davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-25
Joe Buccinf Visits French Rest Center
 Dikemon Street
 GI Gets UnusuoI
 Military Liberties

With the XIV Corps of the Third Army-Pfc. Joseph A. Buccini, mem Der of Headquarters Co.,, XIV Corps, was recent visitor at the XIV Corps Rest Center.
 His mother, Mrs. Angelina Buc- cini, resides at GA Dikeman street, Waterbury, Conn.
 Had swell time here,' saiG Pfc. Buccini, gratefully.
 The Rest Center, at Nancy, France, is operated by Maj. Gen.. Walter M. Robertson's veteran XIV Corps which engaged in spectacular military operations from Normandy across France, Germany and into Austria.
 During their sojourn here, troops are treated as guests and are given unusual liberties which make their carefree stay a holiday devoted to comfort and pleasure. Among the conveniences which are free for the asking are movies, gymnasium swimming pool, library, barbar shop parcel wrapping service, watch re- pair, minor clothing alterations, Red Cross club, and tasty meals pre- pared by French chefs and served by pretty French waitresses. There is no bugle call; anyone can sleep as late or as often as he wishes. Rules are extremely few and large com munity is nearby where the men are able to enjoy civilian activities amod surroundings of welcoming ccrdiality.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-25
HospitaLized Soldiers GiUen Excursion Rides Copt. Joseph Vondermon of Waterbury Helps c0rry Out Novel Undertaking
 In Liege, Belgium

elSth Hospital Center, Liege, Bel- gium Some 125 U. s. Army pa- tients from the 18th General Hos- pital climbed out of the long line of anlbulances and trooped aboard The Rebel", Mouse river excur- sion boat. Some of them were on crutches. 78th Infantry Division sol- dier who'd been wounded in the leg just before V-E Day, was on a litter.
 Daily one of the hospitals under the administrative control of this hospital center takes it's turn aboard the Rebel The nautical schedule mapped out for the excursion boat includes 8 two hour trip down the Mouse river to the He Robinson, a resort island. Here the soldiers find an excellent lunch and several hours relaxation awaiting them be- fore the Rebel heads back upstream for its home port, Liege.
 Second Lieutenant James J. Tra- vers, Belleville, New Jersey, as off, Ger in charge of the convalescent patients, was temporary skipper of the boat. He arrived with the first ambulance and checked the pa- tierlts of his roster as they boarded the Rebel.
 When three immediately dressed MPs in white helmets and leggings came aboard, a gargantuan soldier In a blue hospital robe stared.
 "Jumpin' Christmas he said, maybe the boats of limits.''
 The MPs grinned, moved over to an inconspicuous spot at the rail.
 The Rebels siren walled as the ropes were cast of from the Liege river dock. Pops" the dour little Belgian pilot, swung the excursion boat in wide arc and headed her downstream. Humpbacked, wearing horn-rimmed glasses and striped morning pants, cigarette stub in his mouth, Pops is veteran Mouse boatman with enough character for any European Mark Twain's remin- iscence of the river.
 The Americans jockeyed good nattredly to get near one of the dozen or more pretty Belgian Red Cross girls who were making the trip.
 Technical Sergeant Alfred A. Capilli, 189 East 9th street, Clifton, New Jersey, a member of the 517th Airborne, grabbed fiddle and gave his own rendition of "It Ain't Con- na Rain No More" Later Private First Class William A. Clark, 600 East Pecan, Sherman, Texas, used the fiddle while Private First Class John L. Morrissey. 1900 North Car oltne street, Baltimore, Maryland, used guitar to stomp out some old fashioned dance music.
 Leaving the scenic Mouse with its ubiquitous barges, the Rebel tra- versed the Albert Canal, negotia- ting two locks, before rejoicing the Mouse again. The first lock, mech anically operated, let the excursion boat down IS feet in a matter of minutes. The second lock was op- erated by hand by a lean old Bell gian in wooden shoes; it was only six foot drop.
 The He Robinson is 6 former Bel- gian vacation spot. It has various swings. rides. boats, boathouses and emusements.
 At the island, lunch = well- cooked ham - was waiting for the patients who had ';sea-going" appe- tites.
 staff Sergeant Frank H. Vaughn,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-25
SchmoIIinqer On Boardwalk
 B-17 Pilot Now
 In Atlantic City

