News About the Boys in the U.S. Army and Navy
Nisqually Valley News September 14, 1944
Mrs. William West received word last Friday that her husband Pvt. William West was wounded in action in France recently.
Lt. Ferdinand Hoefke and Sergeant Gerhard Hoefke former residents of Yelm and both graduates of Yelm High School were in Yelm Thursday visiting with friend. Lt. Hoefke is with a Paratroop outfit and is stationed in Georgia. Sgt. Hoefke is stationed at the Port of Embarkation in Seattle.
A. A. Stancil was received word that his nephew, Jewell Stancil, was killed on August 3rd in France with General Patton’s Army. Stancil spent the summer in Yelm 2 years ago and has many friends here.
Pvt. Charles Sokolik has received the Sharp Shooters Medal at Camp Roberts, California, according to his mother, Mrs. Jane Sokolik.
AS Albert McMonigle is home on leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. J. McMonigle, after having completed his boot camp at Farragut, Idaho.
Shipfitter 3c Jack Willard, who has been in the Navy 19 months and has not been home in that time, is at home on leave and is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. L. Willard.
Capt. and Mrs. John Hayes left on Wednesday for Randolph Field, Texas, after a furlough at the home of her parents, Mr. and MR. John Grinde in Yelm. Miss Joan Grinde, a sister of Mrs. Hayes, accompanied them and will stay in Texas for the next three months.
Mrs. Team Gritten, now of Pacific City, but formerly of Rainier, has received a letter from her son homer Gritten, which arrived on Thursday. Mrs. Gritten was notified on August 24th that Homer was missing in action, but he writes he is now safe in Italy and that he expects to be home soon.
F1c Harland W. Kinney arrived at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Kinney, on Tuesday, after 8 months overseas in the South Pacific. Fireman Kinney has 4 battle stars on his ribbon and has seen plenty of action in addition to the four battle tars. He will leave on Saturday for the return trip to San Diego.
Cpt. William Mosman, who had intended to surprise his parents by arriving home unannounced on a 21 day furlough, was himself pleasantly surprised when his parent, Mr. and Mrs. James L. Mosman met him at Fort Lewis on Saturday. B Ill believed that he was surprising them and would not believe it when some of his buddies who had seen pictures of Mr. Mosman informed Bill his dad was out in front waiting for him. Bill has been overseas for two years and has seen action in Africa, Sicily, and Italy. After the 21 day furlough Bill will go to Santa Monica, California to be reassigned and expects to be sent to Nebraska. The grapevine reports nothing official of course that the wedding bells will ring for Bill and Miss Jeanne Zelmatz, former teacher in the Yelm High School, now residing in Spokane, in the near future.
Sgt. Merle Curry, on of J. M. Curry arrived home last Friday night, coming from the Fort with Mr. Curry and Marshall Dan Curry, who made the trip to Fort Lewis to bring him home and to expedite things at the Fort. Merle was ready to start for Yelm in a very short time after arriving at Fort Lewis. Merle has seen service in Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Corsica. He has seen a lot of things going on over there.
Three stripes now adorn the left sleeve of WAC Margaret Hartline of Yelm a member of the 207th Women’s Army Corps Detachment at Fort Mason, headquarters of San Francisco Port of Embarkation. Her promotion from corporal to sergeant was announced this week. Sgt. Hartline is the daughter of Oliver F. Hartline an was employed by the city of Olympia before she enlisted. Sgt. Hartline is stationed in the Casual Personnel Enlisted Men’s Section of Port Personnel Division.
Bernard Bearss, son of Mr. and Mrs. Maynard Bearss, is now at Jacksonville, Florida, taking training in Naval Aviation.