Local World War II casualty news this week reports the death of a local lad in Germany, the heroic death of another Franklin youth at Leyte last October, the wounding of another in Germany four weeks ago, a second wounding in Germany April 9, the arrival of a “missing in action” telegram to sadden another local home, details of the serious injuries suffered by a Franklin lad recently liberated from a German prison camp, and as the only bright note of the week – the liberation of a local youth who has been a German prisoner since last December.

The overall picture from a strictly local standpoint, coming as it does at the height of crushing Allied victories on both fronts, is nevertheless one of the blackest recorded in these columns in many months.

Died at Leyte
“Details of the death of Pfc. William E. Montgomery, Franklin youth who perished at Leyte last October 29, were contained in a letter received recently by the lad's father, James M. Montgomery, of Middletown, from his son's commanding officer, Capt. William P. Davis.
Capt. Davis' letter says, in part: “In all sincerity and on behalf of his comrades and myself, may I tell you of our deep sorrow at the loss of your son, William. Letters of condolence are inadequate, but perhaps you can find some comfort in knowing of our esteem for him and in some of the details of his passing.
“During the push of Leyte we were attacking an enemy fortified position. In crossing of the treacherous rice paddies in the area, several of his comrades were wounded. So many were injured that it was necessary to ask for volunteers to get them out. William, with his usual sympathy and courage, was one of the first to offer to help out. He was helping to carry one of the wounded when a sniper opened fire on the group. He was wounded and passed away at once. There was nothing we could do for him except to see that he was carried back.
"William is resting now in the Army Cemetery at Dulag, Leyte, and received a full military burial. The cemetery itself is on the palmed, balmy eastern shore of the island and overlooks the blue expanse of Leyte Gulf.
“William was a man and a soldier. We miss him personally and find a gap in the organization difficult to fill. He was always willing, fine and courageous. I can truthfully say that he was one of the best-liked men in the company."
This week, Mr. Montgomery was advised by the Adjutant General's office that his son has been posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy.” The award will be presented to the father.
Pfc. Montgomery was inducted December 30, 1942. He had his basic training at Camp Wheeler, Ga., and was later assigned to the Aleutian theatre. Since last year he had been in the Pacific and participated in the Marshall Islands campaign and in several smaller engagements. He wore the Purple Heart for injuries suffered last May 14.
Pfc. Montgomery graduated from Franklin High School in 1942 and was employed by the Maxwell Paper Company before entering the service.”

Killed in Action March 31
Last Thursday the Chronicle reported Pvt. Joseph Hineline missing in action in Germany March 31. On Thursday afternoon, his mother, Mrs. Olive Hineline, was advised in a War Department telegram that her so had been killed in action March 31 in Germany and on Tuesday of this week received a letter confirming his death.
Pvt. Hineline, aged 26, had served in the army for two years. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1937. A brother, Cpl. Edward Hineline, is stationed at Fort Jackson, S. C., and a younger brother, Charles, is graduating from high school next month.

Missing Since April 1
Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Black were advised last Friday by the War Department that their son, Pfc. William A. Black, has been missing in action since April 1 in

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Germany. His latest letter to his parents was dated March 27.
Pfc. Black has been serving as a motorcycle messenger with a combat engineer battalion for the past seventeen months. A graduate of Franklin High School in 1940, he was employed by the Wright Aeronautical Corp. prior to his induction in 1942. He received his training at Camp Carson, Colo., before going overseas in October, 1943.
A brother, S2/C Robert T. Black is now in the Pacific.

Was Wounded April 5
Pfc. Russell L. Lashley, son of Mrs. Harry Fitzgerald, of East Sixth Street, was “slightly wounded” in action April 5 in Germany, according to a telegram received last Friday. He had been overseas since last October, attached to the Seventh Army.
In a letter dated April 8 and received here Monday, Mrs. Fitzgerald learned that her son suffered a knee injury as was “getting along nicely.” He did not reveal his hospital location.

Wounded April 9
Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Lamb, of Thirkield Avenue, were advised this week by the War Department that their son, Pfc. Leroy Lamb, was wounded in Germany April 9. He was serving with the First Army.

Loses Right Foot.
The Verner Nicely family of East Second Street learned this week that their son, Pvt. Donal L. Nicely, until recently a German prisoner of war, has suffered the loss of his right foot. Their first indication of the nature of his possible wounds was revealed this week on a card received from the U. S. Army Hospital Plant and reading: “I am pleased to inform you that on April 15 your son, Pvt. Donal L. Nicely, was making normal improvement. Diagnosis: amputation of right foot.”
Pvt. Nicely was originally reported missing in action on January 1 and the family had no assurance that he was still alive until two weeks ago when they learned that he had been liberated from a German prison hospital.

Gillen Is Liberated.
A prisoner of the Germans since last December, Pvt. Sandlin Gillen has been liberated by American forces and is now in a hospital in France, according to word received this week by his grandmother, Mrs. R. J. Gillen, of Foster. A later report stated that eh would probably be returned to the States.