May 1, 2015

Oroville Mercury Register
July 10, 1952
“Some Gave All”
Joe D. Dunham Killed in Korea Cpl. Joe David Dunham, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd L. Dunham, Old Quincy Road, was killed in action in Korea Monday, according to Mrs. Dunham. Mrs. Dunham said she received a telegram from the War Department this morning in which it was disclosed that her son was killed while in line of duty. Cpl. Dunham joined the Marines in June of last year and received his basic training at Camp Pendleton prior to going overseas in December. He attended Oroville Union High School. Young Dunham’s father is manager of the Diamond Match Co. here. (a reprint from my article July 25, 2003)
From Oroville Veterans Memorial Park Committee David Joe Dunham, Born 18 MAR 1932, Died 7 July 1952, Service Branch, Marines, Rank Corporal. Service Number 1191026 Corporal Dunham was a member of the 4.2” Mortar Company, 7th Marines, 1 Marine Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in Korea on July 7, 1952. Corporal Dunham was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, The Korean Service Medal, The United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

Oroville Mercury
January 12,1953
News From Oroville Men In The Service
Pvt. Charles M. Sirjesse, son of Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Sirjesse, Route 3, Oroville, Calif., recently graduated from the Far East Command Chemical School at Camp Gifu, Japan. The two-week course included instruction in the defenses against chemical, bacteriological and radiological warfare. Private Sirjesse was previously stationed at Fort Ord Calif. He entered the Army last March. Sirjesse formerly attended Compton Junior College. Pvt. Robert M. Rennard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Rennard, Madrone Way, Paradise, also was graduated from the School recently.

Participating in the largest training exercise held by the Pacific Fleet since World War II, aboard the light cruiser USS Manchester, are five Oroville men: Dan L. Long, seaman, USN, Robert G. Bills, seaman, USN, Hansford D. Andoe, fireman, USN, and Robert M. Andoe, seaman, USN, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Teddie R. Andoe of Elgin Street and Bill R. Edwards, fireman, USN of Ft. Wayne. The vessel is a unit of the 26-ship task force, composed of cruisers, destroyers, destroyer escorts, submarines and service support ships. They are all shooting at surface and air targets: repelling simulated enemy submarine and air attacks: exercising at replenishing and refueling underway: and executing intricate battle maneuvers.

Air Force Lieut. Ralph W. Dunham, newly commissioned jet-fighter pilot, spent the holidays at home with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Dunham of Old Quincy road. Dunham graduated in the top 10 of his class of 73 pilot trainees. He received his bars Dec. 19 at Laredo AFB, Texas, in ceremonies presided over by Col. Weldon M. James, Brig. Gen. Wycliffe E. Steele gave the address. The Oroville flyer’s new assignment will be Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nev., where he will receive advanced training in the F-86. Dunham entered the Air Force in January, 1951. A 1947 graduate of Oroville Union High School, he studied civil engineering at Chico State College and the University of California before going into the service.

Stu’s Notes:
The F-86 Sabre Jet was our best fighter plane in Korea with a kill ratio against the Russian Mig of 10 to 1. The Dunham family had already lost one son to the Korean War and here was another son preparing to go to War. I don’t know if he made it to Korea which was ended somewhat by the Armistice July 27, 1953.

The Oroville Veterans Memorial Park Committee will bring you Oroville Memorial Day Services at 11AM at the Oroville Memorial Park Cemetery on Lincoln Blvd, and at 1:15PM on the Thermalito Green Bridge. Support Oroville and our Countries Heroes. Memorial Day is Monday May 25th, Hope to see you all there. The Nelson Avenue (Thermalito) Band will be on the Bridge as always. The chairman of our committee is Sherry Morehouse, as usual.