World War II Chronicle: September 30, 1943
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The front page reports that over 115,000 Americans have died fighting this war… The family of Elmer J. Burr are pictured on page two as they prepare to accept his posthumous Medal of Honor. On Dec. 24, 1942, First Sergeant Burr saw an enemy grenade land in his position. He leapt on the grenade and shielded his comrades from the blast. He died the next day in a field hospital from his wounds. He served in “I” Company of the 127th Infantry Regiment and was one of two 127th non-commissioned officers to earn posthumous Medals of Honor on Christmas Eve. The other was “L” Company’s Sgt. Kenneth E. Gruennert. He single-handedly silenced a Japanese pillbox near Buna, then used the captured enemy position as cover to treat his wounds. Gruennert then attacked a second pillbox, flushing its defenders out with hand grenades, who were then picked off by his soldiers. A Japanese sniper killed Gruennert before friendly forces could reach him…
Page three: Pres. Roosevelt has dedicated the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at King’s Point, N.Y. The service academy grounds originally belonged to Walter Chrysler (Chrysler automobiles). Speaking of Chryslers, there were supposedly only 139 cars built in all of 1943. Civilian vehicle assembly had ceased in February 1942 across America, and these 139 models were probably just cobbled together with spare parts. I imagine you’d have a tough time convincing Americans in 1943 that 80 years later we would have about as many Japanese and German cars on American highways as there are Fords, Chevys, and Dodges. Or that Chrysler would merge with Fiat and have Italian owners…
George Fielding Eliot column on page 10… Sports section begins on page 16
See also:
- Two in Navy Plane Captured 150 Italians Without Landing (page two)
- 100-Hour ‘Silent March’ of 4,000 Troops Was Colorful Episode of Sicilian Campaign (page five)
- Ellice Island Fighting Called ‘Unknown Front’ of Pacific (page nine)
Evening star. (Washington, D.C.), 30 September 1943. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1943-09-30/ed-1/