The Avon Newsletter ~ July 1945 - PFC Warner Buttles died in Italy unloading a truckload of hand grenades when on fell and exploded, fatally... Show moreThe Avon Newsletter ~ July 1945 - PFC Warner Buttles died in Italy unloading a truckload of hand grenades when on fell and exploded, fatally wounding him. -- Received the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. - For averaging at least 50 hours of service instead of the required 24, several Avonites received their Gray Lady Caps at the Old Farms Convalescent Hospital. - The E-B Company assisted in manufacturing the famous M69 bomb and is one of several Connecticut companies producing important parts for the M74 “lava” incendiary bomb. - Pvt. George Fournier is buried in Australia and an article in the Newsletter tells the story of an Australian woman who tends to his grave and writes to his aunt in Avon of how she does it for her and all the foreign soldiers families who cannot do it because they are too far away. -- Bronze Star Medal: Lt. Col. Jack Davis, Ch. (Capt.) William Hamilton, Sgt. Harry Silver - Air Medal: Robert L. La Rock - The Distinguished Unit Badge: PFC Francis Silver - The Meritorious Service Unit Insignia: PFC Adam Piascik - Presidential Citations: S/Sgt. Frank Gerchman - PFC John Lubwicz: The Purple Heart with Two Clusters and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge -- PFC John Dineberg -- PFC John Lubwicz - S/Sgt. Frank Gerchman has five battle stars and a Presidential Citation with cluster. - Pvt. Paul Gerchman (now PFC) was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. - John C. Keenan G.M. 3/c made Gunner’s Mate 3/c. - The Second Annual Carnival by the Avon Volunteer Fire Department raised a $2,800 net profit towards a new fire engine. - The Avon Water Company drove a new well on E-B Company land that will supply 200 gallons a minute. - Students of Farmington High School donated $43 to the swimming pool at Avon Convalescent Hospital in memory of two former schoolmates who gave their lives for their country. - PFC Paul Kruse, while guarding prisoners of War in a German Hospital, found by chance that one of the “Jerries” was also named Paul Kruse. When the Germans learned their guard’s name, there was much interest, but PFC Paul wrote, “I went about my business and showed them who was boss.” - Frederick Tew was promoted to Electricians Mate 3/c. - Memorial services were held for PFC Wilbert D. Scanlon who was killed in France in action on November 11, 1944. - Ray Goralski was promoted to Corporal. - PFC Francis Silver’s outfit, Company K, 180th Infantry Regiment, had received a unit citation for outstanding achievement near Bobenthal, Germany. - PFC Adam Piascik’s outfit, the 106th Quartermaster Company of the 106th (Lion) Division has received the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque for Superior performance of duty in the accomplishment of exceptionally difficult tasks. - Chaplain (Captain) William Hamilton was awarded the Bronze star for heroic conduct. - S./Sgt. Herman Kruse received another Oak Leaf cluster, making it eight in all. -- All has eight battle stars. - S/Sgt. Robert L. LaRock was presented the Air Medal. - Tech. Sgt. Anthony Rotondo received his fourth Oak Leaf cluster to be added to the Air Medal. - Joseph Rhoaded was promoted to Corporal. - $75,000 raised by the Civilian Committee sponsoring the project for the swimming pool for the use of the blinded veterans at the Old Farms Convalescent Hospital. - Entertainment at Old Farms Convalescent Hospital: Radio performances, Red Cross recreation center, Dancing, Card playing, Letter writing, Conversation, Fishing at Beaver Dam - More than 125 blinded soldiers have already received training and been returned to civilian life, - Old Farms Convalescent Hospital was awarded the Army’s Meritorious Service Unit Plaque. - Mrs. J. Willard Carville of Avon was a professional reader and teaching Spanish at the Hospital. - T/Sgt. Ray Zacchera was an Enlisted Instructor in Industrial Skills at Old Farms Convalescent Hospital - Miss Ruth Brighenti of Avon was a clerk-typist at Old Farms Convalescent Hospital. - Charles R. Rossing was promoted to Captain. - Sgt. Harry Silver was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic action. - Note: Pages 3 and 5 are repeats of each other (Accidental misprint when they went to press or are there missing pages) - Pages may not also be in order or pages may be missing (do to printing error?) -- See bottom of page 2 and how it does not really continue and flow into page 3. Compiled by Katie Kukiolczynski Show less