Neighbors, With Forces At Leyte, Enjoy Reunion
Two Muscatine men who were neighbors before entering army service held an enjoyable reunion recently on Leyte island in the Philippines, according to word received by their parents.
The men are Cpl. Robert J. Behrens, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Behrens, 517 Kindler avenue, and Cpl. Harold Paetz, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Paetz and husband of Mrs. Donna Paetz, 509 Kindler avenue.
Encountering each other by chance on Leyte, the men were able to spend Feb. 2 and 3 together. It was the first time Cpl. Behrens has seen anyone from home in two years.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, February 19, 1945
Robert Jacob Behrens was born May 13, 1923 to John Jacob and Bertha Lange Behrens. He died July 13, 1993 and is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Muscatine, IA.
Cpl. Behrens served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 318th Troop Carrier Squadron Commandos in the Pacific.
Source: ancestry.com
