to crawl out when
Boardman came to his assist
ance. Together, they made it to
a cane patch ESQ yards away.
It looked like temporary safety.
The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1945-10-04

But as Atkinson and Board
man entered, a Japanese rifle
exploded almost in their faces.
A single enc y bullet tore
through Atkinson's neck, took
off Boardman's right index fin
ger. and split his windpipe In
two. Atkinson fell where he was
hit. Boardman tumbled into a
ravine.
Boardman tried to call to At
kinson, but discovered he could
The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1945-10-04

not make q sound. His vocal
chords had been destroyed. He
decided the lieutenant, uncon-
scious and bleeding, profusely,
was dead. Unable to reach the
officer without exposing him
self to certain death, Boardman
edged his way down the ravine
and managed to reach his own
lines safely.
Meanwhile, out in enemy ter
ritory, Atkinson had recovered
The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1945-10-04

thought the other dead but here It. Fitzgerald Atkinson
left and CPL Robert Boardman meet again the u Naval
Receiving Hospital in San Francisco The rifle bullet hit
Of them and both suffered throat Atkinson
when fellow officer recognized his bright
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
M. W. Munday, Sc,
Buried Friday

Funeral service was held on
last Friday for Marion w. Mum
day, St, of Creston, who died at
his home on Wednesday, after
suffering from a heart attack. The
Rev. S. S. GRAPHICAL and Rev. C. R
Trivett conducted the service and
burial followed at the Sullivan
cemetery.
Mr.. Munday, who was ma
tive of Watauga county. was a
farmer. He is survived by his
wife, Mrs. Fannie Hayworth
Munday and the following chill
dren: Ralph, of Sylvia; Mrs. Fred
Shelton, Creston; Russell, of Kel-
ton, Pa; Mrs. J. c. Holman.
Greeneville, Tenn; Eldean, Rich
mond, Ind; Robert, James, Ker-
nit, Lovill and Archie, of Creston.
One sister, Mrs. D. B. Clark, of
Mountain City, Tenn, and one
brother, T. c. Munday, of Cres-
ton, also survive.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
Extra Gasoline
For Burroughs

Additional gasoline rations may
be obtained by servicemen having
furloughs of more than 80 days.
OPA Administrator CHI e tie r
Bowles has announced. eur
Tough gasoline will still be issued
at the rate of gallon a day." Mr..
Bowles explained, ''but the 30
gallon limit is being removed for
the benefit of released American
prisoners of war who get leave
or temporary duty assignments
for sixty days in this country.
'Servicemen applying for fur
Tough gasoline rations should fol-
low these three easy rules: 1, APP
ply at any local War Price and
Rationing Board; 2, Bring along
the mileage rationing record for
the car to be used; and, 3, Be
ready to show furlough papers"
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
Former Ashe Man,
90, Dies In Colo.
w. p. Wilbar, Native Of JEFF
ferson, Passed Away In
Florence, Colo.

Florence, Colorado - With the
recent passing of w. P. Wilbar,
at his home at 224 East Main
Street, Florence loses another
pior1sT of tt7o isomms6issy who
had taken an active part in it's
business and community life for
over so years.
Mr.. Wiibar had been i. since
February 5, and his death was due
to complications arising from his
illness and advanced age.
He had been a resident of Flor
ence for 55 years, he and his wife
coming to Florence in the early
COS, and living here continuously
since with the exception of three
years spent in Texas. It was at
ter his return from Texas that he
built the two Wilbar blocks on
Main Street. Twenty-eight years
ago he sold his business in Flor
ence and accepted the manage
ment of the Portland Mercantile
company, with which company
CONTINUED on Page ~
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
Foreman Is New
Lansing Pastor
New Presbyterian Minister Is
Expected To Arrive For
Duties This Week

Rev. K. J. Foreman, of David
son, has been named as pastor Of
the Presbyterian churches in the
Lansing field and is expected to
arrive this week to begin his
work.
The new minister is a graduate
of Davidson College and the
Union Theological Seminary at
Richmond. His father is a pro-
fessor at Davidson College.
He will be accompanied by his
wife, Mrs. Foreman, and the
young couple will make their
home in the Lansing manse.
Mrs. Foreman, previous to her
marriage, has been director of
religious education in the First
Presbyterian Church in Asheville.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
w. ]. Bean Marts
Expected To Open
Early Next Month
Good Crop; Slightly Later
Than Last Years Because
OF Cool Weather

