4:00 P.M.

October 2, 2014

Redlands: A Community Response to World War II

By Tom Atchley

Assembly Room, A. K. Smiley Public Library

     Before the bombing of Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941, Redlands was decidedly opposed to entering World War II.  Many residents were members of the America First organization led by national hero, Charles Lindbergh.  Redlanders never supported Franklin D. Roosevelt for president in any of his four elections.  Editorials in 1941 condemned the president for his Chicago speech calling for a Quarantine of Germany, Italy and Japan.  FDR promised not to send fighting forces into the melee in Europe. 

     Redlands was suffering through the bad years of the Great Depression with increasing orange crops and fewer consumers.  A cooperative marketing plan was adopted to ease some of the over production issues.  Government set prices and scheduled rotating marketing which frustrated some growers during the Depression. 

     The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was difficult to believe.  Overnight the decision to enter World War II was never questioned again and Redlands listened to FDR give his “Day of Infamy” speech uniting in a national resolve to seek victory.

     World War II would be far different than World War I.  Redlands had victory gardens, meatless and wheat-less days, Red Cross drives, and early high school gradation to support the war.  All these efforts were voluntary during World War I with the exception of the Selective Service draft.  Redlands fully supported our participation in World War I but could scarcely compare that involvement with what would happen in World War II.  Redlands seemingly went above and beyond expectations of a rural community as the facts indicate.  Continuous sacrifice, community organization, volunteerism, nationalism, devotion to a cause, and the pride of unity never before embraced by the citizenry rose to heroic proportions.    

     New military camps sprang up everywhere: Camp Haan (Riverside National Cemetery), Camp Anza, Mira Loma, Victorville, Base General Depot, San Bernardino Air Depot, San Bernardino Incendiary Bomb Plant  and Camp Ono (near Cal State San Bernardino) to name a few.   The plan to train the army before engaging in battle was the early goal.     General Joseph Stillwell, commander of defense for Southern California, chose San Bernardino as his headquarters in the California Hotel.  Geography made the valley important. San Bernardino was far enough from the coast to survive an initial Japanese invasion. 

    This outline presents the impact the war had on Redlands and how the community rallied to bring our enemies to defeat. 

     Some 3,000 Redlanders served in the armed forces with 979 Redlands High grads and by June 1945 40 were killed and 4 were missing. Facts  6/6/1945

     The news of Pearl Harbor sent hysterical rumors throughout California.

Hysteria reached a new high when the press reported just how unprepared the west coast was for invasion.  Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox affirmed that 40 long-range Japanese submarines were operating off the west coast. SS Imidio was struck by a torpedo off Eureka on December 20^th.   Absaroka, a lumber freighter was sunk December 24^th off San Pedro.  On January 1, 1942 the Union Oil tanker, Montebello was sunk off of the central coast of California. 

     Critical aircraft factories were located in San Diego, Burbank, Long Beach, Inglewood, and Santa Monica.  They produced P-38s, P-51s, B-24s, B-25s, A-20s and DC-3 transports.   The oil industry was very exposed along the coast in addition to our aircraft assembly plants. 

     Japanese submarine I-17 surfaced and fired some 29 rounds at the oil facilities near Santa Barbara on Washington’s  birthday.  Coastal aircraft spotters and U.S Highway 101 motorists watched as the sub came abreast to the Barnsdall oil field in Ellwood.  For nearly 45 minutes shells pounded the oil field and storage facilities.  Damage was less than $500 but a direct hit was registered on West Coast nerves, psychic defense and hysterical theories of impending invasion or bombing.    

      The Battle of Los Angeles followed a week later on February 24, 1942. This battle somewhat measured the frenzy of hysteria on the west coast.  More than 1,400 rounds of antiaircraft shells were fired from Los Angeles at phantom airplanes, in zealous defense, against an enemy bombing raid that never took place.   Debate about the Japanese bombers in V-form flights was strengthened by a Los Angeles air raid warden and red lights seen from the Tarzana Hills.  A Jap bomber was reported shot down that later proved to be a P-38 from a previous crash. 

     This background information both real and imagined fed the enthusiasm for defense in Redlands.   The Bear Valley Mutual Water Company quickly realized the Achilles heal of the vast irrigation system of Redlands.  A guard house was quickly built and manned at the Big Bear dam.

     March 2, 1942 marked the beginning of the San Bernardino Air Depot where war supplies and repair facilities blossomed to house 6,000 civilian workers and a vast array of Air Force combat planes.   By the end of the war the Air Material Command Depot employed some 10,000 valley residents.  B-24’s could land at the depot and in three days be totally reconditioned and sent back to the war effort.  Vast supplies for the American war in the Pacific included 13,000 different items collected for transport in San Bernardino.

           Redlands: A Community Response to World War II

     The sinew that bound Redlands during World War II was the Redlands Dialy Facts newspaper.  Throughout the ordeal Bill and Frank Moore printed their “Grain of Salt” column saturated with personal items that informed Redlanders of their personal relationship with the war and the issues the war presented.  The Facts printed the Ernie Pyle column to give the fighting man view on the war.

     For the first time the Facts devoted full pages to photo essays called “Day’s News in Pictures.”  The raising of the flag over Mount Suribachi was truly symbolic of the US forces winning the war against Japan.  Photographs were printed usually one month from the date taken.

      The real strength of the journalism came in daily reminders to support the Red Cross, Rubber Drive, book drive, draft announcements and the achievements of everyone from the area of Redlands, Crafton, Mentone, Highland, Bryn Mawr and Loma Linda. 

     The Facts printed the full text of every citation that men and women in our area received.  Prisoner of war letters and Red Cross letters about Redlands citizens abroad filled the pages.   Missing in action notices, killed in action notices and letters from front line soldiers conveyed a personal participation in the war.  The Moore brothers attached the addresses and parent’s names to the letters along with athletic records or academic accomplishments that the paper had previously reported. 

     Quarterly draft call announcements with the names and addresses were all printed.  The Facts war participation policy began with the first draft May 29, 1942 with the names of every man or woman in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines for a total of 325 on the first list.   The “Roll of Honor” continued until months after the war was over as the men and women came home. 

     Redlands Kiwanis Club honored the role the Redlands Daily Facts played in a Testimonial of Appreciation October 5, 1944.  The
Facts humbled responded that the “Unspoiled City made it through the war with business stimulation and full employment.  The city bulged but did not expand.”   General John L. DeWitt, west coast commander, commended Redlands and the Facts for its outstanding response for civilian defense organization on May 29, 1942.  

     The Facts receives high marks for the World War II effort except in one area: Enemy Aliens.

Enemy Aliens

    No article was printed concerning the “evacuation” of enemy aliens from Redlands in the Redlands Daily Facts.  Heavy raids in February of 1942 took place in San Bernardino and Riverside.  More evacuations were demanded by authorities in Sacramento.  Redlands had a small Japanese population.  In 1908, white labor replaced the Japanese men employed by the Highland Fruit Growers Association.  No mention is given of the George T. Sakato family.  “Civil Liberties” editorial Feb. 26, 1942 suggests that in times of peril citizens should expect to surrender some of their rights for the sake of victory.  Shiziro Oka, Elks Club porter and 29 year resident of Redlands, was the first of seven arrested February 23, 1942. 

     Redlands “evacuation” enemy aliens were sent to Parker, Arizona. 

     Executive Order 9066 was countered by three Japanese in California in the famous Korematsu vs. United States case.  Fred Korematsu, Gordon Hirabayashi and Minoru Yasui brought their cases to the Supreme Court and lost.  Subsequently the case was studied again by Peter H. Irons and further research reversed the Korematsu case.  The government falsified its original case relying on rumors that a Fifth Column of Japanese in America was contacting subs off the coast.  Gordon Hirabayashi died January 4, 2012 at the age of 93.  Arizona named a park in his honor in 1999 on the site of the internment camp there.

     County Chamber of Commerce protests Jap Resettlement camps on the West Coast and wanted an Alien Land Act passed and American Legion Posts supported the deportation of even American Japanese.  Oct. 1943

      An enemy alien was arrested here by the FBI.  William Gabel was arrested at Oriental and Second Street.  He was a 67 year old German agent.  July 1944

     John Jacob Petry, German registered enemy alien, died near Seven Oaks of a heart attack.   11/7/1944

     Coddling War Prisoners was charged but Facts responded that we follow the Geneva Convention agreement to the letter.  Camp Haan was accused of coddling Italian prisoners of war.   12/11/1944

     The Nisei Return Editorial: “The return of American citizens of Japanese ancestry to their homes in Redlands will probably cause almost no stir whatever.”   American Legion posts in California demanded they not return after the war.

     Official notice of the return of a handful of Japanese Americans to Redlands arrived in a proclamation.  This was compared to the hundreds of posters that hung in Redlands beginning in 1942.   9/8/1945

      Ironically, Redlands claims two Medal of Honor winners:  Henry Lawton, for Civil War bravery, whose name appears on a Lugonia Street and George Sakato, a World War II Medal of Honor recipient, who escaped arrest by moving to Arizona.

First Months of the War

     Fear of eminent invasion of the West Coast led to total blackout of Redlands.  Window shades were pulled down, car lights left off, brake light bulbs taken out,  street lamps were covered, traffic-lights were all covered or left off.  The Putnam/Forest home on Crescent Avenue had its gold painted dome painted black so the moonlight would not reflect.  Air Force officials installed four beacon lights on a two-story home on the corner of West Highland and Alvarado to direct air traffic to the San Bernardino Air Depot. 

     The Battle of the Coral Sea ended the long range threat of the Japanese but the black out of the west coast didn’t end until November 1, 1943.     

