Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 38, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 17, 1945 Page: 1 of 8
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Palacios Library.
- Highlighting
- Highlighting On/Off
- Color:
- Adjust Image
- Rotate Left
- Rotate Right
- Brightness, Contrast, etc. (Experimental)
- Cropping Tool
- Download Sizes
- Preview all sizes/dimensions or...
- Download Thumbnail
- Download Small
- Download Medium
- Download Large
- High Resolution Files
- IIIF Image JSON
- IIIF Image URL
- Accessibility
- View Extracted Text
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
J
Y
> i •
For a Greater, Better Palacios Country—Agriculture, Industry, Commerce, Living
SUBSCRIPTION $2.00 PER YEAR
PALACIOS, MATAGORDA COUNTY, TEXAS, THURSDAY, MAY 17. 1945
VOLUME XXXVIII NUMBER 20
With Our Men In The Service
A change of address comes for
2nd Lt Frank A. Johs, who now
has an APO number, % P. M. New
York. Frank has written home folks
of his finding: one of his brothers,
Sgt. Henry Johs, who has been in
the European War Zone for some
months.
v
Lt Oukla Gray visited her pat-
ents Mt. and Mrs. W. C. Gray en
route from the Canal Zone where
\ she visited her brother and wife
Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Gray, Jr., to
Honolulu where she has been as-
signed for duty. Lieutenant Gray
has been located in Washington,
D. C., for some time.
____V----
*
t Sgt R. C. Wilkerson, Jr., with
the U. S. Marines stationed at Ma-
' jove, Calif., visited his parents Mr.
and Mrs. R. C. Wilkerson in Need-
,» vflle, while on leave. Friday of last
•wqek he was in Palacios visiting
his grandmothers, Mrs. John Bent-
ler and Mrs. J. C. Wilkerson and
other relatives and friends.
____V..._
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Miller who
had received word that their son,
William, was reported missing in
Germany were made very happy
last Friday when the War Depart-
Tinian, Mariannas islands. On
Guadalcanal as platoon leader of
a construction platoon, and on Ta-
rawa os commanding officer of an
engineer company and landing team
shore party commander, Capt. Po-
lifka was responsible for road con-
struction. general engineering work
and the movement of supplies from
landing ships to the bench. All of
these tasks he accomplished with
a high degree of technical and
specialized skill. During the per-
iod from 10 April to 11 August,
1944, Capt. Polifka served as bat-
talion executive officer and super-
vised the training of the construc-
tion platoons of the battalion with
such skill, industry and loyalty that
the battalion was able to perform
outstanding service, especially dur-
ing the combat operations on Sai-
pan and Tinian, from 15 June to 1
August, 1944. His tireless efforts,
coolness under fire and superior
leadership under trying conditions
were a great contribution towards
the successful completion of the
battalion’s mission.”
Capt. Polifka was home last De-
cember on leave after 27 months in
the South Pacific.
____V.
Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Grubbs rc-
_____ _ ceived a letter dated April 20, from
ment sent another message statingl their son, Sgt. John J. Grubb, writ-
their son who had been missingjten while in Germany stating lie
since April 7 was now back with ( had seen quite a bit of that coun-
Relief Map of Okinawa
his outfit.
____V----
Petty Officer Jesse H. Rodriguez
is home on leave from Camp Peary,
Va., visiting with his parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Juan D. Rodriguez, and
his wife who accompanied him to
Victoria the first of the week to
visit relatives and friends. He will
return to his base the 23rd where
he had finished a period of train-
ing. He says he enjoys reading the
home town paper and news of the
boys in service very much
_____V..._
\ Herbert Guhn writes his mother
,trs. George Hoffman that on May
1st he made another promotion and
now has the rating of Petty Of-
ficer 1/c M. M. Herbert was back
in England after making a trip to
France and sent home a box of
souvenirs from both countries,
which included perfume, handker-
chiefs, post cards and pictures also
some pipes for Mr. Hoffman and a
cigarette lighter made from an
empty shell. ^
Arlene Barrett Stewart SK3/c,
daughter of Mr and Mrs. Henry
Barrett of Palacios, made 89 points
out of a possible 100 on the Armory
firing range when TADCEN’s
Waves took advantage of the op-
portunity to improve skill at target
practice. Some high scores were
made. Wave Stewart leading with
her 89 points, second was 83 points,
and other scores, two 81 and one 80
of the five highest made.
