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Clarence J. Etcherling

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Clarence J. Etcherling

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    1926/7    		 Placeholder
    LHS band, 1933
The following November 9, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2 column 2:

    Have New Bombing Technique

    Peleliu, Paulau Island (Delayed) -- While this island shook from concussion as Marine fliers dropped 1,000-pound bombs on Jap caves in "Dead Man's Gulch," a tiny Grasshopper plane was having its own fun in a smaller way on Ngeregon Island, 10,000 yards north of here.

    In breathing spells during their mission of spotting Jap 155 mm. guns which had been pounding our positions, First Lieut. Robert C. Jackson of St. Louis, Mo., and Second Lieut. C.J. Echterling of Lowell, Indiana, pilot and observer of the Grasshopper, improvised a primitive dive-bombing technique.

    Nosing low over an enemy building or emplacement, they would smack their targets simply by tossing mortar shells over the side -- Lieut. Echterling holding the shells until Jackson yelled "Let 'er go!"

    Across the reefs, where the big boys were doing a pin-point job on Jap positions, they could see a column of smoke curling 1,000 feet high. But the Grasshopper guys weren't offended-they were too proud of the little smoke column they were kicking up.

This Lowell Tribune article was found in the May 31, 1945, issue (page 2, column 1):
    We have received a picture taken on Okinawa, showing 1st Lt. Clarence Echterling of west of Lowell, and 2nd Lt. Harold L. Saastad of Gary, helping a kid get its feed from the mother goat. Looking at the peaceful scene, one would never guess that the worst battle of the Pacific war is going on nearby. It is a U.S. Marine Corps official photo.
The following May 25, 1950, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 6, column 2:

    LOWELL MARINE AWARDED GOLD STARS FOR SERVICE

    Marine Corps Reserve First Lieutenant Clarence J. Echterling, formerly of Lowell, Indiana, and now residing in Lafayette, Indiana, received the gold stars in lieu of a third and fourth air medal, today.

    Lieutenant Echterling's decorations were awarded for meritorious achievement in aerial flight as an aerial observer of the Eighth 155mm Artillery Battalion, Third Corps Artillery, Third Amphibious Corps, Fleet Marine force, during operations in the Palau Islands and the Caroline and Ryuku Island area in 1944 and 1945.

    Lieutenant Echterling also received a letter of appreciation from the Commandant, United States Marine Corps.

Last updated on February 22, 2010.

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