     Aircraft Warning Service operated 24 hours a day with the Lion’s Club taking up residence in a shack built on Sunset Drive near Panorama Point.  Enrollment listed 180 names in “Redlands at War” May 29, 1942.  Aircraft spotters Service began December 9, 1941 and continued until October 5, 1943.  Some businessmen spent many a night up all night viewing the skies for Japanese planes using the silhouette diagrams to identify enemy aircraft. 

     All coastal flying by civilians was curtailed during WWII so small airports were closed only providing army and air force needs.  Tri-City airport trained pilots.  Redlands Airport did not begin until after 1945.    

      Citizen Committees of Redlands women formed to collect truckloads of furnishings for army and navy installations and training centers.  They collected furniture, recreation items, kitchen ware, etc.  A warehouse on Fifth and Vine was secured to repair broken furniture and store donated items.  The purpose was to aid men in camps.  The camps were mostly tent cities since wood and building materials were deemed essential to win the war but not house men at home.  The Elks and YMCA provided recreation rooms in their buildings for camp men to use when on leave. 

     Jimmy Doolittle Raid on Tokyo announced the first good news of the war and Redlands celebrated Lt. Dr. T. Robert White, flight surgeon, on the raid with “Hero’s Day”.  White won silver shoulder bars which he wore July 13^th in the celebration.  The Chamber of Commerce met at the La Posada hotel and the Merchants and Manufacturing Association bought war bonds and stamps.  White landed in Kobe, Japan in his B-25.  Redlands met the quota in the First Bond Drive with $74,953.15.  Bonds sold in one month!  Redlands had a population of 14,000 in 1940.   Arthur E. Isham, Chamber of Commerce chair, introduced White.  Redlands had its first war time hero and swaggered in pride.  White’s parents had donated the Redlands Prosellis in 1930. 

Draft

     Draft Board consisted of local residents that knew the community and families.  The board allowed for flexibility and fairness interpreting Federal laws. 

     Thirty-two more Redlands men were drafted by Redlands Selective Service Board.  May 1944

     Glen E. Smiley, Redlands pastor, arrested for draft violations. He was no longer a minister.  Smiley called for an armistice and was sentenced to three years in Federal Court.  May and July 1944

     Twenty-seven more men drafted.  July 1944

     Manpower Control Plan required any business hiring more than 8 men must allow review of 18-65 year olds hired.  July 1, 1944  Packing Houses impacted.  Women hired to fill positions and did fine work. 

     FDR calls for tighter Draft Policy.  2/26/1944

     War Board aids dairyman to keep them milking.   1/24/1945

(War Over)  Draft for only 18-26 year olds and Redlands unable to reach the 46 quota total.   8/28/1945

     Draft Board celebrates its 5^th year anniversary after beginning October 17, 1940 by having Redlands men register at 35 polling places.  Henry J. Wilson, chair, A. B. Drake, George W. Rowe and later joined by Allen Wheaton and Edward J. Swan.  10/20/1945 and 10/22/1945

     Citrus farmers and agriculture production that provided food were not subject to the draft.  My uncle, Joe Buoye, co-managed Crafton Dairy with my grandfather and was not subject to the draft. 

Civilian War Labor Housing

     World War II brought thousands of civilian workers to the Air Depot in San Bernardino.   The War Housing Board required every community to provide additional housing for these war laborers.  Oddly nearly 1/6 of Redlands housing was vacant during the Great Depression and few new homes were built during the depression years.  Now the government was asking for additional housing with a Catch 22 of a strict rationing on wood and building materials.   Redlands responded with the additional housing.

     Greiner Boy’s Orphanage on 1124 West Palm-San Mateo was remodeled into apartments for war workers and rent set by the War Housing Board.  Oct. 1943   Arthur Gregory almost closed La Posada because at first the Office of Price Administration allowed only $2.50 for singles and $3.50 for double rooms.  Nov. 1943

    Fox theatre was converted to 22 apartments and 9 other rooms for war housing.  1943. 

    University of Redlands dorms housed 275 navy and marine trainees.  Half of the enrollment for the U of R became military.  No civilian housing for men was allowed in Oct. 1943. 

     University Club House Apartments (Cajon and Fern) was converted by the War Housing Center.  Also Greiner Boy’s Home turned into apartments and American Legion building.  Feb. 1944

     YMCA allowed service men facilities for USO cots with 37 men cared for with food and activities.  Feb. 1944   YMCA entertained convalescents at Mill Creek Camp with service wives and musical solos led by Milton Gair.         YWCA girls gave a recital and quiz program for vets.  May 1944

     Arrowhead Hotel became a Navy hospital.  March 1944

    The 1940 census indicated 224 vacant homes in Redlands and by 1944 only 40.

     Cherry Valley and Banning Hospitals expanded by the Navy to house 1,000 patients and later expanded again to house 2,400 beds.  10/31/1944

     Nordina Hospital was remodeled by Elmer King as a residential hotel to serve military housing.   10/26/1944

     Lugonia Homes $225,000 1934 homes built for low income families were used in WWII for war housing and then vets after the war.  The Facts editorialized that the Housing Authority was related to socialism  9/19/1945 and 9/22/1945 Carey McWilliams.

     Mission Gables was remodeled for civilian war housing with 9 units. 1943 and the Dr. Smith Victorian home on West Palm was converted into 5 apartments for war housing.      

San Bernardino National Forest Closed during War

    Only recreation camp grounds and resorts remained open.  Forests were closed to hunting until 1944, which was very controversial.  On  Dec. 15, 1943 many hunters and fisherman stormed the mountains like Tarawa according to the king of Seven Oaks, Dudley Glass.  Several arrests followed and hunters and fisherman were led out of the protected forests.

     SBNF remained closed as usual and this meant less fires in 1942, 1943 and 1944.  This only applied to the non-resort areas of the forest.  April 1944

     Mill Creek Forestry fire guards checked 1,650 cars carrying 6,200 people during the 4^th of July time period.  Ranger Lynn Horton was in charge collecting fireworks. 

     Postwar forest projects were planned by New Dealers to absorb surplus labor at the end of the war.  These included new improved camp grounds and the long promised road from Camp Angelus to Big Bear.   Jan. 1944   Forest still closed except for recreation areas.  6/25/1945

      A Marine pilot plane crash south of Clark’s Ranch in the Santa Ana Canyon started a 5,500 acre fire that threatened Barton Flats youth camps and damaged Redlands watershed.   Bear Valley Mutual Water Company filed suit for damages and recovered $15,081 from the Navy.  7/16/1945   Camp Haan soldiers 1100 fought the fire and saved resorts and camps.  The Bear Valley Mutual Company along with many packing houses protested training flights over the watershed during the war.

     Mill Creek Canyon convalescent camp (former CCC camp) housed some 180 soldiers with four-week stays.    This was part of the Torney Hospital of Palm Springs which began two and a half years earlier.  10/31/1945  Arrowhead Springs Hotel was also converted for hospital recovery use. 

Ration Books

     The Ration Board opened in Redlands January 9, 1942 and remained active until September 28, 1945.   A Facts Editorial supported the work of the board.  9/28/1942

The Office of Price Administration rationed most commodities in Redlands. Items such as sugar, gasoline, oil, wheat, flour, rubber, iron, tin, copper, aluminum, cotton, nylon, paper and all scrap iron all came under scrutiny.   

     Gasoline Ration data for tourists was limited to “A” ration card and this applied to all western states and not the 17 eastern states.  Redlands rationing Board chair was Dan McLeod.  Redlands found some ration items especially painful as the list demonstrates.

     Jams and jellies rationed by Office of Price Authority Oct. 1943. 

     Tissue paper wrap for oranges cut 65%.  Paper rationing.  Dec. 1943

     Ration on shoes was stamp #18.

     Ration Board makes sugar unavailable for canning purposes.  20 lb. sugar ration clampdown.  July 1944  Canning for only mass canning operations and not local consumption.  July 1944   Kimball Tomato canning operations on Lugonia and Alta were not affected by sugar ration.

     A record 108 tons of paper salvaged by the City of Redlands recycle policy.  George Hinckley, City engineer.  9/1/1944

     Collect 12 tons of paper per month.  1/13/1945

     Ration Board Anniversary celebrated the Redlands citizens that gave volunteer time and energy to make the ration program work.  Dan McLeod was the general chairman.  Editorial Jan. 5, 1944

     New ration book #5 is being printed and is smaller than a dollar bill.  7/23/1945

(War Over) Gas rationing, canned fruit, vegetables, and fuel oil ended with the announcement by the Office of Price Administration and Ration Board to close.  8/15 and 8/25/1945 

Rubber Drive

     Redlands turned in 100 tons of rubber from Shell, Standard, Union and General gas stations all lending rubber to the drive.  Waldo Burroughs co- chairman and Al Wilson co-chairman of oil distributors committee led the drive.  They also collected steel scrap, nonferrous metals, rags, greases and other essential materials.  Massive Casings from the Abe Gardner Mixers Company on Stuart Street did much to boost the drive with twelve foor diameter tires.  Fred Gowland, Russell DeGraaf, L.A. Pratt, all helped in the rubber drive.

American Red Cross

    Conducted blood drives to convert blood into plasma.  The Redlands Community collected blood from 50 individuals each week.  Also the organization made bandages. An Honor Roll for Sewing and Knitting 100 hours or more was filed with over 200 names listed and 475 took the Red Cross First Aid course. 

     Dwight Lefferts led the Red Cross drive with Edward M. Cope along with the Canteen Corps Blood drives and gauze workers.  Nov. 1943

      The Red Cross brought Christmas Cheer to hospitals of the 11^th Armored Division in Ibis (north of Baker), 93^rd Division hospital, Base General hospital, Victorville Air Base, Camp Irwin, Mill Creek Convalescent Camp, 102cd. Evacuation Hospital, and 318^th Evacuation Hospital.  Dec. 1943

     Mill Creek convalescent hospital, a branch of Torney General Hospital, housed 200 men.  The Red Cross delivered Christmas gifts and asked for donations but no cookies.      

     Red Cross expended $34,000 in one year to local Canteen Corps.  Jan. 1944  This figure was over and above the bond drive efforts. 

     The House of Neighborly Service began sewing classes for the Red Cross.

     Dwight Lefferts announced the fund had reached $43,700 with door to door efforts planned in later 1944.   Feb. 29, 1944

     The Red Cross received a donation from a Redlands army Lt. in England in 1944 congratulating the community.      March 1944

     Red Cross reported 6,238 hours of volunteer work during May 1944.

     Local War Chest Quota was $18,500 and Redlands raised $22,000.  8/24/1944

     Red Cross Quota set at $40,000 with $10,000 for Redlands and $30,000 for national organization.  12/18/1944

     Red Cross is given $1040 from Mexican Nationals housed at Cone Camp.  These men are part of the Brucero Program of War Time Labor.   4/4/1945

     Red Cross Canteen served 2,966 service men and women in July of 1945.  8/8/1945

     (War Over) 275 enrolled in Red Cross Swimming at the Sylvan Park Plunge and 69 won a swimming diploma.   8/2 and 8/13/1945

Women’s Ambulance Corps

     Redlands woman donned military uniforms May 28, 1942 and joined the Women’s Ambulance and Defense Corps designated Company C.  Rebecca Burris was placed in command.  They reported to Camp Hahn as needed.  Classes were conducted for first aid, infantry drill, auto mechanics, chemical warfare, communications, fire watch and rifle practice.  Roll call listed over 100 women with ranks given..  May 29, 1942  

     Am Air WAC recruiting team for the Women’s Army Corp interviewed applicants in Redlands.  Feb. 1944

     Madeleine Fite, 242 Cajon Street, joined Women’s Army Air Corps.  1944

     Local Wasps unit was deactivated in Victorville and Petite Allison Burne, 1055 W. Highland Ave., logged 550 flying hours.    12/14/1944

     Two Redlands Girls join Wacs.  Rubie E. Clark, 1116 Alta, and Louvinia Zamborsky, 411 State St.      1/5/1945

     Mrs. Joseph Brier “Pinky” Killgore was in the WASPS until disbanded.  2/12/1945   She pioneered Tri-City Airport before and after the war.

Redlands Boy Scouts

     Some 250 scouts collected aluminum cans for salvage and placed war bond posters advertising War Bond Drives.  They also delivered to every house in Redlands the government Price Control Plan pamphlet.

     Fifteen Scouts received Eagle badges and worked on 45 National War connected projects.  Many service men that were previously scouts earned service awards.  Previous scouts earned 285 in first year of war and 411 in 1943.  This was significant because juvenile delinquency expanded during the war years.  Zoot Suiters! 

     The city recognized the Boy Scouts by having 200 boys receive badges at a Court of Honor at City Hall in January of 1945.   1/12/1945

     Scouts collected 90 tons of paper and 72 boys collected 1000 more pounds.  5/10 and 5/25/1945

City of Redlands

      Redlands police chief was fired and this led to the resignation of the building inspector, and city veterinarian. Throughout the war years the City Council got along for the first time since 1888.  Civic projects such as road building, improvements were put on hold until the war was over.  Police Chief W. H. Morrison was fired by the council and this led to mass resignations on the part of the police department officers and other city offices.  May 5, 1942

     Redlands budget for 1943 was $548,000 with 322 building permits given.

     Highway 99 realignment State St. to Crystal Springs postponed until post war.  Nov. 1943

     E.T. Fletcher is again elected mayor with a unanimous vote by the City Council.  April 1944

     Chief A. O. Peterson reported arrests for year at 930 total.

437 traffic, rape 12, burglary 20, auto theft 2, vagrancy 27, gambling 9, DUI 21, 360 juvenile, 170 drunks, 75 bicycles stolen.  July 1944

     George Hinckley, city engineer, collected 108 tons of paper to recycle.  9/1/1944

     Changes in local taxation were suggested with possible sales tax in the future.  Redlands had only a property tax but San Bernardino went to one cent sales tax and theater tax as well.  Dec. 6, 1944

     Redlands Economy of Oranges and business climate changed by the war to new industries like defense (San Bernardino Air Depot), Universal Sanitary Pottery and J. M. Hammerman Hoisery Mill expanded industry into new directions.  12/14/1944

     City Council voted for Memory Lane in Hillside Cemetery for Redlands dead of World War II.    1945

      War Memorial Building discussed as a place for our 3,000 veterans to meet but no action was taken.  6/26/1945

School District

     Many teachers were drafted and this led to increased class size and sometimes the hiring of inexperienced teachers.  University of Redlands Education Dept. attracted women into secondary education with a streamlined program that eliminated student teaching. 

     Redlands schools distributed 26,000 ration books in Oct. 1943.  This was ration book #4. 

    Redlands High school choirs sang to 10,000 soldiers in Desert Camps.  A Cappella Choir sang at Desert Center, Iron Mountain and went on the Coxcomb USO trip.  Dec. 1943

    Twenty-six teachers were drafted from Redlands schools.    Jan. 27, 1944

     Fifty RHS students joined the Job Depot Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol.  March 1944

     Surplus rationed food was given to schools such as 65 cases of eggs and 418 cans of Texas grapefruit.  May 1944

     War bonuses were added to the teachers wage schedule.  $150 more for wages $2,000 or less, $100 more for $2,050 to $2150, and $50 for $2200 to $2350 increased teachers wages close to pre-Depression levels.     May 1944

     Redlands Alumni Service Directory lists 399 grads in the service. 6/7/44

     212 army          155 navy      25 marines    17 WACS     2 army nurses

     RHS students sold $150,000 in War Bonds in 12 days!  Sold $123,000 worth of bonds by June 15, 1944

     Junior Red Cross was expanded by S. Wesley Break, County Supervisor, with all Redlands schools involved.  10/7/1944

      A school or job editorial discussed why students dropped out of school for the rewards of good paying jobs during the war.  9/9/1944 Editorial

     RHS choir, A Capella, won the Distinguished Service Citation.  Wilbur H. Schowalter accepted.    1/4/1945  Choir won war honor for War Bond Drive patriotic presentations by Wilbur Schowalter.  5/18/1945

     High School 7^th Bond Drive presented a talent show with 200 students performing.  5/23/1945

     Redlands High School boys and girls picked oranges in 1943 in February and March each afternoon.

     Forty Redlands High graduated were reported killed by June 6, 1945 and four missing.  Redlands High had 979 alumni in the armed services. 

     Students picked the orange crop of 1943 before the Brucero Program was initiated. 

University of Redlands

     See also War Housing.  Early graduation for cadet teacher program to replace teachers that are drafted from Redlands schools.   March 1944

     President Truman signed G. I. Bill of Rights promising federally financed education, guaranteed home loans, unemployment compensation.  Will cost $6 billion.  June 1944   Measure was solution for post war unemployment.

    U of R built many new single family residences after the GI Bill of Rights sent millions of vets to college.  Our country went from 6% college educated to 20%.

     Two U of R grads worked on the A-Bomb, Victor Anderson and Harley Tillitt.  8/14/1945

     Navy housing and training took place at the U of R during the war. 

Smiley Library

     Victory Book Drive at A.K.Smiley by Miss Mabel Inness collected 1,778 books for men in the service camps.  Dec. 19, 1944

War Bond Drives

Third War Bond Drive and Victory House or Victory Triangle

      A red, white and blue building constructed in the triangle with a new shingle added for each $10,000 towards the bond quota.  Jan. 19, 1944

Editorial “Victory Plaza” Jan. 19, 1944

     Goal quota of $1,250,000 was set.  By Sept. of 1943 Redlands had $380,000.     Redlands met the quota and went over by 10%.

Fourth War Bond Drive with quota of $1,250,000 was set with William O. Mulligan, as chairman.  Dec. 1943

      Victory House at Victory Place triangle constructed to show bond drive sales of $10,000 for each shingle placed on the shack.  Charles Winninger, comedian of the stage and radio, entertained everyone along with the Air Force Band.  Jan. 1944  Raised $40,000 was collected.  Jan 24, 1944 the campaign had collected $320,000 by Jan. 27, 1944.  Yucaipa Victory shingle is added to the roof. 

     Dick Powell, stage, screen and radio star, entertained for the Bond program at the Fox.

     Bond Rally featured Johnny Johnson and Dick Powell.  Rudy Vallee’s Coast Guard Band for 4^th War Bond Drive.  $30,000 sold at the premiere “Lifeboat” film.  Feb. 2, 1944.   Feb. 8^th Bond Drive now reached $856,200 and by Feb. 23 Over the top with $1,345,383 or 17% ABOVE THE QUOTA.    

Fifth War Loan Drive

Began June 6, 1944 for $1,250,000

     Downtown Bond Sale Contest began  June 1944

     Quota for Redlands now set at $1,350,000 since war against Japan is more expensive.  Dinner and Street Dance launched the drive.  $230,000 was given the first day.  $461,000 by June 17 and June 24 reached $1,164,976.  June 29 had $1,400,000.  On July 31 Redlands reached $1,887,285 or 42% beyond the goal quota.  July 31, 1944

     Bond Sales Contest by local merchant employees.  Susan Stein working for McEwen’s sold $5100 worth.  6/23/1944

Sixth War Bond Drive

     Began on Thanksgiving Day 1944 and Redlands had $824,242 by 12/4/1944     Announced that we had $100,000 to go Dec. 7, 1944 on the third anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack.   Went over the top  December 8, 1944 and completed the drive with $1,339,181 December 11, 1944

     Jack Levine of Levine and Chestler led the retailor competition selling $63,050 in war bonds.  Others given are Woolworth, Harris Co., Serr Stationary, etc. 

