Navy Causality List Has Names Of Local Youths

The names of two Muscatine young men who gave their lives in the heroic defense of their country appear on the first causality list of World War II released today by the Navy Department. They are Arthur Anthony Bersch, seaman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Bersch, 314 Cedar street, and David Alonzo Leedy, fire controlman, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry G. Leedy, 109 East Fulliam avenue. Both were killed in the first savage Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7 when their ship was sunk beneath them.

Another Muscatine county youth, in service with the Navy, Earl E. Hinman, of Muscatine Island, has been list by the Navy department as “missing in action,” but no further word as to his fate has been received.

Also listed on the Navy casualty list from this area is Creighton Hale Workman, firemen, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Workman of Lone Tree. John D. Musser Jr., machinist mate, second class, also of Lone tree, has been reported as missing at sea.

Source: “Muscatine Journal”, Muscatine, Iowa, January, 1942

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Navy Message Confirms Death of Bersch Youth

Arthur Anthony Bersch, seamen, first class, of the U.S. Navy, who had been listed as “missing” following the Jap attack on Pearl Harbor, today had been officially declared by the Navy department to have paid the supreme sacrifice in the defense of his country. A telegram received today by the youth’s parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Edward C. Bersch, 314 Cedar street, stated that,
“After exhaustive search it has been found impossible to locate your son, Arthur Anthony Bersch, seaman first class, U.S. Navy, and he has therefore been officially declared to have lost his life in the service of his country, as of Dec.7, 1941. The department expresses to you its sincerest sympathy.”
The message was signed by Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs, chief of the bureau of navigation, and was dated from Washington, D.C., as of today. Bersch and David Leedy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry G. Leedy, 109 East Fulliam avenue , were both reported as “missing in action” with the Navy following the Pearl Harbor raid. No further word had been received by Mr. and Mrs. Leedy today concerning the fate of their son.

Source: “Muscatine Journal”, Muscatine, Iowa, January 19,1942

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Message Confirms Death of David Leedy in Action

All hope has been abandoned for David Leedy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry G. Leedy, 109 East Fulliam avenue, and he has now been officially listed as killed in action, according to word received today by parents of the youth from the U.S. Navy Department.

David lost his life when the Japanese carried out their murderous assault on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7. He was in service with the U.S. Navy stationed in Hawaii. First word received from the Navy department listed him as missing in action, and no further information concerning his fate had come until today’s message confirming his death in the defense of his county. Notice was received here a short time ago by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bersch, Cedar street confirming the death of their son, Arthur Bersch of the U.S. navy, who also lost his life in the Pearl Harbor attack.

Source: “Muscatine Journal”, Muscatine, Iowa, January 31,1942