Post Messenger Recorder -

Pfc. Alvin Zweifel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred S. Zweifel, Madison, formerly of New Glarus, is a patient at a hospital at Anchorage, Alaska, where he submitted to a serious spine operation. His address is: Pfc. Alvin F. Zweifel, 46003377, 188--R. D. Station Hospital, A.P.O 942 % Postmaster, Seattle, Washington.

Lt. Eugene Stuessy, who has been home on furlough, has returned to the Percy Jones Hospital, Fort Custer, Michigan, for further medical care.

The address of Pfc. B. Dean Gmur who has been transferred from Shick General Hospital, Iowa is: Pfc. B. D. Gmur 36258648.

Roy Altman, who was recently discharged from the Army, is employed at the Pet Milk Company plant.

Pfc. Calvin Stuessy, son Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Stuessy, Madison, is at home from Japan and has been honorably discharged. He served in Europe before being sent to the Pacific war area.

From Leon Urben

February 19, 1946

Guinan, Samar, P.I.

Dear Art: Tomorrow, if luck is with us, our tug boat will be states side bound with a personnel barge in tow. I say luck because we received our orders for Nagoya, Japan, on the 9th of January and we still aren’t any closer. We have made some progress though, and tomorrow is the great day.

It will be sometime in April before our speed of 5 knots takes us to Pearl. We will continue on along to the West Coast, where this ship will probably go out of commission.

My first two months aboard the ATR-10 were spent in Okinawa. After the mine-sweeping operations were started, we proceeded to Japan where we aided both in tug work and mine-sweeping. It was quite new and interesting and I’ve gathered several very nice souvenirs.

After 3.5 months we received orders to proceed to Leyte and pick up a tow. So far we’ve progressed as far as Samar, but in ten days we hope to be in Guam.

The 5 day trip from Nagoya, Japan, to Tacloban, Leyte, proved quite a contrast both in weather and in people. We had a snow fight on the fantail in Nagoya while down here the sweat rolls free. Most of the people can speak English too and that certainly is a relief. Speaking with your hands or dwelling on a few well known words limits the conversation to a minimum.

I have, up until the time of departure from Nagoya, received the Post quite regularly about 3 weeks to a month and a half after it was sent. Third and second class mail was even coming through more regular than air mail. I enjoyed them down to the very last article and often read them twice.

Most of the next few months will be spent at sea so my letters to New Glarus will probably be pretty spotty. I imagine the basketball season is well underway with the tournament days ahead. I wish the team all the success in the world.

It’s not too long before I’ll be back so, until then, Sincerely yours, Leon Urben

From Norman Marty

Treasure Island, California,

26 February, 1946

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Theiler: I wouldn’t want you to think that the Post hasn’t been appreciated, so I’ll attempt to express my overdue thank you now. Your weekly “Community Letter” keeps me up on what all the Glarners are doing.

I especially like the articles which furnish me with fresh statistics all about New Glarus and Green County. I’ve found very few boys whose home towns, large or small, can rival ours in local color.

Treasure Island is as beautiful a base as you’ll find. The gardens, lawns, trees and larger buildings are all hold-overs from the San Francisco Exposition. It’s a place which certainly impresses you when you first see it.

There have been quite a few personal appearances here. Perhaps some of you have heard the “Spotlight Bands” program which was broadcast from our theater last week. Later, Jan Garbor played for a dance on the base. Martha Tilton, Jose Iturbi and others have also appeared here since I arrived.

Ruth Hoesly wrote and told me that Merle Hoesly Weinberg lives in Berkley, which is less than a half hour ride from the base. I hope to visit with her, and also to see some of her works which are now on display in Oakland. Out here where I know so few people I certainly wouldn’t miss contacting such an illustrious daughter of the community.

Thank you again for the Post. It has really been welcomed. Sincerely, Norman Marty

Pfc. Herbert Knobel Home from Europe

Pfc. Herbert Knobel received his discharge from the U.S. Army at Fort Sheridan on Sunday, February 24th, after nearly 3 years of service. He was oversea for 1.5 years and had 53 points.

Herbert entered the service in March 1943, received his training at Camp Hood, Texas, six months, Fort Benning, Georgia, three months at other camps. He left for Europe in August 1944, and reached France by way of Liverpool, Southhampton, and Omaha Beach Cherbourg.

He was a rifleman in the 80th Infantry Division and is entitled to wear one battle star and the Purple Heart. He was hit in the leg by shrapnel near Metz in September. After three weeks in the hospital he rejoined his company.

Exposed to the cold and wet weather in December he suffered a severe case of trench foot and was taken to England where he received hospital care for five months.

After his recovery he was transferred to the Air Corps in England where he served ten months. He had one furlough to Scotland.

On his return he left Southhampton on February 9th and arrived in New York February 19th, with discharge at Fort Sheridan, February 24th. Herbert was employed by the Pet Milk Company before entering service.