----V ----
!-
I
,
fir
R
Jk. •
.
it--'
~
m ,
■> K
J
I
E. B. Foi;y had good news Sun
day when he received a message
from the Wlar Department stating
that his son, Pfc. E. B. Foisy, had
returned to duty April 18, signed
by the Adjutant General. Pfc. Foisy
was reported missing December 18
and wrote his father a card from
/ a German prison camp, dated Jan.
VJ0. This card reached Mr. Foisy
April 17th, and about the same date
the War Department informed him
of his son being a war prisoner.
To know that his boy was able to
return to duty was about the best
Hews he could get except to hear he
was in the states and soon be home,
Mr. Foisy said.
____V..._
Ernest B. White, 22, radio tech-
nician, second class, USCGR, son
of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. White, Rt.
1, Palacios, received a 22 day leave,
and now has a state-side assign-
ment with the Coast Guard Group,
Seattle, Washington, after serving
17 months in the Aleutians.
A graduate of Palacios High
School, prior to joining the service,
he attended a radio trade school in
San Antonio. After the war he
plans to take advantage of the G.
I. Bill of Rights, to study electrical
engineering.
• • • V...
Capt. Joseph Polifka of the Ma-
rine Corps, a son of Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Polifka, of northwest of
Palacios, and veteran of many bat-
tles in the South Pacific has been
awarded the bronze star medal by
Lt. Gen. H. M. Smith, commanding
officer of the U. S. Marine Corps
In that area. The citation reads:
“For meritorious achievement in
laetion against the enemy while
serving with a marine engineer
battalion on Guadalcanal, British
try. He had been on the Rhine Riv-
er, at the Ruhr Pocket and Hagen.
Said they were a stubborn lot, but
felt certain they will be too darn
busy for the next fifty years build-
ing up their cities to think about
another war. He had received a
number of Beacons and was glad
to get them. Always good to read
the home town news and learn of
the boys who are over there.
____V----
CALCUTTA, INDIA.—T/5 Guil-
lerma Espinosa, Palacios, is a mem-
ber of a port battalion which re-
cently has been awarded a star to
the meritorious service unit plaque
by Maj. Gen. W. E. R. Covell, com
manding general. Service of Sup-
ply. in the India-Burma theater,
The port battalions of Base Sec-
tion No. 2. commanded by Brig.
Gen. R. R. Neyland, have made the
base the foremost military port in-
stallation operating in a theater of
war. Last month the port battalions
were responsible in a large measure
for the breaking of nine records at
this base.
The port battalions have cut
down the unloading of ships in the
docks to an average of 3V& days,
the fastest, record in the world, and
recently unloaded a Liberty Ship in
449!- hours. The port of Calcutta,
due to the efforts of the port bat-
talions, has consistently led mili-
tary ports throughout the world in
the unloading of vitally needed ma-
terials of war.
____V..._
Following are extracts from two
recent letters to Rev. Groenhaw
from Cpl. Tally Hanna:
Just front a rest camp. Sleeping
in open field when I heard the news
of Roosevelt’s death on my radio.
One more good soldier who paid the
supreme sacrifice for freedom and
high ideals we cherish. Our Amer-
ican hoys are real soldiers—their
pluck and character something to
watch. Just read two books, one
was "The Heart Ever Faithful”—
the life story of John Sebastian
Bach. Bach was at St. Jacob church
in Bohemia—heard Cernohorsky, a
Minorite Monk the greatest organ-
ist in Bohemia. Cornohorsky told
him: “I don’t play for my audience,
I play for God above.” Bach began
to do the same. I watched the city
where he made his name being de-
stroyed bit by bit by our guns.
