Sgt. Pepper: No Mention of Lonely Hearts Club Band

1918

Non-Plussable Pepper Nonplussed At Last

Sergeant Pepper, in charge of the local recruiting office of the army, has a habit of giving tart answers. He is a pretty hard proposition to put anything over on — is Sergeant Pepper. He who tries it once doesn't try it again.

Yesterday an American citizen of German ancestry, who spoke with considerable accent, came up for enlistment. He explained that he wanted to do his bit for Uncle Sam — notwithstanding his accent. Pepper looked him over.

"Got a wife?" he asked.

"Nein," said the applicant.

"Nine?" gasped Pepper. "And where's your iron cross?"

—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, April 7, 1918, page 54.


1944

Good Conduct Medal

Sgt. Lemuel I. Pepper has recently been awarded the Good Conduct Medal. Sgt. Pepper is with the Medical Corps and is somewhere in the South Pacific.

—Limestone Democrat, Athens, Alabama, June 15, 1944, page 4.


1953

Father of S-Sgt. Vernon Pepper Dies in California

Clayton Pepper, 73-year-old father of S-Sgt Vernon G. Pepper, Army and Air Force recruiting officer here, died suddenly at his home in San Bernardino, Calif., yesterday afternoon and Sgt. Pepper was planning to fly to California tomorrow.

—The Daily Register, Harrisburg, Illinois, January 29, 1953, page 1.


1952

Bowling News

Stead Airbase League, a closed league open only to men stationed at the local air base," took off with a big 12-teamer representing practically all departments at the base. Presiding over this one are president Sgt. Dodd; secretary Sgt. Pepper, and treasurer Captain Kessler.

—Nevada State Journal, Reno, Nevada, September 7, 1952, page 11.