Bennington Banner from Bennington, Vermont • Page 5

Bennington Banner, Wednesday, May 29. 1963-5 Bennington's Records of Military Service To Be Coordinated New Committee Works To Update War Veteran Data This Memorial Day page has been compiled by the newly- formed Veterans Historical Records Committee as the first step in a much larger project. It is the hope of the committee to compile meaningful biographical data about every man and woman whose name appears on the Honor Rolls of World Wars I and In Bennington, as well as to put together for the first time a complete list of the Bennington men and women who served In the Korean War. This splendid record, with its biographical data, will if community Interest and support appear --eventually be printed in one or more volumes, copies of which will be placed in the historical library at the Bennington Museum, in each of the public libraries in the town of Bennington, and in each high school library. The committee has received its first encouragement and support from the Bennington Museum, which has offered working and filing space in Us historical library, and advice and help from its genealogical consultant, Allen D.

Hill. The museum has also made available to the committee its valuable file of letters, newspaper clippings and photographs compiled during World War and the years following by the late Judge Leonard W. Morrison and the late Henry Walbridge. Elsewhere on this Memorial Day page appears the questionnaire which the committee hopes will be cut out, answered and returned to it by every veteran from Bennington who served in the armed forces during any of the three wars mentioned, or by his family. The committee is aware that even the records of the organizations they represent and the Honor Rolls are not complete, and they hope that omissions or corrections will be brought to their attention.

There are also several groups not represented in these organizations, namely: veterans who entered the service elsewhere and who now live in Bennington; veterans who lived in Bennington at the time of entering service but who were inducted elsewhere and so were not registered locally; the young men and women who have entered and are entering the armed services during the cold war. The committee feels these omissions are a serious impairment of tiie completeness of Bennington's records, and would welcome the return of thequestionnairefrom all these veterans and young people or from their families. This is a project which the committee says it is entering upon more by faith than by sight. Its total funds at this moment have been contributed by the original members of the committee and add up to The greatest contribution so far has been made by the Bennington Museum in its offer of working and filing space, without which the work could not be undertaken, and the consultant help of Mr. Hill.

St. Joseph Business College has also contributed the skilled-work which has provided the first batch Tiie Bennington Banner has contributed the space and the technical assistance to make up this page. The committee hopes to form sub-committees to help with this labor of interest and pride, and will welcome contributions of time and clerical help as well as money. Interested persons may contact Mrs. William E.

Dailey, vice-chairman, or Mrs. Norton Barber, chairman. The Veterans Historical Records Committee is composed of representatives from the following organizations: American Legion: Edward Hood, present and past commander of the Bennington Post, Hugh E. Clark, past commander, William Horst, Memorials Committee; American Legion Women's Auxiliary: Mrs. William E.

Dailey, past national vice-president and past Bennington Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign Wars: Louis Ross, present district commander, past commander of Bennington Post; V.F.W. Women's Auxiliary: Mrs. Helen Hall, district president' and president of the Bennington Auxiliary; World War I veterans CFhe Barracks): Hugh E. Clark, also on the Selectmen's Memorial Day Committee; Gold Star Mothers: Mrs. Hugh H.

Vance, president, who is also serving as secretary and treasurer ot this committee; Mrs. Hazel Sweet, past secretary of the Gold Star Mothers; Bennington Museum: Richard C. Barret, curator; Mrs. NortonBarber. a i The sinking the Army transport ship USS Coolidge on Oct.

26, nias the first, enemy action encountered by members of Bennington Company I in Worltl ll'ar These ami other local war records arp. now being compiled. The Sinking of the 'Coolidge' By JAMES S. I1OLDKN Mid-morning Oct. 26, 1942 the USAT President Coolidge was nearing the advance naval base at Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides.

The 172nd Combat Team casually stood by, lining the railings on the decks, eagerly watching the passing shoreline as the transport moved toward Segond Channel. All were anticipation of what' this tropical island held for them preparatory to moving "up the slot" to Guadalcanal and combat. Just as the Coolidge swung into the channel there was a terrific detonation that lifted the huge ship out of the water and set her full giant structure atremble. In a split second there was a second blast as she, contacted a second mine. The ship's master, Capt.

