Newspapers / The Echo (Pisgah Forest, … / Dec. 1, 1944, edition 1 / Page 12
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PAGE TWELVE THE ECHO DECEMBEE, ^ News From Former Employees In Service COMMANDER WRITES TO WESLEY KEELS» FATHER The following is a letter from Lt. I. Wesley Keels’ commander to his father:— “My Dear Mr. Keels: It is with great sadness and deepest sympathy that I write to tell you that your son is missing in action. This is tragic news for you and I wish there was some thing I could say that would light en the burden of your grief. Un fortunately all I can do is pass on to you the meager information that we have and join you in heartfelt hope that by some mir acle Isaac is alive and will return. Isaac took off from our carrier yesterday morning as one of a 16 plane fighter formation to attack enemy-held airfields. Over their target, the formation encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire and large numbers of enemy aircraft. A ter rific battle ensued during which our fighter planes shot down nu merous enemy planes and inflicted great damage to ground installa tions. Decisive though this victory was, it carried with it losses that are the sad consequence of these engagements; many of our planes were hit, and three of them failed to return. Isaac was one of our pilots who did not get back. We have questioned all pilots that were on the flight but none of them can add anything to what I have written above. There is a possibility that Isaac was able to make an emergency landing in enemy territory or at sea and because of this possibility I have reported him missing in ac tion rather than killed in action. It is my opinion that there is only a very slight thance that he es caped. li^aac was a conscientious and agj^ressive fighter pilot, and when last seen, he was engaging enemy aircraft that greatly out numbered him; the chances are overwhelming that he gave his life courageously carrying out his duly in the finest tradition of the Navy. I am reluctant to write this but I feel it would be unfair to you to hold out any but the slim mest hope of his survival. The Protestant chaplain will conduct special prayers for Isaac and his family at his next service and will write you. Three of our officers, designated by Isaac will inventory and pack his personal belongings and they will be sMpped to you in accordance with his wishes. If there is anything further that I or any of us can do, please let me know. Every officer in our squadron is keenly aware of our loss and great ly saddened by it. Isaac’s perpet ual cheerfulness and good nature made him one of our most popular officers and we will find our daily tasks more arduous with him ab sent. We have lost a fine officer and an excellent pilot and are re solved to fight the harder to ex terminate the enemy and to avenge this added crime. Again deepest sympathy to you from all of us in this hour of trial. Sincerely, E. J. Murphy, Lt. Comdr., UNS Commanding. GOING ON A “SHAKEDOWN” J. E. Mims, F 1-c, writes of change of address, saying, “We came aboard our ship Tuesday. It will go into commission tomorrow, and we will go on the shakedown shortly. Best regards.” HEATON SAVED LIFE OF COLONEL Here are Lt. William “Mac” Heaton, (center), fomaer Ecusta employee who was killed in action over Germany on September 5th., looking over some maps with Colonel Gabreski, left, whose life he saved while on a flight over Germany. Another pal is on the right. “Mac’s” father and brother work here now. Employees Enjoyed Nice Turkey Dinner Over 1200 Ecustans, through the courtesy of the Company, en joyed a turkey dinner, witn all the trimmings, for Thanksgiving Hundreds of pounds of turkey were served free to all shifts. It was offered to all employees work ing in the plant over a period of 24 hours, beginning at 8 a. m. Thursday. Mr. Straus has received many letters of thanks and appreciation from the employees over the en tire plant Among these was a ‘round robin” letter from the Fin ishing department, bearing the signatures of all employees of that department. Mr. Straus takes this opportunity to express his ap preciation. A special party was given Thanksgiving evening under the direction of the Recreation depart ment, featuring a special movie, refreshments and a square dance Several hundred Ecustans and their families attended and en joyed a delightful eveniog. Endless Chatter WANTS MORE LETTERS CpI. John Mullenax sends re gards to boys in the Refining Room and wants letters from them. He writes, “I have traveled over quite a bit of France, but there is nothing like the N. C. mountains.” SENDS XMAS GREETINGS Pfc. Robert W. Jackson, over seas, sends regards to boys in