Chester Alexander McKenzie

March 11, 1943

CHESTER ALEX McKENZIE, John Rudolph Quigley, Howard M. Salter of Bunnell and James Claud Arnold of Flagler Beach, together with Walter S. Morris, transferee from Barren County, Kentucky, went to Blanding Tuesday.

All were accepted into service except Arnold who was rejected. Mr. Morris is married and has a six-months-old baby. He has taught music (band and glee) in Bunnell High for two terms. He also has been principal since the death of J. F. (Prof) Houck.

March 18, 1943

Walter Morris, acting principal of the high school here, Howard Salter, CHESTER ALEX McKENZIE, and John Rudolph Quigley left here Tuesday for induction at Camp Blanding.

June 3, 1943

CHESTER ALEX McKENZIE and Howard Salter are both stationed now at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.

July 15, 1943

CHESTER ALEX. McKENZIE has been advanced to the rank of Cpl. according to his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Rich. Cpl. McKenzie hopes he will get a furlough the latter part of this month and come home for a visit. He is stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

July 29, 1943

CHESTER ALEX McKENZIE, Tech. 4th, with the army at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., is home on a short furlough visiting his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Rich.

September 30, 1943

Cpl. CHESTER ALEX McKENZIE writes us a letter from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., to compliment us on a short editorial we wrote recently. Many thanks for tile "orchid." Chester says he is making "a lot of hikes" yet and he believes a lot of his buddies are going overseas soon “but I’ll probably be here for a long time yet.” He added "tell all the people there hello for me."

November 11, 1943

Cpl. CHESTER ALEX McKENZIE of Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., is here on furlough visiting his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Rich.

February 3, 1944

Cpl. CHESTER ALEX McKENZIE wrote us a letter from Louisiana where he is now on maneuvers. He says "It surely has been raining a lot since we arrived but it is nice and warm compared with Fort Leonard Wood (Mo.), Although we think it is tough here we know what the boys overseas are going through with.

(Thanks, old boy, for all the nice things you said about The Trib)

April 27, 1944

Pvt. CHESTER ALEX McKENZIE is here for a 12-day leave. He has been running around in Louisiana for some time and doesn't know where he'll go from here.

August 17, 1944

Cpl. Chester ALEC McKENZIE arrived here Tuesday from Breckenridge, Ky., on a furlough to spend with his sister and grandparents.

August 24, 1944

Cpl. CHESTER ALEX McKENZIE left here today to return to Camp Breckenridge, Ky. where he is stationed at present.

September 7, 1944

MISS LULA JAMES AND CHESTER ALEX McKENZIE MARRIED IN KENTUCKY

Of interest to his friends here is the announcement of the marriage of T /Cpl. CHESTER ALEX McKENZIE of Bunnell and Miss Lula James of Owensboro, Kentucky, on August 26, 1944.

Cpl. McKENZIE is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Rich of Bunnell and is stationed with the army in Breckenridge, Ky.

October 19, 1944

Cpl. CHESTER ALEX McKENZIE, who was stationed at Breckenridge, Ky., for several months, is now getting his mail in care of postmaster, New York City.

March 15, 1945

Cpl. Chester ALEX McKENZIE writes his grandfather, F. A. Rich here, that he is in Holland.

April 26, 1945

From T /5 CHESTER ALEX McKENZIE, in Germany, comes the first letter. He writes:

"I should be ashamed of myself for not writing to you a long time ago but I will try to make up for it.

First, I want to tell you that I received one battle star for the Bulge in Belgium which was fought in and around Gerand Hallo last January. Then we moved to the Colmar Pocket, then up to the Rhine. We sat there for a while. Then to Holland, Belgium and other spots finally into Germany-and still going.

In the Calmar Pocket scrap I received the Combat Infantryman Badge. Now don't think I am a great fighter. I am not. I only drive for the Commanding Officer (Capt. Creel from Texas), and we are now with the Ninth Army.

I am so sorry to hear about Howard Bankston, and other the boys from home, but I suppose it can't be helped.

I have been receiving the paper, but it has not been up to date. That, however, can't be helped. Anyway, it is a great day for me when it comes.

Some of the boys from home are near me but I don't get to see them.

Guess I will close by saying may that great day come soon, and God bless all of you."

(Yes, Chester Alex, we are hoping that day will arrive soon, and from here it looks as if you fellows are really hurrying it. Glad to get you letter and know other fellows from here will be glad to read it - come again).

May 31, 1945

BUNNELL SOLDIER GETS BRONZE STAR FOR ACHIEVEMENT

Technician CHESTER ALEX McKENZIE has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy on April 8, 1945, in Germany. The citation for the action reads:

"In response to a radioed call of a machine gun platoon for ammunition, Technician McKenzie and another man voluntarily ran through open terrain covered by enemy sniper, burp gun, mortar and artillery fire and under perfect observation of the enemy.

They crossed a route that had not been swept for mines and arrived in time to avert a serious threat to our troops. The new supply of ammunition enabled our forces to kill seven of the enemy, wound others and capture an 88-mm gun intact. Technician McKenzie's fearless courage in risking his life is in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces."

Technician McKenzie is a member of the 75th Infantry. His wife and grandparents reside here.

July 26, 1945

Cpl. CHESTER ALEC McKENZIE got here Monday night for a 30-day "temporary duty at home." He has the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman's badge, ETO ribbon with three battle stars, and the Good Conduct ribbon. Chester was transferred from the 75th division to the Second division and will retrain at Camp Swift, Texas, before going to the Pacific.

December 13, 1945

Discharged from the armed forces this week ....... CHESTER ALEX McKENZIE