Leipzig is called Germnny’o Pnri«
and its cultural history- is studded
with great names. Here Richard
Wagner was born, Mendelsohn
founded the Conservatory of Music,
Robert Shumann composed, and
Martin Luther held his momentous
disputation. Leipzig is famous for
its University, but today Reverend,
it is a doomed city. Watching it
destroyed, I thought of Bach’s
music, and one piece came to me:
“O Thou Wicked City. Thy Sins
Shall Destroy Thee.” This part of
Germany is all Protestant. One
church is 300 years old, had old
time pump-organ. One church where
we preached the pastor is now a
prisoner of war in the States. The
organist ployed for us after ser-
vices. He played “Ein Feste Burg”
(A Mighty Fortress Is Our God).
It wus something to watch this
man’s hands and feet at the pedals.
His playing thrilled all the soldiers.
Most of the organs and churches
are built like the Church of Eng-
. , •_ Officia! V.S. Navy Photo
9 WASHINGTON, D. C.—'The relief map above, prepared by the U.S. Navy, shows the terrain and
locations of harbors, airfields, railroads and other information of military value on Okinawa, where
UJ3. Marines have landed and captured the airfields of Yontan and Katena. U.S. forces are battling
their way from their central holdings toward both ends of the island. These new fields give U. S. forces
-bombing bases only 300 miles from the Jap mainland.
Deutschburg Community Dedicates
Scroll of Thirty-Three Servicemen
Sunday,~May 6, the Deutochburg
School community dedicated a scroll
bearing thirty-three names of form-
er students and residents, who have
been and are now serving with the
armed forces of the United States
of America.
The many beautiful flowers ar-
tistically arranged on the stage
with a large flag for the back-
ground was an appropriate setting
for the beautiful scroll, which was
placed on a stand in the center.
When all assembled at three
o’clock, Mr. Louis Kopnicky, secre-
tary of the school board, in u few’
well chosen words extended a greet-
ing and called for the invocation by
Rev. Robert M. McGehee, D. D., of
the First Presbyterian Church of
Palacios.
Dr. I. T. Taylor, superintendent
of Jackson County, was introdv.ced
and acted as master of ceremonies.
Two songs. "Prayer Perfect,” and
“A Song of Peace” were rendered
most beautifully by Misses Gladys
Trull, Virginia White, Jackie Hud-
dleston, Patsy and Bobby Jean
Richards, accompanied by Mrs.
Arnold Burton of Palacios.
Rev. Hubert L. Bauman of St.
Peter’s Catholic Church of Blessing
delivered a most eloquent and
touching address, emphasizing the
great sacrifices made by those hon-
ored and the debt we owe them, as
well a-: assistance we may render
them by living in peace and har-
mony with our fellownian and fol-
lowing the commands of our Divine
Master. On portraying life and re-
wards for service he used the beau-
tiful words of the poet:
“They say that life’s a highway
That its milestones are the years
That now and then there’s a toll
gate
Where one buys his way with tears.
It’s a long road and a hard road,
It stretches near and far;
And at last it leads to a golden
town
Where golden hou=es are.”
Rev. McGehee gave an inspiring
and comforting prayer pleading for
the safety of those in service and
submissiveness to the Divine Com-
mands of those at home.
Superintendent Taylor then rend
names and service sketch and said
in part:
PALACIOS...
POST-WAR
PARADISE
Any of you boys looking
for a spot to light when the
war is over better come and
take a look at Palacios. It
is an exceptionally rich town:
so rich, in fact, that every
blade of grass has a green
back, every bird has a bill,
the chimneys have their
drafts, and the maids wash
rur front doors with gold
dust; every horse has a check,
and every ditch has two
banks; even our streets are
flushed and the lawns get a
rake off; every cloud has a
silver lining and every flower
in the city has a scent; when
you put a five dollar bill in
your pocket you double it,
and when you take it out you
find it in creases. Can you
afford not to live here?
Solomon islands; on Tarawa, Gil- land.
bert Islands; and on Saipan andj With the fine leaders in Palacios
I expect it to be the best little-
town in Texas. People from every-
where. will visit it, if it becomes
what I expect it to be. If every-
body cooperates, it should he. I
hope to he back and see my Palm
tree. Thanks for the Beacon clip-
pings. Give niy regards to the Bea-
con staff. I wnh they could print
my Bulletin here. Keep smiling and
God bless you Reverend, your fam-
ily and your church at Palacios and
Carancahua. Keep praying for us.