      Sixith War Loan Drive now $1,713,460 or 37% above quota.  1945

Seventh War Loan Drive from May 30, 1945 to June 30, 194 for $1,250,000 and then raised to $1,450,000.  By June 30 Redlands raised $2,453,000!

Eighth War Loan Drive  Drive began October 29 and ended November 12 with a goal of $850,000.  10/17/1945  Victory House opens for the drive and the Fox Theater offered a premier of a major film.  11/9/1945  Goal was lowered to $650,000 and was immediately reached with $680,000.  12/1/1945  Victory House was sold to Maude Garland for $275 and moved to 1425 E. Citrus on skids.  12/7/1945  Drive reached $1,487,449 12/11/1945  In the eight war bond drives Redlands had sold $12 million in bonds. 12/15/1945  The 1940 Federal Census gave 14.000 for the City of Redlands.

Women

     Francis Willis, the first woman diplomat for the United States, was promoted ambassador to teh consulate in Madrid, Spain.  Oct. 1943

     YWCA stressed war work through the Service Men’s Wives Club and USO entertainment for 1250 service men.  Some 300 girls helped.    Nov. 1943

     Frank S. Gunter leads War Chest Drive for USO Quota of $19,400.  Nov. 1943

     War Stamp Shower for Mabelle Annette Yates and Mary Elizabeth Bury.

     WAVE recruiter, Ensign Virginia Lee Lindsey, spoke to Lions Club. April 1944

     Women recruited for fall army “Land Army” to harvest crops in the county.  Farm Labor Office.  9/1`9/1944

     Mrs. Helen Jones Mann, 301 Eureka, returns home from prisoner of war camp on Luzon, Philippines.  5/4/1945

      Helen Jones Mann, 545 W. Palm, prisoner of war in Bilibid Prison, writes of the experiences in Camp Holmes, Japan.  3/1/1945 and 3/8/1945 Helen McDaniel letter. 

     First Lt. Beverly W. Perry, 311 Summit, won Bronze Star as battlefield surgeon with medical detachment in Germany.  5/8/1945

Redlands Horticultural Society

    Sponsored Victory Garden competitions and was able to secure a .03 cent water rate for each 100 gallons.   Dec. 1943

     Victory Gardens contest Feb. 24, 1944  Copied  40 plots listed 8/1/1944 

     Redlands had 900 Victory Gardens with 100 more than 1944.  5/18/1945

Redlands Cannery

     Frank Kimball sold his Cannery on Alta and Lugonia Ave. to a Religious Charity group to work six months a year on vegetables and fruits.  March 1944   Yucaipa tomatoes sent to the war effort.  Thousands of gallons canned.   Peaches canned. 

Gill Batteries

     Gill Battery manufacturing on Citrus and Sixth Street received Navy contract for vehicle and aircraft batteries.  March 1944

Redlands Tent Company

     The company was located in the Mission Garage at Fifth and Vine.  Edward L. V. Clark employed 120 to make tents.  He had government contracts.  9/14/1944

Abe Gardner Road Mixers

      Located on Stuart Street the company supplied the Seabees with the equipment to build airstrips on isolated Pacific Islands during the war.  Seabees began December 8, 1941 and the 200,000 workers proved to be a secret weapon in the Pacific War.  Example: On Okinawa an airport was completed for B-29’s use in two days.  Iwo Jima, Tinian, etc.

Fletcher Lumber Mill

     Army contracted for 4,000,000 board feet of lumber for making crates to send supplies to the Pacific War.   3/16/1945 Fletcher Lumber Mill processed 150 carloads of lumber for shipping boxes.  5/2/1945   Boxes carried munitions and once unpacked provided the framework for GI tent housing on the Pacific Islands.  Lumber was cut for each box to meet pre-cut building needs.

Mrs. Nan Songer the “Spider Lady”

     She was a chemist assistant that became a naturalist and Lepidoptera collector of crickets, gnats and spiders.  In response to a 1939 U.S. National Bureau of Standards call for spider web silk of 1/10,000 of an inch, Songer began raising Black Widows and other insects to produce the silk.  The silk was used in optical instruments and most importantly in the Norden Bombsight for World War II bombers.  The “cross hairs” for technical equipment could withstand extreme temperature change and the bouncing inside a bomber.  Each 20 feet of web sold for $20.   A typical black widow can produce up to 1,000 feet of web in a lifetime.  Mrs. Songer fed the spiders gnats and crickets in her Yucaipa home.  Government contracts purchased all the silk Mrs. Songer could produce.  This was one of the most important war industries in the country. 

Citrus Industry

     Charles Milton Brown, General Manager of Gold Banner and Redlands Only Democrat, was a member of the State National War Production Board.  Also a past member of the National Recovery Administration during the Great Depression decided on citrus pro-rate during the war years.  Citrus is deemed a war related industry due to the value of a soldiers’ health.  Brown had been part of the Citrus Industry in Southern California since 1883.   He knew FDR cabinet members and FDR personally.  

    Nat Hinckley, County Farm Bureau chair, urged saving of food.

    Western Fruit Growers Association led by Ernie Larson shipped 1,000 carloads of citrus in 1943.  Larson owned 700 acres of The Peppers on East Highland.

     Redlands shipped 4,991 carloads of oranges and this was the lowest production amount since freeze of 1936-37.

     Juice canning plants became a requirement of war with 20% of the fruit devoted to this.  Oct. 1943

     M.O.D. recorded their greatest returns in history with $15,783,624.  $2,150,131 in processed foods required according to J. A. Stewart.  Nov. 1943

     Total Sunkist returns were up 20% from 1942.  The Valencia crop brought greatest return according to Paul Armstrong report.  Nov. 1943

Office of Price Control set the citrus box ceiling for oranges at $2.85 to grower with overall $3.99 ceiling.  Nov. 1943

     Tissue paper wrap for oranges cut 65%.  Dec. 1943    

      Citrus Looks Back editorial for 1942-43 Nov. 18, 1943

      “labor shortages, transportation difficulties, government regulations.  Gross returns were high in the industry and perhaps substantial.”

     Office of Price Administration ordered $3.85 for navels and $4.30 for valencias.  Feb. 1944   OPA price $4.30 per box May 1, 1944.

     Quarantine Inspection of planes for agricultural pests proved difficult.  May 1944

     Surplus army trucks were sold to Winslow S. Lincoln for county farm transportation limited to pick-ups only.   July 1944

     War Food Administration now required 10% of citrus set aside for juice.  July 1944

     Best Citrus Year Editorial  11/17/1944

     Orange Shipments faced immediate embargo east of Chicago.   1/24/1945

     Labor Board conducts union C.I.O. voting in the packing houses and seven packing houses vote in favor of the union.  4/17/1945

     Army requisitions 15% of Valencia crop.  6/5/1945

     Secretary of Agriculture asks for Orange Ceiling Price to end. 9/15/1945

     Government chemists created a citrus concentrate that could be vacuum sealed and placed in GI K-rations.  The breakthrough ended scurvy for the allies in World War II by insuring vitamin C for troops. 

Farm Labor

     Treaty with Mexico allows Mexican men with a bond to work in California Agriculture.  Redlands-Highland Farm Labor Bureau with some 200 Mexicans arriving in 1942 and 800 in 1943. 

Mexican Nationals also picked apples in Oak Glen.  Oct. 1943

     Work progressed on North Opal road to Water Conservation headquarters which was converted into Mexican National camp.  Cone Camp.  March 1944  Cone Camp was a CCC camp during the Great Depression

      750 Nationals picked 45,000 boxes of oranges per day or 60 boxes each.

3/29/1944

     Yucaipa tried to form a Labor Association to get Mexican National Labor.  Never succeeded and did get some laborers from Redlands-Highlands Labor group.  April 1944

     250 German prisoners aided with harvest in West end of County.  10/18/1944

     13,000 Mexican Nationals worked in California Agriculture.  Feb. 21, 1944  

     Italian prisoners of war to worked in agriculture but the army allowed them for work only in Western part of county.  Army did not want them working with Mexicans at Cone Camp.  Several Italian prisoners from Camp Ono married American women at war’s end and remained here.  Camp Ono seemed lax with prisoners.  March 16, 1944

     Citrus Men celebrated Dinner at Cone Camp after 22 packing houses pleased with the picking labor.  Mexican officials and packing house managers present for the festive occasion.  May 5, 1944

     150 Nationals thin peaches in Yucaipa and Oak Glen.  They were on loan from Redlands-Highlands Farm Labor Association.  5/31/1944

     Italians aid army at Camp Haan in the machine shop, repairing trucks and jeeps.  216 members of 3rd Italian Quartermaster Service.  They volunteered for service in American war effort after interrogation to see if they were Fascists.   Most were taken prisoner in North Africa.  Capt. Mario Bernasconi had a tire company in Milan.  8/30/1944

     Italian laborers sought since Mexican National contracts ended in August, 1944 and many Nationals moved to pick grapes in the Central Valley.  9/14/1944

     Farmers urged renewal of Federal legislation to continue ‘Bracero” program for California.  10/23/1944

     Mexican Nationals picked 6,788,087 boxes for 1943-44 season.  11/29/1944

     Italians’ Work at Depot Explained:  Three Italian service companies numbering 550 officers and men are helping to speed delivery of supplies overseas at the San Bernardino Engineer Depot (at Orange Show Building.)  Redlands Kiwanis were assured by Lt. Col. Rol N. Pyper that the men receive Geneva Convention protection and are not treated with privilege as rumored.  1/18/1945 p.8

     Santa Ana Cone Camp had 400 pickers, which is adequate for the season.  1/20/1945   140 Mexicans arrive with 160 more due next week.  Redlands-Highlands Farm Labor Association.  2/27/1945

     Labor Board ordered packing house union vote within 60 days and 50% of the packing house labor votes for CIO.  4/5 and 4/17/1945

    Mexican Nationals donate $1040 to Red Cross.  4/4/1945

    Mexican National labor agreement to end December 31, 1945 and Redlands-Highland Farm Labor Association want the pact renewed.  Officials sent to Washington to lobby for an extended labor agreement.  9/17/1945   The agreement was extended and finally ended in 1975.

