Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Flight Radio Officer Peter Reid, U.S. Army Air Corps, son of Judge and Mrs. Robert S. Reid, of Andalusia, spent a brief leave with his parents recently. FRO Reid was on his way from his base headquarters in Natal, Brazil, where he has spent the last three months, to LaGuardia Airfield, where he will be given a new assignment. Reid has made numerous flights across the Pacific.

Lt. Col. Gerald Chapman, U.S. Army, has spent a few days this past week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Chapman, Rt. 4, Andalusia. Lt. Col. Chapman has been an instructor at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, and is now taking a special course in staff work at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He has risen rapidly through the ranks since his graduation at West Point.

Author’s note: Lt. Col. Chapman was a brother to Mrs. Thelma Chapman Dixon of Andalusia. After retiring from the Army, Chapman moved to Andalusia with his wife, Maxine, and worked for Charles Dixon and Company.

PFC. G.S. Waits Jr., U.S. Army, recently called his father, Col. G.S. Waits, from the Canal Zone where he is stationed. Col. Waits said that the connection was as clear as if his son was speaking from here in Andalusia. He said that his son is doing well and likes his assignment.

Author’s note: After the war, Sidney Waits returned to Andalusia, worked and retired and became an unofficial historian of Andalusia and the area. He was the author of a column in the Andalusia Star-News for many years. He also wrote many pamphlets and books about local history. He and the author became good friends.

1st Lt. Maxie G. Deer, U.S. Army Air Corps, son of Mr. and Mrs. M.G. Deer of Ramer, Alabama, and close relative of Mrs. W.A. Mock of Andalusia, has been reported as “missing in action” in the Pacific war area. Lt. Deer was a bombardier on a plane that went missing. During his 15 months in the Pacific area, Lt. Deer has received more than six decorations, according to a letter received by his parents from his commanding officer. He was to have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, just after the mission in which he went missing. He had previously been awarded the Air Medal last May and has had several Oak Leaf Clusters added since then. All of his decorations were awarded after numerous missions flown against the Japanese.

Chief Petty Officer G.S. Whaley, U.S. Navy, was in Andalusia last week visiting his father, Judge A. Whaley. He has been stationed at the Naval Construction Training Center at Camp Perry, Va.

CPO Whaley will be traveling to his new assignment with the Seabees in a battle zone where fighting is taking place. The nature of his assignment and location is still secret.

1st Lt. John P. Stewart, U.S. Army Signal Corps, recently spent a few days with his parents, Rev. and Mrs. C.O. Stewart of Andalusia. He is stationed at Warner Robins Air Field, Ga.

John Vick