Wo will do the same for you. 2 Cor.
1.2:9. Your friend Tally. •
I traveled 500 miles in March.
The Chaplain and I get around.
German planes came over about 5
minutes ago. One fellow was off his-
50 cal. machine gun. I jumped up or
it, and manned it. Psalms 103:'
1, 2, 22.
“It is my privilege and honor to
call the roll of those honored by
this community. These young men
and women are giving their services
in order that Democracy, Christian-
ity, and Civilizatation may not per-
ish from the earth. They arc fight-
ing two of the greatest demons the
world has ever known: Facism and
Nazism, which have engulfed the
whole world into a great battle-
field and applied the scorched earth
policy to Europe and Asia and left
the greatest crime wave of the
human race that the world has ever
known. These boys and girls are
readering service to their country
in the darkest hours since the days
of Valley Forge.
Great tributes will be paid them
down through the ages. Their child-
ren’s children will call them Inter-
national Heroes and a blessing to
all mankind. They are fighting in
the greatest of nil wars.
It is my hope and prayer that
at the last roll call, after Germany
and Japan are beaten to their knees
each <-f these now living will an-
swer ‘Present’.”
Major Landan Gist of Camp Hu-
len gave the dedication address. It
was most interesting and timely. Ho
reviewed the gradual rise to power
of the leader who caused this awful
conflict and the danger in which we
can so easily become engulfed al-
most before it is realized unlc-s we
are ever watchful of our duty to
home and country. Just as the dedi-
cation words were said little Miss
Norma Jeanette Rampmeier remov-
ed the veil.
R; • . TT, E. Baumlm gave the
benediction. /
After a short timejspent in greet-
ings all nassod into tpp library room
where delicious California punch,
cake and dainty sandwiches were
served. The table wks laid in lace
with centerpiece of| Easter Lilies
and Queen Ann’s la®. Corsages o'
•T sweet peas ware presented to wives,
mothers and sisters of the honorees,
A most unusual event occurred
Just as Sgt. Walter Schneider's
name was called, and he reported in
Italy, be walked in and really gave
a surprise to parents and friends,
He made a short talk, but so over-
joyed at getting home and facing
a crowd so unexpectedly he did not
tell much of his experiences. He
had made fifteen missions as a tail
gunner and was fortunate to get a
surprise furlough. He was heartily
welcomed.
Following is a list of honorees:
The three who have made the
supreme sacrifice are: Petty Officer
Frederich Schmidt, killed March 17,
1943, when his ship was torpedoed
in the Caribbean sea.
Pvt. James B. Dillard, killed in
South Pacific in January, 1945.
Second Lt. Garland Akerkers,
killed in Belgium, Dec. 1944. His
wife formerly Miss Emma Ger-
hard and daughter Elizabeth Ann
are here with her parents.
Others in the service are:
2nd Lt. Frank Johs in England.
1st Lt. Albert Johs in India.
T/Sgt. Henry Johs in England.
Chief Engineer Tony Johs has
seen service in Africa, Sicily and
France where he was wounded.
Col. Karl L. Polifka in Okinawa.
Maj. Frank Polifka in Philip-
pines.
Capt. Joseph G. Polifka has been
in four battles now at Saipan.
Sgt. Walter Schneider just ar-
rived from Italy. ■
Cpl. Melvin Schneider in Ger-
many.
Pfc. Weldon Schneider in Ger-
many.
Sgt. Charles Hurta in Egypt.
1st Lt. Herman Gerhard in Ger-
many.
Petty Officer C. D. Henderson
was on both the Oklahoma and
Cruiser Houston when they were
sunk. He is now in California.
Capt. Joe Fritz.
Sgt. Tillie Kunover.
Pvt. Selma Schmidt in West Va.
Sgt. George Meinke wounded at
San Lo now at home.
S2/c Chas. Wilson in Pacific.