Atlantic City, N. J., Aug. 25-2nd It William F. Schmollinger of 265 Hauser street, Waterbury, has re- ported to the AAF Redistribution Station No. l here after Il months of service overseas in the European theater of war.
 It. Schmollinger served as a pilot on a B-17 while overseas. He en- gagged in 9 combat missions.
 He wears the Air Medal.
 Before he leaves the Redistribu- ton station, one of the more than a score of AAF Personnel Distribu- tion Command installations hand ling returned AAF veterans, Lt. Schmollinger will be examined by doctors and interviewed by person. nel specialists. While here, he will have an opportunity to go golfing, fishing, swimming, and horseback riding and indulge in many other sports and recreational activities. In these surroundings he relaxes easily after his overseas tour. It. Schmollinger is the son of MT. and Mrs. William Schmollinger who reside at 265 Hauser street, Water bury. Conn.
 Eentering the service on April 4 1s43, the lieutenant underwent training at Bush Field, Ga, prior to his shipment overseas on July 10, 1924.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-25
3 Local Boys In Same Unit InMoniIo
 Kumpikevich, orso4
 Pogono Indueted
 Simultaneously

With the 648th Engineer Base Topographic Battalion in Manila Three Waterbury servicemen, Serg- cant Daniel Kumpikevich and Corporals Samuel J. Pagano and Anthony M. Orso, who were in- ducted the same day at the same draft board and have had identical army careers since, have completed their sixteenth month of overseas duty with the 648th Engineers.
 Kumpikevich, Pagano and Orso were inducted at Local Board l5-B, Waterbury, on December 18, 1922. They all served with the 18th En- gineers in Portland, Ore, and ar- rived overseas in March, 1914, to join the 648th in Australia. At the present time the three men are as- signed to the same photomapping platoon in Manila.
 Sgt. Kumpikevich is the son of Mrs. Eva Kumpikevich of l3 Con- gress avenue, and Cpl. Pagano's par- ents, MT. and Mrs. Charles Pagano, live at 51 Draher avenue. Cpl. Orso is the son of MT. and Mrs. ROCCO Orso of 95 Hawthorne aveue.
 The 648th Engineers was the first Army map-making battalion to ar rive overseas, and the three Water bury men have performed their duties as aerial phototopographers in mapping company of the unit The organization recently was awarded the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque by command of Gen. eral Macarthur for establishing an outstanding record and contribute 1 ing materially to the continued suc- cess of our forces in the Southwest Pacific Area
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-25
By THE OUT EASTER

We were away; we didn't know, and SO at this late date we record the death of Private John +. OLeary of the Fire Department Poor John, we never expected ne would go along the road that ends it all, so quickly. He was young ana was entitled to stay around much longer.
 But there is something about death that none of us seems to learn. Why does it occur and why should it reach out and grab" at young people? Every once in awhile, we pick up our paper and read Of the death of boy and girl or 8 person a few years older. And yet, we go travelling on from day to day, sec ing others around, who have been here long time and who will prop ably continue to stand on their strong legs even though their pres ence is not SO agreeable to some familiar with the pr. Osler theory of life SO much discussed in pass ing years. The Osler theory still holds with certain ones; we can see it in their makeup and their ac- tions.
 John OLeary was a city fireman, if you know what we mean, Iei- low, attached to service of munl- cipal operation that means so much for the safety and protection of the people and the property of Water bury. He was a North End Kid, and grew up in that section. From boyhood he knew the Burton street station and remembered the horses that once dragged the apparatus through the highways of the dis trict. He loved to be around when the noon day signal struck, for that meant the big dapple grays. six in number, would rush pell-men from their stalls and take their proper position under the harness until re- leased by the driver. The thrill of these happenings remained with John and as he grew along, his arn- bition was to be fireman. And into the department he went in 1928. Tall and erect, he looked the picture of health. and his unusual strength also indicated itself in his first ace tivities as e ladderman attached to Truck Company. No. l, at Fire ! Headquarters.
 Little regard or consideration 4 given the average fireman. but just the same, the duty involved, is tai
 from being the bed of .roses' pro claimed by many who really hav' no knowledge or insight into wha
 ls really expected of the uniformes
 man we 60 often observe In iron
 of a Are station. Suffoeating fumes
 toxic gases, rusty nails, 1allinl
 planks. cellar openings, floor open
 InRs, hlindlng smoke, eye injury
 hand wounds. leg fractures, etc
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-25
 To Be Curbed In Waterbury
 Campaign Against
 Stop Sign Abusers
 Also Contemplated

