The following February 25, 1943, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Commanding Medical Detachment
2nd Lt. John Wilbur Petry, son of Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Petry, is serving his country these days at the army air base, Alliance, Nebr. Lt. Petry is the commanding officer of a medical detachment at that post. He was graduated from Lowell high school and attended the University of Illinois and Purdue University.
This April 29, 1943, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 5, column 2:
An Easter gift box received by Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Petry from their son, Lieut. John Wilbur Petry, stationed at the army air base at Alliance, Nebraska, contained 200 hybrid tea rose bushes of a prize variety, from a Texas nursery.
This January 20, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 2:
LIEUT. JOHN WILBUR PETRY MARRIED LAST SATURDAY
A double-ring ceremony solemnized the marriage of Lucille L. Neil, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Neil of Detroit, and Lieut. John Wilbur Petry, youngest son of Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Petry of Lowell, at seven o'clock, Saturday evening, Jan. 15, in the Van Dyke Street Methodist church in Detroit. The beautiful pipe organ was played throughout the ceremony by the church organist. To the strains of Lohengrin's wedding march, the bridegroom, wearing the uniform of the United States army and attended by his eldest brother, Atty. Franklin Petry of Hebron, took their places at the altar as the bride's little niece, Carol Ann Neil, wearing a toe-length pink organdy dress and carrying a Colonial bouquet of pink and white carnations entwined with baby blue ribbon, led the bride's party up the aisle.
Miss Madeline Gedaner, fiancee of the bride's brother, served as maid of honor. Her floor-length dress was of pale yellow net over yellow satin. She carried American Beauty roses tied with a huge bow of rose-color satin ribbon. Miss Ethel Knight, a life-long friend of the bride, was bridesmaid. She was attired in an identical gown, of pale blue, and carried identical flowers, tied with golden-yellow ribbon. The bride followed them on the arm of her father, who gave her in marriage.
The bride's gown was of white silk net and lace, over white satin. A single strand of pearls, which was the gift from the groom, enhanced the sweetheart neck-line of the lace bodice. Her veil was of finger-tip length and worn with blusher. Her bouquet was of white roses, tied with white satin ribbon.
The bride's brother, Jack Neil, was usher.
Mothers of the bride and groom wore identical corsages of white carnations and talisman rose buds.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held in the home of the bride's parents. A three-tiered wedding cake, topped by an ornamental bride and groom, centered the table where a buffet supper was served.
After a brief honeymoon, the couple will live in Louisville, Ky.
Lt. Petry, who has been in the army since April, 1941, is stationed at Bowman Field, Ky., in the medical army air corps. He is a graduate of Lowell high school and of Purdue School of Pharmacy.
Among the out-of-town guests attending the wedding were the groom's parents, his sisters, Mrs. Paul Bates of Vallejo, Calif., and Mrs. Richard Stealy of Lowell; his brother Franklin, of Hebron, and Mr. and Mrs. Karl Tunnicliffe and daughter Betty, of Ypsilanti, Mich.
Another article in the same issue of the paper ( page 5, column 4) adds the following:
Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Petry and daughters, Mrs. Paul Bates and Mrs. Persis Stealey, and son, Atty. Franklin Petry of Hebron, attended the wedding of their son and brother, Lieut. John Wilbur and Miss Lucile Neil, which was solemnized at Detroit, Mich., last Saturday.
This March 16, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 5, column 6:
Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Petry spent several days last week with their son, Lieut. John Wilbur Petry, who is stationed at Louisville, Ky. John is in the medical corps.
This April 20, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 3, column 2:
Word received by the Dr. Franklin Petrys informs them that their son, Lt. John Wilbur Petry, has arrived safely in England with his outfit. Jack wrote that he was feeling fine and that he landed on English soil just three years to the day from the date he entered the service. Word received by the Petrys Monday, informed them he had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
This May 25, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
Lowell Boys Meet in Ireland
A letter received by Mrs. Archie Buckley from her husband, a military policeman with the U. S. forces in Ireland, reveals that he had a real surprise a few days before he wrote the letter. He was in a restaurant and said it just seemed to him that someone was watching him. He turned around finally, and seated a few tables away was Lt. Jack Petrie, another Lowell boy. Both were equally surprised to find someone they knew and really enjoyed the short visit which followed.
Note the newspaper misspelling of Jack Petry's last name.
This Lowell Tribune article was found in the April 26, 1945, issue (page 2, column 2):
Lt. John Wilbur Petry telephoned his parents from New York City Monday night that he had just arrived in that city. He was going to Detroit to join his wife, then both will come here to visit his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Petry, and other relatives and friends. Overseas for over a year with the medical corps, Jack has been in England, Ireland, France and Scotland.
This June 28, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Lt. and Mrs. Jack Petry are here visiting his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Petry. When he reports for duty he will be stationed at the camp at Romulus, Mich. Jack has seen nearly two years service in England with the medical corps.
This July 26, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 3, column 1:
Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Petry were pleasantly surprised this week when they received a phone call from their son, Lt. John Wilbur, who recently returned from overseas duty. A member of the medical corps, he is now stationed at a Dallas, Texas, hospital.
This November 29, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 5, column 3:
Lt. and Mrs. John Wilbur Petry have gone to Detroit, Mich., to visit her parents, after spending two weeks here with his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Petry. Lt. Petry is now on a 65-day terminal leave.