Henry Nelson, gudied her skillfully onto a coral reef that lay offshore. She was grounded, momentarily secure on the shoal. Orders to debark were soon followed by the urgent "abandon ship" as she to the. starboard and torrents of water rushed through huge, gaping holes torn in her 'hull. Some 4,000 troops, confident from recent training in amphibious warfare at Fort Ord, climb- ed over the sides and descended into the sea by way of nets and knotted ropes to swim ashore to safety.

But deep in one of the ship's hold several men of the 103rd Field Artillery Battalion were trapped with water filling the hold in increasing volume. Capt. Elwond J. Euart, FA Bn, of Pawtucket, R.I., returned to the hold, located his men. He immediately fastened a rope around 'his waist.

'iecurifig one end to a supporting shaft. One by one he brought each man out of the hold to security. When the last man had been safely extricated time and human endurance had run out. The Coolidge slid from the reef to which it had first clung engulfed in the water of the channel later named Euart Passage, in honor of the gallant leader who gave his life that his fellow soldiers might live. Jumrx S.

lloliten of North Bennington, now a justice of the Vermont Supreme. is a former national commander of the J.ird fmitrtj I'ision cterfinxAx- sociation. He rose to the rank of major during Army World ar 11 in he Pacific theater. With Honor-- and Hope Bennington Area Men Who Served On the 'Coolidge' BENNINGTON Joseph P. Allard, Edward W.

Baker, Raymond D. Baker(kllled In action, Esplrltu Santo, New Hebrides), Richard J. Bellemare, Otto R. Bennett Fred A. Bevis, Jules J.

Boutin, Louis A. Boutin, Ralph A. Brown, Robert Brown, David E. Bushee, Lewis T. Butler, John F.

Carrlgan (killed in action, Luzon, P.I.), Francis E. Clark, James N. Cook, Ernest Coonradt, Alberts. Cushing, George Cushing, Patrick J. Devlin.

Wlnfield P. Gates Richard D. Gerkin, Theodore E. Green, Avon J. Gregory, Floyd M.

Hall, Alfred L. Hazelton, Glen W. Hebert, Robert E. Hill (killed in action, Munda, New Georgia), Charles J. Hogan, Michael J.

Hogan James S. Holden, Lewis C. Holton, Stephen H. Jacobs, Clarence R. Johnson (killed in action, Munda, N.G.) Ferris G.

King, Joseph E. Krawezyk, Raymond J. LeBlanc, Lawrence Littlefield, Frank E. Lorette, James M. Lorette, Andrew H.

Maloney, Francis T. Marceau, Edward 'AvMaynard," Albert E. Myers, Harold Nason, William Partenope, Francis H. Pierce, Raymond W. Pratt, James E.

Quackenbush, John J. Quirnby, Thomas Racicot, Edward E. Rood HI, Francis J. Sil- ver, Alfred C. Sorenson, Edward R.

Sweet, John J. Thomayer, Berne P. Vallie, Charles H. Wheeler (died in action, Atape, New Guinea), Joseph A. Wilson Jr.

ARLINGTON: Carl H. Grover, John J. Hannan, Herman A. Webb and Gilbert E. Wllcox.

POWNAL: Francis T. Bowman, Lawrence Chaffee, James E. Meacham, David C. Niles, KennethR. Purdy (killed in action, Munda, New Georgia) and Richard A.

Stockwell. MANCHESTER: Frederick E. Allen, John L. Kelleher and Thomas Smith: READSBORO: Gerardo C. Eccher and Robert B.

Keith. Gordon W. Hescock WHITE CREEK, N.Y.: Ralph E. LeBarron. Samples of Type of Information Sought: As the Veterans Historical Records Committee hasbegunits work it has turned to every official source in town: Mrs.

