Death of a New Boston sailor and two service men from the Wheelersburg area wounded or missing in action was Scioto County's news from the war fronts today.

The New Boston sailor, who previously had been reported missing in action, was killed in a explosion on his ship, according to a telegram received from the Navy department by his mother.

The sailor is Howard Sparks, 20, son of Mrs. Carrie Crawford, 3726 Stanton Avenue, New Boston.  The sailor was aboard a destroyer, the U.S.S. Turner which has been reported as lost by the Navy Department.  The telegram stated he was killed in an explosion aboard his ship and that his body was not recovered.  Sailor Sparks was born in Minford December 22, 1920, and attended Minford school. He received his basic training at Pensacola, Florida. He is survived by his mother, his father, James Sparks of Dayton, at home, and two brothers, James Sparks, seaman second class, who is stationed at Norma, Okla, and Denver Sparks, 21, petty officer in the navy who is now somewhere overseas.

Dale Edward Woods, quartermaster second class, brother of Mrs. Leon Thornton of Wheelersburg, has been wounded in action.  He has been in a hospital in Washington and has written relatives stating his has asked a special leave and would arrive home Thursday.  He is suffering from a crushed heel received during a battle in the South Pacific.

Staff Sgt. Paul R. Pace, son of Mrs. Denia E. Pace of Wheelersburg Rt. 2, whose 21st birthday anniversary is today, has been reported missing in action.  In a telegram from the war department received by Mrs. Pace on the eve of her son's birthday, she was notified that Sgt. Pace has been reported missing in action over France since Feb. 5.  Sgt. Pace, a waist gunner on a B-24, enlisted in the army air forces November 28, 1942. He went overseas last November. Before entering service, the flier was employed in the meat department of an Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. store here.