MILITARY: 11 Jan 1945, Jackson County, Oregon ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ********************************************************************************* Transcribed and formatted for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Elizabeth Corethers 16 April 2003 *************************************************************************** Medford (Oregon) Mail Tribune, Thursday, 11 Jan 1945, Local and Personal, p. 7 ARE PARATROOPERS - Two Medford med, Cpl. John H. Neel and Pvt. James F. Harris, now wear the "wings and boots" of the army paratroops, according to a news release from Ft. Benning, Ga. Both men completed four weeks of jump training at Ft. Benning, during which time they made five jumps, the last a tactical jump at night involving a combat problem on landing. Cpl. Neel is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert C. Neel, 1600 North Riverside avenue, and Pvt. Harris's wife resides at route 2, box 286. COMMISSIONED - Jerry Emerick Vawter was commissioned a second lieutenant in the army Jan. 4 upon completion of the officer candidate course at the infantry school, Ft. Benning, Ga., according to a release from the school. Lt. Vawter enlisted in the army May 27, 1942, and served with the enlisted reserve corps before going to officer candidate school. He held the rank of corporal before being commissioned. The officer was hospitalized twice during the training period, once for a broken arm and once for a broken leg. Lt. Vawter, a graduate of Medford senior high school and of the University of Oregon, was in Medford for a brief leave last week end, leaving Monday by plane for Ft. McClellan, Ala., where he will serve as an instructor for the time being. He is the son of Mrs. Aletha E. Vawter, 104 South Holly street.