Re fining Room, Shift “C”, and ex presses thanks for Christmas package. Wishes all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. HOPES TO BE BACK Pvt. Tom Brown writes from overseas that Ecusta couldn’t have sent a better gift for where he is this Christmas. Hopes that it won’t be long before he can be back at Ecusta. MISSES THE MOUNTAINS Pvt. Ivan V. Galloway writes from Camp Blanding, Fla., “I am in the infantry in a heavy weapons company, and it’s not so bad, but ■ sure do miss those mountains.” By EDNA ALLISON Here everyone is trying to be good since Santa is just around the corner. But I’ve snooped around, and found out what a few of them want for Christmas. They have different ideas too. Let’s see, they say: “Dear Santa: We would be hap py if you brought us (1) b6x of Hershey bars, (2) four sailors to help us eat them. The Combers Dear Santa: We hope you won’t think we’re selfish, really we aren’t. Since we four are all sin gle, we would like oui* boy friends home for Christmas. The Warp Carriers. Dear Santa: We all want you to wish us luck for the New Year, in helping us make more belts. We all need that. The Weavers. Dear Santa: Will you please leave about five new pencils on the examiner’s table. We have been very good all year and would appreciate it very much. The Examiners. Dear Santa: Bring us all a bright colored thimble. We all like red ones. You might have to pay a nickle more to get them all red. The Finishers. Dear Santa: Bring us each a bell to put on our spool of thread so when the thread gets out we can have the bell fixed so it will ring. We will have to think up how we’ll fix it. The Warpers. The hook-pullers didn’t write a letter but two of them, Mildred and Elizabeth, sure want you to tell their soldiers in France and England “Hello” for them. Bet the soldiers know who they are. So don’t miss these boys, Santa. Lt. ‘Mac’ Heaton Killed In Action The War department recently nounced that Lt William Heaton, fighter pilot in the ous “Zemke Wolf Pack,” scoring outfit in the Theatre, was killed in action ove Germany September 5th. Lt. Heaton achieved fanie ^ newspaper articles and later in ^ December issue of “True” zine for saving the life Gabreski, America’s leading ace on last July 6th. As toW . lead' Get- “True,” Col Gabreski was ing a flight of P-47’s over many and had just shot down 26th plane, when he discovere ^ German fighter plane on tp pouring it on. He called io^ ^ over the radio and Heaton his rescue. Gabreski said was I glad when my pal dived on the 109 and chased n down to deck. I’m sure I oWfi life to ithat boy Heaton.” , Lt. Heaton had been the Air Medal and at least Oak Leaf clusters, and his » ^ had been awarded a n{sui Citation for extraordinary her in action. A flier from this same recently visited Ecusta and that “Mac’s” last act before shot down in flames was to : up a German locomotive. Truv this Dear Santa: Just a little from one of the ironing department em ployees speaking for the whole outfit. As you already know we’re looking forward to a full stocking this year. Our little Jackie Boy’s wish is that he’ll have a big Christmas was a hero’s death. Mac” was a Machine Ecusta before going into Force. His father, William works in our Maintenance o P jj ment and his brother, ^ a Machine Tender. His wif&» ^ u Gibbs Heaton, formerly the Stitching department at pagne. SENDS BEST Pvt. Robert S. Pearce is 0,, ning his training at Ft JjJjei* and writes that he and two men were sent in a room on the train, by a substitution. He sends best to all his friends. « lit dinner, so he wont lose aiiy jier Edna wants four new tir®® , go boy friend’s little blue * can come and see her. An® ^ cob pipe since cigarette® scarce. Guffee wants ing gum so he won’t anyone else’s. Edward * * gjnc® Elouise or one just like o9' he’s undergone an Jii* eration, couldn’t you only wish? Helen wants so to give her an appetite. a discharge from the ^ boy friend—so he can see her. Henry wants a st so he can reach the t ^ ^ jjt machine. Geneva and I ^ boy friends back. Since jjgff of help we’d all like a sf ones in here. Santa, you’ll understand out and fill our stockings 0-) Ironing department — nt Fritz and Beecher girls in Endless Belt break their machines, .jjg hear Dick mention a wanted. Mary Sue and Mr. in us to, work like we « past, and a little better- jjjgP * We all wish the servjc Merry Christmas and n F . year they’ll be with us- MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY NEW YEAB! IV h Ity )V H s N % ^1 s '»'v V be if ' i S" Vil .S’
The Echo (Pisgah Forest, N.C.)
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Dec. 1, 1944, edition 1
12
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