1944, September

The Avon Newsletter ~ September 1944


The number of gold stars on the Avon Honor Roll has been increased to five with the deaths of PFC Gertrude L. Bryant and Private John D. “Buddy” Pellegrini. -- PFC Gertrude L. Bryant died at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. following a short illness. - Private John D. Pellegrini died as the result of wounds received in action in France.


The Home Service Committee of the Avon Branch of the Red Cross organized one of the most important tasks which included: taking care of appeals for funds from the service men and women, handling extensions of furloughs due to personal illness or illness in the family, handling transportation problems, inquired about prisoners, payment of hospital bills, allotments, etc.


The Avon Library would be open once a week for use as an information center for men and women in the armed services and their families. -- Red Cross files would be kept in the Library.


Wendell Bentley, Mo.M.M. was awarded the Submarine Combat Pin for duty in enemy waters.


Lieut. George Koch won his navigator wings in October 1942 and is training to be a pilot.


Joseph Myketyn had been promoted from F 1/c to Mo.M.M. 3/c and was stationed at Fort Pierce, Florida with the Amphibious Forces Attack Boat Branch.


Ellis H. Speath promoted to rank of Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Forces.


PFC Charles Morelli received the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in Italy.


Corp. Paul Plona was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in the South Pacific while fighting with the Marines.


A large number of townspeople were at the circus fire; however only Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hopkins and their son, “Breezy” were the only Avonites burned; all three recovered without serious effects.


“Breezy” one of two Avon children to come down with infantile paralysis, Janet Lyles being the other; neither child expected to have any permanent effects.


5>th War Loan Drive saw $103,831 purchased in bonds by Avon residents and businesses.


Over a ton of tin cans collected in Avon in the last collection.


Avon Post Office advanced to a Second Class Post Office.


Ernest Wiese had been in the printing department in the Navy and received a citation for the way the work had been carried on while at Newport.


Sergeant George R. Bergen was awarded the Air Medal for participating in five combat missions of some of the most heavily defended German position in occupied Europe.


9 Avon Red Cross workers received service stripes and head dresses for completing 100 hours’ work on surgical dressings. -- 14 awarded pins and gowns for working 80 hours. - The Combat Infantryman’s Badge is awarded to those soldiers who have proven their fighting ability and courage in battle “for exemplary conduct in action against the enemy” and so three more soldiers in Avon have been awarded this honor: Pvt. Leonard Hoppi, Pvt. Francis J. Silver, S/Sgt. Raymond Zacchera


The Newsletter continues the War Record from the June Issue


New additions to the Honor Roll


Compiled by Katie Kukiolczynski


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