War Ends

     Every church bell and fire bell rang out the expected news.  Aug. 1945

Churches

     Universal Prayer Day Feb. 19, 1944  All churches marked Feb. 24 as Universal Prayer day.  Feb. 24, 1944

     Special Prayers offered at local churches June 6, 1944.

     Churches collected clothing for liberated Europe.  10/7/1944 Council of Churches with 13 active congregations collected 5,494 pounds of clothing.  10/19/1944

     Council of Churches supported Universal Military Service Act suggested by FDR.  12/8/1944

(War Over) Peace celebration planned by Redlands Churches.  Want stores to close for quiet but enthusiastic effort.  8/11/1945   Special services were held at the Bowl with auto horns tooting.  Censorship of newspapers announced.  8/15 and 8/16/1945  

Additional Information

Plane Crashes

    Lost Bomber found east of Cajon Pass after missing for 69 days.  All four crew members were dead.  May 1944

     P-38 crashes in Redlands Orchard east of Country Club.  Lt. Ross from Ontario Air Field parachutes onto the golf course.  June 1944

     Lt. Calvin R. Gintz crashes south of the Fifth Avenue pool and is taken from PT-22 plane by boys that had been swimming in the Fifth Avenue pool.

8/16/1944  My mom, Ann Atchley, who drove the afternoon milk route for Crafton Dairy, was one of the first on the scene.  She watched the plane lose altitude and crash.

     Marine Lt. Wilmer E. Ohlemacher, pilot, and passenger crash one mile south of Clark’s Ranch in the Santa Ana Canyon.  Both die in the crash.  Crash ignites a 5,500 acre fire that is fought with 1100 soldiers from Camp Haan.  Fire threatens Santa Ana resorts and Barton Flats youth camps.   7/16/1945, 7/17, 7/18, 7/19, 7/20 and 7/23/1945   Erosion control replanting of watershed begins.   Redlands City Council and BVMW Co. formally petition the government to restrain from flights over the tender dry watershed of the orange industry and receive $15,000 for damage to the watershed. 

     Fighter Corsair 4-u crashed in Mill Creek Canyon above the Marble Quarry and is discovered weeks after the crash.  J. J. Prendergast of the Bear Valley Mutual Water Co warns of watershed damage.   9/19/1945

County Government and Federal Government

     Road building was placed on standby until the war was over.  Wesley Break, Bryn Mawr Packing House manager runs for Third District county supervisor.  May 1944

     County results in Presidential election  Warren Rep. 12,937 and FDR Dem. 13,283    June 1944

    Govenor Thomas E.Dewey campaigns for president in San Bernardino and attacks FDR dog, Fala.  Sept. 1944  Redlands Republicans attend.

      FDR proposes National Service Act where every citizen gives two years’ service to the country.  Jan. 15, 1944

     Lincoln letter to Mrs. Lydia Bixby the mother of five sons killed during the Civil War.  Editorial Feb. 12, 1944   (Based on five Sullivan Brothers that died on WWII battleship torpedoed by Japanese submarine.)  Movie Saving Private Ryan based on this.)

Hillside Cemetery

     Council sets aside “Memorial Lane” for Redlanders killed during the war but buried overseas.  4/20/1945     Forty Redlands High graduates killed by 6/6/1945 and four are missing with 979 in the armed services.  6/6/1945  Six trees planted for Yucaipa heroes of WWII.  5/24/1945

(War Over)     Redlands called for a Veterans Memorial Association to organize a fraternal center for vets to meet.  8/27/1945

One Day, Five Casualties

     Editorial of the Facts about five Redlands losses in one day December 13, 1944

December 15, 1944

Honor Roll

Pfc. George J. Andrews, 782 E. Palm, fought 165 days continuously in the Philippines.   7/19/1945   Fought to free the Philippines.  Wrote editorial to Facts August 19, 2015 thankful that Truman used the bomb to end the war and save lives.   Graduate of Redlands High class of 1942.   25^th Division of U. S. Army

Capt. Peter Arth, B-24 pilot returns home after 50 missions in the Mediterranean Theatre.   12/6/1944

Sgt. William N. Barlow is awarded Silver Star and Air Medal as a gunner in heavy B-24 Liberator Bomber.  Read March 28, 1944 

Signalman Keith Barron, 232 Alvarado, signalman third class, 25 Parkwood Drive, letter from Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu.  Dec. 1, 1944  Involved in 8 invasions: Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, Pelilieu, Angor, Ulithi, Leyte, and Okinawa.  10/4/1945 p.5  

Lt. F. Ray Barron, 25 Parkwood,  and Capt. Harry P. Wheaton were on the beaches of Normandy in the first wave.  July 8, 1944  Copied

Warrant Officer Paul Behee visited Dachau and saw piles of bodies.  6/4/1945

Capt. Paul E. Bell, 42 W. Palm, awarded Bronze Star as engineer officer in the Thunderbolt Squadron.  Also has Presidential Unit Citation.  8/4/1945

Lt. Will Blair, 31 West Colton completes 27 missions in Italy and wins the Air Medal and 4 Oak Leaf clusters.  His brother is in the submarine service in the Atlantic, Lt. Joe Frank Blair.  April 1944   First Lt. Will N. Blair receives Flying Cross for 50 combat missions in B-24 over Germany. 8/17/1944

Lt. Jack Boone, 131 Seventh St., wounded on Okinawa and in Navy hospital in Hawaii.  Okinawa cost the USA 8 billion.  Jack had a broken back.   6/7 and /13/1945

Lt. Richard Break is awarded Silver Star.  Son of county supervisor, Wesley Break.  3/20/1945

Lt. Cmdr. Donald Brumbaugh, 324 S.Buena Vista, medical officer killed in action and has island burial in the Pacific.  Editorial   5/21/1945 and 5/22/1945   Killed in Okinawa action aboard U.S. cruiser, Birmingham. 8/30/1945

Captain Rodney E. Buckmaster, Born in Redlands Oct. 29, 1919, graduated from Redlands High 1937.  In 1941, he joined the Army Air Corps and was commissioned a 2^nd Lieutenant.  He flew C-46 and C-47 troop carriers dropping paratroopers and towing gliders.  He became base Operations manager officer at Laurinburg-Maxton Army Air Base in North Carolina until the end of the war.  His obit was in the Facts Sept. 1, 2013. 

Lt. Buron De Tour, 915 Orange St., navy flyer gets 30 day leave for saving soldier from drowning.  Nov. 1943  Awarded Air Medal in 11^th Naval District by Admiral W. F. Halsey.  Won Navy and Marine Corp Medal previously.  April 1944

Capt. William P. Butler gets Bronze Star and Oak Leaf Cluster.  8/22/1945

Capt. James R. Canterbury, 815 E. High, visits Bavarian Palace.  6/1/1945

David Cardoza, 421 Central Ave., and Carl Jessop, engine room crew members, both survive the sinking of the air craft carrier, Princeton.   10/25/1944   Later reported he did die on the Princeton.  11/9/1944

Ramond Chaves, a Redlands High grad, served in the United States navy aboard the USS Brown participating in nine major sea battles in the Pacific.  Born April 14, 1922 in Redlands.  Died Sept. 4, 2013 at 91.  Obit Facts Sept. 10, 2013

Manuel Cordova Chavez  Dies 90 years old born Redlands March 22, 1926 and died Dec. 24, 2016  Facts    Marine Corp corporal battle of Iwo Jima, Purple Heart

Sgt. Henry Clark, Beryle Ave. Mentone, gets Bronze star for Kwajalein operation supplying water to front lines.   8/4/1944   Wins Bronze Star in five day battle for Marshall Islands.  10/3/1944

Sgt. Paul Clark home on furlough to help pack oranges for Orangedale Packing House.  He is a B-17 tail gunner.  June 5, 1944 p. 5   Home from Burma with Sgt. Paul Clark. 

Dr. Robert M Clark, 124 11^th Street, praised for service as regimental surgeon in invasion of Marshall Islands.  March 1944

James Cleveland, class of 1940 RHS, Marine Corps, invasion of Iwo Jima.

Patty Cleveland Baker source.