Pvt. Wilford Wilson.
Commencement Week
Begins For Smallest Class
Of Graduates In Years
James Ressler Gives
Life For Life And
Liberty of Country
The following letter was* handed
us by Mrs. Katherine Ressler in
which details of the accident in
which her husband, Sgt. James
Ressler, gave his life are given by
the commanding officer.
Mrs. Katherine J. Ressler,
On Wednesday, April 11, 1945
your husband wns reported missing
ion a routine flight. On the 17th
after a search by the Army, Navy,
and Coast Guard, the ship and crew
was officially declared lost as of
April 11, 1945.
I know that you are interested
In the details in so far as we are
able to give them. The B-24 took
off from Charleston Army Air Field
at 0709 EWT on 11 April 1945 on
Camera Gunnery, High Altitude,
Co-Pilot Landing Mission. The
flight was scheduled to return to
the Field at approximately 1230
EWT. The flight progressed nor-
mally until approximately 1140
EWT, at which time low ceiling and
visibility was encountered approxi-
mately 42 miles east of Charles-
ton which necessitated the five
plane formation to break up and
return singly to the field. Airplane
number 611, your husband’s ship,
was last sighted at this time climb-
ing at 2500 feet, course generally
southeast.
At 3 P. M. the ship was consid-
ered overdue and search proceed-
ings were instigated immediately.
Searches were conducted during the
following seven days by the Air
Force, the Navy and Coast Guard.
Fifty B-24s and numerous small-
er pianos; Army, Navy and Coast
Guard Crash Boats—Navy Patrol
planes and a Navy Blimp searched
150 miles north and south of Char-
leston, 300 miles east out to sea and
150 miles west inland continuously
for the seven day period. A de-
cision was made to decrease all or-
ganized search on 17 April 1945
after all searches had proven nega-
tive.
To date no evidence of the miss-
ing aircraft has been found. How-
ever, the Crash Boat Section of the
field is continuing its patrol of the
coast line.
Sergeant Ressler’s death was an
honorable one as he was on an as-
signed mission and carrying out his
orders to the best of his ability.
I wish to express my deepest
sympathy, as well as the sympathy
the officers and men of this or-
ganization, in your loss and our
loss. His life was given to the ex-
tended life and liberty of his coun-
try.
If I can be of further help to
you please do not hesitate to call
upon me. Very sincerely yours',
Louis M. Merrick,
Colonel Air Corps,
Commanding.
Marion Henson,
Emory Damstrom
Honor Students-
Commencement week for the Pa--
lacios High School begins Sunday
with the Buccalaureate Service at
the East Side Elementary School
auditorium at 8:15 p. m.
Thp senior class has only twelve
members this year with Marian
Henson and Emory Damstrom be-
ing honor students.
Tuberculosis theme winners are
first place Freda Fegett; second
place, Dora Solis.
On Thursday night graduating
exercises will be held when certifi-
cates, Legion awards and diplomaa
will be presented.
Programs are as follows:
BACCALAUREATE
“Tannhauser March”................Band
Invocation Rev. L. M. Greenhaw
Song “Faith of Our Fathers”
Congregation
Scripture Reading Rev. G.D. Foster
Violin Solo ...... “Berceuse”
John W. Richards
Sermon Rev. R. M. McGehee
Benediction ............Rev. J. E. Coe
“Freedom Forever”.................Band
COMMENCEMENT
“Triumphal March” Band
Invocation Rev. L. W. Crouch
Salutatory Emory Damstrom
Vocal Solo Bobby Thorpe
Valedictory Marian Henson
Address Rev. Carroll B. Ray
Presentation of Certificates
........ R. P. Newsom
American Legion Awards
........................ H. H. Turner
Presentation of Diplomas
..........v,.............R. P. Newsom
Benediction Rev. G. F. Gillespie
“Marche Triumphale”...... Band
Picture of 181st
Serviceman Appears
In Beacon This Week
Sgt. Lonnie C. Cunningham in
Belgium.
Pfc. Alfred S. Seigfield, in ser
vice at Anzio and now in France.
Pvt. Hubert Stark.