While no opening dates have
been set, the bean market season
is expected to open here early in
July, according to present indi-
cations.
The season is slightly later than
last year because the cool wealth
er has delayed the bean crop, ag-
ricultural leaders point out.
It was explained that while it
is too early to give a definite es-
innate of this years crop, indi-
cations are that it will be good
this year as will the demand for
Continued on Page ~
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
Series OF Typhoid Clinics
Will Open On Next Monday

Miss Helen Ghormley, county
health nurse, has announced a
schedule for a series of immuni-
cation clinics, planned to cover
the entire county, beginning next
Monday, July 2.
Diphtheria and small pox vac
clnatlons may also be had in
these clinics. We owe it to our
selves more than ever before, in
this period of emergency to keep
healthy and hope that everyone
will take advantage of these elm
ics," Miss Ghormley said.
The schedule for the clinics is
as follows:
Monday, July 2, 9, 16-Lansing
Service store, 900 a. M; Little
Helton school, 1920 a. M; Sus-
sex, Young's store, 100 p. M;
Grassy Greek, Sturgills' store,
2:30 p. m.
Tuesday, July 3, 10, 17-Weav-
ers Ford store, 900 a. M; Silas
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
County Is Still Short
OfQuota AS Bond
Drive Nears Close
Public Urged To Buy Extra
Bonds To Help Raise COun-
tvs E Bond Quota

Ashe county is still behind on
the E bond quota for the Seventh
War Loan, according to the latest
figures available from sources of
sales late yesterday afternoon.
According to unofficial figures,
a total of $177,O82.OO has been
raised against quota of $212,-
10000.
eff we have enough last-minute
buyers we still can reach our
quota" Chairman L. B. Tyson
said, and urged everyone to buy
another extra bond before the
drive closes" The Seventh War
Loan will officially close on Sat-
urday, June 80, but bonds pur-
chased through Wednesday, July
4, will still be counted on the
drives quota, it was explained.
Unofficial reports from sources
of sales yesterday revealed the
following: Northwestern Bank,
Jefferson, $81, 868.75; West JEFF
ferson post office, $75,937.5O; JEFF
ferson post office, $956.25; Ashe
Building Loan, $1,O5O.OO; Lansing
post office, $16,576.OO; Todd post
office, $1,481.25; Crumpler post
office, $175.O0.
Township chairmen are urged
to complete all last minute sales
and to follow up all prospects in
order to get totals in in time to
count on the Seventh War Loan.
If every township could raise
it's quota, we would have the
county's quota" Mr.. Tyson said.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28

Creek, Phipps' store, 800 p. m.
Crumpler post office, 100 p. m.
Chestnut Hill, Sam Blevins' store
1920 a. m.
Thursday, July S, IL, 19-Na-
than's Creek post office, 900 a
M; River Bridge, Joins store
1920 a. M; Wagner post office
1:3O p. M; Glendale Springs
Bare's store, 800 p. m.
Thursday, July 26, August 2, 9
Tuckerdale depot, 900 a. M;
Whitetop, Farmers store, HOO a
M; Nella, Titles store, 100 p
M; White Oak school, 800 p. m
Monday, July 80, August 6, 49,
Riverview school, 900 a. M;
Stephens store, Sutherland, HOO
a. M; Ashland, Ashland store, L.
80 p. m.
Tuesday, July 81, August 7, IA,
Obids, edwards store, 900 a. M;
Idlewild post office, 1890 a. M;
Brentwood post office, 100 p. M;
Todd post office, 2::3O p. m.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
ALL-DAY MEETING AT
CRANBERRY CHURCH

An all-day meeting will be
held at Cranberry Primitive Bap-
fist church on next Sunday with
services to begin at II o'clock, il
was announced this week.
All persons interested in the
Cranberry cemetery are particul-
arly urged to attend the meeting.
Graves will also be- decorated on
that day.
A number of visit ag elders are
expected to be present, among
them, Elds. S. C. Caudill and
John Williams.
Dinner will be served on the
ground and everyone is asked to
bring a basket. The public is
cordially invited to attend.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
F. c. Nye Will Be
W. ]. Principal

It was announced this week
through Superintendent Hurts
office that the school committee
of West Jefferson had named Pro-
fessor F. c. Nye as principal of
West Jefferson high school for
the coming year. Mr.. Nye was
principal of the school several
years ago and after being away
from here for many years return
ed two years ago as a member of
the high school staff.
Mr.. Nye, who holds a degree
from Wake Forest College, has
long been in school work. Both
he and Mrs. Nye have many
friends in the county.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
Charter Signed
By Fifty Powers;
Truman Speaks
U. S. President Addresses
Delegates At Closing Ses-
sion AT San Francisco

San Francisco, Calf. - United
nations statesmen signed Tues
day the charter of a new world
organization and President Tru-
man closed one of the great as
semblies of history with an as
surance that you have created
a great instrument for peace"
THE world must now use it!'
Mr.. Truman said.
Addressing the final plenary
session of the United Nations
conference, the chief executive
appealed to delegates of SO ma
lions to make. the charter "a liv-
ing thing" t." seek it's immediate
ratification. He promised:
Il shall send this charter. to
the United States senate at once.
l am sure that the overwhelming
sentiment of the people of my
country and of their representa-
tlves in the senate is in favor of
immediate ratification"
Mr.. Truman was given a rising
ovation. He smiled and, extend
ing his arms outward, declared,
oh, what great day this can
be in history"
Facing him as he spoke were
the men and women who met
here two months and a day ago
to draft master plan for peace.
Behind him was a bright blue
background, with the flags of
all the united nations silhouetted
against it, interspersed between
four austere, golden columns.
Overhead a brilliant chandelier.
looking like a splash of molten
silver, tried futilely to compete
with even more brilliant flood
lights.
Speaking with a trace of Mis-
souri, tang, Mr.. Truman told dig
nitaries gathered from the world
over they had justified the con-
fidence and hope of peace-loving
people.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
Rotary Club To
Have A Special
Program Tonight
Ladies Will Be Special Guests;
Plans Discussed Last
Week

Tonight, the last meeting OF
the Rotary club year with Presi-
dent Gale Mcmillan in charge, a
special program has been planned
with the Rotary-anns as guests
for the occasion.
The pro. ram of entertainment
has keen worked out by the COM
mittee composed of Sharpe S
Shoemaker, w. W. Terry and
James Story.
Around IS members are ex-
pected to attend. Next month
the newly elected officers will
begin their term. Sharpe S. Shoe
maker is the incoming president
Last week, Thomas H. Sears
conducted an open forum discus
sion of proposed plans for the
club to sponsor next year. Among
those brought out by members
were the Boy Scout activities and
other work with youths, helping
to establish cannery, aiding the
establishment of industry in the
county, the erection of a memoir
al building and several other
community projects including the
support of the movement to Sc
cure Federal post office build
ing in West jefferson.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
Last Stronghold OF
Japs In Philippines
Now Near Collapse
Australians Recapture Second
Rich BOrneO Oil Field
From Japs

Imminent American conquest
Of the last Japanese stronghold
in the Philippines and Australian
recapture of second rich oil
field on Borneo's west coast were
reported by Gen. Douglas Mac
Arthur's headquarters yesterday
AS allied troops scored telling
blows in these two campaigns
the American Superfortress com
mand threw another raid against
the Japanese homeland-the sec,
ond within IA hours-directec
against Nippon's main producer
of aviation gasoline.
Meanwhile there was some con-
fusion over a reported japanese
broadcast of an allied invasion
within a few hundred miles Of
Japan proper.
A dozen Japanese planes were
shot down in attempted night
raids on Okinawa. Fleet Adm
Chester w. Nimitz said they drop
ped few bombs harmlessly. The
Okinawa prisoner bag jumped tc
9,498 as hopping up American
soldiers and marines brought in
new patches.
Nearly so B-29s struck Japan's
Utsube river oil refinery, Japan's
principal producer of aviation
gasoline, 18 miles from Nagoya
The bombers hit the plant and its
storage area around midnight
Wednesday, Tokyo time.
Fourteen hours earlier between
$50 and 500 of the giant bombers
rained some 5000 tons of explo-
sives on ten important Honshu
targets. Escorted by fighters
Continued on Page ~
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
SGT. Albert Poe
Has Long Marches
On Short Rations
Former Ashe Man, Back Home
Again, Tells Of Experiences
AS Prisoner OF War

S.-Sgt. Albert Poe, formerly of
Ashe county, is home, after long
marches on short rations as a
prisoner of war for more than
two years. And according to Sgt.
Poe they were far the longest of
his eleven years of service with
Uncle Sam.
This regular army man who is
a native of Lansing and a nephew
of Jack and John Rhodes, of West
jefferson whom he has often Wis
tied, landed in North Africa rea-
dy for action in World War II on
August 6, 1912. Action was what
was coming to him, too.
Sgt. Poe, who had served in the
Philippines and China had seen
nothing like this. He was assign
ed to the 7th Field Artillery, Sec
ond Army Corps. 1t was while
in action out of Libya that he and
others were captured by Germans.
That was the beginning OF long
walks and rides on empty stom-
aches. They first marched Is
kilometers with no food, then IS
more and still no food.
This was only a sample of what
was to come. Many times they
marched Is hours without stop
ping.
''On the afternoon of April 81,
1915, a German lieutenant told us
we would be evacuated the next
morning, and marched 20 kilo-
meters to be turned over to the
Americans. We didn't believe
them.
1--WE marched IA kilometers and
1Continued On Page Four)
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
]. J. Williams, IS,
Buried On Friday

Funeral service was held on
Friday for J. J. Williams, rs, who
died at his home at Laurel
Springs on Wednesday, June 20,
after being ill for some time. The
service was held at the Gran
berry church at two o'clock, with
the Rev. E. Long in charge.
Mr.. Williams, son of the late
Capt. w. j. Williams and Mrs.
Elizabeth Williams, who came to
the county from England, is sur
vived by his wife and two chill
dren, Jacqueline and John Todd
Williams. Four sisters, Mrs. Bet
tie Bateman, of Elizabethton,
Tenn; Mrs. Mamie McClain, of
Marion, Ind; Mrs. Dora Dixon. of
Jefferson; and Mrs. Fannie Dun
can, of West Jefferson, also sur
vive.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
Col. Fletcher Is
10 Again Head
State U. c. c.
Native OF Ashe Is Again Ap'
pointed To Important
State Post

Raleigh-Col. A. L. Fletcher, a
veteran of the present war, was
reappointed chairman of the State
Unemployment mpen sation
Commission for four-year term
Friday by Governor Cherry.
In accepting the appointment,
Col. Fletcher said he expected to
retire under the State Employees
Retirement Act when he reaches
the age of IS on July 7, 1916. Gun
less the economic situation is such
that you will need my services
beyond that time, and I shall
place my resignation in your
hands, he said in letter to the
Governor.
disappointment to the commits
sion for four-year terms were DR..
Harry A. Wolfe of Chapel Hill.
c. E. Cowan of Morganton, and
Mrs. w. T. Bost Of Raleigh.
The commission now has a sur
plus of more than $1OO,OO0,000
for use in the payment of bene-
fits to unemployed workers in the
event of wholesale unemployment
in the reconversion period after
the war.
Colonel fletcher is a native of
Ashe and his appointment to this
post was greeted with much in
thusiasm here as we'll as else
where.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
Mrs. Osborne 80,
Buried Sunday

Funeral service was held on
Sunday for Mrs. Nancy Osborne,
80, of Apple Grove, who died at
her home on Friday, June %.
The Rev. Carl Sturgill and the
Rev. D. O. Miller conducted the
service at the home and burial
followed at the Calhoun cemetery.
Mrs. Osborne, who was a ma
tive of this county, is survived by
the following children: Mrs. Geo.
Miller, Mrs. Callie Greer, Mrs.
Lillard Ham, Mrs. Jennie Ham,
Mrs. Charlie Coldiron, Mrs. Joe
Ham, Mrs. D. A. Ham and John
T. Calhoun.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
FOrmer~Ashe Man
Dies In Wilkes

