The following March 1, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
FOUR LOWELL YOUTHS ENLIST IN MARINES
Today (Thursday) finds Richard Dodge, James Sharkey, Harold Karlson and Henry Kaszuba enroute to San Diego, California where they will receive eight weeks of training with the Marines.
The boys were sworn in yesterday at the Marine center in Chicago. All four were graduated from Lowell high school with the class of 1949.
"Dick" is the son of Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Dodge of Belshaw, "Jim's" parents are Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sharkey, Sr., of Cottage Grove Avenue, "Oley" is the son of Mrs. Roy Karlson of Washington street and "Hank's" parents are Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Kaszuba of West Creek.
A series of family dinners and parties bade the boys farewell.
This March 8, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 10, column 2:
"WITH THE U.S. MARINES"
Recruiting Sergeant H.I. Parks, son of Mrs. Anna Parks of Lowell, announced recently that four Lowell boys, Richard O. Dodge, Harold L. Karlson, Henry B. Kaszuba and James B. Sharkey, who enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years, are now stationed at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. While stationed at San Diego they will receive eight weeks of recruit training.
The boys applied for enlistment at the Marine Recruiting Office located in the Post Office Building, Gary, Indiana, on February 12th. At this time, Sgt. Parks and Sgt Bracken, took their applications and interviewed them for duty as Marines.
Then on the 27th of February the Gary recruiters transferred them to the District Headquarters Recruiting Station, Chicago, Ill., where they were processed and sworn in to start their duty in the U.S. Marine Corps as privates.
This May 10, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found page 2, column 3:
Four Marines, Richard Dodge, Henry Kaszuba, Jim Sharkey and Harold Karlson, all graduates of Lowell high school, class of '49, who have completed their training at San Diego, California, arrived home late last night (Wednesday). The boys have a two-week leave.
In a May 17, 1951, Lowell Tribune article (page 1, columns 2-5) it is mentioned that Pfc. Jim Sharkey completed his boot training two weeks previouis, took a ten-day leave, then returned to El Dora, California, for schooling in engineering.
The following June 14, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 3:
Letters from home friends will be welcomed by Jim Sharkey who was transferred to Florida following the completion of his boot training in California and a leave at home. Jim started a new course of study Monday. Friends should address: Pfc. James B. Sharkey, 1180-154, M.A.D., N.A.T.T.C., Bko. 575, Jacksonville, Fla.
This September 20, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Pfc. James Sharkey, with the U.S. Marines at Jacksonville, Fla., enjoyed the weekend at home.
The following October 11, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Pfc. James Sharkey, with the Marine Corps, Memphis, Tenn., who spent the weekend at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sharkey, Sr., is attending night classes in metalsmith school. Jim will enjoy hearing from friends at home and in service. Address Pfc. James Sharkey, 1180154, M.A.D., N.A.T.T.C., B.K.S. 152, Memphis, Tenn.
The following October 18, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
Attending Structural Mechanic School
Undergoing a course of instruction at the Naval Aviation Structural Mechanic School, Naval Air Technical Training Center, Memphis, Tenn., is Pfc. James B. Sharkey, USMC, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Sharkey of College Ave., Lowell.
Sharkey, who entered the Marine Corps in February, 1951, received his recruit training at the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Calif.
Before entering the Marine Corps, Sharkey was graduated from Lowell high school
Students at the school are trained to maintain and repair all types of Naval aircraft. The course includes instructions in structural repairs, sheetmetal layout, welding procedures, aircraft hydraulics and maintenance of control surfaces and mechanisms.
The following October 15, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 4:
Pfc. James Sharkey, with the Marines at Memphis, Tenn., arrived home Friday in time to enjoy the Lowell-Crown Point football game. He spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sharkey, Sr.
A December 27, 1951, Lowell Tribune article (page 2, column 1) listed Jim Sharkey as one of many servicemen from the Lowell vicinity arriving home for the holidays.
The following February 21, 1952, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
A new address comes from Jim Sharkey who was sent to California following expiration of a 13-day leave which he recently enjoyed at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sharkey, Sr. Address: Pfc. James B. Sharkey, 1180154, Service Sqdn., Air F.M.F. Pac. M.C.A.S., El Toro, Santa Anna, Calif.
This March 27, 1952 Lowell Tribune article appeared on page 5, column 6:
The Robert Sharkeys, Sr., were recipients of two phone calls recently, when their sons, both serving in the Marine Corps called from California to wish Mrs. Sharkey a happy birthday. Jim left last Friday for Japan and sends the following new address: Pfc. James B. Sharkey 1180154, FMAW, c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.
Dick's call brought good news that will interest his many friends at home. After serving as a Pfc. for only 2 ½ months, Dick has been awarded the rating of corporal and is eagerly looking forward to a visit home the last of April.
Before Jim left for overseas duty, he and Dick met at Plainfield, California, and exchanged best wishes for "good luck."
This April 24, 1952, Lowell Tribune article appeared on page 2, column 4:
Buddies Meet In Korea
Jim Sharkey, who arrived in Korea the first week in April was leaving the chow hall a week ago, April 15th, when he spied his bosom buddy, Dick Dodge, also a graduate of L.H.S. class of '49, standing in chow line. Words cannot express the happiness these fellows experienced. Both are stationed at the same base so they enjoyed the evening together in Dick's tent exchanging news.
Enroute to Japan, Jim was promoted to corporal. He will serve as a plane mechanic in Korea. Jim, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sharkey, Sr., and Dick, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Dodge, are members of the Marine Corps.
Jim sends his new address and the fellows request letters from home friends: Cpl. James B. Sharkey 1180154, M.A.M.S. 12, M.A.G. 12, F.M.A.W., c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, California.
This July 3, 1952, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 4. The picture, unfortunately, did not have clear enough quality for reproduction here.
Jim Sharkey - Dick Dodge
Dick Dodge, before leaving for a rest period in Japan, is pictured with his buddy, Jim Sharkey. Dick, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Dodge of Belshaw, and Jim, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sharkey, Sr., of Lowell, were graduated from L.H.S. with the class of '49. Dick has been in Korea since last December while Jim arrived only recently. The boys enlisted in the marine Corps together, along with "Oley" Karlson and "Hank" Kaszuba, who are still in the States.
The following July 10, 1952, Lowell Tribune article appeard on page 2, column 1:
Promoted to Sergeant
Working hard with the Marine Corps in Korea, Jim Sharkey was promoted to the rank of sergeant last week and revealed the news to his parents, the Robert Sharkeys, via letter. Jim is a plane repairman.
A September 25, 1952, Lowell Tribune article about Dick Dodge's return home from Korea (page 1, column 4) mentioned: "Dick left behind him in Korea, his buddy and L.H.S. classmate, Jim Sharkey, who for the past six months has been stationed with him, in the same encampment."
This October 9, 1952, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 3:
In a letter received Tuesday from their son Jim, the Sharkeys learned that he had returned from a rest camp in Japan. A Sgt. In the Marine Corps, Jim has been in Korea for about six months.
This November 27, 1952, Lowell Tribune article appeared on page 1, column 6:
Thanksgiving Day will have added cheer in the Weddle and Sharkey homes for their sons, George and Pat are expected home. In the Sharkey home, however, the family circle will not be complete for Jim is in Korea and Dick in San Diego, both with the Marine Corps.
