• MENTION AND PHOTO OF CLAUDE M. FINKLEA IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC, 1945
• LETTER FROM CLAUDE M. FINKLEA, SEAMAN SECOND CLASS January 8, 1944.
• MENTION OF CROSSING THE EQUATOR 32 TIMES, 1945

Claude M. Finklea, of Rayville. Sat, Apr 7, 1945 – 4 · The Richland Beacon-News (Rayville, Louisiana, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

Dear Mr. Mangham: I have been reading my paper regularly and always glad to get it. I’m always proud to read about my friends of the armed forces and how they are doing. Sorry to hear about James Reese Boies, but we will think of him and his great sacrifice when we sail into Japan. So far I think we are doing a fine job and think you folks back home think so, too. I was very much gratified to receive several of my papers at once, after being at sea so long. I just sat and read until I finished and wanted more. I saw the letter Foster Jones, Jr., wrote, and can gladly say he sure is a good sailor. We left Rayville and went through training together at San Diego. He has shore duty and I’m on a grand ship and can proudly say we have participated in quite a few movements. Tell Mr. Foster Jones I saw his son but never had a chance to talk to him, but I hope to soon. Give all my friends a “hello” and keep the paper coming. Yours very truly, CLAUDE M. FINKLEA

Letter home form Seaman Second Class Claude M. Finklea Sat, Jan 15, 1944 – 6 · The Richland Beacon-News (Rayville, Louisiana, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

Letter from Claude M. Finklea, March 1945 Sat, Mar 31, 1945 – 2 · The Richland Beacon-News (Rayville, Louisiana, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

Claude M. Finklea Crosses Equator 32 Times Sat, Sep 29, 1945 – 3 · The Richland Beacon-News (Rayville, Louisiana, United States of America) · Newspapers.com