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Ronald E. Daniel, 2nd Lt., U.S. Army, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Daniel of Andalusia, has been killed in action on Okinawa on April 20. Lt. Daniel was serving with Co. K, 184th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division on Okinawa. He had most recently made his home in Montgomery prior to entering the service in Dec. 1944. He had worked for his uncle, Nick Harris, with Collins Bakery before entering the Army. Lt. Daniel is survived by his widow, Mrs. Martha Nadine Daniel; a daughter, Martha Jane Daniel, age 6; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Daniel; three brothers, Aubrey Daniel, William Alfred Daniel and R. C. Daniel, who is currently serving in Europe with the 30th Infantry Division.

Author’s note: Lt. Daniel’s body was never recovered. He has a headstone at Arlington National Cemetery that reads: “In memory of…” [See photo]

John W. Gillis, MSGT, U.S, Army, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Gillis of Andalusia, has arrived at the Welch Convalescent Hospital, Daytona Beach, Fl. MSGT Gillis entered the Army in Nov. 1940 and has served 13 months in the Southwest Pacific theater. Prior to joining the Army, he attended State Teacher’s College in Troy, Al. His wife, Clarita, and two children reside at 222 Crescent St. in Andalusia. He has a brother, Wattie Eugene Gillis, who is serving in the Navy.

Arnold Gene Free, SN1, U.S, Navy, of Andalusia, is now serving aboard a minesweeper. He entered the Navy in Dec, 1944 and has seen action in battles of the Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands, Coral Seda and Midway and in raids on Lae, Rabaul, Tulagi and Bougainville.

Inos K. Green, PFC, U.S. Army, son of Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Green, Rt. 2, Andalusia, has been awarded the Purple Heart for shrapnel wounds received in battle near Tille, France. He is currently convalescing in Battey General Hospital, Rome, Ga. PFC Green entered the Army in Aug. 1940 and has spent two years overseas in mopping-up operations in N. Africa and Sicily, and landed at Normandy, three days after D-Day. He has served with the 2nd Armored Infantry, 2nd Armored Division, since arriving overseas. In addition to the Purple Heart, he wears the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Defense Service ribbon, the Good Conduct ribbon and the European Theater of Operations ribbon with three bronze campaign stars. His brother, PFC L.J. Green is stationed in the Hawaiian Islands.

Elwood H. Gilmer, PVT, U.S. Army, has been promoted to PFC. His home address is 507 River Falls St., Andalusia.

R. Wilbur Green, Lt., U.S. Army, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.E. Green, of Andalusia, has been released from a German POW camp. He had been serving with the 420th Armored Field Artillery Battalion on the German front before being captured. He had been in the POW camp for 4 ½ months when he was released on April 29. Lt. Green is home now on a 60-day leave.

George Cook, LTJG, U.S. Navy Reserve, recently spent a brief leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse A. Cook, of Andalusia, after having served at sea for some time.

Lonnie L. Kirkland, PVT, U.S. Army Air Corps, son of Mrs. K.V. Kirkland, of Sanford, and husband of Mrs. Lena Johns Kirkland, of Sanford, has been promoted to PFC. Kirkland’s unit provides vital supply, maintenance and service functions for the XXI Bomber Command, keeping them aloft over enemy territory. A native of Sanford, Al., Kirkland graduated from Straughn High School, and was in business for himself prior to his induction in Dec. 1943. He was recently awarded the Good Conduct Medal. Kirkland and his wife are the parents of a daughter, Phyllis Marie.

Derwood Copeland, 1^st Lt., U.S. Army Air Corps, son of Mr. and Mrs. Spurgeon Copeland, of Columbus, Ga., and husband of Mrs. Margie McFatter, of Baton Rouge, La., is back home with family and friends after having been a German POW from June 28, 1943 until Liberated by Gen. George S. Patton’s Third Army on April 29, 1945. Lt. Copeland was born and reared in Covington County [Rt. 4, Andalusia] where he received his education at Pleasant Home School before attending State Teacher’s College in Troy, Al., for two years. His family moved to Columbus, Ga. in 1938.

Lt. Copeland entered the service in Dec. 1941. He trained on the Gulf coast before receiving his pilot’s wings at Lubbock Army Air Field, Lubbock, Tx., in 1943. After arriving overseas in April 1943, he was a pilot, flying a B-17 bomber in raids over Germany. He was shot down June 28, 1943, and taken as a prisoner to Stalag Luft III. He stayed there until he was moved to Stalag 7-A at Maasburg on June 27 1945, where he remained until he was liberated. He was flown from Germany to France where he recuperated before boarding a ship for the States Jun. 3, 1945. He arrived at Fort McPherson, Ga., June 7 and was given a 60-day furlough.

John R. Spencer, Corporal, U.S. Army, husband of Mrs. Mary N. Spencer, 324 Pugh St., Andalusia, has been awarded the Bronze Star. Spencer, who serves as an assistant squad leader for Co. B, 60th Engineer Combat Battalion, 35th Division, was given the award by Maj. Gen. Paul W. Baade, the Commanding General of the 35th Division. The citation reads in part:

“As a member of a four-man patrol, he was engaged in the removal of a road block which barred entrance to the town. The night was exceptionally dark. A friendly tank approaching from their rear, struck an anti-tank mine and caused the enemy garrison to engage in a fierce fire-fight. Disregarding the withering fire, Corporal Spencer continued with his job until it was successfully completed. His coolness under fire and devotion to duty reflect credit upon his character and training as a soldier.”

The action took place near Ossenberg, Germany.

— John Vick