Sgt. Jack Coble, RHS grad, 946 Campus, turret gunner on B-17 and U of R student.  12/27/1944  Writes from prisoner of war camp in Germany.  3/26/1945  Liberated from P.O.W. camp with Lt. Norton Dean and Pfc. Norman Cowie.  5/21/1945   Now home after being shot down on his 13^th mission and freed from POW camp by the Russians.  His ordeal is given.  7/3/1945

Sgt. Harold B. Cochrane wins Bronze Star while stationed in Burma and China.  He is with the 20^th Air Force.   5/19/1945

Sgt. R. G. Comstock, 919 N. University St., receives Flying Cross as a B-29 gunner.  9/11/1945

Lt. Raymond Costello, 213 E. Olive, calls his B24 bomber “This Love of Mine” has bombed Yap, Truk, Iwo, Chichi Jima and has won the Distinguished Flying Cross  3/14/1945

Pfc. Norman Cowie is liberated from P.O.W. camp in Germany with Lt. Norton Dean and Sgt. Jack Coble.  5/21/1945

2cd Lt. Charles R. Cram, Highland, killed in Belgium.  1939 RHS grad and noted for high scholastic record.  10/5/1944

Chief Petty Officer Bruce Danielson, 439 Center, seaplane crash and injured near Iwo.  2/8 and 3/9/1945

First Lt. William Dawson, 120 Eleventh St., reported killed when his plane collided in mid-air on his 47^th mission over Austria.  8/4/1945

Lt. Norton C. Dean, 135 Fourth St. and 334 Alvarado, reported missing in Belgium.  He is a Harris Co. employee.   1/5/1945  Prisoner of war in Bavaria.  813 Stillman  3/2/1945 and editorial 3/3/1945   Arrives home from prison camp and gives his experiences.  6/20/1945   Liberated in Germany with Sgt. Jack Coble and Pfc. Norman Cowie.   5/21/1945

Pfc. Timoteo R. Delgado, 109 E. Cortez St. Highland, is awarded Bronze Star for fighting with Timberwolf Infantry in Germany Nov. 17, 18, 1944  1/15/1945

Pfc. Evert Dodson, 23 Fifth Street, killed in Palau Islands.  1942 RHS grad, who joined the infantry.  11/1/1944   Dodson may have been a prisoner on a Japanese transport sunk by a US sub.  He became a prisoner of war with the fall of Bataan.   11/3/1944     Reported missing 12/5/1944   Reported death took place Nov. 19, 1944 and reported 12/13/1944   He died heroically on Anguar Island Oct. 1, 1944.  RHS grad of 1942 had grenades thrown into his position.  1/12/1945

Paul Dotson, 930 College, declared dead after being killed on a Japanese prisoner transport.  5/18/1945

Lt. Col. Robert L. Dougherty, 544 Cajon Street, showered with gifts as administrative chaplain in the Central Pacific.   Gifts are for natives from liberated Guadalcanal.   June 1944

Sgt. David Farquhar, 318 Fifth Avenue, is reported missing from B-29 gunner over Tinian.  6/23/1945   copied  Farquhar is liberated from Japanese prison in Tokyo-Yokahama area according to KFXM radio.  He is a turret gunner on B-29.  Copied 9/1/1945   Returns home with a Purple Heart for rough treatment during interrogation. Copied  10/8/1945  He was released from Japanese prison August 28, 1945 after his capture three months earlier.  In the Japanese Friendship program in Oct. 2012, Farquhar was a guest of the Japanese government which apologized for poor prisoner of war treatment.  He was at first scheduled for a firing squad death since his B-29 was fire-bombing Tokyo.  Facts Nov. 11, 2012  He joined the army in 1942 and flew 18 missions in the Pacific before being shot down.  Facts 4/15/2013

James Farquhar is killed in Europe.  1/9/1945

Lt. Kenneth L. Fisher, 1022 College, co-pilot of a B-24 Liberator and 1939 RHS grad, is missing and on Dec. 16, 1944 sends a telegram to his mother from Italy.   12/29/1944    Escapes Germany and parachutes into Romanian held German territory from his B24.  Flak shot down 10 member crew and they avoided German patrols to later contact home.   1/4/1945  Shot down three times as a pilot.  6/21/1945 copied   Fisher arrives home with remarkable story. 

Sgt. Gordon L. Fitch, 1157 Judson St., describes battle of Kwajalein.  March 10, 1944

Sgt. Jesse Flint, 1001 Clay Street, Corregidor Air Corps, is freed from Japanese prison.  10/9/1945

Pfc. Robert Ford, 1228 Alta, platoon wipes out Japanese force without a single loss.   12/8/1944

Adam Garcia, 1011 Calhoun St. commended for Attu fighting.  Oct. 1943 He dies in Leyte invasion.  12/4/1944

Lt. Comdr. Alfred W. Gardes, 215 Cajon Street, commander of a destroyer in the Pacific and a Leyte vet.   12/14/1944

Lt. Garnsey, 1850 Rossmont, is a B-26 pilot stationed at Bakersfield Field.  9/21/1944

Lt. Marland Garth, 917 Campus, awarded Bronze Star for Naval Heroism in Rabaul and New Britain.  11/28/1944

Cpt. Ross Gibson, 1665 Halsey Street, describes the Manila scene with the might of the USA in the harbor.  7/31/1945

Lt. Arthur Gregory, Mariposa and Dwight, is in the thick of fighting on Saipan and Tinian.  8/12/1944  Letter

Lorren E. Grisamore, 611 W.Fern, is missing after his cargo ship sank and is believe dead since ammunition was on the ship.  2/5 and 3/6/1945  Killed in action 4/17/1945

Richard Paul Gwynn, Mill Creek Road, is in the submarine service and is reported missing.  He enlisted on his 17^th birthday from RHS in 1943. 

Lt. Robert WGwynn, Mill Creek Road, is home from Normandy.  July 1944

He is in the 9^th Air Force Troop Carrier transporting paratroopers to France.  July 20, 1944

Lt. William T. Hardy, 635 West Fern, wife died of flu while he is in the navy fighting in the Solomon Islands.  March 1944

Col. John Hart wins Legion of Merit for Battles in Attu and Kiska, Alaska.  He was involved in assaults on Japanese strongholds.  He was the commander of the landings. April 1944

Lt. Sherman L. Hart, 1880 Mentone Blvd., wins Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf clusters in 8^th Air Force for 25 combat missions and Distinguished Flying Cross for destroying 8 enemy fighters.  March 1, 1944  Read citation

Lt. Walter J. Hartzell, 636 Alvarado, writes of Normany experiences in the medical corp.  June 23, 1944 letter. 

Major Alva Hascall, 1132 Texas St.,  is home for Christmas after flying B-29 in China, Burma and India.  12/13/1944  Wins Bronze Star and silver leaf for campaign in China, Burma and India.  3/23/1945  Most decorated Redlands World War II combatant with Air Medal, Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star, Silver Leaf, Legion of Merit and presidential unit citation.  Copied   5/25/1945  Tells of PT boat attack on Japanese barges.  9/17/1945

Sgt. Jack Hastings, 322 Grant Street, saw Buchenwald horror camp and wins unit citation.  6/27/1945

Erwin Hein joins Navy Seabees.  He managed the Sun office in Redlands for 15 years and was a writer for Westways, Autoclub and other magazines.  He was editor of the Redlands Golden Jubilee book in 1938. 

Peter Hernandez, Bryn Mawr, killed in action with the infantry in France.  July 1944

Pfc. Richard Allen Hilliard, 1454 Pacific, is in Guam fighting.  8/15/1944

Pfc. Robert Hinkle writes from Japanese prison.  He was captured on Guam.  1/19/1945

G. K. Hoddenfield is on the staff of Stars and Stripes.  4/21/1945

Ensign Daryl Huish, 720 Cedar St., is buried at sea.  1941 grad  3/7/1945

Cpt. Edward Jacobsen, 866 High Avenue, tells of Germany.   6/12/1945

Missing from infantry in Germany.   4/30/1945  Liberated from German prisoner of war camp.   5/16/1945

Carl Jessop, 338 Grant St.,  and David Cardoza, both engine room crew members, survive the sinking of the air craft carrier, Princeton.  10/25/1944 

This is the third ship that was sunk while Jessop is on board.  He returns to Redlands in pajamas.  “Lucky Larky Jessop”  1936 RHS Grad    12/5/1944

Harry John flew B25 bomber over Europe, completed 35 missions over France and Germany.  Shot down over France and joined underground.  Facts June 2, 2013  Corrections made with new details of shoot down and underground  Facts Jan. 19, 2014

Hinkle, Floyd Eugene “Gene”  Aug. 15, 1922 to March 14, 2015  Attended Crafton School, Redlands High, Valley College.  Enlisted in U.S. Merchant Marines served in Pacific Theater 1942-1946.  Awarded Pacific and Atlantic War Zone Medals, Merchant Marine Emblem, Honorable Service Button, Presidential Testimonial Letter, and Victory Medal.  Optimist, Bench Warmers, Elks, Inland Harvest.  Union 76 Service at Redlands Blvd. and Sixth Street for 39 years.  Redlands High Centennial Committee 1991.

Lt. Com. George K. Johnson, 11 University St., writes of the naval battle of Leyte which his “baby” carrier was first on the defensive and later launched 30 planes against the Japanese fleet and go on the offensive.  Dec. 5, 1944

    Carrier involved in three engagements.  3/5/1945

T-5 Trenouth L. Johnson, 247 Nordina, gets Silver Star for rescuing two wounded soldiers in a mine field.    Copied   7/6/1945

Lt. Cmdr. Francis Dixon Jordan dies on a Japanese prison ship.  Incident described in the article.   7/10/1945

Lt. Franz N. Kanaga, a 38 year resident of Redlands, won the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Navy Cross.  His squadron of dive bombers sank the Japanese battleship Hyuga in the Sea of Japan. 

George “Joe”Kanatani, 310 West State St., RHS 1936 grad, received Congressional Gold Medal November 2011. He served in 442cd Regimental Combat Team, the most decorated group of all time.  Had Yamato Café and was a porter at the Elks Club.  He served with George Sakato.   May 16, 2000 and May 12, 2001 Facts.   Received Bronze Star at age 94 June 9, 2012.  Facts 6/19/2012   Wins Legion of Honor Award from French Government for 1944 442cd Regiment liberation of French towns of Epinal and Bruyeres.  Honored in Nov. 9 ceremony in Los Angeles.  Worked 34 years at Redlands Post Office as window clerk.  He is now 95.  Facts 11/14/2013

Lewis G. Murray Kidd escapes from a Japanese prison and in a 8 part series tells his story.  9/4/1945—9/14/1945 every issue.   

