August 9, 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. 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 please contact me at 533-8147. 1 am the co-chairman along with Bill Connelly of the Oroville Veterans Memorial Committee. Our plans are to build a fitting memorial in Oroville to honor all of our veterans past, present and future.

February 1945 Learn Son Is Missing

Lt. Howard King, 36, has been reported missing in action, according to a telegram received this morning by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.C. King of Thermalito. Lt. King was squadron engineer in the lead plane of a B-29 outfit in the Marianna Islands. King was graduated from Oroville High School in 1936. Prior to his enlistment as an aviation cadet in September, 1942, he worked as an electrical engineer for the R G. & E. at Caribou. He graduated as an aviation engineer from Yale University and was sent to Boeing Aircraft School at Seattle for specialized B-29 training. Later he was sent for more advanced training to Lowery Field in Denver. He arrived in the Mariannas in September, 1944. Lt. King's younger brother, Clayton is in Arabia engaged in an oil project.

Lt. Pyke Now Army Captain

Lt. Harry L. Pyke, former Oroville dentist, now in the U. S. Army stationed at Spokane, Wash. has been promoted to the rank of captain, it was learned here today by relatives and friends. Capt. Pike is chief oral operator.

Howard Casagrandes Here For Few Weeks

Howard Casagrande of the U. S. Merchant Marine arrived in Oroville Monday night after ten months sea duty. Casagrande was accompanied here from San Francisco by his wife, the former Shirley Henry. The couple are visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Casagrande of Robinson Street. Beginning sea duty after a fifteen weeks course in the maritime commission at Catalina Island, Casagrande served in the Panama Canal, Guadalcanal and Marshall Islands zones. He will report in San Francisco for realignment.

Lt. And Mrs. Robert Wilbur Have A Son

Lt. And Mr. Robert Wilbur are the parents of a son born Jan. 16 at the Curran Hospital. Lt. Wilbur is with the U. S. Army stationed in the southern part of the state. He attended officer candidate school at Harvard University and was sent to a camp in Colorado as an instructor before being sent to southern California. Both he and his wife have spent many years in Oroville and attended Oroville schools. He is a graduate of Chico State College and taught at the Concow and Magalia schools before entering the service. Mrs. Wilbur is the former Bessie Kogeones and was formerly head of the dress department at the City of Paris. She has been making her home with her parents for the past three months.

P. L. DAVIS GOES UP ONE RANK IN ARMY

Private P. L. Davis, son of Mr. Port Laraca Davis, Oroville, Calif., has been promoted to the rank of private first class at the Carlsbad Army Air Field, Carlsbad, New Mexico, site of the largest bombardier school in the world.