Guard Drill Intensified at Camp
Claiborne; Promotions Made
Vast War Games Planned as New Weapons Arrive;
Camp Guard Organized
Intense field training is now underway for Mason City national guard units at Camp Claiborne. New weapons are being received by all companies, a cam guard has been organized, new construction has been authorized, promotions have been announced and new troop maneuvers in the area are being planned.
. . . The following privates have been promoted to the grade of private first class. . . Francis J. Breslin . . .
Mason City guard quota have received new Garand rifles, 80 millimeter trench mortars and other armament. Still more similar equipment is expected as soon as the companies receive quotas of selectees which will fill them to war strength.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Thursday, March 27, 1941, Page 9
Clear Lake Briefs
Francis Breslin, Camp Claiborne, La., son of James Breslin and cousin of Mrs. Frank Wilder, is confined to the hospital with throat infection.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Thursday, December 11, 1941, Page 6
Clear Lake Briefs
Mrs. Frank Wilder has received word from her cousin, Pvt. Francis Breslin, formerly of Clear Lake, stating that he is well and getting along fine. He is now in North Africa. Pvt. Breslin left for active service last year with the national guard from Mason City. His father, James Breslin, lives at Doughterty.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Wednesday, April 14, 1943, Page 4
MISSING IN ACTION
Pvt. Francis Breslin, 25, who left Mason City in the first group of Company F, Iowa National guards, is missing in action according to word received by his mother’s cousin, Mrs. Frank Wilder, 710 Oak street, Clear Lake, with whom he made his home. No particulars were learned.
The message came through the Red Cross.
Pvt. Breslin’s father, James Breslin, is employed on a farm near Mason City and his mother is Mrs. Walter Hansen, Walla Walla, Wash.
Mrs. Wilder has learned that Pvt. Breslin had been wounded twice, the last on June 4 when he suffered broken legs and shrapnel wounds which confined him to the hospital many weeks. She had not heard from him in several weeks and had rather expected he would be sent home.
Pvt. Breslin has a number of relatives living near Dougherty.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Tuesday, October 24, 1944, Page 10 (photo included)
NOTE: According to the Globe Gazette, Monday, July 01, 1946, Private Breslin was still missing in action at the end of the war.