Col. John Kimm, Alabama Street, cited for heroism in Italy for the Tunisian Campaign with a Bronze Star.  9/18/1944  Citation

Grady Fleming King, Lincoln Street, was cited by Admiral Nimitz for Saipan bravery carrying out medical duties in the amphibious landings.  9/19/1944

Maj. William C. Kingsbury on B-29 Super fortress raid on Japan steel mills June 1944   Super fortress Raid story over Manchuria  July 31, 1944

On flight with General LeMay non-stop from Japan to Washington.  9/19/1945.    Recalls first and last B-29 raid over Japan.  9/24/1945.

Receives two Oak Leaf Clusters from the Secretary of War, Robert Patterson.  He commanded the 25^th Bombardment Squadron and listed 32 B-29 missions.  10/11/1945

Lt. William H. E. Kirschke, 539 S. Buena Vista St., is discharged after accumulating 146 points on 72 missions over Europe in Marauder Bomber.  He has won Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, 13 Oak Leaf Clusters and a Presidential Unit Citation.   8/10/1945

Sgt. Charles A. Kitching, 709 W. Palm Ave., receives the Bronze Star for Marine artillery fighting on Okinawa.   8/9/1945

Charles Milton Knight died June 5, 2013.  RHS grad 1935.  US Army signal corp stationed at Isle of Wight, south of South Hampton, England where he maintained a radar station and then later in the South Pacific.  Electrical Engineer.   Facts June 6, 2013 obit

Lt. Ted Kusler, 125 Michigan St., B17 pilot and brother Lt. Don Kusler are home.  Don was wounded by flak over Germany.  6/26/1945

Bill “Bob” Leonard, RHS 1941 grad, marine corps wounded on Okinawa. 3/3/2012 He is active in YMCA and celebrating 90^th birthday at Plymouth Village.  At 91 June 2, 2013 Facts  Member of Optimist Club since 1948.

Capt. James R. Leonard, 1049 West Fern, is the commanding officer for the marine air station in Santa Barbara.   8/22/1944

Pvt. Charles J. Lewis, class of 1939 RHS, died in a Philippines prison camp of malaria.  6/25/1945

Pvt. Taylor Lewis death is retold with a mortar shell on Mindanao.  10/10/1945

Sgt. Herbert Lienau killed in action.  4/11/1945

Corp. Richard Lockhart, 331 Cajon, dies on Tinian.  He was also a Guadacanal and Tarawa vet.  Attended McKinley and RHS.

Sgt. Peter Loenhorst, 521 Walnut, receives citation for Normandy Coast action for towing gliders over Cherbourg, France.  10/24/1944

Victor C. Macias,  Lawton Street, United States Army from September 26, 1942 to November 6, 1945.  Born 1921 and died Sept. 25, 2013 Obit Facts Oct. 1, 2013

Pvt. Kenneth Maddox is liberated from a Japanese prison.  9/18/1945

First Lt. Benjamin Mair is awarded Bronze Star for keeping battalion supplied with food and equipment under dangerous fire.  His battalion killed 44 Japanese without a loss.   1/10/1945

Lt. Barney Marshall, 943 Walnut, motor torpedo boat saves Canadian crew in English Channel.  8/18/1944

Darrell Martin, 1112 Cedar Ave., made it through the invasion of Saipan.  8/2/1944

Capt. Judd Mason, 930 E. Colton Ave., is awarded Distinguished Flying Cross, presidential award and two Oak Leaf clusters for 300 combat flying hours and one Jap zero score.  Combat in New Guinea area.   3/3/1944

Major Jack E. McCreary, former Redlands High teacher, wins Bronze Star in the Mediterranean Theater in the personnel Division.  10/6/1945

Col. Bruce W. McDaniel, 721 Alvarado, directs Paris Food Supply to feed 5,000,000.  He is general manager of MOD in civilian life.  11/18/1944

Lt. Col., 621 Alvarado, wins Bronze Star for solving food crisis in France.  3/30/1945   With a team of 20 men he feeds France.  4/24/1945   Cited by French President and given Croix de Guerre and Rose Star.  9/4/1945

Lt. John H. McElhiney, 108 Norwood, listed for 50 combat missions over Rabaul ansd New Britain in the South Pacific.  June 1944

Capt. James McIntosh, East Lugonia Avenue, writes his first letter since the fall of Manila, Philippines.  5/28/1945   In Japanese prison camp for 4 years is now home and tells his story.  10/29 and 10/30/1945

Pfc.Robert Mckeighan, 117 Center Street, kills Jap on Guam and writes dad on his birthday.  8/12/1944  Writes letter from fox hole.

Sgt. Arthur F. McMillan fought in four major battles in 30 months: Saipan, Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Tinian.  He was wounded on Saipan and is now home.   10/26/1944

Pvt. Walter Messer, 124 E. Olive, dies of wounds on Mindanao Island.  7/27/1945

Capt. Morris Miller, 216 E. Stuart, is a pilot in a B-24 Liberator in the Central Pacific.  He has had engagements at Midway, Marshall Islands, Gilberts, and Calorlines.  Wins two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 4 Air Medals. His was the first plane to bomb Truk.    May 26, 1944   Read

Pfc. Charles B. Mooney, 36 Wheaton Street, wins Combat Infantry Badge in 37^th Army Division at Battle of Bougainville.  March 1944

Lt. James Dave Mooney, 36 Wheaton St., is home after 263 combat missions and wins Air Medal.    7/13/1945

Lt. Col. Jack Morris, 120 W. Vine, Receives Bronze Star in North Africa.  He is a 1924 RHS grad.   4/17/1945

Pvt. Clifford Virgil Morrow, Route 2 Mission District, was captured on Guam and is a POW in Osaka, Japan for the last three years.  1/6/1945

Liberated from prison.  Tail gunner.   9/20/1945   Was in a Japanese prison camp working in the Osaka Coal Co.   10/5/1945

Lt. Francis Gerald Mulvihill wins Flying Cross as a dive bomber pilot for sinking a Japanese ship off the Bonin Islands in his Curtis Wright Helldiver plante July 4^th, 1944

Seaman Alfred Munoz, 1132 Calhoun St., gunner on destroyer reported missing.  He left RHS in 1942.  11/18/1944

Sgt. Ernest Morrow, Curtis Ranch in Old San Bernardino, packs oranges while on furlough.  Has Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters for 25 missions in B-17 over Europe.  June 5, 1944

William Floyd Myers, Yucaipa, a member of a tank corps is killed.  1/17/1945

Sgt. Francis Joseph Nader, 52 East Highland Ave., reported missing from gunner position on bomber.  RHS grad.  May 1944   Air Medal is given to his father since he is missing.  1/5/1945

Roland Barton Nutting, 842 Stillman Ave., is reported missing from a destroyer that was in a Philippine typhoon.   1/25/1945   Killed in the Pacific. 2/27/1945

Lt. John O’Brien, 606 Harding Drive, awarded the Silver Star was an electrical officer in the submarine service.  10/24/1944  Citation

Capt. Robert Owens, 1520 W. Cypress, killed on Luzon Feb. 4  2/27 and 3/27/1945

Lt. Herbert M. Palmtag home after logging 300 combat flying hours in B-24 Liberator bomber in Middle East, Italy and Germany.  He joined the Coast Artillery in June 1940.  Oct. 1943

Col. Rufus Parsons, 24 San Gorgonio Drive, receives Bronze Star in Quartermaster Service.  5/23/1945

Lt. Raylin Pattison, 1630 Laurel Avenue, tells of Okinawa fight.  7/11/1945

John Pereria, 23 Fifth Street, wins Bronze Star after breaking up a Japanese ambush.   8/27/1945

First Lt. Beverly W. Perry, 311 Summit, wins the Bronze Star in a medical detachment in Germany as a battlefield surgeon.  5/8/1945   Became ill in Germany and is now coming home.  7/19/1945

Lt. Mark Pfeiffer dies in China in airplane crash.  April 1944

Marshall Phelps, class of 1949 RHS,

Sgt. Bernice L. Philley shoots down Jap Zero in battle over the Solomon Islands.  Gets 30 day leave to see new son.  Veteran of 125 combat flying hours.  Read Story Dec. 6, 1943

Lt. Charles C. Pratt, 1002 College Avenue, missing pilot over Germany of a B-24 Liberator.  His daughter was born May 28.  Her volunteered April 7, 1941 and is one of four sons of John Overton Pratt in service.  He is reported dead by the Germans June 5, 1944    Sell store at 114 Fifth Street to Gail Stockton since all the boys are in the service.  June 1944  German government report of death through international Red Cross.  6/28/1944

Lt. Robert E. Price, Bryn Mawr, wins Air Medal for B-17 bombing.  11/20/1944

Lt. H. C. Ranney of Redlands awarded Air Medal for bombing enemy in the Pacific.  Awared in San Diego and saw his 18 month daughter for the first time.  He was at Pearl Harbor.

Ensign Francis Wayland Reynolds, 1031 Campus, writes of Iwo Jima invasion.  4/20/1945

Tech Sgt. Kenneth A. Rister, 260 Nordina, prisoner of war in Germany lost 60 pounds.  Is now free.   6/20/1945

2cd Lt. Ralph O. Roberts, 1713 Washington St., wins Air Medal for 30 combat missions in the Mediterranean.   12/18/1944

Capt. Henry Romo, 1262 Monterey, on march into Rome as part of a field artillery unit.  June 1944  Receives Bronze Star  8/17/1944  Visits Berchtesgaden.  6/2/1945

Lt. Robert Romo, 1262 Monterey A, killed on Okinawa.  6/4/1945

Pfc.George Taro Sakato, Redlands Blvd. and 527 E. State, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for action in the 442cd Regimental Combat Team October 29, 1944.  Family moved to Arizona to avoid arrest.  He stopped a German counterattack and killed 12, wounded 2 and captured 34 prisoners.  Sold Ken’s open air Market and moved before arrest.  Listed as enemy alien in Phoenix.  After war moved to Coolidge, Arizona and then Denver was a postman for three decades.

