From The Eunice News files

From files of The Eunice News: May 1945
Acting Mayor C.J. Derbes, filling in for the ailing Oliver Reed, declared a city day of prayer as Victory in Europe Day was celebrated and the nation gathered its breath for a bitter battle to end the war against Japan.
Master Sgt. Wade Cotrell is one of four brothers serving in the armed forces. They are the sons of Mr and Mrs. Dixon T. Cottrell. Wade. with the Sixth Army, has been in the New Guinea, Leyete and Luzon campaigns.
Dennis McGee received a letter from a woman in Michigan saying that near the grave of her husband (killed in France in Aug. 1944), at Bemons, France, her brother found that of McGee’s brother, Kelton. “Your name was on the grave as nearest of kin and unless you already know this information, I knew it would be appreciated by you. The cemetery is the first American cemetery in France and is located near St. Laurent, on a cliff overlooking the English Channel.”
Prisoner of War Staff Sgt. Kenneth Mays has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a ball turret gunner on a B-17 bomber before his capture. He is the son of Carrie C. Mays.
Pfc. Howard Callouet of Eunice, hospitalized in Guam, has been awarded the Purple Heart. He was wounded in the invasion of Okinawa on May 11. After being hit by hand grenade fragments, he fought on in the hand-to-hand engagement with the enemy until collapsing from loss of blood.
C.J. Derbes, druggist who has been acting mayor for about a year, was elected to a four-year term over George Stagg.
Leopold Richard and Dudley Guillory have completed their building in North Eunice by the Missouri Pacific tracks. The building will be used for receiving and shipping the city’s sweet potato crop.