The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-05-31

With the Fifth Army, Italy-Pfc Thomas F. OCcNnor of Waterbury Conn. rif1man, participated in a platoon raid which resulted in the capture of German ordnance com- pany and an Italian village on the Fifth Army front two hours before the main body of Yank troops reached the place.
 The incident occurred during the Allied offensive which resulted in unconditional surrender of all Ger man forces in Italy.
 More than 130 prisoners were taken and 20 vehicles, including a number of motorcycles and several completely-stocked supply trucks, were seized.
 Reconnaissance men who arrived in advance of the main body of troops expressed astonishment at the platoon's daring feat.
 Mongolians, who claimed they had been forced to work with the Ger mans, were numerous among the prisoners taken by the raiders.
 OConnors wife Mary, lives at 93 Fairview street, Waterbury.
 An Eighth Air Force Liberator Station, England-Corporal Robert c. Brown. of Waterbury, COnnecti- cut, has been assigned to the vet eran 93rd Bombardment Group, old est B-24 Liberator unit in the Eighth Air Force, as an aerial engi- neer.
 His father, Samuel Brown, lives al Waterbury, Connecticut. Brown is an alumnuS of Hartford high school and has attended the University of Connecticut. He entered the service in February, 1941.
 At an Air Service Depot in Italy: Jubilation and spirit of renewed resolution was the keynote as Sgt. Joseph O. Spellman, 46 Summer street. Waterbury, Conn, received the news of the final defeat of Germany. Sgt. Spellman was on duty with the 907 Sig. Go. Dep. Avn at an Air Force General Depot in Italy when the long awaited an- rouncement was made.
 ATC Air Base, Casablanca-Cpl -!ichard H. Willard, son of MT. and Mrs. R. H. Willard, 455 West Main street, Waterbury, Conn, is an air. craft mechanic assigned to Cages Air Base, Casablanca, in the North African Division of the Air Trans port Command.
 Overseas 12 months, Corporal Mill lard is stationed within a five min ute drive of Casablanca, city ot modern architecture and ancient culture where one of the historic Roosevelt-Churchill conferences was held. He was formerly stationed al Cairo, Egypt, city he preferred for its similarity to those at home.
 Trained as an airplane mechanic at Gulfport Field, Miss, Corpora, Willard specialized in the handling of Curtiss Commandos at the Cur tiss Wright Factory School, Buffalo N. Y. before going overseas.
 He was employed by the Chast of Waterbury Manufacturing Com. pany before entering the armed forces in April, 1943 His wife, Mrs Rosemary Barry Willard, lives witt her parents at 43 Wildemere ave nue
 Miami, May 31-Among the lates arrivals from overseas via ATC plane under the Ar1ny's redeploy. ment plan which calls for flying 5000 veterans home monthly, wa: T Sgt. Edward M. Healy, 26, of Wa tertoWn, Conn, veteran of 3! months campaigning in China.
 Sgt. Edward Healy is the son o MT. and Mrs. Michael D. Healey 54 Cutler street, Watertown. Rt wears battle star for participation in the Chinese campaign.
 Today he was clearing Air Trans port Commands Miami Army Ali Field enroute to a de,nobilizatior center for reas5ignment or release under the point system.
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