Acting Supt. Of Police Daniel J. Carson stated today the Police De- partment will play close attention to those drivers who violate stop sign regulations and added special attention will be paid those who violate the present city speed limit of 25 miles per hour
 First Speed Law
 The first speed law was en- acted in 1901. This action was talk en as result of the liability of the motoring and walking public to agree as to mutual use of street and highways with a minimum of con- flict. The speed of automobiles in 1905 was set at 12 miles per hour in the city and 20 miles per hour ill rural areas. The State Traffic Commission August q of this year announced official action was taken to continue the present speed limit of 40 miles per hour on all state highways However, the City of Waterbury has an ordinance limit ing the maximum speed limit to % miles per hour.
 This is the first in a series of weekly articles pertaining to the Connecticut Motor Vehicle Laws and the ordinances of the City of Wa terbury which affect the speed, parking and other rules within the city limits. The laws are too nu- merous and complex in nature for the average individual to compre- hend and the interpretation of all these rests solely within the juriS- diction of the courts. However, Supt. Carson hopes the people of the city will take advantage of this series and become better acquainted with the laws affecting the safety of all whether drivers or pedestrians.
 Safety is a subjecs tNat affects all of us from the time of birth till death. The progress of civiliza- tion has made most difficult for Us the problem of staying free from accidents. Highway and home safety differ from industrial safety In as much as they affect all of us regard less of age. Industrial safety deals only with the adult. People who work in industry are all persons of matured minds and are given a physical and mental examination before being employed in factories. If they are assigned to work on a machine which has safety device and they refuse to take advantage of this protection they can be re- moved from that particular ma chine as safety measure. On the other hand, we have the problem of the pedestrian who begins to use the highways at an age as early as thre eyears.
 Law Affects Pedestrians
 As everybody is pedestrian at some time or another, we find no age limits, no physical or mental barriers to prevent them from using tne streets. Safety is an individual problem, but we cannot expect chil- dren of an impulsive nature to re- act to safety measures the same as the adult. The Motor Vehicle laws govern not only the use of Motor Vehicles on the public highways, but also control the movements or pe- destrians. These laws were en- acted to be of a protectivee rather than of a restrictive nature, but through knowledge of these laws IS esential to good driving, and also OH willingness to cooperate in opey- ing the laws, we should take the attitude of T wilP' rather than T must.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-25
9f 90uA A dEsy
by Bob Hope

defunct, what was left Of the N.&''< was sWaying gently back and form in the breeze, and right over c'IT heads a very loose beam vas flEs gIing about two tons of lecN4 bricks. If there eyer WAS q tIs14 in my life that I was afraid I4 get big, loud laugh that was i,. GI.,s were hanging from the TOOL and from all the rafters and piDE1 along the wall. Twice pipe came loose and sections Of walls and soldiers piled up at the bot tom, but fortunately nobody Wa5 hurt. It was the first time I'd had to duck flying bricks HEEOHE telling joke.
 From Eschwege, wed moved on to Fritzlar to check in with the Ninth Air Tactical Command. While signing some short-snorterg for guys there, one soldier handed me S bill about as big as Stork Club menu, with q picture of an Indian chief on 1t. # had been issued in 1903 and the owner (who asked me not to n1ention h1s name because the Geneva con- ference might not understand told me he took ten of these auti-E que flyers from a German 66 trooper. That shows you how long they'd been planning an 1n@ vasion of the U. s. Bea Lillie, Reggie Gardner and the Infor- nation, Please USO unit played there 8 week or so before us and we got reports on their show.
 June Bruner was slowly beconl- ing a nervous wreck from fighting liberated pianos they'd haul out for her to play in some of those places. One they had at Fritzlar looked like it was built by SteiI1- ways barber out of old apple boxes. It was so rickety they had carpenter standing by with a hammer so that every time June hit 8 chord he could nail the keys back on. After our show I ran into Capt. Luigi Dean- gelis, a cameraman who helped me fool the front office in They Got Me Covered" Ca moving pic ture). Capt. Deangelis is with the 9th Combat Camera unit and had been in Europe couple of years photographdng battle scenes. Of course he had had Q lot Of training for that sort of thing in Hollywood, after all the work he did shooting my love scenesl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-25
Ieronimo
 With 351st On Way Hon
Myrtle Avenue
 Pfc. Helped Build France Hospitals

Assebmly Area Command, France The 351st Engineer General Serv- ice Regiment will not have to build it's own boat in order to get back home, but heretofore the outfit has had to make its own way. The reg iment built Camp Cleveland in the Assembly Area Command where 1t is now being prpcessed for redeploy- ment through the United States.
 In England where the unit built headquarters for General Eisen- hover they used their own air raid shelters before they were finished.
 The 351st was activated at Camp White, Oregon, in August, 1922, and at that time was composed chiefly of men from Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. It constructed combat range at Fort Lewis, Washington, 1943 and came to England in July of the same year. Before tackling the SHEAF fob it constructed an advance repair depot for the Eighth Air Force.
 The regiment landed in France in August 1944, followed the infan- try into Rennes and Brittany and there built hospitals, repaired rail- road bridges, roads and ate well from captured German storage warehouses. Tn September the 351st moved to Paris to repeat the per- formance.
 During the Ardennes campaign the regiment was given four hours notice and was rushed 250 miles to Luxembourg where it was assigned to the Third Army as infantry. When the Bulge collapsed the unit returned to Paris to finish its work there and then came to the Assem- ply Area Command to build itself a temporary home.
 Amog the men in the End Battal- ion of the 351st is Pfc Lucas V. Ieronimo of 27 Myrtle avenue, Wa terbury, Conn.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-25
Del Russo Wins $1O ArnyPrize
 U. s. Time Employe
 Suggests Way to
 Speed Wor Work

Springfield, Mass, August 25 = Nine civilian awards totaling $685 for suggestions incorporating sav- ings to the government or speeding up of the war program were made today to Springfield Ordnance Dis trict employees by John s. Begley, district chief.
 Top awards of $250 each were giv- en to Ernest J. Hartland of the Cage Section, production service branch, and Robert Barker of the Procurement and Examinations Sec- tion, small arms branch. Miss Char lotte Ratte of the Property-Traflc Section, redistribution and salvage branch, received $60, and $50 went to Donald Rushlow of Colts A. I. O. office, Hartford. Romeo J. Della of High Standard A. I. O. office, New Haven, was awarded $20, and $10 each was given to Carl Del Russo of U. s. Time A. I. O. office, Wa terbury; F. J. Arciszewski of the Cage Section, and Miss Edith Lopat- kiewicz of Winchester A. l. O. office, New Haven. The final award of $5 was received by J. Kendall Brigham of the Voucher Section, accounting branch.
 MT. Hartland's suggestion embod- jed the use of stellite or other suit able metal inserts on graduated rings and body details of master fuzes at an estimated annual sav- ing of $15,000 of which $7,000 acc crued to the Springfield Ordnance District. MT. Barker suggested use of . clip to charge Ca. 80 cartridg. es into the IS and 30 round carbine magazines with no estimate of sav- ingS involved since this resulted from final use of the clip loader in the field.
 Miss Rates suggestion involved changes in preparation of Vendor Shipping Documents with an esti- mated annual saving of $1,596; MT. Rushlow suggested changing meth- ods of painting the rear sight as- sembly of the machine gun, 50 Cal iber M2, to one of oxidization at an estimated yearly saving of $1,000 and MT. Della suggested combining hear space and timing gages for the 50 caliber machine gun el;m- mating possibility of injury and lost time accidents.
 Changes in methods of using wall height variation gages were sug- gested by MT. Del Russo, Mr. Arcis- zswski developed an idea for hoist ing heavy objects from trucks in the district garage, and Miss Lopatkie- wicz suggested improvements in methods of applying gages to Cal. 30 carbine inspection. The sugges- tion of MT. Brigham incorporated changes in forms for supplemental agreements.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-25
A. P.VostoIo Tokes Course At Sorbonne
 LocoI Doctors
 Son Enrolled
 At Paris u.

