July 19, 2002

Looking Back on Oroville's Heroes

By Stu Shaner

These stories are about the men and women who went to war so that we might be free. This column is dedicated to all our Veterans. It will use articles taken from past Oroville Mercury Registers. I recently received a scrapbook made by Ona Couris during WW II. It is full of newspaper clippings dated December 1944 through May of 1945. Many of those mentioned in these stories came home. But as you will learn, many young Oroville men did not. They gave the ultimate sacrifice.

I appeal to the people of Oroville, if you have any articles that will help us in our research please contact me at 533-8147. I am the Co- Chairman, along with Bill Connelly, of the Oroville Veterans Memorial Committee. Our plans are to build a fitting memorial and park in Oroville to honor all of our Veterans, past and future."

Today we have news clippings from the Oroville Mercury Register from late December 1944.

Award Given Tom Couris

Sergeant Theofanus T. (Tom) Couris, of Oroville, who has been reported as missing in action, had been awarded the combat infantryman badge for exemplary conduct in action against the enemy, according to an army release, undated, received today by the Mercury. He is the husband of Mrs. Ona Couris.

Bill McFerrin Is Missing

Sergeant William B (Bill) McFerrin, son of Mr. and Mrs. William B McFerrin of Paradise, is reported missing in action in Germany as of Dec. 16. He graduated from Oroville High School with the class of 1940. He was an all-round athlete playing baseball, basketball and football for four years He was a member of the Block O Society and a member of the executive committee. Sergeant McFerrin was with the Infantry and had been overseas since October. He entered the service four Years ago. His wife and two-year-old daughter are living in Santa Rosa and sister, Mrs Doris Koerner, resides in Sacramento. Two brothers, 1st Sgt. Forrest McFerrin of the U.S. Army and Harold McFerrin S 1-C of the U.S. Navy, are serving overseas.

Maj. Gen. Wilson Has Christmas Party For California

Word has been received in Oroville of a Christmas Eve Dinner party given by Maj. Gen. Arthur Wilson for Oroville and other California boys. Cpl. Dick Salzman was one of the guests. His brother, Capt Stanley Salzman, was unable to be present owing to military duties. He also is located "some where in France " but is not in General Wilson's command.

Among the guests was Capt. Richmond, the son of Raymond Richmond who played baseball on the Oroville High School team in about 1911. 7he former Ardeth Wise, now a lieutenant, was also there. The table was beautifully decorated with a small Christmas tree in the center. Turkey and all that goes with it was served. At the end of the dinner, an imitation Yule log was brought in. This proved to be a Christmas cake. General Wilson and Major Alec Wilson lived at Cherokee when they were small boys. They later moved to Oroville. Major Wilson is with the Army Engineers and is acting as mayor of a French city. Capt. Salzman and Cpl. Salzman are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. George Salzman. Before going to France, Cpl Salzman was in combat in Italy for eight months. Capt. Salzman has been in the dental department of the medical corps. Word has just been received that he has been awarded a Bronze Star “for meritorious service”. He entered the army about two years ago and has been overseas since last April.          

Note from Stu- Dr. Stanley Salzman was my dentist. He used no Novocain unless he pulled a tooth. A good old army dentist!