Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on May 18, 1946.
Local youths meet At Camp In Northern Japan
Jack Ferguson (left) and Barney Woycik (right)
“There’s no place like home,” most any serviceman will agree, but when you are in the army overseas and “sweatin’ out” that important boat ride that’s going to bring you back to your own shores, your greatest thrill is meeting someone from home.
At least that’s the way two Valparaiso youths, Corp. Jack Ferguson and P.F.C. Barney Woycik, size up the situation. The pair met recently in Japan.
Ferguson was so happy about the reunion that he wrote a letter to the editor of The Vidette-Messenger and enclosed a picture of the reunion, which is reproduced in this issue of the newspaper.
With Para-Gliders
“He is the first fella from Valpo that I have met since I’ve been in the army,” Jack states.
Woycik is stationed with the 1878th Para-Glider infantry at Sapporo. Hokkaido, Japan, and Ferguson is a member of the 188th Parachute infantry at Senelai, Japan.
Jack is in his tenth month overseas, and “will be leaving for home soonーYippy!” he adds, while Barney just recently came over and has enlisted for a year.
Meanwhile, The Vidette-Messenger today received a dispatch from the Eight army in japan revealing that Woycik was recently appointed to the 187th RCT 11th airborne division honor guard to receive Brig. Gen. Sewell upon his arrival at Camp Kreis, near Sapporo.
P.F.C. Woycik is the son of Mrs. Mary Woycik, 201 Monroe street, while Corp. Ferguson’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. F.A. Ferguson, 102 Madison Ave.
