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Richard O. “Dick” Dodge

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Richard O. "Dick" Dodge

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 Dick Dodge completed his boot training two weeks previouis, took a ten-day leave, then returned to El Dora, California, for schooling in engineering.

The following August 16, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 2:
    Dick Dodge, of the Marines, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Dodge, explains that studies consume much of his time and while he has little time to write, mail is greatly appreciated. Dick's address: Pfc. Richard O. Dodge, 1180151, S.M.S. - 15, Mag. 15, Box 1, M.C.A.S., El Toro, Santa Anna, Calif.
This September 20, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
    Pfc. Richard "Dick" Dodge, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Dodge, pleasantly surprised his family and friends on Friday afternoon when he arrived from California in time for the Lowell-Crown Point football game. Dick is a former L.H.S. gridder. He will return Saturday to El Toro, Santa Ana, Calif., from where he expects to be transferred to Camp Pendleton, Calif. Dick, an experienced carpenter before entering the Marines, works in the carpenter shop.
The following November 22, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 5:
    Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Dodge received a letter last Saturday from their son, Dick, informing them of his safe arrival in Korea on November 7th. Dick, who graduated from L.H.S. with the class of '49, enlisted in the Marine Corps last February 28th. Dick asks his many friends at home and in service to write to him. Address: Pfc. Richard O. Dodge 1180151, SMS, 12 Mag. 12, 1st Marine Air Wing, c/o APO, San Francisco, Calif.
The following December 20, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 5:

    Promoted to Corporal

    Dick Dodge, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Dodge of Belshaw, sends Christmas greetings to home friends and reveals that he has been promoted to the rank of corporal. Dick, who has been in Korea since November 7th, is serving as a carpenter with the Marine Corps. He writes that at present he is busy building fireplaces at either end of the officers quarters.
This January 10, 1952, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 5:
    An interesting letter was recently received by Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Dodge from their son, Dick, serving in Korea with the Marine Corps. Dick, a carpenter, reveals that he is helping build a chapel and that his Christmas Day was spent trying to bring comfort and a small measure of happiness to a 7 year old Korean orphan boy which his group has adopted. Dick said his company enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner on Christmas.
This March 13, 1952, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 1:
    In a letter to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Dodge, Dick tells of his return to Korea after a rest period spent in Japan. Dick eagerly awaits news concerning home via the Tribune each week and welcomes letters from friends, who are at home or in service. Address Dick's letters as follows: Cpl. Richard O. Dodge 11080151, MABS 12, Mag 12 Unit, 1st Marine Air Wing, c/o FPO, San Francisco, Calif.
A photo accompanied this April 10, 1952, Lowell Tribune article, which appeared in section 2, page 3, columns 1-2. Sadly, the photo was too dark to include here:
    One would conclude from the background that this encampment of Marines have taken squatters rights on Korean soil. However, we learn from their letters they want no part of it and eagerly await the day when it will be their turn to head for home. The fellows are buddies of Dick Dodge, who enjoy Dick's Lowell Tribune every week. Top row (left to right) -- "Red" Goodman of New Jersey, Will Malone of Georgia, Dick Hall also of New Jersey, and Dick Dodge of Lowell. Bottom row -- Harvey Ran of California, Harold Chamberlain of Maine, Ed Coyle of Pennsylvania, and Herb Currier of Maine.

    Dick, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Dodge of Belshaw, has been in Korea since December.

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.

The following May 1, 1952, Lowell Tribune article appeared on page 2, column 3:
    In a letter to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Dodge, Dick tells of his recent promotion to that of Sergeant.

    Dick has been with the Marine Corps in Korea since last November and eagerly looks forward to coming home in September. A carpenter before entering into the service, Dick has spent the past six months building in Korea.

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 August 28, 1952, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
    With the First Marine Aircraft Wing in Korea (Delayed) -- Among the members of the First Marine Aircraft Wing which has helped to keep the Communists off balance in North Korea, are such men as Sgt. Richard O. Dodge, USMC, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmo A. Dodge of route 1, Lowell.

    As part of the base squadron of Marine Aircraft Group 12, these men help to keep the First Marine Aircraft Wing in working order through skilled maintenance.

    Besides general maintenance, these Marines have a variety of specialized jobs, such as the ordinance men who arm the planes with bombs, the crash crew, the carpenters, electricians and plumbers.

This September 25, 1952, Lowell Tribune article appeared on page 1, column 4:

    Dick Dodge Enroute Home from Korea

    Mr. and Mrs. Elmo Dodge eagerly anticipate a call from their son, Dick, to meet him in Chicago sometime today. Dick is flying home from the west coast after an absence of one year. With the U.S. Marine Corps, Dick has served in Korea since November 7, 1951. His transport ship docked at Treasure Island off San Francisco on Monday. One year and nine months of service remain in Dick's term of enlistment.

    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.

The following November 27, 1952, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 6:
    As though being rewarded for the hardships suffered last winter in Korea with the Marine Corps, Dick Dodge has been given assignment in the sunny south this winter. Dick writes from Miami of enjoying ocean swimming. His address is now Sgt. Richard O. Dodge, 1180151, Ma. Bs. 31, Ma. G. 31, Bks. 19, 3rd M.A. W. Maas, Miami, Florida.
Last updated on March 11, 2006.

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