Vol. 2—No. 41
U. S. Navy Pre-Flight School, Chapel Hill, N. C.
Saturday, June 24, 1944
• ft
'Missing in Action*
By the time you read this Cherbourg will probably have fallen
into Allied hands. Also, you’ll know something about the “fierce
naval battle” that is raging in the central Pacific with the Japanese.
Yes, you’ll know about these things, have the complete details,
but a lot of fellows who were present at both places won’t. They
were present for the big show, but they couldn’t stay around for the
final act. Someone had to die.
Someone had to die. Come to think of it that makes you feel
kinda queer on the inside doesn’t it? The kid up the street gave, his
life at Cherbourg. The fellow who captained your football team
lost a leg. In the central Pacific, another one of your gang was re
ported “missing in action.”
Missing in Action! Some people stationed in Chapel Hill, at
least for the time being, seem to be “missing in action.” They don’t
think enough of the kid up the street, or the football captain, or the
member of the gang, to lend a few dollars to help carry on the
fight. You mention the Independence Day War Bond Drive, and they
look at you as if to say, “what again?”
There will be other Cherbourgs. There will be more battles in
the Pacific. The least you can do is lend your money. Make
a sincere effort to buy a hundred dollar war bond the first week in
July. Invest in your own future and the future of America. By
investing your money now a lot of fellows might come back. Fellows
like you and me. Fellows who have come to love and appreciate
America.
<»——
Cadets Set Pace
j4s War Bond Drive
Gets Good Start
“Cadet participation in the spec
ial Independence Day war bond
drive has been unusually good thus
far, and the rest of the station
will have to go some to better their
record,” Lieut. William Clark,
XJSNR, War Bond officer, an
nounced this week.
While no figures will be released
Until a later date, Lieut. Clark
stated that the drive, at this time,
compares favorably to the Pearl
Harbor Day drive when this ac
tivity raised $87,000.
It is hoped that every officer,
cadet, enlisted man, and civilian
employee at this activity will pur
chase at least a one hundred dol
lar bond.
Station personnel are urged to
purchase their bonds between
July 1 and July 6 in Room 113,
Alexander Hall.
Cruising
with
Covey
By
David Y. Coverston, Ylc, USNR
After months of heated contro
versy in the House and Senate over
the benefits that should be offered
returning servicemen of World
World II, both bodies of Congress
finally agreed on and passed a bill
known as the “Servicemen’s Re
adjustment Act of 1944.” This act
is probably better known as the
“G. I. Bill of Rights,” and after
reading the bill and the conference
report thereon, I have gathered
the following information from it.
The bill is divided into six titles,
covering hospitalization, claims,
aid by Veterans’ Organizations,
education, loans, employment, re
adjustment allowances, and ad-
See COVEY, page 8
For Capt. Kessing
Legion of Merit Medal Awarded
First “Skipper” of This Station
Captain 0. 0. Kessing Honored for Service at Bougainville
By direction of the President of the United States, Capt. 0. 0.
Kessing, USN, who was Commanding Officer of this Pre-Flight School
from May 23, 1942 to November 26, 1942, has been awarded a Legion
of Merit by the Commanding General, United States Army Forces
in the South Pacific Area.
The citation, which was presented at the time of the award, reads
<^as follows:
“OLIVER OWEN KESSING,
Captain, United States Navy, for
exceptionally meritorious conduct
in the performance of outstanding
services at Bougainville, Solomon
Islands, from 24 November 1943
to 2 April 1944. As Senior Naval
Officer ashore, Captain Kessing
displayed superior professional
skill in successfully landing troops
and supplies despite treacherous
seas which made the beaching of
landing craft and barges an ex
tremely hazardous task. His per
sistency and spirit of cooperation
inspired a confidence and deter
mination in his officers and men
involved in the joint Army and
Navy operation. On his own
initiative. Captain Kessing de
veloped a landing field in an area
removed from destructive enemy
fire, enabling artillery observation
aircraft to provide a continuous
service. His outstanding perform
ance of duty throughout the cam
paign contributed in a large meas
ure to the success of operations at
Bougainville.”
The Legion of Merit Award is
the second medal Captain Kessing
has received since giving up the
command of this activity. In July,
1943, he was awarded the Navy
and Marine Corps Medal “for
heroism following an attack by
Japanese bombing planes on
Halavo, Solomon Islands, Febru
ary 20, 1943.”
Mrs. Kessing and two sons, Lt.
(jg) Thomas Kessing, USNR, and
Jonas, are making their home in
Chapel Hill. A third son, 0. 0.
Kessing, Jr., is in the Naval ROTC
at the University of South Caro
lina.
PICTURED above is the Legion
of Merit, recently awarded to
Captain 0. 0. Kessing, USN, the
first Commanding Officer of this
station.
Movie Schedule
Sat., June 24—Free movie at
Village Theatre, “Phantom Lady”
with Ella Raines and Franchot
Tone. Feature starts at 1925 and
2102.
Sun., June 25—Free movie at
Village Theatre, “Lassie Come
Home” with Roddy McDowall and
Edmund Green. Feature starts at
1318 and 1458. '