Time Machine Trip to December 1941

 

Kaukauna Times - December 1941

By Lyle Hansen

December 3, 1941

Indians Scalp Kaws – The Shawano high school cage team handed Kaukauna high school a 42 to 22 beating At Shawano Friday night in the seasons conference cage opener. Bill VanDyke and Ken Reinholz led Kaukauna scorers with 6 and 5 points respectively. 

 

Florence Brewster has been elected by her classmates to represent Kaukauna in the daughters of America revolution good citizen pilgrimage this year. Florence is a member of the senior class.

Myron “Mush” Esler, trainer for the Cleveland Rams, National Professional Football League team, arrived home Sunday to spend some time with his father, Fire Chief Henry Esler and other relatives and friends.

December 5, 1941

Santa Claus will pay Kaukauna a pre-Christmas visit Saturday at 2 pm at the south side train depot. Santa will have a treat for all the boys and girls.

Staff Sergeant La Rue Smith, who is serving the 36th infantry, 3rd armored division in Louisiana, arrived home Tuesday for 14-day furlough.

December 10, 1941

People of Kaukauna along with the rest of the nation have had their ears on the radio,  eyes on the daily press and hearts practically in their throats since the first announcement of the Japanese surprise attack in Hawaii. The United states declared war on Japan Monday noon shortly after President Roosevelt delivered a war message to Congress his last statement of which was “I ask that the country declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, a state of war now existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.”

 

There is much interest in the city due to the placement of Kaukauna soldiers stationed with the army and navy forces in the Japanese war zones. Several Kaukaunan are presently in Hawaii with U.S. forces, where the attack took place.

 

Second Lieutenant Joseph J. Lingle, Cortana, has reported for duty at the new Air Corps basic flying school at Greenville, Mississippi, according to information arriving here from the public relations office.

 

December 12, 1941

Private Leo Vander Heiden, route 2 Kaukauna, who is stationed at camp Wallace, Texas, has been assigned to truck driving.

Mayor William J Gantter in a statement to the press yesterday urged citizens and public officials to take all precautions against sabotage to public institutions and plants holding defense contracts in the city. All precautionary measures must be taken since the attack of the Japanese and a declaration of war on the United States by the three axis powers Japan, Germany, and Italy.

 

December 17, 1941

William Rohan, route 3, has received a telegram from his son flying cadet Clifford Rohan that he was unhurt in the recent Japanese attack at Hickman Field, near Honolulu.

Luke Martin, Park St., Kaukauna, who is with the 17th air base group, Hickman Field, Honolulu, sent a cablegram to inform his parents that he has been promoted to the rank of corporal and that he was not injured in the Japanese attack a week ago.

 

December 19, 1941

The members of the fire and police departments were granted an emergency bonus of $10 per month per man for one year by the common council.   

 

The common council Tuesday evening adopted a resolution recognizing the community spirited activities of Strassburg during the last year. The people of Strassburg have shown outstanding community work and have done things that no other organization ever attempted. Mayor Nelson pointed out the banquet for Lawrence Wheelock, only Indian chief to be inducted in selective service, the Dr. C. D. Boyd testimonial dinner honoring 50 years of service and the show sponsored by Strassburg to raise money to purchase instruments for the high school band.

 

Staff Sergeant Gene Winn who is stationed at Camp Livingston, La., is home enjoying a furlough with his parents.

 

Miss Iva Chizek, registered nurse at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton, has been called to serve with the U.S. Naval reserve nurses corps. She will be stationed at the base hospital in San Diego, California.

December 24, 1941

The Kaukauna NYA workshop received its first national defense order for the Roi Tan Arsenal in New Jersey this week according to Elmer Grebe county supervisor. This is the first of many orders to be expected by the NYA workshop.

December 31, 1941

Private Albert Herman arrived home Sunday from Fort Benning, Ga., to spend a 12-day furlough with his family on High street.

Sylvester “Ham” Hopfensperger, who is stationed at the naval air station, Miami, Florida, spent the Christmas holidays with his family here.

Six-year-old Jerome Dreger Jr., of Harrison Street, was struck in the back by a bullet that had ricocheted off a rock. The boy was wearing heavy clothing and was uninjured by the bullet. The rifle was fired by a 14-year-old neighbor youth at a chicken. Police have confiscated the gun.

Private John McMahon, who had spent Christmas with his family, was notified by wire Friday to return to Fort Dix, New Jersey and that all furloughs were being cancelled.