Thursday, March 29, 1945
P.F.C. Raymond R. Mullenax
Mrs. Lula Mae Mullenax, of Arbovale, received a telegram Friday stating that her husband, Private First Class Raymond R. Mullenax, was killed in action in Germany on February 23, 1945. Private First Class Mullenax was inducted into the service June 22, 1944… He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. S. K. Mullenax, of Arbovale.
Our Army and Navy Boys
Corporal Ernest R. Sharp, 34, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Sharp, of Frost, recently was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in action on the Fifth Army Front in Italy. He serves as a surgical technician in the Medical Detachment of the 2nd Battalion 361st Infantry Regiment of the 91st “Powder River” Division.
With three comrades, Sharp, then a private first class, braved intense German mortar and artillery fire to proceed more than 500 yards to the side of two wounded soldiers. After administering first aid, the medics carried the casualties out of the danger area.
In addition to the Bronze Star, Sharp wears the Purple heart for a wound received in action…
His wife, Mrs. Vera L. Sharp, lives in Covington, Virginia.
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Sergeant Audrey (Fuzzy) Dilley, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Dilley, wounded three times in action on the Italian front, is home on furlough.
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Corporal Clyde W. Carpenter, of the 15th Air Force, is spending a 30-day furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Carpenter, of Millpoint. He has 37 months in service and 28 months of it was spent overseas.
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Jack Kane and Olen Mayes, of the Navy, are home on a thirty-day leave after serving sixteen months in the south Pacific. They are on the same ship and have seen plenty of action.
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Ray Dahmer, of the Navy, was home on a two-day leave with his wife and little son and his parents at Cass.
LETTER
The following letter was received by Johnny and Buddy Ramsey, of Millpoint, from their mother, CPL. M. P. B. Batchelder, who is in a Casualty Division stationed in Paris.
My Darling Sons:
So, you were going back to school when you wrote last.
Please be good boys and study hard. You will both need it later.
I’m sending some more pictures for the both of you. I also have some other things for you and will send them soon as I can get a few more things to put with them.
We have snow over here, too…
The first snow we had, the French, English and American boys had a snow battle between them. Wish you could have seen it. Mary and I were walking down the “Champs” not thinking. All at once, we were pelted by snow. Our hats were knocked off and our coats covered with snow. Then some smart French man got the idea of throwing it up our skirts. Then the G. I. took over the matter and the French really caught it. We ran around a corner and were safe.
Because they have no fuel, heat or food, they are blaming us for it all. Sometimes I feel like slapping their faces when they start giving us that sob stuff, as though we haven’t sacrificed thousands of our boys’ lives so that they are free. They simply don’t appreciate it. There are some nice ones as well as bad. The family where we visit each week are swell, but are English educated which makes a difference. This week, they are giving a party for us girls, dinner and dancing…
Last year Daddy and I were home, and how I wish I could be there with all of you this year. Do you ever hear from Daddy? He doesn’t write me any more; maybe it is for the best.
Be good boys and please write. Thanks so much for the tea. I appreciate it so much. I gave each civilian in my office enough to make a small pot full. You should have seen them. They really appreciated it. The only tea they have had since Paris fell to the Nazis has been black market stuff, costing from four to five thousand francs a pound, which is $10 in our money. The poor just can’t afford it. Bread is their main food. Vegetables are very scarce. One family I know has had only four pounds of potatoes in a month, and no butter or fats. Eggs are 40 cents each. Butter is $6.50 a pound, “black market…”
Some of the children here never get any milk and very little food.
Be thankful that your grandparents have given you a home, and have taken care of you and given you plenty to eat and wear. Help them all you can, please boys, for my sake. Tell them both hello for me and write soon.
I love you both bushels and would give anything to see and be with you.
Good night, my darling sons,
Your loving Mom,
M. C.
BIRTH
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Miller, of Dunmore, a son named Clark Bennett.
DEATH
Fred L. Gwin passed away Friday evening, March 23, 1945, in Pocahontas Memorial Hospital where he had been a patient for the past ten days.
He was born July 22, 1888, near Marlinton, the son of the late David A. and Alice Rowan Gwin, both of Bath County, Virginia. He had resided on his Drennin Ridge farm for the past forty years. Burial in the Edray Cemetery.
