June 20, 2003

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. Bill Connelly and I are co-chairmen 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. If you would like a speaker at a club meeting, Ted Grainger and I would be glad to speak, please contact me at 533-8147.

Oroville Mercury Register March 20th & 27th, 1945

B. T. JOHNSON STRICKEN WHILE EN ROUTE ROME

Stricken with paralysis, Friday, while on his way home on his first leave, Beriel Thomas Johnson of Wyandotte, gunner's mate of the U. S. Navy, is seriously ill in an army hospital in Cheyenne, Wyo. News of the Wyandotte man's illness was brought to his parents Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Johnson and members of his family, by Edmond Lague of Oroville, of the U. S. Navy, who also was en route home on leave, and was traveling with Johnson. The men were coming here by train from Camp Perry, Ohio, where

Johnson had completed boot camp training. The Johnsons had planned a family reunion in honor of their son, and Mrs. W. H. Niemeyer.

LARRY DUNN RECEIVES DECORATION

The bronze star has been awarded to Master Sgt. Landon (Larry) A. Dunn for meritorious service. He has been acting as supply sergeant in France and Belgium with the 18th antiaircraft artillery group and performed outstanding service in order to maintain the status of supply and replacement at the highest level of efficiency. Many trips were made while under enemy fire, and on many occasions prevented the waste of critical supplies frequently he was on the move without rest for continuous periods of 48 to 72 hours. The citation also states that his devotion to duty was an inspiration to his superiors and subordinates. A letter to his mother, Mrs. Grace Vines of Gridley, tells of the pinning on of the award during a formal formation. Two majors were decorated at the same time and pictures were taken. Prior to entering the army, Dunn was employed by the local Safeway Store for several years. He is a member of the Oroville Elks Lodge and attended Chico College. He received his initial training at Camp Wolters in Texas.

FRAISIER'S PART IN WAR EXPLAINED

AN EIGHTH AIR FORCE RECONNAISSANCE STATION, ENGLAND

Technical sergeant Owen W. Fraiser, 23 of Oroville, is one of the skilled technicians on the ground who makes it possible for Eight Air Force planes to remain in the on their around the clock missions over Germany. A crew Chief at this base, he has charge of the maintenance and repairs on Mosquitoes, twin-engine craft that fly alone over Europe to gather weather data and photographs of German installations so that air and ground operations may go forward. The son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Frasier, RFD No. 3, Oroville, Frasier was born in Seminole, Oklahoma. A graduate of Wasco (California) High School, he entered the Army in February 1941. He completed the airplane mechanics' school at Glendale, California and has been overseas since August 1942, having served in Iceland as a member of a fighter squadron before coming to England. He has been awarded the Good Conduct Ribbon and the European Theater of Operations Ribbon with Bronze Star for participation of his unit in the aerial warfare over Western Europe.

Stu's notes: Many young men became sick or even died before they could go overseas. I hope B. T Johnson got well. This story ended in the middle of a sentence. Maybe one of my readers knows more. My friend Bill Pinkston's uncle died at boot camp. His name was William Pinkston. He will be honored on our memorial. A couple of weeks ago I wrote about a man who was awarded a Purple Heart. When he went into the State Barber Shop my friend Jim, say's "Hi, heard you got a Purple Heart in the war. " He was surprised that Jim knew.