World War II Chronicle: June 26, 1942
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The front page reports a massive 1,067-bomber raid on Bremen, Germany by the Royal Air Force last night… Pictured are troops during chemical warfare exercises at Edgewood, Md… Beneath the fold we see that an admiral’s son was awarded the Navy Cross for dismantling a Japanese bomb at Pearl Harbor. Lt. Draper Kauffman (USNA Class of ’33) earned the nation’s second-highest decoration for valor by disarming a live Japanese bomb, which was preserved for study. He then went on to help create the Navy’s Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) and the grueling “Hell Week,” which is still part of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training. Kaufman became the first commander of UDT 5, and led UDT operations on Saipan (where he earned a second Navy Cross), Tinian, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa…
On page five we see that the Doolittle Raiders were awarded for valor during ceremonies at Washington, D.C.’s Bolling Field… Aviators from “PatWing 10” (Patrol Wing 10) are also decorated for their role in the Philippine Campaign; story on page 14… The war’s 147th week is summarized on page 24… Sports section begins on page 32.
While not mentioned in the paper, former minor league pitcher Gene Stack passed away suddenly in Michigan City, Ind. Stack compiled a 19-11 record for the Class D Lubbock Hubbers in 1940, impressing Chicago’s manager Jimmy Dykes enough to earn an invite to attend spring training with the Chicago White Sox in 1941. Stack was drafted before he made it to the major leagues and he began playing ball for the Fort Custer Reception Center club, where he teamed up with Hank Greenberg. Stack was technically the first major league ballplayer drafted and also the first to die while serving.
Today also marks the maiden flight of the Grumman F6F Hellcat. Stay tuned for more on the Hellcat.
Evening star. (Washington, D.C.), 26 June 1942. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1942-06-26/ed-1/