Articles & Pictures in the Servicemen's Edition - April 22, 1943

Matagorda County's Honor Roll - December 7, 1942

Matagorda County Soldiers of World War II

Men Now Serving - April 22, 1943

Questionnaires Sent to Draftees

War Marriages

T-Sgt. F. Johnson, Clemville Youth Is Awarded D.F.C.

An Eighth Air Force Liberator Station, England T/Sgt. Frank Johnson, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Johnson, of Clemville, Texas, a radio operator gunner on a B-24 Liberator, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The presentation was made by his group commander, Colonel Jacob J. Brogger, at this Eighth AAF base in England:

The citation read: "For extra-ordinary achievement, while serving as radio operator gunner of a B-24 airplane on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe. Displaying great courage, and skill. Sgt. Johnson, fighting from his gun position, has warded off many enemy attacks and has materially aided in the successful completion of each of these missions. The courage, coolness and exceptional skill displayed by him in all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Sergeant Johnson also wears the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf clusters. He entered the service February 26, 1943.

Sergeant Johnson received his wings at Wendover, Utah, and attended radio school at Salt Lake City, Utah. He is a graduate of Markham High School, Markham, Texas.

Sergeant Johnson has been in England some time, and his squadron led by Lt. Col. Milton D. Willis, of Spartanburg, S. C. has taken part in the all-out bombing offensive of Germany's continental fortress and in the and Eighth Air Force's attack on the invasion coast of France. It has participated in bombing missions over Berlin, Brunswick and other war production centers of Germany, the invasion coast and Nazi communication centers in France.

Sergeant Johnson's squadron was among the first "heavies" over the invasion coast on D- Day.

Upon completion of the group's one hundredth mission, it was cited "for distinguished and outstanding performance of duty in combat. Dropping tons of bombs on targets in both Germany and France, this unit contributed measurably to the success of the aerial war against the enemy. Beating down all opposition they fought their way to targets vital to the enemy's war effort, this group succeeded in completing these dangerous missions with a minimum of loss. The extraordinary teamwork, skill and devotion to duty which made possible. these accomplishments reflect great credit upon themselves, their organization and the United States Army Air Forces."

Daily Tribune, September 14, 1944
 

Sgt. Sonka Awarded Fourth Oakleaf For Meritorious Work

AN EIGHTH AIR FORCE BOMBER STATION, England- With more than two hundred combat hours as a top turret gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress, twenty-two year old Technical Sergeant Carl E. Sonka of Bay City, Texas, has been awarded the fourth Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal for "meritorious achievement."

He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sonka of Bay City, Texas. His brother, Private Odililia Sonka, is also in the service stationed "somewhere in the Pacific." Sgt. Sonka joined the AAF in September, 1942.

Pictured here in front of his bomber, Sgt. Sonka is a veteran of more than thirty of the Eighth Air Force's large scale bombing attacks on important targets within Germany.

"All my missions were thrillers," said Sgt. Sonka. "Perhaps the suspense of flak and enemy fighters kept us on the alert. I was happy to climb out after each trip."

Sgt. Sonka is a member of the 487th Bomb. Group commanded by Colonel William K. Martin of Ogden, Utah. The group is a unit of the Third Bombardment Division, the division cited by the President for its now historic England-Africa shuttle bombing of Messerschmitt plants at Regensburg, in August, 1943.

Matagorda County Tribune, January 25, 1945
 

Pfc. W. R. Leggett Kills Five And Wounds Seven
Cedar Lane Soldier Gets Bronze Star For Gallant Action

Major General Horace L. Mcbride, Commanding General of the 80th Infantry Division, announces that Pfc. William R. Leggett of Cedar Lane, Texas recently was awarded the Bronze Star for when alerted by a short enemy artillery barrage which preceded a German attack, Pfc. Leggett, serving as a automatic rifleman, observed an enemy platoon advancing toward his well dug in position in an outpost defense of Goesdorf, Luxembourg. By withholding his fire until the attackers were approximately thirty five yards from his position, he succeeded in killing five and wounding seven enemy soldiers forcing the remainder to withdraw.

He is the husband of Mrs. Alma Leggett of Cedar, Texas.

THE CITATION READ AS FOLLOWS:

Pfc. William R. Leggett, 2876067, A-T Company, 319^th Infantry Regiment. For heroic achievement in Luxembourg on 8 January 1945, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States. On 8 January 1945, alerted by a short enemy artillery barrage which preceded a German attack, Pfc. Leggett, an automatic rifleman, observed an advancing toward enemy platoon a his well dug in position in an outpost defense of Goesdorf, Luxembourg. By withholding his fire until the attackers were approximately thirty five yards from his position, Pfc. Leggett succeeded in killing five and wounded seven enemy soldiers and forcing the remainder to withdraw. His courage, aggressiveness, and devotion to duty repelled a serious enemy threat and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces of the United States.

W. H. BEWICK 1st Lt, Infantry Personnel Officer

Daily Tribune, June 14, 1945