The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-05-28

a year ago while serving with the AAF.
 Aboard a Light Cruiser at Okin- awa-Francis R. Bouffard coxswain, USNR, son of Mrs. Blanche Bouf- fard, Waterbury, and Alfred c. Hir- bour, chief turret captain USN, son of Mrs. Mary Louise Hirbour, 1171a Fuller street, Waterbury, helped shoot down four Japanese planes in 10 minutes during a pre- invasion bombardment of this vital enemy base.
 It was just after dawn that the Japs sent out their suicide flyers. No 1 got bursts of flax while some distance off. No. 2 faced a heavy barrage from guns of all ships in the vicinity, and was dropped In the wake oI hls leader.
 The third Jap, weaving and dodg- ing. managed to begin a run toward the ship-a short run, because the whitening stream of fire from the cruisers gunnerS was accurate. The Jap dived out of control and crashed.
 From off the starboard bow came the fourth Jap, Forward gun bat teries swung into position, threw up solid wall of anti-aircraft fire. The Jap tried to change his course, but too late. He dived into the sea in flames.
 The cruisers big guns then methodically turned to the assigned task of blasting enemy positions on the island. Spotters from the cruisers planes noted results. de- molished gun supplements, bar racks, ammunition dumps and beaches swept clear for the landing
 An Eighth Air Force Fighter Station, England: Corporal Walter H. Hall of 43 Mohican street. Wa terbury, Conn, is an administra- tive clerk in the high-scoring 352nd Mustang Fighter Group, which has recently received the coveted War Departments Distinguished Unit Citation flor extraordinary heroism. determination and esprit de corps in action against the enemy" The decoration accompanying the cita- | ton is a gold-framed blue ribbon worn on the right chest, the only decoration so worn.
 Cpl. Hall is part of a team Of ground personnel consisting of me- chanics, armorers, engineers, clerks, cooks and other specialists whose combined efforts have been instru- mental in the success of the group, which has destroyed close to 300 enemy aircraft, both in the air and On the ground. Statistics show that , it takes 9 men on the ground to keep one plane in the air.
 The citation was awarded specific ally for a bomber escort and mis- sion to Brunswick. Germany. In spite of numerically superior odds, the group "relentlessly attacked. breaking scattering and destroying enemy formations" thereby frus- trating German fighters from get ting through to the heavy bombers, which plastered the target.
 Atlantic City, N. 1.-Two Water bury servicemen have reported to the AAF redistribution station No. l here serving overseas in the Euro pean theater of war.
 They are S-Sgt. Arthur R. Seidel, son of MT. and Mrs. Frederick F. Seidel, 192 Monmouth avenue; and S-Sgt. Pasquale J. Galante, 87 Wood street.
 Sgt. Seidel served as a gunner on a B-24 while overseas. He engaged in 35 missions. Seidel wears the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, and the European theater ribbon with two battle stars. Entering the serv- ice October Is, 1943, the sergeant underwent training at Charleston, s. c. prior to his shipment overseas on July 15, 1944.
 Sgt Galante, radio operator, who engaged in 255 missions, wears the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster. He en- tered the service on October 2O 1942, and trained at Miami Beach, Fla, and Sioux Falls, s. D.
 Edward Ernest Stance, 2O ma i chinist'S mate, third class, who has completed two years ill the Navy, is at present serving aboard destroy CT of the Atlantic Fleet. He received his training at the machinist's mate school, Wentworth Institute, Boston Mass.
 His overseas duy has taken him into ports in Bermuda, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Africa, Aruba, Trinidad, New foundland, the Virgin Islands, ano Panama.
 He is the son of Mrs Rose Emily Stance, 45 Olena avenue. Waterbury Conn, and attended Slocum Gram mar School and Leavenworth Higf school Staoco worked for the United States Rub b.er Co.,, Naugatuck Conn, prior to entering the service
 Twentieth Air Force, Pacific Heac quarters - Theodore w. Burmeistel of 611 Meriden road, Waterbury Conn. has been promoted to Serg' cant. Sergeant Burmeister is gun ner on a BPS crew with a unit O the XXI Bomber Command based on Tinian.