James E. Barker, 81, of North
Wilkesboro, formerly of this
county, died at the Wilkes hospi-
tai on Thursday, June 81, after
suffering from a heart attack.
Funeral service was conducted at
Damascus, Va.,. on Friday at two
o'clock. Burial followed at the
Damascus cemetery.
Mr.. Barker was the son of John
Barker and Maggie Pennington
Barker, natives of this county,
who survive him. He is also sur
vived by his wife and two sisters,
Mrs. Harrison Myers and Mrs.
Jess LaRue.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
Parents Receive
News Of Sgt. Lewis
Sgt. Morris F. Lewis Is Re-
ported AS Prisoner OF War
In Japan

Mr.. and Mrs. F. L. Lewis, oil
Creston, have received word from
the War Department that their
son, Sgt. Morris F. Lewis, pris,
oner of war of the japanese, has
been moved to another P. o. w
Camp in Japan.
Sgt. Lewis entered service ir
1886 at Fort Howard, Md, and
spent two years in the Philippine
Islands before being taken pris-
oner, three years and two months
ago.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
Funeral Today
For Mrs. Hall, "a

Funeral service will be held
this morning at HOO o'clock for
Mrs. LESSEE Hall, "a, of Wagner,
who died on Tuesday, June 26.
Burial will be held at the Eben-
ezer cemetery. The Rev. Harri-
son Miller and Elder Charlie Hall
will conduct the service.
Mrs. Hall, who was the daugh-
ter of Mr.. and Mrs. Rooney Bare,
who survive her, is also survived
by her husband, Walter Hall.
Two children, Ruby and Joe Mar
lie, and several brothers and sis
tiers also survive.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
Mrs. Brown, 80
Buried Saturday

Mrs. Clarosa Severt Brown, go
of Glendale Springs, died at her
home on last Thursday, June 81.
The funeral service was held at
the Obids church on Saturday
with the Rev. w. T. Wilmington
of Damascus, Va, and the Rev
S. S. GRAPHICAL in charge. Burial
followed at the church cemetery
Mrs. Brown, who was preceded
in death by her husband and chill
dren, is survived by eight grand
children, one sister, Mrs. D.
billiard and one brother, w. A.
Severt.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
Bond Rally At
Baldwin On Sat.

Mack Edwards and Mrs. Ward
Ray, co-chairmen of the Seventh
War Loan for Old Fields Town
ship, announced that plans were
being completed for a bond raj
ly at the Baldwin church on Sat-
urday evening, June 80 at $3.50
o'clock.
Everyone is invited to bring
boxes and pies and be prepared
to buy bonds.
eve will auction off a number
of prizes and cordially invite ev-
eryone to attend" Mr.. Edwards
said. Harry Hamilton, Of Boone,
will be the auctioneer.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
Canning Sugar
Is Still Limited

The public is reminded thai
supplies, that canning sugar
due to the shortage Of sugar
must be limited in order to have
enough to go around.
The average family is getting
five pounds per person. But when
there are more than six in a
family this family is limited to
thirty pounds. 1t was explained,
when all canning sugar was issued
on the present basis, that if there
was any additional plans would
be worked out for those growing
their own fruit.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
FARMERS MUST SECURE
SLAUGHTERING PERMITS

Farmers in Ashe county are
again reminded that in order to
slaughter meat for sale during
1945 they must obtain a permit
from the War Price and Rationing
Board by July 1, L. P. Coward,
Chairman, said today.
Even though a farmer may not
wish to slaughter meat until fall
or winter, Mr.. Coward pointed
out, he must register with the
War Price and Rationing Board
before July l.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
CPL, WADE MILLER
KILLED ON OKINAWA

Cpl. Wade Miller, son of Mr.
and Mrs. Fred Miller, of Laurel
Springs, was killed in action on
Okinawa Island on May IA, ac-
cording to message recently re-
ceived by his parents. Cpl. Mil
Ter had been overseas for some
time.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1945-06-28
REVIVAL AT LANSING
BEGINS ON SUNDAY

The Rev. w S. Patterson, of
Davidson, will assist the new
pastor, the Rev. K. J. Foreman, in
a series of revival services begin
ming Sunday, July l, at the Lam
sing Presbyterian church.
The public is cordially invited
to attend the services.