Newspaper clippings reveal Coshocton’s military history
Whenever I see American flags flying alongside military markers in each of Coshocton county’s three cemeteries, I am saddened by the knowledge there will be more deaths to follow.
For those interested in genealogy, the headstones and bronze markers are helpful, but additional research for service personnel is available in the local history room of the Coshocton Public Library. Metal cabinets containing rows and rows of newspapers previously copied on microfilm contain pieces of vital statistics often over looked. By using the microfilm readers, you can step back in time and locate a whole plethora of data from actual newspaper articles printed years and years ago. Those stories provide invaluable genealogical material e.g. birth dates, circumstances surrounding a soldier’s death, addresses, parental names, historical locations, and so on.
Below are a few examples of newspaper articles from World War II often overlooked in the quest for information relating to ancestors in Coshocton county.
Parents of Missing Flier Get Certificate. A certificate of commendation for the B-29 crew responsible for successfully bombing a large engine plant in Nagoya, Japan has been received by Mr. and Mrs. John C. Leas of Tunnel Hill, parents of Sgt. John C. Leas, junior, who has been missing in action. Sgt. Leas was a member of the 19th bombardment group operating from bases in the Marianas before he failed to return from the night mission flown over Tokyo.
Two Thousand See Display of War Material. Approximately 2,000 people viewed the marine corps exhibits aboard the Victory Loan special train which stopped in Coshocton Friday afternoon.
Five cars stood on a siding along Hickory Street, while spectators filed through and looked at the equipment used in the South Pacific fighting. Walnut Street between Fourth and Sixth Street was closed to through traffic.
Mammoth searchlights which were part of the display were turned on after dark and the shafts of light in the sky were reported seen at many points within a radius of 20 miles.
Pearl Harbor Sailors Home on Leave. Two sailors, the only Coshocton navy men who were at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, came home on leave today. They are Robert Sherrets, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Sherrets of 1613 Elm Street and Lester ( Leck) Hafner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Hafner, of North Fifteenth Street. Sherrets was serving on the Maryland in Pearl Harbor when the Japs launched their infamous attack. Hafner was on the Tennessee.
Lt. Sharples Listed as Dead. Lt. Russell Sharples, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred S. Sharples of Warsaw is missing in action over Italy since July 12, 1944.
He was reported missing in action last year just a few days after his brother, Robert was killed in action while flying a mission over Japan. They were the only sons of Mr. and Mrs. Sharples.
At the time Lt. Sharples was reported missing, he had been awarded the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters and had completed 27 missions.
Medal Awarded to Coshocton Man. Gerald W. Senter, of the 120th infantry regiment has been awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic achievements in action on January 23, 1945 in Belgium.
Technician Senter drove his vehicle to the vicinity of his company’s new location despite extremely cold weather, deeply drifted snow, and constant artillery fire where he placed guns and equipment into the assigned position
His son, Gerald K. Senter and his mother Mrs. Stella Senter live at 235 ½ Main Street in Coshocton.
Soldier Wounded in Philippines. Private George E. Hardesty, son of Mr and Mrs. Ray Hardesty of Conesville, Route One, was slightly wounded on Mindanao in June according to a telegram from the war department, received by his wife at Conesville, Ohio. He is confined to the 133rd hospital.
Hitler’s Roadster Captured in Germany. Hitler’s favorite sports-model roadster captured in Germany by the 101st Airborne division, will be exhibited at the Coshocton Courtsquare for one hour Tuesday afternoon. Der Fuehrer’s Mercedes-Benz was one of several privately owned vehicles that will be shown throughout the nation.
Alva Taylor, publicity chairman of the local Victory Loan drive, will be contacted as soon as the entourage leaves Mt. Vernon. A city police cruiser will tour the local business district announcing over a loudspeaker the approximate time Hitler’s auto will arrive in Coshocton. It will then pass through West Lafayette on Route 36 on the way to Canton, Ohio.
William S. Cox of West Lafayette who is in charge of the entourage said a Victory Loan drive booth will be set up to take donations.
Marine officers in charge of the exhibit said that Coshocton is the smallest city of five scheduled stops, and by actual count, 3,645 persons saw the exhibit.
So you see by these small examples, the local history room contains a great deal of information not found in more obvious locations.
Carole Etchells Cross is a member of the Coshocton County Genealogy Society, which meets from 7:30 to 9 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month in the Coshocton Public Library basement. For information, visit www.coshoctongenealogy.org.