1944
WARTIME LISTS OF KILLED IN ACTION |
Sorrowful news, in the form of messages advising the next of kin of the death of a loved one somewhere in the service of their nation, came to an increasing number of homes in Muscatine and vicinity during 1944 as the country’s military operations against enemies on World war No. 2 proceeded on an accelerated pace. Emphasis upon the tremendous cost of warfare in human lives was called in repeated instances, by official messages, relating that men from this community had made the supreme sacrifice while following the flag with the respective branches of the armed services. News dispatches from the scenes of history –making engagements recorded in the third year of this nation’s participation in war were followed, in the course of a brief lapse of time, and with distressing regularity, by official notification to the effect that someone from this community was included among those who had given their lives.
But brief bits of information were available, in most instances, for the bereaved relatives of servicemen whose deaths were written into the record during this third year of the war. The date, the theater of action, perchance a note to the effect that the serviceman had been buried in an American cemetery abroad- and but little more were ordinarily included. Subsequently, in instances, letter from companions in service, or others in close association, gave additional details. For some, whose death occurred while in service in this country, funeral services were conducted when bodies were returned to the home community for burial. For others, who died on foreign soil, memorial services were conducted at various churches of their affliction.
Community memorial services, honoring those whose lives were given in the service of their country were conducted at the Muscatine high school auditorium Sunday, Nov. 26, with representatives of various pastoral organizations participating establishing a custom of holding on the last Sunday afternoon of each month, similar memorial service for the community’s war heroes.
Brief sketches of those who gave their lives in the service of their country since the outbreak of the war, compiled from causality list and information obtained from relatives follow:
[names in article rearranged in alpha order for easier viewing]
SGT. HERSHEL ACUCUTT
A cook in the U.S. army, based at Oahu in the territory of Hawaii, Sgt. Hershel Acucutt met death by drowning on April 13,1944, his wife, who resides at 1012 Lombard street, was informed. Sgt. Acucutt was not in a combat area and his death was believed to have resulted from an accident. He was 24 years old and had formerly resided at Edina, Mo.
LT. PHILLIP AIKENS
A member of the marine air corps, Lieut. Aikens met his death in an airplane crash in the Hawaiian territory, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Aikens, of West Liberty, were advised in July, 1943. The accident which claimed Lt. Aikens life occurred in an effort to avoid giving valuable information to the enemy, the dispatch revealed.
PFC. JOHN J. ALEXANDER
Mrs. Gladys Burroughs, 1424 Cedar street, received word in July, 1944, that her son, Pfc. John J. Alexander, was killed in action in the Italian theater of operations on May 31. He was member of the famed 34th division and entered service May 9, 1941. Pfc. Alexander had been overseas since January, 1942.
STAFF SGT. JOHN ARIHOOD
Reported missing in action on May 13,1943, Sgt. John Arihood was declared killed in action Miss Esther Ahlman, with whom he had made his home since a child at Grandview, was informed. He had been in service about a year and was sent to South America before being transferred to a bomber squadron.
PFC. ARTHUR E. BASS
Serving with an infantry division in combat overseas, Pfc. Arthur E. Bass, son of Mr. and Mrs. Orville Bass of Conesville, was killed in action on July 16, 1944, the war department advised his parents. He entered the service Oct. 21, 1942, and was sent overseas in May, 1944, being assigned first to Africa and later to the Italian theater of operations.
ARTHUR A. “BUD” BERSCH, Seaman First Class
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Bersch, Muscatine, Seaman Bersch was killed in action in the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941. He entered service with the U.S. navy in October, 1940.
STAFF SGT. JOHN W. BIRDWELL
A former Muscatine man, Staff Sgt. John W. Birdwell, was killed in action in the Normandy assault on July 11, 1944, his wife, at Seymour, Ia., was advised. He had made his home with his stepsister, Mrs. Vera Essex, 302 ½ East Second street, before entering the army. He had been employed by the Rock Island railway here for a time.
ROBERT ALAN BLAIR
Participating in the landing of troops in Africa and afterwards in the invasion of Sicily, Robert Alan Blair, son of Mr. and Mrs. Merle O. Blair, of Anamosa, formerly of Columbus Junction, was reported killed in action on Sept. 11, 1943.
CPL. DONALD THEODORE BLAKE
Cpl. Blake was injured in a combat zone overseas in May, 1944, and died of his wounds at his home in Letts on Nov. 8. He had received treatment at several hospitals before returning to his home. He was a member of the 34th division and served in North Africa and in Italy.
PVT. KENNETH G. BLANCHARD
Pvt. Kenneth G. Blanchard, son of Mr. and Mrs. L.R. Blanchard, 215 Clinton street, was killed in action in Italy on July 23, 1944, his parents were informed. Pvt. Blanchard had been wounded in action on Jan. 26 of this year and had returned to action. He enlisted on June 15, 1943, and arrived in North Africa early in December, 1943.
FIRST LT. PAUL BUCHANAN
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Buchanan, of Tipton, Lt Paul Buchanan met his death on Oct.20, 1944, in an aircraft accident in Sweden, his wife, who lives at Mechanicville, was informed. He entered the service in June, 1941, and went to England early in 1943. He had completed 50 missions at the time of his death and was awarded the distinguished flying cross.
LT. ROBERT KEITH BUFFINGTON
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Buffington of Columbus Junction, Lt. Buffington was killed in action in France on July 29, 1944, his parents were informed. He had been wounded in action and was in an English hospital but recovered and had returned to his company. He was among the first to leave Louisa county and had been in service for more than three years at the time of his death.
LT. EUGENE H. CARPENTER
Lt. Eugene H. Carpenter died on June 11, 1943, in Japan where he was a prisoner of war, according to word sent his mother, Mrs. Lois M. Carpenter, of Reynolds, Ill. Lt. Carpenter was taken a prisoner in December, 1942, after serving in the Philippines.
PVT. HENRY J. CASWELL
Pvt. Henry J. Caswell was the son-in-law of Mrs. N.A. Korte, 212 Dolliver street, and died in North Africa in July, 1944. He had never lived in Muscatine but his marriage to Miss Elvera Klusacek, daughter of Mrs. Korte, took place on Nov. 13, 1939. Mrs. Caswell was with her mother here when the message came telling of her husband’s death.
SECOND LT. GERALD L. CLINE
Lt. Cline was killed in a plane crash 35 miles northeast of the Abilene army base at Abilene, Tex., early in August, 1944. His marriage to Miss Louise Gufford, of Muscatine, took place on July 22, shortly before his death. He had resided at Lone Tree and was graduated from the high school there with the class of 1944.
PVT. DONALD M. COHEN
Listed as missing in action in Italy, Pvt. Donald M. Cohen was later declared killed in action on Oct. 7, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward E. Cohen, 302 West Eighth street, were informed in November. He entered service Sept. 17, 1943, and left for overseas duty in February, 1944. He was graduated from Muscatine high school with the class of 1943.
LT. HOWARD CONNOR
First listed as missing in action and then noted as prisoner of war, Lt. Howard Connor died in a prison camp in the Philippine islands on June 16, 1943, his wife, the former Charlotte Terry, was informed. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. G.O. Connor, 106 Holly street. He was called to active duty on May 28, 1941.
TECH. SGT. GREGORY BURDETTE CROCK
With the U.S. army air cops, Tech. Sgt. Gregory Crock was killed in action over Germany on Dec. 19, 1943, a message to his mother, Mrs. Fred Schermer, 1208 East Fourth street, revealed. He had been listed previously as missing in action. He was a tail gunner on a Flying Fortress and enlisted in the army air corps in May, 1942. He received his overseas assignment in April, 1943.
PVT. RAYMOND DARTING
While serving with American forces somewhere in the Pacific, Pvt. Raymond Darting, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Darting, of Wilton, was killed in action Nov. 30, 1942, his parents were informed. He had been in service since Jan.3, 1942, and received his training at Camp Roberts, Calif., before going overseas.
CARROLL DAVIS
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Newton Davis, who reside on a farm near Columbus Junction, Carroll Davis was killed in action in Italy in May, a message to his parents revealed. He was one of the first of the Columbus Junction community to go overseas.
LT. TED DAVIS
A plane crash in Italy cost the life of Lt. Ted Davis, of Columbus Junction, on June 20, 1944, his father, Theodore Davis, was informed. He was returning from a rest furlough when the plane in which he was riding crashed into the side of a mountain on the Isle of Capri.
PVT. PHILLIP C. DeCAMP
A letter from the adjutant general’s office informed Mrs. Madge DeCamp of the death of her husband, Pvt. Phillip C. DeCamp, in action on Moffin Island, Dutch New Guinea, in October, 1944. He had enlisted at Camp Dodge, Des Moines, on Oct. 28, 1943. He arrived in New Guinea in May. He had been employed at the Gobble Grocery co. here.
SEAMAN 1/c GEORGE DEEMS
George Beverly Deems, seaman 1/c, died in a hospital, at West Windsor N.Y., in September as the result of injuries suffered in an automobile accident. Word of his death came to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Deems, 119 West Ninth street. He enlisted in the Navy in November, 1942, and was later assigned to sea on convoy duty.
SECOND LT. EDWARD LANNING DODDER
Pilot of a B-24 United States Army bomber, Second Lt. Edward Lanning Dodder, met death in1943 when two heavy army bombers collided near Mountain Home, Idaho, his wife was advised. He had been in the service since September, 1942. His body was brought here for funeral services and burial.
PFC. NEWELL A. DOLLMAN
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Dollman, 715 East Sixth street, were advised in July of the death of their son, Pfc. Newell A. Dollman, which occurred in action in Italy on June 3, 1944. He had been reported as missing in action since June 3 previously. He entered the service in 1941 and went overseas on Feb. 18, 1942.
PVT. GEORGE H. DUNCAN
Serving with a field artillery division, Pvt. George H. Duncan of near Lone Tree died in Italy on Nov. 25, 1944, according to information received here Dec. 20. Pvt. Duncan went overseas in Feb. 14, 1944, and was stationed in Africa before going to Italy.
SGT. MAYNARD L. DUNKER
An engineer on a Flying Fortress, Sgt. Maynard L. Dunker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer J. Dunker, route 1, was reported killed in action in the European area on March 23, 1944. He entered the army air corps Sept. 29, 1942, and had been in combat areas since January, 1944. He was born in Mercer county, Ill., on Dec. 2, 1919.
PVT. JOHN DWYER
Pvt. John J. Dwyer, with a U.S. infantry unit, was killed in action in North American area in May 28, 1943, his mother, Mrs. Anna Dwyer, of Wilton, was advised. He entered the service in April of 1941 and received his training at Camp Roberts, Calif. He was born at Wilton on May 14, 1915.
SGT. STEPHEN L. EDGINGTON
First reported as missing in Germany, since Aug. 5, Sgt. Stephen L. Edgington was reported as having been killed in action over Germany on Aug. 5, 1944, his wife, the former Marie Raushenberger, 1137 Lucas street, was informed. Sgt. Edgington was a member of a crew of a Flying Fortress and entered service April 16, 1943, and went overseas in July, 1944.
LEROY A. ENGSTROM, Radioman 2/c
Formerly employed as a carrier at the West Liberty postoffice, Leroy A. Engstrom was reported as being killed in action July, 1944, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Axel G. Engstrom of Clinton, were informed. He enlisted July 21, 1942.
FIRST LT. HENRY L. ESPENSEN
Serving with a paratroop unit in North Africa war theater, First Lt. Henry L. Espensen, formerly of West Liberty, met death in action on July 11, 1943. He took part in the invasion of Sicily and it was presumed his death occurred in that battle.
PVT. HARRY FAULKNER
Wounds received during the invasion of Normandy on June 15, 1944, caused the death of Pvt. Harry Faulkner, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Faulkner, 501 Mulberry avenue. Pvt. Faulkner entered the service from Burlington during the preceding September and went overseas in February of this year. His wife, the former Violet Schmidt, had been making her home at Washington, D.C.
PFC. JOHN H. FAULKNER
Mrs. Dorothy L. Faulkner, of Moscow, in October received a message telling of the death of her husband, Pfc. John. H. Faulkner, in Luxembourg on Sept. 30, 1944. Pfc. Faulkner entered service June 21, 1943 and went overseas March 27, 1944. He was wounded in action in the invasion of France June 12 but was able to report back to duty later.
PFC HERSHELL L. FINKE
Pfc. Hershell L. Finke, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Finke, of Crawfordsville, was killed in action in France June 6, the parents were informed in July. Pfc. Finke, a native of Muscatine, entered service Nov. 17, 1942, and went overseas in June, 1943.
STAFFF SGT. ARTHUR D. FITCH
Mrs. Evelyn F. Fitch of Tipton was informed in September, 1944, of the death of her husband, Staff Sgt. Arthur D. Fitch in a train wreck at Terre Haute, Ind., in which 25 army air force non-commissioned officers were killed and 14 others injured.
LT. FRANCIS E. FITZPATRICK
Lt. Francis E. Fitzpatrick, of Reynolds, Ill., died of wounds in France on Sept. 18, 1944, friends were advised in October. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fitzpatrick, of Reynolds. His wife is the former Miss Ferris Hyett.
PVT. PAUL FOWLER
Grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Kelley of Jolly, Ia., formerly of Wilton, Pvt. Paul Fowler was reported killed in action in France on Nov. 16, 1944, according to word received by Miss Jennie Kelley. Pvt. Fowler was the son of Col. David Fowler and Mrs. Esther Kelley Fowler of Denton, Tex.
PFC. ROBERT CHARLES FREELAND
Serving with the 90th infantry division, Pfc. Robert Charles Freeland, of Wilton, was killed in action in France on Aug. 19, 1944, a message to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Freeland, revealed. He entered the service on March 17, 1942, and went to England in April, 1944. Later he went to France and was wounded in action on June 12.
PFC. RICHARD O. FREERS
It was in the central Pacific theater of operations that Pfc. Richard O. Freers met death, according to a message received late in August, 1944, by his mother, Mrs. Flossie Freers, 1308 Orchard avenue. He entered service Sept. 27, 1943, and went overseas the latter part of March, 1944.
PFC. FORREST R. FRENCH
Mrs. Forrest R. French received word in September, 1944, of the death of her husband, Pfc. Forrest R. French, somewhere in France on Aug. 17. Mrs. French resides at Columbus Junction. Pfc. French was born at Conesville Feb. 21, 1913, and had been overseas since March.
SGT. RALPH T. FUHLMAN
Sgt. Fuhlman died in France on Sept. 25, 1944, his mother Mrs. Lillian Fuhlman, 514 East Fourth street, was advised. He entered service in November, 1942, and took his training at Camp Adair, Ore., and Camp Carson, Colo. He went overseas in September, 1944.
LT. RAYMOND C. GATZKE
An airplane crash at the Ephrata army air base in Washington caused the death of Lt. Raymond C. Gatzke, of Wilton, on July 11, 1944, according to word received by his mother Mrs. Albert B. Kelley. He enlisted in the army air corps in October of 1942 and received his training at Los Angles and at Williams Field, Chandler, Ariz.
PFC. KENNETH R. GERLING
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gerling, of Grandview were advised in November, 1944, that their son, Pfc. Kenneth R. Gerling, who had been reported missing in action in France Oct. 26, 1944, had been killed in action on that date. He had been in service for about a year and overseas since April and had taken part in the Italian campaign before joining Allied forces for the invasion of France.
WALTER GESELL
Walter Gesell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gesell, 981 Lucas street, met death on June 6, 1942, while on the Destroyer Hammann in the Coral sea, according to a message received by his parents. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart medal, which was received by his parents Oct. 30, 1943.
PFC. EUGENE L. GOOKIN
Serving somewhere in the south Pacific, Pfc. Eugene L. Gookin, of Columbus Junction was killed in action during the performance of his duty in August, 1944, his parents, at Columbus Junction, were informed.
STANLEY EMMETT GREGORY, Ship’s Cook Third Class
The navy department officially listed Ship’s cook Stanley Emmett Gregory, of West Liberty dead after he was reported as missing his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stanford Gregory, were advised. He was a member of the crew of the U.S.S. Calhoun when that vessel was sunk as a result of an enemy bombing attack off Tulagi, Solomon islands.
CPL. EMIL W. GRIEBEL
Cpl. Emil W. Griebel, serving with a Untied States infantry unit, died in the central Pacific area on Oct. 9, 1944, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nicoli Griebel, of Wilton, were advised. He entered the service on Sept. 29, 1942, and went overseas in July 16, 1944.
JOHN DALE GRUNDER, Seaman First Class
Seaman Grunder, son of Mr. and Mrs., John Grunder, of Wilton, was killed in action in the Pacific war theater, according to information to his parents on Dec. 3, 1942. Seaman Grudner had been stationed at Pearl Harbor at the time of the Japanese attack Dec. 7, 1941, in which he suffered injuries that required hospital care and upon his recovery was assigned to ship duties.
PAUL ROY HANSEN
Criss Hansen, of Nichols, received word in October, 1943, of the death of his nephew, Paul Roy Hansen when his ship, the U.S.S. Little, was sunk by enemy shellfire off Guadalcanal. He was reported as missing in action Sept. 5, 1942.
DAN HECKART
The son of Mr. and Mrs. S.C. Heckart, of West Liberty, Dan Heckart was reported killed in a plane crash while with the U.S. coast guard at Pensacola, Fla. The message was received July 14, 1943. He was with the Royal Canadian air force for a year before joining the U.S. coast guard.
MAJOR LAWRENCE HERRICK
Reported missing in action over France on Aug. 5, of this year, Major Lawrence Herrick, pilot of an American Fighter, was killed in action on that date, his wife Mrs. Jeanette Herrick, now living in Columbus Junction was informed in December. He was believed to have been killed near Tours, France. His record included 48 missions, more then 80 sorties and the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf clusters. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Charles Herrick of Letts.
PVT. NORMAN F. HILLIER
Listed as missing in action Aug. 5, 1944, Pvt. Norman F. Hillier late in August was reported as having been killed in action in France according to a message received by his mother, Mrs. Martha E. Hillier, 806 East Sixth street. He entered the service in March, 1043, and had been overseas since June, 1944, going first to England and then to France.
EDWARD HOFFMAN, Seaman First Class
Seaman Edward Hoffman, reported missing in action Sept. 11, 1943, was later reported dead by the navy department in a message received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hoffman, 1220 Smalley avenue. He was on the American destroyer, Roman, when that ship went down as the result of an underwater explosion. He enlisted in the navy Dec. 8, 1941, a day after Pearl Harbor.
PVT. EVERETTE C. HOLLIDAY
Pvt. Everette C. Holliday was killed in action in France on Sept. 10, 1944 a message to his wife, the former Ruth Moran, of Columbus Junction revealed. Pvt. Holliday entered the service in December, 1943, and went overseas in August, 1944.
SGT. ROBERT W. INGHRAM
Formerly of Atalissa, Sgt. Robert W. Inghram was killed in action off the coast of New Guinea on June 27, 1944, friends at Atalissa learned. He enlisted at Detroit on Dec. 24, 1943, and had been overseas for several months. He was a nephew of Walter Oepping of Atalissa and of Mr. and Mrs. George Askam of West Liberty.
SECOND LT. MYRON G. JACOBS
Second Lt. Myron G. Jacobs, pilot in the army air corps, was killed in action over England in a bomber mission Aug. 8, 1944, according to a message to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Jacobs, 519 Woodlawn avenue, and his wife, Betty Jane Jacobs, route No. 2.
LEE JONES
William Jones of Letts received a message in November, 1944, from the war department telling of the death of his son, Lee Jones, killed in action in Holland on Oct. 24. Lee enlisted in the army on Feb. 23, 1940, and reached France on July 4, 1944.
LT. LEONARD EDWARD “BILL” KINNAN
A plane crash caused the death of Lt. Leonard E. “Bill” Kinnan, son of Mrs. Mae Kinnan, 405East Sixth street, according to a message received Jan. 14, 1944. He entered the service in 1937 and started his flight training at Pensacola on July 1, 1937. He had been serving as flight aide to an admiral of the fleet.
NORMAN KLEIST, Fireman 1-c
Fireman Norman Kleist, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Kleist, 210 Brook street, died May 23, 1942, while on authorized leave in a foreign port. He joined the service in July, 1941.
PFC. GERALD EDWARD KLINE
Action at Saipan brought the death of Pfc. Gerald E. Kline of the U.S. marine corps, his father was advised Aug. 31, 1944. He was the son of John Kline, 102 Nyenhuis street, and entered the service two years before his death. He had seen previous service at Tarawa with the marines.
AVIATION CADET ROBERT J. KNAPP
A native of Muscatine and the son of Mrs. Elizabeth Knapp, 1015 Main street, Davenport, Aviation Cadet Robert J. Knapp, received fatal injuries when a train struck a bus in which he was riding near Kingman, Ariz. He entered the army air force May 28, 1943, and served at Sheppard Field, Tex., and at Santa Ana, Calif., before being assigned to the Kingman airfield.
PFC. AESL KNOWLES
Mrs. Jessie Knowles of New Boston received word on Dec. 6, 1944, that her son, Pfc. Aesl Knowles of the army, serving in the infantry, was killed in action in Germany on Nov. 20, 1944. Pfc. Knowles was called into service on Oct. 19, 1943 and took his training at Rockford, Ill., and Camp Chaffee, Ark., before embarking for overseas.
ENSIGN MAX KRUGER
Injuries suffered in an airplane crash in June, 1944, brought death to Ensign Max Kruger, son of Mr. and Mrs. H.P. Kruger of Van Neyes, Calif., formerly of Columbus Junction. He had been serving in the navy air force for two years.
DAVID A. LEEDY Fire Controlman
Among the first of Muscatine county men to meet death in World war No. 2 was David A. Leedy, fire controlman with the U.S. navy and son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Leedy, 109 West Fulliam avenue. He was killed in action at Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. He had enlisted in August, 1937, and was first listed as missing in action.
PFC. LOUIS LEHRMAN
Mr. and Mrs. Herman Lehrman, living two miles northwest of Stanwood, were advised in August, 1944, of the death of their son, Pfc. Louis Lehrman, killed in action against the Japs on Saipan on June 26. He was wounded in his first major engagement and was awarded the Purple Heart, returning to action after his recovery.
CHAUNCEY WILLIAM LEPPLA, fireman 1-c
Listed as missing in action on Aug.2, 1944, Fireman Chauncey William Leppla, son of Mrs. Mary Leppla, 105 Laurel street, was listed later as being killed in action. He had been serving on a vessel which was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic area on Aug. 2, 1944.
LT. COL. VIRGIL L. LEWIS
An Associated Press message carried the news of the death of Lt. Col. Virgil L. Lewis of West Branch in action in the Mediterranean area, August, 1944.
PVT. ORVILLE HENRY LOERCHER
Wounds suffered in action, presumably in Italy, caused the death of Pvt. Orville Henry Loercher, son of Mr. and Mrs., Henry Loercher, of West Branch, on Nov. 5, 1943. Pvt. Loercher served in the North Africa theater before going to Italy.
STAFF SGT. ANDREW MALCHAU
Having previously been listed as missing in action, Staff Sgt. Andrew Malchau was reported killed in action in Kiska Bay, Alaska, in a message received in February, 1943, by his mother, Mrs. Hazel Malchau, of Wilton. He was serving in the radio division of the army air corps.
SGT. LOVELL PARKER McKEOWN
Grandson of M.P. McKeown, of near Letts, and son of A.R. McKeown, of Letts, route 1, Sgt. Lovell Parker McKeown was killed in action in the North American area on May 29, 1943, his relatives were advised June 17, 1943.
CPL. LESLIE H. McKILLIP
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence W. McKillip, Atalissa, on Nov. 7, 1944, received word of the death of their son, Cpl. Leslie H. McKillip in action in Belgium on Oct. 26. He had been in the service 37 months, entering the army in 1941. He left for overseas duty about the middle of August, 1944.
PVT. LEE C. McKINNEY
Serving with an army infantry unit, Pvt. Lee C. McKinney, met death in action in North Africa on March 30, 1943. Pvt. McKinney was formerly a Muscatine resident and was the son of Mrs. Bessie Shock, 207 Gilbert street.
STAFF SGT. GEORGE W. MERCER
Staff Sgt. George W. Mercer was officially listed as being killed in action in October, 1943, in the European theater, according to word received by his wife, the former Luella Dusenberry, 415 East Second street. He had been in the army since April of 1941.
MAJOR ARTHUR MILLS
Major Arthur Mills, former transport and air mail pilot, serving with the army ferry command, lost his life when his plane came down at sea. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Mills, 717 Leroy street. His body was washed ashore in Brazil Feb.6, 1943, on a life raft.
THOMAS ALAN MOORE, M.M. 1-c
Previously reported missing in action on Aug 9, 1942, Thomas Alan Moore, M.M. 1-c, was later listed as killed in action. He was serving on the U.S.S. Vincennes at the time that ship was sunk by the enemy off Savo Island.
STAFF SGT. JAKIE PAUL MORAN
Mrs. Gladys Moran, 507 Orange street, was advised on Dec. 6, 1944, that her husband Staff Sgt. Jakie Paul Moran, had been killed in action in Germany on Nov. 30. He entered the service Nov. 12, 1942, and had been overseas since Labor day of last year. His training was taken at Camp Maxey and Camp Swift, Tex., and at Fort Dix, N.J.
PFC.CLARENCE B. OLSON
Pfc. Clarence B. Olson died of wounds suffered in action in France on Oct. 1, 1944, his wife, Mrs. Marcia Stamm Olson, route No. 4, was advised in November. He had seen action in several theaters of war and suffered fatal wounds on Sept. 29.
LAWRENCE L. OWEN
Memorial rites were held for Lawrence L. Owen at Lone Tree auditorium in June following his death which occurred in action in Italy on April 6, 1944.
WILLIAM F. PANKKRATZ, Fireman 3-c
Fireman William F. Pankkratz was the son of Mrs. Alvina Gross, 711 Roscoe avenue, and entered service Sept. 8, 1942. He died in the line of duty and in the service of his country on May 2, 1943, in an allied country. He had been on duty in the south Pacific after finishing a course of training at Great Lakes.
FIRST LT. WALTER L. PIPER
First Lt. Walter L. Piper was killed in action in France on Aug. 5, 1944, his wife, who resides at 1002 Stone street, was advised. He re-enlisted on March 4, 1942, after serving some time in the army and had been overseas for about eight months before his death occurred.
PVT. CLARENCE A. PLANK
Mrs. Jessie Freese, 515 East Third street, was advised in October, 1944, of the death of her son Pvt. Clarence A. Plank, who was killed in action on Oct. 2 in Holland. He was a paratrooper with the 82nd airborne division which took part in the invasion of Holland.
PVT. LEO PRIESTER
Injured in action somewhere in the North Africa area on July 9, 1943, Pvt. Leo Priester died of his wounds two day later, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Priester, 301 West Fifth street, and his wife, the former Evelyn Reeves of St. Louis, Mo. He entered service June 14, 1942.
ROBERT C. RICHARDSON
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Richardson, 119 Buell street, Robert C. Richardson was on the Destroyer Hammann in the Coral sea when he met death. He enlisted on Nov. 13, 1941, and had been listed as missing in action in a communication received June 20, 1942
WARREN RICHARDSON
On the Destroyer Hammann in the Coral sea, Warren Richardson, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Richardson, 168 Sherman street, was listed as having been killed in action in a message on July 10, 1943, after he had been reported earlier as missing in action.
SECOND LT. BRUCE M. RININSLAND
Listed as missing in action over Germany on March 9, 1944, Second Lt. Bruce M. Rininsland was officially listed as killed in action in November, his mother, Mrs. Herbert Rininsland, 511 ½ Sycamore street was informed. Lt. Rininsland was a co-pilot of an American Flying Fortress and had been awarded the air medal for exceptionally meritorious achievement while participating in combat missions.
TECH. SGT. JOHN WILLIAM ROACH
A truck accident in North Africa on June 23,1943, caused the death of Tech Sgt. John W. Roach, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Roach, Sr., 1510 Mulberry avenue. He went overseas in July, 1942, first going to England with the quartermaster department and then being assigned to the ordnance department in North Africa.
DUANE SCHMIDT, Aviation Cadet
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Schmidt, of near Reynolds, Ill., Aviation Cadet Duane Schmidt died of injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident on Nov. 30, 1944, his parents were informed. The accident took place at Perrin Field, near Dennison, Tex.
PVT. JAY D. SHELLABARGER
Relatives at Grandview learned that Pvt. Jay D. Shellabarger had been killed in action in Germany on Oct.17, 1944, following a first report that he had been missing in action to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Perry Shellabarger, now of Rock Island.
LT. VERNON SHELLABARGER
Last seen when his plane was shot down by Jap anti-craft fire over Paramushiru on Sept. 11, 1943, Lt. Vernon Shellabarger, son of Mrs. Ruth Shellabarger, of Grandview, was reported by the war department as presumed as dead on Sept. 12, 1944. He had been in service in the Pacific war theater for approximately six months before being reported missing in action. His wife is the former Helen McKinney.
ELLIS SHIELDS, Chief Pharmacist Mate
Chief Pharmacist Mate Ellis Shields, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Shields, 114 West Third street, and husband of the former Elva Cee Stone, was killed in action on March 4, 1944, relatives were informed. He enlisted in the navy Jan. 14, 1942 and left for overseas duty Dec. 6, 1943
CAPT. DALE SMITH
Serving as commander of a tank company in Normandy, Capt. Dale Smith of West Liberty was killed on Aug. 7, 1944. He had been in service since June 30, 1941, receiving his rank of captain before going to England in December, 1943. He was the son of the late Franklin and Catherine Smith of West Liberty and was graduated from West Liberty high school with the class of 1931.
WALTER SMOGER
Walter Smoger of Wapello was killed in action on May 18, 1944, in the Pacific area, his wife, the former Pauline Johnson, was informed in June. He entered service Feb. 16, 1943, and had been overseas for more than a year.
PVT. GEORGE STACKHOUSE
Pvt. George Stackhouse, formerly of Muscatine but later of Dumont, Ia., was killed in action Feb.14, 1942, in the North Africa theater of war. He was inducted on Oct. 8, 1941, and was a gunner on a jeep. A brother, Boyd Stackhouse, resides at 523 Mulberry avenue.
LT. HUGO STEFFEN
An airplane crash at Perry Ga., Oct. 18, 1943, caused the death of Army Air Corps Lt. Hugo Steffen. He was the son of Mrs. Emma Steffen, of Tipton.
SGT. ROBERT V. SWALE
The son of Mr. and Mrs. William Swale of Montpelier, Sgt. Robert V. Swale met death in action in Italy March 31, 1944. He went overseas in 1943. His training was received in Virginia and Nashville, Tenn.
FIRST LT. JOHN WILLIAM SWAN
Death cam to First Lt. John W. Swan on June 24, 1944, in the New Guinea theater, according to word received by his uncle Lonnie A. Peterson of Morning Sun. His mother, Mrs. Anna Swan, formerly lived at Morning Sun but later moved to Clinton.
PFC. JOHN O. THAUREN
Reported as missing in action in Germany, Sept.14, 1944, Pfc. John O. Thauren was later listed as killed in action, according to a message received by his wife, Mrs. Theda Arlene Thauren, 409 East Sixth street, on Oct. 26. He entered the service in December, 1943.
JOSEPH REIGN THOMAS, Gunner’s Mate 1/c
Joseph Reign Thomas, gunner’s mate 1/c in the navy was killed in action on Aug. 29, 1944, in an unnamed combat area, his wife, Mrs. Ella Edna Thomas, 1010 East Eighth street, was advised. He enlisted in October, 1943.
CPL. NORMAN A. THOMAS
Serving with an infantry unit in North Africa, Sgt. Norman A. Thomas was listed as being killed in action on Aug. 6, 1943, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Thomas, of Illinois City, were informed. He enlisted in November, 1940, and left for service overseas from Cap Pickett, Va., in November, 1942.
PAUL DALE THORNBURG
Paul Dale Thornburg, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Thornburg, of Eliza, Ill., was reported killed in action in North Africa. The information was received by his parents on June 29, 1943.
PFC WILLIAM THUMMA
An Associated Press Report on April 21, 1943, carried the announcement of the death of Pfc William Thumma, killed in action. He was the son of Mrs. Ethel M. Thumma, of West Branch.
THEODORE R. TUCKER, Electrician’s Mate First Class
Son of Mrs. W.S. Denham of Columbus Junction, Theodore R. Tucker died on Aug. 21, 1944 in the performance of his duty somewhere in the Pacific theater. He had been employed as a lineman for the Northwestern Bell Telephone co., and had made his home in Winterset before enlisting a year previously.
SGT. ROBERT VAN DOLAH
Death took place on Nov. 17, 1944, for Sgt. Robert Van Dolah, technician fourth grade in the United States Army, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Van Dolah, who reside near Illinois City. No details of the manner or place of his death were revealed by the war department. He entered service on Sept 19, 1942, and had been overseas for 20 months, previously serving in North Africa and Italy.
WILBUR B. WADE
Mr. and Mrs. William Wade, of Tipton, were informed in July, 1944, of the death of their son, Wilbur B. Wade, in action in Italy on June 28. He entered the army April, 2, 1941, and was in northern Ireland for a time before going to Italy. He had seen action in the North African campaign and later at the Anzio beachhead.
CECIL WATKINS
Reported missing in action with the army in North Africa Dec. 6, 1942, Cecil Watkins, son of Mrs. Hattie Watkins, of Nichols, died while a prisoner of Germany on Jan. 30, 1943, a message to his mother related. He joined the army in 1925 and served in Hawaii area for several years.
LT. CHARLES M. WEBER
An airplane crash at Millville Army Air Field, Millville, N.J. in May, 1944, caused the death of Lt. Charles M. “Wink” Weber, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Weber, Sr., 801 Mulberry avenue. He enlisted in the army air corps in July, 1942, and was called into active service in February, 1943. He received his wings as a pilot Jan.7, 1944, at Aloe Field, Tex.
PVT ROBERT C. WETZEL
Seriously wounded in action on Saipan in the Mariana islands in the Pacific on July 6, 1944, Pvt. Robert C. Wetzel, of Montpelier, died of his wounds the following day, a message to his brother, Wayne W. Wetzel , route 3 disclosed. He entered the armed services in November of 1941 and went overseas in February of 1942.
PFC. CHARLES KENNETH WINDER
A skull fracture caused the death of Pfc. Charles Kenneth Winder at Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea, according to a message received by his wife, Mrs. Nell Winder, at Wilton, in November, 1944. Pfc. Winder had been in service for 22 months and went overseas in October, 1943.
PVT. CARL CHESTER WOODOWRTH
Pvt. Carl Chester Woodworth was killed in action in Germany Sept. 17, 1944, a message received by his wife, who resides at 414 Begg street, disclosed. He entered military service Jan. 4, 1944, and had been overseas since Aug. 7.
CREIGHTON HALE WORKMAN, Fireman 1-c
The son of Lee Workman, of Lone Tree, and Marietta Workman, of Washington Ia., Fireman First Class Creighton Hale Workman was killed in the Japanese attack on Pear Harbor, Dec 7, 1941, He had trained at Great Lakes, Ill., before being assigned to a battleship in the Pacific theater.
MAJOR THEODORE E. WILLHITE
Major Theodore E. Willhite, son of Mrs. Ivy Willhite, 1108 Iowa avenue, was killed in action in the Italian theater of war while on a bombing mission over France on March 11, a message from the war department disclosed. His wife lives in Centralia, Wash. He had served with Major Jimmie Doolittle’s command. He enlisted prior to Pearl Harbor and received his wings at Randolph Field, Tex. in March, 1941.
WILLIAM ROBERT WILLIAMS
Somewhere in the south Pacific, William Robert Williams, of Columbus Junction, was killed in action, according to a message received by his parents May 21, 1943. He volunteered for service with the Chinese Fighting Tigers but later transferred to the United States forces.
STAFF SGT. DWAIN WHITMER
Mrs. Eileen Whitmer, 206 West Eighth street, received word in November that her husband, Staff Sgt. Dwain Whitmer, had been killed in action Oct.31, 1944, in Holland. He entered service in November, 1942, and received his training at Camp Adair, Ore., before going overseas in September of this year. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Whitmer, of Wilton.
LT. JOHN “JACK” WILSON
Lt. John “Jack” Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Wilson, of Muscatine, and husband of Janet Hildebrand Wilson of near West Liberty, was killed in an airplane crash near Greenville, S. C. Feb. 5, 1943, relatives were informed. The body was brought to Muscatine for funeral and burial.
SGT. W. WOLFORD
Sgt W. Wolford lost his life in the sinking of a troopship in enemy action on Nov. 27, 1943, his father Ray V. Wolford, Conesville, was advised.
DAVID CLARK WREN, Aviation Machinist’s Mate Third Class
Reported missing in action Aug. 9, 1942, when the plane on which he was serving was downed in action against the Japanese in the Aleutian island theater, David Clark Wren, aviation machinist’s mate third class, was presumed as dead by the navy department on Aug. 10, 1943, his father Joseph C. Wren, 207 East Second street, was informed. Aviation Machinist Wren had been awarded the Air Medal for gallantry on action against Japanese ships in Kiska harbor during the period June 1 to 15, 1942.
PVT VAGHN YEATER
Pvt. Vaughn Yeater, 19, was killed in action in the Italian theater of operations on May 31, 1944, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Yeater, 404 McArthur street, were advised. He enlisted Sept. 17, 1943, and was sent overseas Feb. 23, 1944.
PVT WARREN YOUNG
Pvt. Warren Young died on June 11, 1943, apparently while in a prison camp in the Philippines, relatives were informed. Son of the late Dr. J.L. Young, he had been in the thick of fighting in the Philippines and at Corregidor. He had enlisted in the army three years before Pearl Harbor.
GWYEN ARNOLD ZIEGENHORN, Seaman 1-c
Ruth Hoag Ziegenhorn, route No.4, on Jan. 13, 1944, was informed of the death of her husband, Seaman Gwyen Arnold Ziegenhorn, on Dec. 1, 1943, in the line of duty on New Guinea. He enlisted at Davenport Nov. 27, 1942, and went to sea from Camp Endicott, R.I., serving somewhere in the South Pacific.
Source: Year End Review Edition - Muscatine Journal & News Tribune - December 29, 1944, pages 8-12
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