PLYMOUTH – Mrs. Marvin Parker received word that her brother, Donald Dean, who has been in North Africa, has been promoted to the rank of private first class.
Source: The Globe-Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Friday, July 02, 1943, Page 7
Man Missing in Italian Campaign
Nashua – Warren Dean received a telegram from the war department stating that his son, Pfc. Donald L. Dean, had been missing in action in Italy since April 26. Pvt. Dean entered the service in June, 1942, and was in the infantry. He took his training in Texas.
Source: The Globe-Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Monday, May 29, 1944, Page 8
Pfc. Dean Missing Since May
Is Reported Killed in Action
Made His Home Here With Grandparents;
Father in Nashua
Pfc. Donald Lisle Dean, reported missing in action in Italy last May, is now listed as dead, according to a telegram received from the war department.
Pfc. Dean was born in Mason City Nov. 28, 1919, attended the Mason City schools and was in the 2nd year in high school when he started to work in radio with the NYA at Central school.
His mother died in 1931, leaving 5 children and they have been under the care of the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. August H. Grohs, 527 4th S. E., this city, with whom they made their home. He was a member of the First Baptist church here.
Pfc. Dean entered the service in the infantry in June, 1942, and had been on duty in Africa before being sent to Italy. The last word that his grandmother had received from him is a Mother’s day V-mail greeting, sent early enough so as to be received here on Mother’s day. He had been missing since April 26, 1944.
Two brothers, Lloyd and Verlon, and 2 sisters, Mrs. Harold Pinta and Mrs. Guy M. Bemiss, all of Mason City, survive, besides 2 aunts, Mrs. Emory Marshall of Chicago, and Mrs. A.E. McKeen of Long Beach, Cal. The father, Warren Dean, now lives at Nashua, Iowa.
Source: The Globe-Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Monday, August 21, 1944, Page 11 (photo included)
Memory of Pfc. Donald Dean to Be
Honored Here Sunday
Services at Radio Chapel at 3 O’Clock;
Rev. Sentman in Charge
Memorial services for Pfc. Donald Dean, killed in action in Italy, will be conducted at Radio chapel on Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock with the Rev. Carl J. Sentman, pastor, in charge. An invitation to patriotic organizations to attend with their colors is extended.
Pfc. Dean was born in Mason City on Nov. 28, 1919. He had made his home with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. August H. Grohs, 527 4th N. E., since 1931, when his mother passed away, as had 2 sisters and 2 brothers who survive. They are Mrs. Harold Pinta and Mrs. Guy M. Bemiss and Lloyd and Verlon, Mason City. His father, Warren Dean, lives at Nashua.
Pfc. Dean was first reported missing in action on April 25. In August a telegram from the war department stated that he had been killed in action. He entered the service in June, 1942, and had served in Africa before going to Italy.
Source: The Globe-Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Friday, September 08, 1944, Page 7
Donald L. Dean was born Nov 28, 1919 to Warren Elmer and Lillian G. (Lily) Grohs Dean. He died Apr. 26, 1944 and is buried in Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy and has a cenotaph in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, IA.
Pvt. Dean served in World War II with the U.S. Army 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division and was KIA and awarded the Purple Heart.
Sources: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
