November 21, 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. 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 have any articles that will help us please contact me at 533-8147.
Oroville Mercury Register April 3rd 1945
In the Fight
HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE YEARS
Cpl. Neithel G. Owens is visiting his father. J. C. Owens ,of Feather Falls. He has just returned to the United States after serving 35 months, almost three years, with the U. S. Infantry as a radio technician. He has a rating of Technician 5th grade. Owens entered the army about four years ago and has seen action in many pats of the Pacific area. He has been in Australia and New Guinea. Before entering the army, he was employed by Feather River Pine Mills.
GLENN BIGGS SPENDS A WEEK AT HOME
A-C Glenn Biggs has returned to his base at Selman Field, Monroe, La., after spending a week at his home here. He is in his final phase of training for navigator. Biggs is the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Biggs of Thermalito. He graduated from Marysville High and attended Yuba College. Before joining the cadets, he was employed as an aviation mechanic. Two of his brothers are also serving in the armed forces of their country.
TABER VIEWED AS GOOD “FIND”
An article appearing in the Stars and Stripes published in England announces that Cpl. Billy Conn, No. 1 world heavyweight contender, and his pilot, Johnny Ray, have taken over the management of Pfc. “King Tut,” Taber, generally regarded as the best ring prospect in the European theatre of war. “Taber, whose home is in Oroville, will move his headquarters to Pittsburgh when peace time rolls around,” the article read. “The coast middleweight has impressed ETO Boxing followers for months with his 38 successes in 39 bouts but he turned a deaf ear to all professional offers until Conn showed an interest and desire to handle him. “He’s a real find and should make his mark in the middleweight picture,” Conn commented. “I’ve sized Tut up as another Freddie Apostoll. He still has a lot to learn before he’s turned loose against the seasoned middleweights back home, however”. “Tut accompanied Conn on the latter’s tour of the Mediterranean, acquiring many of his manager’s ring characteristics on the trip. At times Conn boxed with his new charge to point out mistakes he made. And Billy knows all the answers’ is the way Tut puts it. ‘I’m getting more reach out of my left jab and also learning how to move away, under or roll from a right hand smash to the head.’” Taber is the son of Mrs. C. A. Farmer of High Street. He has been in the army since February 1943. His wife and son, Tommy, live at Morgan, Utah.
Stu’s notes: I talked to Art Wells, of Chico. Author of Duwks Ducks. I always see him December 7th at the Gridley Fair Grounds. Art was a Marine during WWII and was quite involved with the Army Ducks used in the invasion of many far off Islands in the Pacific. We will meet there at the Memorial Flag Pole in Honor of Pearl Harbor and those who lost their lives on that day. Well over 2000 men and women. The ceremony always starts at 9:55am. The California time that the first bomb and bullet fell out of the peaceful blue sky on Sunday morning so long ago. The public is invited. There will be about 20 or so Pearl Survivors and their wives. Each year there are a few less of the group. Although a few new ones come to the group. All are now 80 years old or more on this 62nd anniversary . A Gridley boy has the distinction of being the first killed in the Pearl Harbor attack. He is McClucthon.