April 25, 2003
OROVILLE MERCURY March 8,1945
ROY STEED TRAINING AT CAMP ROBERTS
M. Roy Eldon Steed enlisted in the Army last December. He
is in the Infantry training at Camp Roberts. In a letter to his
mother he said the infantry isn't so bad and "he likes it fine".
After fifteen weeks training he expects a furlough. Steed attended
Oroville High School and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Steed
of Lincoln Street.
Oroville Mercury June 20,1951
KILLED IN ALASKA
S/Sat. Roy E. Steed Jr., 25, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy
E. Steed of Lincoln Street, Oroville, was killed in an automobile
accident at Anchorage, Alaska, Saturday. The former Oroville Union
High School graduate was a veteran of five years' service with the
U. S. Army and had served in the Philippine Islands during World
War 11.
Oroville Mercury June25, 1945
LAST RITES SET FOR SGT.STEED
Funeral services for Staff Sgt. Roy E. Steed, 25, of Oroville, who
was killed June 16 in an automobile accident at Anchorage, Alaska
while returning to Oroville on a furlough, will be held here Wednesday.
The rites will be in Hamilton-Riley Funeral Home at 2pm with the
Rev. Mr. Doyle Dorrance officiating. Burial will be in Memorial
Park. Sergeant Steed's body arrived from Anchorage yesterday afternoon.
Besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy E. Steed of Oroville, his
survivors include the following aunts and uncles: Henry Dennis of
Oroville, Mrs. Arnne Beaver of Oroville, Mrs. Rachel Thieme of Reno,
Miss Beth Dennis of Marysville, Dr. Robert Dennis of Saratoga, William
Dennis of Winatchee, Wash., Kenneth Dennis of Modesto L.L Steed
of Sulphur Springs, Tex., and John Dennis, U. S. Army Air Forces,
Newfoundland.
Oroville Mercury March 8, 1945
BILL MCFERRIN WAR PRISONER
Word has been received that Sgt Bill McFerrin. son of Mr.
and Mrs. W. B. McFerrin of Paradise, is a prisoner of war in Germany.
He was reported missing in action since Dec. 16, 1944. His wife,
Mrs. Lillian McFerrin of Santa Rosa was notified by a telegram from
the War Department. His older brother, 1st Sgt. Forrest
G. McFerrin, is with the 5th Army on the Italian
front. An army bulletin from the 5th Army in Italy has
been received telling of the award to Forrest of the Legion of Merit
"for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding
services." "McFerrin," the citation stated, "manifested superior
proficiency in performing company administration and exhibited outstanding
leadership on innumerable occasions by raising the morale of his
company and maintaining the company morale when combat fatalities
accounted for three of the four company officers." He has been overseas
26 months. A veteran of the Sicilian campaign, the Anzio beachhead
and the break through of the Gothic line, he wears three battle
stars on his European theatre ribbon. He was decorated by the commanding
general of his corps. Mrs. Estelle McFerrin, his wife, lives in
Paradise. A younger brother, Harold McFerrin, Soundman 1st
Class, is serving aboard the USS Laning in the Atlantic area. The
family lived in Oroville for a number of years and the boys attended
the local schools.
Stu's notes: Roy E. Steed Jr. Although he didn't die on afar
off battlefield he served his country well and he died while in
the service of his country. He was from Oroville. He will be honored
on our Veterans Memorial for all to see "that Some Gave A 11 ".
What you read here is all that we know of this man. We hope to find
more about this young hero from Oroville. Staff Sergeant Steed will
be honored with those Oroville Men that died in the Korean War I
say war because that is what it was Even if it is not called that
by some. I just sent my own daughter Sgt Deborah J Shaner back to
Ft Lewis, Washington She spent the weekend here on a 3-day furlough.
Although her father hopes not, she is scheduled to go "over there
" with her Yuba City Guard Unit.