75 years ago
September 16, 1942
The navy announced today that the United States aircraft carrier Yorktown had been sunk after the battle of Midway as a result of Japanese bombs and torpedo attacks.
Loss of the 19,900-ton carrier, with very few casualties, had been a well kept naval secret.
The Yorktown first was successfully attacked by enemy aircraft with bombs and torpedoes on the afternoon of June 4, after the battle of Midway Island — a great American victory — had reached its full glory.
The vessel, which was only five years old, was put out of action at that time.
Tugs and salvage vessels succeeded, however, in getting her under control, and she was removed slowly but surely from the battle zone. But on June 7, the Yorktown was torpedoed again and sank, stern first in 3,000 fathoms of water.
September 17, 1942
With labor shortages growing and expected to become acute, the Aberdeen chamber of commerce today, inaugurated a program for volunteer workers for Grays Harbor industrial plants, all of which are engaged in war production.
Under the plan, professional men, office workers, clerks, merchants and all others who are able and willing to do extra work on their days off or after their regular work is finished, are asked to notify the chamber office. Arrangements for part time work, for half shifts or for whole days on certain days of the week are contemplated. This way workers not directly engaged in war work can contribute to the war effort and at the same time add to their incomes.
While the money consideration is not overlooked, the main appeal is patriotic and the main purpose is to keep the Harbor plants manned so that there will be no interruption in their war production.
50 years ago
September 16, 1967
Striking with devastating suddenness on the accurate right arm of all-SWW quarterback Bob Fisher, Aberdeen’s high-voltage Bobcats took a Noble Field power shortage, and an error-plagued Centralia eleven in stride in Centralia last night to open the 1967 campaign with a convincing 35 to 6, non-conference triumph.
The ‘Cats were already on top, 14-0, when the power shortage occurred. Following a 20-minute delay while crews frantically sought to locate the trouble, the game was resumed — and completed — under illumination from the grandstand side of the field. Aberdeen touchdowns were scored by Paul Hann, Mark Vekich, John Ancich, Jack Weber and Greg Lamb. Dana Bloomingdale put the icing on each TD going 5-for-5 with his toe.
September 17, 1967
25 years ago
September 16, 1992
Voters said “Uh, huh!” to state Rep. Bob Basich’s nice guy, teamwork style.
The retired coach from Aberdeen handily defeated challenger Max Vekich in the Democratic primary for the 19th District House of Representatives seat.
Basich, who used Pepsi’s popular slogan in his campaign, received 54 percent of the vote, outpolling Vekich 10,255 to 8,716. There is no Republican in the race, so Basich is a shoo-in for a fifth term in the state House.
September 17, 1992
For the Rev. Paul Cook of Aberdeen, having AIDS is “nothing that I’m ashamed of.” He is sustained by faith, hope, charity and a healthy sense of humor.
The minister of Promise Community Church in Aberdeen freely volunteers his time and energy to teach others about the disease.
The 73-year-old clergyman often speaks at Harbor-area schools and service clubs about living with the deadly virus. This Saturday he will be at a workshop at Grays Harbor College to promote general awareness about HIV/AIDS.
Cook was infected in 1983 during heart surgery, but had no idea he was HIV positive until 1988 when his family doctor did a blood test during a routine physical.
Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom
