- From the Valley City (North Dakota) Times-Record: September 4, 1943 Jeep Also Carries The Mail Another first for the 817th Tank Destroyer battalion, stationed at Valley City during the harvest season, was the first recorded delivery of mail on rural mail route by an army jeep. The test trip, looking forward to post war use of jeeps for rural mail delivery service, was successfully carried out last week at the request of the Rural Letter Carriers of the United States through the Valley City post office. The battalion commander, in full cooperation, furnished Corporal James A. Burk, above, of Shippensburg, PA. Seated with him is rural carrier Odell G. Amundson of Valley City. The report of corporal Burk was simply, “Mission completed.” When asked for his opinion, Mr. Amundson answered cryptically, “Jeep-ers.” September 7, 1943 Rose Busche of VC is Crowned Wheat Queen The nation’s first wheat queen was crowned here Saturday night when the gala event was performed by the men of company C. of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion stationed here. From a bevy of 14 beauties Miss Rose Busche of Valley City was chosen the outstanding one by the men of the company to be crowned. Following the crowning ceremony the queen was escorted to the dance floor of the auditorium by Col. Canlett and Sgt. Powers and she was introduced to the guests present. Miss Rose Busche is the daughter of Mrs. Mildred Busche. Miss Busche who had been working in an air-craft factory at Burbank, Calif., recently returned to the city. She also has two sisters who are employed in aircraft factories and has two brothers who are with the armed forces. One of her brothers, Melvin G. Busche was killed in action early this year. Sept 10, 1943 Queen To Help Barnes County’s Wheat Queen is going to help in the war bond sale! When the Tank Destroer Battalion of some 800 men parade in Valley City next Friday afternoon, Sept 17, Miss Rose Busche of Valley City will have a featured spot in the parade. Arrangement for her appearance have been made today by Col. Canlett and Secretary Tom Hutchinson. The pulchritudinous Rose will be garbed in her dress of wheat straw which she ware at the coronation last Saturday night. Col. Canlett can tell you how the dress is made as he was stationed on the Hawaiian Islands on two different occasions and made some interesting observations on the subject of Hula Skirts. Anyhow, Rose makes and eyeful in her dress.