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(Editor's Note: This is another installment of The Express' "Letter to Our Boys," written during World War II to let "our boys" know what was happening back in their home towns. The Express will bring the letters to you occasionally, thanks to the efforts of Fred and Anna Snyder, who compiled the letters over several years of research and donated a full copy of them to the Clinton County Historical Society.)
Saturday, April 7, 1945
Dear……..
One of the fellows who attended the Teachers College for whom I have a great amount of regard is Leonard (Big John) Johnson, who played football at Mt. Carmel High School under Walter Levine, and at Lock Haven Teachers College where he was, in my book, the greatest place-kicker of all time.
Len of "John" graduated from TC in 1937 and was the national leader that year in kicking placements for extra points. A 220-pounder and an amiable guy, naturally, makes quite a soldier.
A former hash-slinger at Bud Davis' beanery, Big John is one of those guys you just have to like. He wasn't blowing his own horn when the letter he wrote turned up on my desk. In fact, it was mailed to Capt. Wynn Fredericks, Big John's former coach, now in California, who mailed it to my good friend, Con Sullivan, Big John's favorite prof. Who mailed it to Col. O'Corn.
Big John, I believe, is all soldier, I know, without reading his letter. Twice was he wounded and twice – yes twice, mind you – he refused second lieutenancies on the field of battle. Boys, that's one helluvalot of soldiering.
I like to record this because I like Big John and I like to think – as you do – of the day when TC had its championship football teams. If some more guys like Big John come along – and I think they will – we will have some more title elevens.
Two letters received this week by Col. O'Corn speak for themselves.
A soldier who prefers to remain anonymous pleads for a friend thus: "Two years ago my two buddies and I joined the Army. We all had the same friends – or at least that was the way it looked when we were home. Not long ago Bill had to send a piece to your paper asking his 'friends' to write him. That is hard on a fellow when he is over here in Germany.
"Surely when the 'kid' is over here fighting so that you folks back there can go to the church you like or go to a movie or have lights to go home by, it is not asking too much to drop him a few lines. If so, I am sorry I took up your valuable time."
S2/c Ardell Kling says: "Now I am somewhere on the Pacific and find the problem of getting mail very difficult." A Jersey Shore youth, Kling says he "always enjoyed the Lock Haven paper." He adds: "As for my duties, I have learned a good many jobs. I have been on the helm – which is steering the ship – and find it quite interesting. My main duty is working on a (censored) gun."
Charles R. (Pat) Wise Jr. writes that "I haven't met any of the local gang out here in the Pacific but I sure scan all of the faces for the sight of someone from home every time I get the chance at liberty. Sorry to see the names of local boys killed in action now appearing quite regularly in your letter and especially sorry to have to read about Abby Mack, a boyhood friend of mine and fellow student at the Immaculate Conception High School.
My wife tells me of his having a daughter, whom he never had the opportunity to see, but that is what a guy has to expect these times."
Cpl. Harry Winters writes that since "the last time I wrote to you I have been in France and managed to visit the following cities: Nancy, Metz, Charleville, Rheims, and Soissons.
"I am now back in Belgium and I like it better than in France. The weather here has become warm and the heavy snow has disappeared but in its place we have quite a bit of rain. you are very lucky if you see the sun shine one day out of five."
Since entering the Army, Winters gained 30 pounds which is a lot of weight. He had won the Bronze Star and a Presidental Citation
KILLED
Pfc. Clair Marks, Jersey Shore, in Germany, March 19, leaves wife. F/O William Heelas, in France, March 24, leaves wife. S/Sgt. Thomas Whitman, Renovo, Nov. 15.
WOUNDED
Pfc. Clyde (Pete) Council, 22, slightly, in Germany, March 13. Pvt. Jesse Russell, in Germany, March 16. Pfc. John McGill, Salona, seriously, in Germany, March 9.
PRISONER
S/Sgt. John Young, Renovo, of the Germans, was reported missing. Pvt. Louis Pisano, of the Germans, after being reported missing. Sgt. John Heckel, Jr., of the Germans. S/Sgt. Harry A. Leupold, of the Germans, had been missing since Dec. 20; wife gets news on fourth wedding anniversary.
BACK
S/Sgt. Joseph Berry, 30-day leave, after 23 months in Italy. Pvt. Frank Grand, to Camp Butner, N.C., after wounded in Germany.
DECORATED
Pfc. Clifford Heverly, Oak Leaf Cluster, in France. Pfc. Ernest Antonucci, Bronze Star. in France. Pvt. Richard Workman, 22, Purple Heart, in Germany. Stanley Black, Tyrone, presidential citation. Pvt. Lee M. Packer, Beech Creek, Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star. Sgt. Charles Hazel, Mill Hall, Bronze Star in Germany, Jan. 23. Pfc. Louis Vuocolo, Purple Heart, in Belgium.
PROMOTED
Pvt. Francis Simcox to Pfc. in Italy. Max Philips to Sgt. in Italy. Pvt. John Keller, to corporal.
WED
Pvt. Harold Finnefrock to Lucille Mary Bains, both of Renovo.
BORN
Girl, Julia Scott, to Lt. and Mrs. Charles Kurtz (Julia Rich), March 23.
Short Takes
Herman Wadsworth, 55, dies after crash of city truck and PRR train at Hanna St.; Harry Tressler seriously injured; Rat (Pat) Vonada, driver, slightly. Doc Teah recovering from arthritis which gets down the toughest of hands including Doc, who is pretty tough. Clinton County War Loan quota $1,330,000. Drive for used clothing for Europe's needy gets under way. Dead deer found in river near bridge; probably starved during the recent tough winter and carried down by flood waters. Candidates for newly scheduled primary election (June 19) few, with Democrats not much interested; Repubs have at least one candidate for each office; feature – Ed Brown, Wilson Poorman and Ray Houser for Republican nomination for city controller. John Marshall now exalted ruler of Elks; house committee – Gordon Fowler, John Newman and Ridge Heller; starting trip through chairs – Norval Remick and Bud Markel. Jersey Shore buys for $20,000 Prince Farrington's farm adjoining airport site to expand same. 72 checks of famous Americans from Thomas Penn, son of William, to Warren Harding, on display at First National Bank.
VFW buys Columbus Hotel; Wes Maggs, former operator, retires. James Turner, 68, Beech Creek, has broken ankle after being hit by car. Hold everything – Salvatore Morasco is the new "poppa" to quadruplets; his goat has four kids. Jack Johnson, 55, dies as a result of injuries from NYC train at Westport. Rabbi Eric Greenbaum, a popular guy hereabouts for the short time he has been with us, will go to Detroit; successor not chosen.