75 years ago

March 21, 1945

Coast Guardsman James R. Chartrey, petty officer third class of East First street in Aberdeen, is in the crew of an invasion transport which carried troops to the beachhead at Luzon, and later managed to reach port after being torpedoed in the middle of the night in enemy waters.

“Most of us were asleep,” said Chartrey, “and we were awakened with a terrific explosion ringing in our ears. The blast shook the ship from stern to bow. It was an awful sensation to feel the decks lurch and tremble underfoot and to hear the sound of steel plates and beams twisting and buckling under the strain.

Crippled by the blast, the transport was taken in tow and reached a safe anchorage six days later. “We all had the jitters during that tow trip,” said the Coast Guardsman. “Creeping along at only four knots we’d have been out of luck if another Japanese sub found us.”

March 22, 1945

“Grays Harbor war plants are doing a great job of production, and the people have almost killed us with kindness,” the boys of Bastogne said today shortly before they left for a tour of Olympia war plants.

They were surprised to see the number of women working in Harbor plants and the precision work they were doing.

The entire group expressed appreciation for the reception given them by the local citizens and said they hoped to visit the locality when peace covers the world again.

The boys were entertained by the American Legion post at a reception and mixer in the Orange room at Hotel Morck early last night and later the boys recounted the story of Bastogne at a meeting to all veterans at the Legion hall.

50 years ago

March 21, 1970

Saturday, no newspaper published

March 22, 1970

From Italy comes the name for the Bambino Ball, but from Grays Harbor come the children it benefits.

The annual Bambino Ball, Saturday night, April 4, in the Hoquiam Eagles Hall, will raise funds for the Children’s Orthopedic Hospital in Seattle to care for Grays Harbor children treated there whose parents are unable to pay.

Sponored by all five Harbor Orthopedic auxiliaries — the Lillian Delanty, Lillian Fleet Bishop, Grayland, Central Park and Montesano — the dance will begin at 8:30 o’clock. The public is invited to attend and dance to the music of Ernie Edwards’ Band.

25 years ago

March 21, 1995

Bill Jones and son Greg were presented with two separate awards at the Professional Photographers of Washington Annual Convention in Tacoma on March 13.

Bill, the third generation photographer with Jones Photo Company, was presented with an Honorary Life Membership in the state association for his achievements in the preservation of the history of photography.

Greg is the fourth generation photographer and received the professional degree of Associate Fellow of Photography.

March 22, 1995

State Rep. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, was named Pacific County Democrat of the Year for 1995 at last Saturday’s 70th annual Crab Feed at the Raymond IWA Hall.

Hatfield was selected by a committee of past award recipients. Last year’s winner was Bette Snyder, wife of Sen. Sid Snyder, D-Long Beach.

Hatfield, 28, was appointed to fill the District 19, Position 1 seat in 1994 when Longview Democrat Mike Riley, stepped down because of a recurrence of cancer. Hatfield beat out four other candidates in last September’s primary to win the appointment. Hatfield then went on to beat Mark Obtinario in the November general election.

Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom