Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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Paxton High School Reflector 31 Raymond Ernest. Raymond Ernest, had he been abe to remain in school until the pre- sent time, would have been a member of the 1918 graduating class, and his studious, reflective habits would have given him high rank. He, however, chose the life of a soldier and enlisted in the Regular Army in February, 191G. Very soon thereafter he was stationed with a divi- sion of the U. S. army at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. A very interesting let- ter from him was published in the Junior number of the Reflector last year. At that time he expressed the hope that he would be given a chance to strike a blow at the German menace, a wish and a hope that has been gratified, as he is now in France on or near the firing line. He is a member of the 9th Field Artillery. Leonard C. Aspergren. Leonard C. Aspergren. who for a number of years has teen employed by the Paxton Gas Company as bookkeeper and cashier, enlisted in the Regular Army early in November, 1917. He was called to the service on November 19th, having been assigned to the Headquarters’ Supply Co.. 5 h Field Battalion, Signal Corps at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas . He spent a few days of the holiday week in Paxton visiting his parents and friends. Ronald Archer. Ronald Archer enlisted in the U. S. Navy a few months before war was actually declared. He was assigned to Great Lakes Training School for several months before being assigned to a United State battleship. The latest reports available from him indicate that he is now in foreign waters, probably with Admiral Simms' fleet of submarine fighters. Chester Birkett. Cheater Birkett, of the Archer Birkett grocery firm in Paxton, en- listed in the Regular Army at the same time and in the same branch of the •service as Leonard Aspergren. His assignment was also the same, viz.: Headquarters Supply Co. 5th Field Battalion of the Signal Corps at Fort Leavenworth. For some time, it is reported, that the young men in th's branch or the service have been under instructions to be ready at all times for a call to entrain within 24 hours. They naturally anticipate a train journey to the coast, and from there an exciting, but it is fervently hoped, an unmolested sea journe to Sunny France. Frank Marsh Frank Marsh, a younger brother of Lieutenant Harry Marsh, so well and favorably known as a citizen and business man of Paxton, enlisted at Indianapolis, Ind., in the Regular U. S. Army soon after war was declared. After a period of intensive training at Garden Mills on Long Island, he was

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30 Paxton High School Reflector Near a Half Hundred Other P. H. S. Students, Some of Whom Graduated Elsewhere ; Some of W horn Entered the Service Directly from the Class Room ; and Some of Whom for Other Reasons Did Not Graduate. Lieutenant Harold Anderson. Harold Anderson, after completing the major part of his high school course of study, entered Alton Military Academy in the fall of 1915, where lie completed the combined military and academic course in 1917. The open- ing of the first Reserve Officers’ Training Camp at Fort Sheridan in May, 191,, very naturally attracted his interest and attention. His application was accepted, and he immediately entered upon the strenuous training there At the close of the camp he was rewarded with a commission as Second Lieutenant and was assigned to the 13th Recruit Co.. lClst Depot Brigade, at Camp Grant. 111., where he now is. Like the rest of the boys, he is looking fo: ward to the time when the routine of cantonment study, drill and training sha.l give way to more active participation in the armed struggle to protect ana defend the institutions and principles of government and of humanity to which we adhere.

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32 Paxton High School Reflector sent to France as a member of the Rainbow Division in September. No very jacent information is available concerning him. Without doubt, however, he is somewheiti on or near the firing une. Howard Olson. Howard Olson enlisted in the U. S. Navy a month or two ago, and is now with other Paxton boys taking his preliminary training at the popular Great Lakes Naval Training School on Lake Michigan. Teddy Petroweiz. Teddy Petroweitz will be well remembered by Paxton High School students of a few years ago. He attended P. H. S. during the two years that his father was prominently connected with the local management of the Electric Light Plant in Paxton. Reliable information has been received by friends in Paxton that both Teddy and his father are in the U. S. Army, the former as a private and the latter as an officer of rank. It is understood that Mr. Petroweiz had military training and experience in Europe before coming to America. Ivan Stringer Ivan Stringer enlisted as a regular at his home at Stewartsville, Minn. He was a member of the first Expeditionary force, and was of course among the first “Sammies” to be welcomed in France. Roy Wampler. Roy Wampler, a member of the Sophomore class last year, enlisted in the Signal Corps of the aviation section, December 1, 1917. He was ordered to report at Jefferson Barracks. From there he was soon transferred to Kelley Field, No. 1, San Antonio, Texas. Recently he was transferred to the aviation camp at Waco, Texas, where he is doing special work in the aviation school, as a result of which he hopes in due time to receive a com- mission. Richard Watts. Richard Watts entered the high school in September of this year, to resume his work in the Sophomore class. The call to army service, however, proved too insistent for him to continue the quiet routine of school work. He therefore enlisted in the medical department January 1, 1918. His school- mates and friends were very much alarmed about him for a time when word reached them a few weeks ago that he was very ill at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., where his father, W. R. Watts had been called to his bedside in the hospital. Mr. Watts has since returned and reported that Richard is rapidly recovering. On Feb. 15th Richard was reported enroute to Washington, D. C., or New York. He belongs to Guard Co. No. 2. 9th Battalion. Bert Walker. Bert Walker, of Ludlow, 111., who attended the Paxton High School four or rtvp years ago. enlisted in the aviation department of the Signal Corps,