With the United States Forces in France-Private First Glass Anthony Vastola Jr., 19, of Waterbury, Conn.,, veteran combat instrument operator for the 959 Field Artillery Battal- lion is now enrolled in French Ian guage and civilization courses at the Sorbonne, University of Paris.
 Paris Study Center IS op. ated as part of the Army Education Pro- gram being conducted in Europe through the Information and Edu- cation Division, USFET, headed by Brig, Gen. Paul w. Thompson.
 The two-month French language and civilization course now being given at the Sorbonne of the Uni verstiy of Paris is the first summer course ever instituted in the school founded by Robert de Sorbon in 1926 as a theological seminary.
 Glasses are taught by English speaking French instructors for three hours every morning. Visits to museums, churches, art galleries and other places of interest in Paris and the neighboring areas occupy the afternoons.
 The program at the Study Center is organized along lines that allow service-students to pursue their studies as much like civilian stu dents as is possible. Personal con- tact with the French people is en- couraged to enlarge the students understanding of French life and customs.
 A former student of Wesleyan University, Pfc. Vastola was called to active duty with the United States Army in July 1914 and ar rived overseas in February 1945.
 His parents, Dr. and Mrs. A. P. Vastola, reside at 120 Cables avenue, Waterbury, Conn.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-25
Carmen IadaroLa
 Gifesf In Belgium

With the 106th Infantry Di- vision of the Seventh Army: Pfc. Carmen Iadarola, of 157 Beech street, Waterbury, Conn, recently returned to his organization, the 422nd In- fanfry Regiment, after enjoy ing a welI-earned three day pass in hospitable Belgium.
 While in Belgium Iadarola stayed at an army recreation camp. Located near a large city, he found facilities for sightseeing, sports of all sorts, and rest-in the absence of military surroundings.
 The 422nd Infantry is unit of Mai Gen. Donald A. StrOh's 1O6th "Lion" Division, now stationed near Karlsruhe in the American occupation zone of Germany.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-25
P,1uate John f. OLeary Late Fireman Remembered Horse-Drawn De- partment Apparatus as North End Youngster Gas He Inhaled in South Main Street Blaze Weakened His Strong Frame
 -Buddies Remember His
 Heart of Gold.
Heart of Gold.

compose a few of the aches and pains that go with the life of fire man, whether he lives in Waterbury or some larger city or small town. And it wasn't until long after the workmens compensation act be- came effective in Connecticut that the Police and Bremen were includ- ed in the measure. The Legislature was quick to make the change, once the courts decided fire and police employees were excluded from the terms of the act.
 Private John O'Leary's duties must have had much to do with his physical condition, according to his associates, for there was notice able change after ten or more years of service. The smelly and choking gas he inhaled in the important fires in South Main street 8 few years back, they always said, did much to weaken and loosen the strong frame and build he brought with him upon entrance day. John finally began to fail nd then he suddenly collapsed and that closed his career as a fireman in the city. It will be this same way, probably with many others we now see around. They, too, will pass out, but just when neither they nor any one else knows. There'll be a touch some day, and that will be the ofti- cial call to get ready.
 John OLeary, was friendly, good natured, kindly, with "a heart of gold" as they say, anxious for the good of all, respectful and thought ful of his elders and officers, and disposed to display a laugh and a cheer that meant much to those who "chummed" with him.
 Anyone who can laugh and be ol good cheer is an asset to com- munity.
 There are so many. you know. who find 1t hard and so trying to even produce a smile.
 We know a lot of such people.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-25
C. L. Boston AtLeHovre
 Local CorporoI
 With Port Unit

With U. s. Forces in France-The cc70th Port Company, commanded by Capt. M. P. Martino, 661 Virginia avenue, Follansbee, West Virginia, which has been active in France since D plus 1, is now outloading men and equipment bound for the U. S. and the Pacific at the port of Le Havre.
 On June T, 1944, the 270th began to land on Omaha Beach following up the assault troops, to unload vi- tally needed supplies.
 \ During operations on Omaha, Sgt. Scott Clay, 560 Monroe street. Brook lyn. N. Y, and a 14-men crew com pietely unloaded an English coast CT of 980 tons in 24 hours. Suhse- quently Sgt. Kalter Cox. Il Clinton avenue, New Rochelle, N. r., and his section unloaded 279 tons in l2 hours.
 On November IS, i944, the com- pany left Omaha Beach for its new assignment at Le Havre.
 The 270th Port Company was activated on March 25, 1943, at Camp Myles Standish, Massachu- setts, and took its basic training there. The unit then moved to the Boston Port of Authorization to take its technical training. The 270th sailed for overseas duty arrived in Scotland, October 19 and wat sent to Glasgow to prepare for the invasion.
 All the men who served on Omaha Beach were awarded two battle stars, for the campaigns of Nor- mandy and Northern France, and . Bronze Service Arrowhead for par. ticipation in the invasion as . par' Of the 5th Engineer Special Bri' gade.
 Members of the company include Cpl. Charles L. Easton of 46 or anee street. Waterbury. Conn.