Pvt. M. F. Greenwalt.
Cpl. Andrew J. Kopnicky.
Pvt. Edward Kopnicky in Alaska.
Capt. Morgan Pierce.
Pvt. William Spies.
Cadet Ensign Hardy E. Ross.
T/Sgt. J. B. Littleton.
Pvt. Paul J. Schmidt.
Sincere thanks are extended to
all who in any way contributed to
the success of the program. Each
seemed to deem it a pleasure and a
great privilege to assist in this
gesture. We gladly welcomed a
large number of visitors from out-
side the community.—Contributed.
Of the 272 words in Lincoln’s
Gettysburg address, 203 are words
] of one syllable.
With this issue of the Beacon
pictures of 181 Palacios boys in the
service have appeared in the ad-
vertisements of the Western Auto
Associate Store. This feature was
begun on April 27, 1944 and ever
since that date not an issue of the
Beacon has been published that did
not carry an ad for this store with
one or more pictures being used.
If you are interested in having
Palacios C of C Sends
Delegation To Port
Lavaca Meeting
A. Rioux, president of the Pa-
lacios Chamber of Commerce, ac-
companied by Messrs. H. C. Camp-
bell, J. B. Feather, M. T. Brooking,
Ernest Wehmeyer, Glenn Clay-
bourn, Mrs. Amy Hall and Miss
Mildred Wallace, attended the an-
nual meeting and barbecue of the
Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce
last Thursday night.
W. II. Bauer, who served as
toastmaster, introduced the guest
speaker, Jeff Bell, manager of the
Corpus Christi Chamber of Com-
merce. Mr. Bell’s address was on
the coming development of the Gulf
Coast Country. He emphasized the
need of a cooperative effort to
bring forth desired results and urg.
ed the people to get behind theii
Chamber of Commerce.
H. J. Dollinger, assistant mana-
ger of the United States C. of C.
from the Dallas office, was present
and stated his office was always
ready to lend a helping hand for 3
bigger and better community.
Officers for the ensuing year
were announced as follows: H. C.
Hartzog, president; R. A. Steven-
son, vice-president; Joe B. Moore,
treasurer, and J. Wilson, secretary.
the pictures of Palacios boys and
girls who are in the service, ap-
pear in the Beacon in this way
bring in your photos as soon as
possible to the Beacon office. There
is no expense attached.
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Buller of
Laredo visited in Palacios over the
week end and spent Sunday with
his mother, Mrs. L. H. Buller at
Iago.
Mrs. C. W. Yarborough has re-
turned from a visit with, relatives
and friends at Gunter and Pilot
Point. She is now back at her duties
in the Ncster Drug Store.
—»
fix
Capt. and Mrs. John. Glaros ac-
companied by Mrs. S. T. Oglesby
and son, Terry, left Wednesday for
Orlando, Fla., where they will visit
Mr. and Mrs. C. O. Mickelson.
Joe Feather, “Doc’
Wagner In Charge
Of Rotary Program
Joe B. Feather and J. R. “Doc”
Wagner were in charge of the
Rotary club Wednesday. Joe spoke
on the need of Palacios creating
permanent jobs for the returning
servicemen, and the stimulation of
tourist trade.
“Doc” Wagner spoke on “Pencil-
lin,” the new miracle drug. Ernest
Brown reported on the progress
that has been made on the Quick-
Freezing riant.
Bill Clement presented the club
with the charters for the Cub Pack
and Boy Scout Troop,
Guests were Mbs. W. C. Gray,
Lt. Ouida Gray of the Waves, and
Ernest Brown, nil guests of W. C.
Gray.
Captain Zipen, salvage officer at
Camp Ilulen, announces that they
have about 40 truck loads of kin-
dling wood, also 1500 concrete
blocks formerly used for gun posi-
tions. These items may be seen at
tho Salvage Warehouse at CamL>
Hulen,
.
MIWihwAmiihm
I
i
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Dismukes, Mrs. J. W. Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 38, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 17, 1945, newspaper, May 17, 1945; Palacios, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth727181/m1/1/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 9, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Palacios Library.