Serving the High Plains

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June 1942

• Local sailor Omar B. Johnson survived the sinking of the aircraft carrier Lexington during the battle of the Coral Sea. The U.S. Navy had reported the U.S. Lexington had been sunk during a battle that prevented the Japanese from isolating or invading Australia. Johnson was serving on the Lexington as an aviation machinist mate, third class, when it was sunk in the Coral Sea.

Mr. and Mrs. B.T. Johnson received two letters from their son days after the Navy officially acknowledged the Lexington sunk on June 8 during a battle against the Japanese.

• Local kids collected over 1,500 pounds of scrap rubber to help with the war effort.

• Due to the sugar shortage, the Kiwanis canceled their annual cake walk and held a "defense stamp walk" instead.

• The Quay County Sheriff's Posse canceled their annual rodeo "due to war-time conditions." The city council passed an ordinance requiring taxi cabs in the city to carry insurance.