Viola M. Conley of the Selective Service Board; Mrs. AlmaLanglois, selectman's agent, who has opened the files of the Board of Selectmen; Miss Mary Hodeck, Bennington town clerk; and officers and records of each local veterans organization, as well as individuals "who were Maj. James S. Holden, now a justice of the Vermont Supreme Court, and Michael J.

Hogan now town treasurer, who was clerk of Company both of whom were on the USS Coolidge when went down. Also consulted for information was Keith T. Murray, director of veterans affairs in the office of the Vermont adjutant general. In each case generous cooperation has been offered, but each source remarked, on turning over all available information, "We know these records are not complete because many Bennington men and women registered elsewhere, and many did not come in to record separation from the armed forces." Present records indicate that of the GOO men on the Bennington Honor Roll for World War only 13 were lost. Five were killed in action, three died of wounds and five died of other causes while in service.

For World War II, of the 1,125 men on the Honor Roll in Bennington, no accurate figures are known concerning those who died in service. Of the still unknown number who served in the Korean War and in the Cold War years immediately following, two were killed in action, and three died of other causes while in service. Space permits the printing on this page of only few names from each war's list of those who lost their lives while on active duty. The scantiness of the information about some of the names, especially those from World War II, shows the great need of help from eich veteran's family to enable the committee to complete his record of service. Please include rank on induction and any changes of rank during service, any citations, decorations, or other pertinent information.

In remembering with gratitude thn service of Bonnington young men and women In unch of these wurs, wo pny tribute on Memorial Day to those who could not return. In the words which our Civil War President engraved on the hearts of all Americans: "It is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion that we highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Garth." It is with honor that we remember especially on this day: WORLD WAR I Irving Andrew Bent. Res: Pownal, Born in Bennington. Inducted: May 25, 1918, Bennington.

Served with: 151st Dep. Brig. Camp Devens, Mass, to June 15, '18 Co. 303rd Inf. to Oct.

14, '18. Killed: Oct. 14, 1918. What action: Where: Place of burial: Bennlngtnn, Vt. Surviving family: Earl Bishop.

Res: Woodford, Vt. Born: Searsburg, Vt. Enlisted: June 29, 1917, Fort Ethan Allen. Served with: Co. 1st Vt.

Co. E. 103rd Inf. to July 17, 1918. Overseas: Sept.

25, 1917 to July 17, 1918. Killed: July 17, 1918. What action: Where: Burial: Athol, Mass. Surviving family: Harold E. Dow.

Res: Bennington, Vt. Born: Albany, N.Y. Inducted: July 1, 1918 at Troy, N.Y. Served with: I5thServ.Co.Sig. Corps, Ft.

Lenvenworth, Kan. to Sept. 1, 1918. 1st Inst. Co.

Slg. Corps, Buzzer School, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. toOct. 11, 1918. Died of disease: Oct.

11, 1918. Burial: Lanesboro, Mass. Village Cemetery. Surviving family: Further Information: RlchardyC. Holllster.

Ben- ningt6n, Vt. Born: Bennlnglon, Enlisted: 8 March, 1915, Fort Myer, Va. Served with: Troop 5th Cavnlry to July 10, 1917. Died of disease: July 10, 1917. Burial: Park Lawn Cemetery, Bennlngton, Vt.Sur- viving family: Further information: Frederick C.

Horst. Res: Bennington, Vt. Born: New York, N.Y. Inducted 2 October, 1917, Bennington, Vt. Served with 151st Dep.

Brig, to Nov. 10, 1917; with Co. 325th Inf. to Oct. 15, 1918.

Grades: 1-c Pvt. Feb. 1, 1918. Overseas: April 25, 1918 to Oct. 15,1918.

Died of wounds: Oct. 15, 1918. What engagement: Burial: Bennington, Park Lawn Cemetery. Surviving family: Further information: WORLD WAR Raymond D. Baker, Res: Inducted: Served with: Where: Died of gunshot wounds, Dec.

8, 1942, South Pacific Area, What action: Where: Surviving Family: Place of burial: Alfred E. Barschdorf. Res: Inducted: Served with: Where: Died of injuries in aircraft crash in France, March 3, 1945. Where: Place of burial: Surviving family: Ralph E. Boullais.

Res: Inducted: Served with: Where: Died of injuries in aircraft crash In France, March 3, 1945. Where: Place of burial: Surviving family: Edwin J. Brougham, Res: Inducted (date and rank): Served with: Where: Killed in action in Saipan, 15 June 1944. Surviving family: Place of burial: Fur ther Information: Clarence J. Bruneau, Res: Inducted (date and rank): Served with: Where: Killed In action in Burma, 4 March, 1944.

Surviving family: Place of burial: Further Information: KOREAN WAR So far as the Committee can determine, there is to date no complete list anywhere of men from the Bennington area who served in the Korean War. The committee wishes to hear from the Korean veterans or their families. The Selective Service Board has furnished the following list of men who lost their lives while on active duty in the armed forces during this period, while stressing that this should not be considered a complete or accurate list due to the fact that there may be other Bennington men and women registered at other local boards where their records would be kept. PFC Dwight Frank Leonard. Date of birth: 12 Aug.

1927. Place of birth: Bennington, Vt. Inducted: 28 Sept. 1950. Served with: U.S.

Army, Far East Command. Killed in action-Battle-- Korea--10 Oct. 1951. Surviving family: Dwight F. Leonard Sr.

and Kate Kelley Leonard, Dewey Street Extension, Bennington, Vt. Further information: A-1C Donald Francis Malone. Place of birth: Bennington, Vt. Dale of birth: 9 Aug. 1932.

Enlisted: 26 April 1951. Served with: U.S. Air Force. Organization: 2d Air RefuellngSquad- ron, 2nd Bombardment Wing, Hunter AFB, Savannah, Ga. Killed: 10 July, 1953, aircraft accident, near Hunter flying as Boom Operator.

Surviving family: Parents: John H. Malonc and Marie Bertha Malone, Cross Street, Benning- lon, Vt. Further information: Robert Henry Robinson. Place of birth: Bennington, Vt. Date of birth: 18 1928.

Inducted: 26 Oct! 1951. Served with: U.S. Army, PFC. Organization: Far East Command. Killed in action: Battle, Korea, 21 Aug.

1952. Surviving family: Mother: Mrs. Mary E. Buzzell, Beech Street Extension, Bennington, Vt. Son: Roger J.

Robinson, 614 Mnln Bennington, Vt. ohn Frederick Scale. Place of birth: Bennington, Vt. Date of birth: 23 June, 1930. Enlisted: 8 Aug.

1950. Served with: U.S. Air Force, as A-2C. Organization: Flight 10th Air Rescue Squadron. Killed: 11 July, 1952, Aircraft Accident, Snag, Alaska, Flying on a voluntary status on a search mission.

Surviving family: Parents, Chauncey W. Seale and Mildred Beecher Seale, Silk Road.Bon- nlngton, VI. Further information: Other a Specify) Ship. Squadron: Questionnaire of the Bennington Historical Records Committee Questionnaires, when filled out, should be sent to Veterans Historical Records Committee, Bennington Museum. 1.

a 2. Present address Date 3. Entered armed service: a a 4. a i a i Army Nav.v a i Air Force a. a i Division Thealre(s) of service a.

i a i States (please slate where stationed) Overseas (please give place a I A a i 2. a 3. l-'ar a 4. a i i 5. Far North G.

Southern i C. Citations or decorations: 7. Wounded Date- a 8. Present i a i i for service-incurred Injury (address); 9. i Date a 1.0.

Place of burial: 11. i i a i 12. Discharged: (date) a 13. What a i i did you receive in service that has been of no use to you in i i i a lire? 14. What training did you receive in service that you a since found useful 1 15.

What advantage have you taken of the opportunities in the (i.l. i of Rights? Ifi. Married: 17. Children: IB. Present occupation: 19.

Olher activities: (1947-1963) Date: To whom:.