At first was given Distinguished Service Cross and then in 2000 the Medal of Honor.   “Samurai Spirit” Wins Distinguished Service Cross. 8/7/1945 p.5 copied

Cpl. Henry Sakato, brother of George, was one of the first Japanese-Americans to enter the service.  Won Combat Infantry Badge for exemplary conduct in the Vosges mountains of eastern France.   8/7/1945 p.5

Sgt. Wally Sanchez, 309 E.Colton Ave., is a RHS football star and radio man for B-17, 351^st. Bombardment Group is given Air Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster.  He entered the service Jan. 12, 1943 and is now 21.  His brother is stationed in Alaska.   12/26/1944  Decorated again with 2cd Oak Leaf Cluster for bombing attacks on the enemy.  1/117/1945

Sgt. Ray Sanders, 1001 Orange St., killed in Belgium.   He previously served in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska.   11/9/1944

Col. Leslie Sargent, New Jersey Street, killed in action with the marine corp on Okinawa.  5/24/1945

Lt. Col. Gordon Seagrave, 615 Buena Vista St., author of  ‘Burma Surgeon” returns to Burma.   5/5/1945    Tells of Burma welcome.  7/11/1945   Editorial and tells of Burma work.  7/12 and 7/30/1945

Seaman James Selaya, New Jersey St., missing.  2/8/1945

Major Wendell B. Sell, 635 McKinley Drive, wins Bronze Star in North Africa for actions in July 1944.    1/16/1945

First Lt. Richard M. Sherman, 528 Buena Vista St., is the co-pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress and receives the Distinguished Flying Cross and Oak Leaf clusters for hitting Nazi targets with skill.   8/17/1944

First Class fireman Carl J. Shirk writes of life in the Pacific.  8/22/1944

Capt. Therman A. Singley, 1103 Ohio Street, dies of wounds.  He left RHS early to join CCC and later Marine Corp Aug. 8, 1942.  Feb. 1944

Col. Frank Guest Smith wins Legion of Merit for assigning key men to the Pacific War.  8/9/1945

Capt. Leland W. Smith is awarded posthumously the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and Silver Oak Leaf cluster at March Air Force Base.   7/9/1945  Capt. Leland W. Smith, 319 E. Stuart, reported missing over Belgium.  He is a P-38 pilot with 70 missions, a Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.   1/17/1945

Lt. Charles Harry Stirnenan, 819 E. High Ave., jumped from bomber over France and is reported missing.  Another bomber reports that his bomber was hit in the nose where the gunner was located.  June 27, 1944   Declared dead.  Bombadier in a B-26 over Europe.  11/8/1945

Col. Franklin Smith, E. Citrus Ave., was given a supply citation for work in the Philippines.   1/30/1945

Tech Sgt. Robert R. Stuart, Yucaipa, receives Legion of Merit for work in Germany.  He works for Mittens Letters in Redlands.   6/15/1945

Warren Sutt, 118 Norwood, reported missing from B-24 gunner position.  He has three brothers in the war.    Feb. `1944  Reported killed.  8/31/1944

Capt. Robert E. Sweet, 805 University St., receives Distinguished Flying Cross and Army Air Medal butg his B-24 Liberator crashes in Tonapah, Nevada.  8/21/1944

Pvt. Allan Taltavall, 728 Walnut St., died May 16, 1942 from malaria in a Japanese prison camp.  9/13/1945

Capt. Dick Taylor, 755 Cedar, is awarded Oak Leaf Cluster and Air Medal for flying the hump to China.  Jan.22, 1944. Have copy 

Lt. Col. Frank Thornquist, 706 Alvarado St., wins Bronze Star as air base commander in Burma.  8/14/1945  Part of Mars Task Force which supplied Burma and China.  10/12/1945

Lt. Thomas Thresher, RHS 1939 grad, is missing.  He is a Thunderbolt fighter pilot in Italy.   12/15/1944

Lt. Jack Van Epps shot down over Sardinia is a released prisoner of war from Italy.  He was the pilot of B-26 Martin Marauder.  Dec. 1943   Wins Bronze Star with Italy Air Corps.   10/2/1945

Clarence Van Leuven was stationed on an armed merchant vessel and sunk by torpedo.  Story in the Facts Oct. 27, 1943

Technician Andrew G. VanVoorhuyeon, 1029 Alta Street, wins a Bronze Star for Luzon combat and has two bronze battle stars for Bougainville and the Philippines.  11/14/1945

Sgt. Frank R. Villa, 510 Seventh Street, gets his Second Bronze Star in Germany Oct. 12, 1944    6/15/1945

Lt. Robert Wagner, 816 Stillman is awarded 4^th Oak Leaf cluster and is a 1927 RHS grad.  He was involved in Northeast Africa action.  Jan. 1944

Completes 50 missions in Africa and Mediterranean and has Air Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster.  April 1944

Lt. Comdr. Robert A. Weatherup, led fight group against Kyushu field and shot down two Jap planes with his Hellcat fighter.   6/9/1945

Sgt. Clifford White, 24 Olive Ave., wins Air Medal for gunner skill over Europe in a B-17 flying fortress.  6/23/1944

Major T. Robert White, 711 Linda Vista Drive, participates in Doolittle Raid bombing Tokyo, Japan in Feb. 1942     April 18, 1942    Interviewed by Stars and Stripes for narrow escape of death over Sicily.  March 28, 1944

Vernon Lofton Williams, Route 1 Box 398, seaman first class cited resisting 30 bombing attacks from vessel in Sicily.  June 1944

Pvt. Robert H. Wilson, 540 Buena Vista Street, meets his brother Pfc. William H. Wilson in the Philippines.   12/13/1944

Corp. Charles N. Witham, 1019 Sixth Street, is a B-24 engineer that bombed the island of Yap with the 13^th Air Force.  July 1944   Now Sgt. Charles Witham is reported missing from his B-24 Liberator.  He is a flight engineer.  12/13/1944  One of five either killed on missing Dec. 13, 1944   His B-24 bomber went down over Negros Island and he was killed.  He was the radio-mechanic on board.   1/10/1945   Wins Air Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster in posthumous ceremony at March Air Force Base.  6/26/1945   7/9/1945 

Capt. Charles Woessner, 618 Cypress Circle, B24 radioman is missing over the Philippines.  2/7/1945

Lt. Charles N. Ziilch, 101 West Fern, receives a land craft infantry citation. 12/11/1945

Sgt. Edward C. Zylman, 425 E. Citrus, is recovering in London.  2/3/1945

Unusual Accomplishments

Retailers plan bond drives with 25 stores led by Fred C. Fowler.   Two-hundred take pledge to become Third Army members.  Theater Bond Drive sells 2,400 seats with each seat costing so much.  Junior Bonds for children began.  Jan. 1944

Elmer Plummer, class of 1930, helped Disney produce “Victory through Airpower” movie.  He is the son of R. W. Plummer of East Citrus Avenue and filmed B-17’s and Douglass Aircraft Co.  Nov. 1943

Miss Francis Reay, 452 Terracina, joins Red Cross in the Pacific and ends up in Mortain, France meeting Corp. Arthur Jacobsen, 866 High St., on the streets while passing out donuts.  11/28/1944

Near the front in France 8/14/1944    Survives the shelling in Holland.  2/2/1945

Returns home from Red Cross volunteer services in Europe.  9/5/1945

1911 Elks Club Lodge mortgage is paid off November 3, 1943

YMCA burns mortgage in annual dinner Dec. 4, 1943. 

Two army surplus trucks aid in Redlands mail service.  Post office mail up 25% due to war.   Dec. 1943

Redlands Federal Savings and Loan, Lyman M. King, buys government bonds.  Jan. 1944

Max Watson, prisoner of war in Osaka, Japan sends letter to mom at 243 Eureka Street.  Watson in navy for 16 years and was on a minesweeper in Manila when the Philippines fell.   Dec. 1943

Carl Hilliard, 543 Terracina, head the Office of Price Administration for rent control in the Defense Rental area.  Dec. 1943

Japanese Zero fighter was on display for 10 cent admission.  Feb. 1944

Frank Gunter, Redlands USO chair, receives letter of congrats from regional executive of USO.  Feb. 1944

Capt. Judd Mason, 930 E. Colton, is pilot for McArthur.  March 3, 1944

Lt. Paul Gerrard marries.  March 1944

Lt. Col. Meredith Beaver used penicillin at Redlands Community Hospital for the first time.  May 1944

Memorial Day Program at the Bowl by Dr. Lawrence Nelson as speaker.  May 1944

Seven RHS grads meet on Saipan unexpectedly

Edward Campbell, merchant marine

Darrell Martin, pharmacist mate

Homer Rickson, pharmacist mate

Peter Pittullo, stewart

Jack Harrison, Marine Corp

Leonard Bondenberger, Sgt. Army       1/26/1945 p.5

C-47 Transports with thousands of air miles each are repaired at San Bernardino Air Depot in days.   1/4/1945

Three Redlanders meet in Manila, Philippines Dan Stanto and Bud Dudley are cousins and Don Hanson.  6/28/1945

G.K. Hoddenfield is on the staff of Stars and Stripes.  4/21/1945

Two University of Redlands grads worked on the A-Bomb: Victor Anderson and Harley Tillitt.  8/14/1945

Other sources:   The West Coast Goes to War 1941-1942 by Donald DeNevi, Pictorial Histories Publishing, Inc. Missoula, Montana, 1998.