These are some highlights from the News Journal on December 24, 1966:
National headlines
• ‘Cong Fire on Marines Mars Christmas Truce’
“SAIGON, South Vietnam (AP) — A U.S. Marine company came under heavy arms fire today, almost eight hours after the start of a 48-hour Christmas truce. A military spokesman said the Marines replied with artillery fire. the clash was the most significant reported so far during the truce period.”
Locally
• “Sgt. (E-5) Wendell Ray Peck returned to the States after having served a 12-month tour of duty in Vietnam with the 7th Cavalry Air Mobile Unit. After a period of rest he will be assigned to Ft. Campbell, Ky., where he will function as a drill instructor.”
• Local deaths included Doris Wilson, 64, of Wilmington; Louise Smart of Wilmington; and Lyman Willis of Wilmington.
• In high school basketball, Wilmington won the first city-county championship by defeating East Clinton 47-44. Leading ‘Cane scorers were Roger Vaughan with 12 and John Petty with 11; Dan Wilson led EC with 13. Blanchester upset Clinton-Massie 54-52 as “big, burly Dennis Blocker did the job on the boards” and scored 19 for the Wildcats while Jim Davis and Dale Hillard each had 12 for the Falcons.
• For The Murphy Theatre Merry Christmas Show, the feature was “Texas Across the River” starring Dean Martin, Joey Bishop and Rosemary Forsyth.
