SGT. JOSEPH BOYLE KILLED IN ACTION ON FIGHTING LINE
Parents Notified By Secretary of War Department
Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Boyle, residing 306 Fifth Avenue S.W., received a telegram Wednesday night from the War department, announcing that their son, Sergeant Joseph L. Boyle had been killed in action May 29, while fighting in Italy. The telegram read:
“The secretary of war desires that I tender his deep sympathy to you in the loss of your son, Sgt. Joseph L. Boyle, who was previously reported missing in action. Report now received states that he was killed in action May 29 in Italy. Letter follows, Ulio, the adjutant general.”
Mr. and Mrs. Boyle received a telegram June 21 from the War department stating Sgt. Boyle was missing in action.
The last letters the Boyle family received from their son, Sgt. Boyle, were dated May 11 and May 18 from Anzio, and stated he was in good health. In one of the letters he told them that Jim Hardacre, another LeMars soldier, was with him at Anzio.
The day before the Boyle family received their first telegram announcing that their son was “missing in action” they received a letter from another son, Edward, who is fighting in Itlay, saying Joseph had succumbed to wounds. In his letter Edward Boyle said he had been given permission to go over to Company K quarters to see if he could get any personal belongings of his brother, but could not find a trace of them.
The Boyle family has two other sons in the service. Owen Boyle, carpenter’s mate third class in the navy, is stationed at Portland, Oregon, and Thomas Boyle is a naval petty officer somewhere in the Pacific.
Sergeant Joseph L. Boyle was a member of Company K of LeMars when war broke out and went to Camp Claiborne, La., with the first contingent in March 1941, and was transferred from there to Camp Dix, N.Y., and went overseas to Ireland and England for several months before going to the fighting line in North Africa and then to Italy. When in Ireland he was transferred to Company F and in March of this year was transferred back to Company K.
He was born in LeMars, March 28, 1913, and attended school here. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Boyle, of LeMars; three sisters, Mrs. Ray Wiese of Westfield, Alice and Arabella at home; and seven brothers, Owen of Portland, Oregon, Charles of Englewood, Calif., Thomas serving in the navy the past eight years, Clarence of Istrouma, La., Pvt. Edward Boyle serving in Italy, Francis and William at home.
Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, July 11, 1944
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR SERGEANT L. BOYLE TO BE HELD JULY 27
Memorial services will be held for Sergeant Joseph L. Boyle, at St. James church in this city Thursday morning, July 27, at 8 o’clock. The services will be held in charge of Rev. W.B. Bauer. Members of the American Legion and soldiers and sailors on leave will attend the services.
Sergeant Boyle, a son of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Boyle, was killed in action, May 29, while fighting in Italy. He was a member of Company K and in March, 1941, went with the company to Camp Claiborne, La., and was in England and Ireland for several months before going to the fighting line in North Africa and then to Italy.
Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, July 21, 1944
HONOR MEMORY OF TWO SOLDIERS
Services for Sgt. Boyle and Pvt. Kettler
Memorial services will be held at St. James church in this city Thursday morning, July 27, at 9 o’clock for Sergeant Joseph L. Boyle and Private Walter Kettler, who died while fighting for their country in Italy. The services will be held in charge of Rev. W.B. Bauer, Members of Company D., members of the American Legion and soldiers and sailors on leave will attend the services.
Sergeant Boyle, son of Mr. and Mrs. P.J. Boyle of this city, was killed in action May 29, while fighting in Italy. He was a member of Company K and in March 1941, went with the company to Camp Claiborne, La., and was in England and Ireland for several months before going to the fighting line in North Africa and then to Italy. He was 31 years of age.
Private Walter Kettler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo J. Kettler of LeMars, was killed in action May 29, while on the front fighting near Rome, Italy. He was born March 28, 1919, at Alton and came to LeMars when a boy. He was a member of Company K, LeMars, and went with the company to Camp Claiborne, La., and was ordered to Ireland in 1942 and then to the front line.
Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, July 25, 1944
Joseph Leonard Boyle was born Mar. 29, 1913 to Patrick Joseph and Ethel Edna Heath Boyle. He died May 29, 1944.
Sgt. Joseph Leonard Boyle is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Le Mars, IA.
He served in World War II with the U.S. Army 133rd Infantry, 34th Infantry Division.
Source: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
