1945, March
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The Avon Newsletter ~ March 1945
Sergeant Elmer R. Howard died in France on February 1st from wounds received in action.
Private Chris D. Christensen was killed in action in Germany on March 1st.
PFC Thomas P. Gibson was blinded by German mortar fire in Italy and was the first soldier at the Old Farms Convalescent Hospital to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. -- Pvt. Henry Reynolds was awarded the Purple Heart. He was blinded by Japanese gun fire in the Admiralty Islands; first soldier at the Hospital to be so decorated -- *Neither men though from Avon
At the time of press, there were 250 names on the Honor Roll and 9 gold stars.
S/Sgt. Frank Gerchman received a Presidential Unit Citation with one cluster, the Good Conduct Ribbon and two Battle Stars.
PFC Adam Piascik was promoted to PFC.
PFC Joseph-Rhoades made PFC.
Cpl. Albert Simonelli had received five Battle Stars.
In 1944 The Avon Red Cross has made: 50 hospital shirts (sewn), 50 convalescent robes (sewn), 35 rompers (sewn), 28 Army sweaters (knit), 2 Navy sweater (knit), 14 Army scarves (knit), 24 pairs of Army wristlets (knit), 7 pairs of Army socks (knit), 4 pairs of trigger mitts (knit), 33 Navy beanies (knit), 40,129 surgical sponges
The Avon Red Cross War Fund Drive collected $2,945, exceeding the quota of $2,800.
The Boston Chemical Warfare Department announced that Ensign-Bickford products are vital components of the new M69 incendiary bombs being dropped on the Japanese mainland from B-29 bombers.
Each Saturday afternoon a group of Gray Ladies of the Avon Branch of the Red Cross, accompanied by Junior Hostesses, go to the Avon Old Farms Convalescent Hospital to entertain the trainees (blinded soldiers) and to assist them in any way possible. -- Groups from other towns are on hand the rest of the week.
Pvt. Warner H. Buttles had been cited by the 6th Armored Infantry Division and awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
Sgt. Oliver Church had been awarded the Air Medal.
Jack Davis had been promoted from Major to Lieutenant Colonel at a Communication Zone Base Section in France. - Handles personnel problems. - Controls troop movements and assignments.
Pvt. William C. Esok was awarded the Bronze Battle Star for his unit’s participation in the Rome-Arno phase of the Italian Campaign. -- Fourth Battle Star won, each representing a Major Campaign.
Commander Harold O’D. Hunter named professor of naval science and tactics at Yale University and Commander of the Yale V-12 unit. He was formerly associate professor.
Sgt. Herman Kruse awarded the Air Medal.
PFC Paul Kruse awarded a Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
PFC Louis Migli had been cited by his regiment and awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
Sgt. Anthony Rotondo awarded the Air Medal.
Dr. William Wiepert had been promoted from Captain to Major.
Ray Zacchera promoted to Technical Sergeant.
Doris Dickman, WAVES, promoted to Y 2/c.
Edward Dawson promoted to Machinist’s Mate 3/c.
PFC Adrian LeBelle fought in Italy with the 338th Infantry Regiment that is credited with killing and wounding hundreds of Germans and taking 700 prisoners in four weeks fighting the Gothic Line.
Air Medal: Arthur Anderson, Oliver Church, Herman Kruse, Anthony Rotondo,
Soldiers Medal: Robert Brown
Infantryman’s Combat Badge: Harold Bonesio, Warner Buttles, Joseph Kulikowski, Louis Migli, Adrian LaBelle, Charles Morelli, Clifford Rodgers, Frances Silver, Raymond Zacchera, Paul Kruse
Purple Heart: Robert Brighenti, Earl Carini, Edward Drezek, Charles Morelli, Paul Plona, Francis Silver
Presidential Unit Citation: Michael Dubiel (Deceased), Frank Gerchman (One Cluster), Charles Koch, Albert Simonelli
Submarine Combat Pin: Wendell Bentley
Compiled by Katie Kukiolczynski
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