14 IOWANS ARE ITALY’S PRISONERS
WASHINGTON, May 13 (AP)—The War Department announced today the names of 14 Iowans who are held as prisoners of war by Italy.
They were:
Pvt. Milford W. Beldt, son of Mrs. Aubona Beldt, Sheldon;
Pvt. Harley H. Applegate, son of Mrs. Josephine Applegate, Oakland;
Cpl. Arthur P. Clemitson, son of Halvor A. Clemitson, Graettinger;
Cpl. Elbert L. Cline, son of Mrs. Berdie Thompson, Clarinda;
Pvt. Lee R. Coles, son of Mrs. Lucy E. Coles, Scranton;
Pfc. Dwight H. Conklin, son of Harry E. Conklin, Audubon;
Pfc. Leo A. Cross, son of Mrs. Gertrude G. Cross, Baxter;
Pfc. Darrell DeCamp, son of Ralph V. DeCamp, Adel;
Pvt. Norman A. Ellsworth, son of Mrs. Bertha Partello, Blairsburg;
Pvt. John H. Freiberg, son of Hubert M. Freiberg, Dexter;
Pfc. Bernard E. Lynch, son of Michael T. Lynch, West Branch;
Pfc. Frederick J. Manternach, son of Phillip Manternach, Cascade;
Pfc. Martin E. Wood, jr., son of Mrs. Margaret Wood, Melcher;
Pvt. Charles E. Young, son of Ray Young, Audubon.
Source: Creston News Advertiser, May 13, 1943
BACK TO DUTY FOR SOLDIER
Pvt. Norman Ellsworth Was Former Prisoner in Italy.
It was back to army duty Monday for Pvt. Norman Ellsworth of Blairsburg after he had completed a 10-day furlough at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Martello, following his return from the Mediterranean war zone where he was at one time an axis prisoner.
Private Ellsworth was captured in Tunisia Feb. 17, in the first stages of the Tunisian campaign. Wounded, he was removed to Italy by the retreating axis forces.
The war caught back up with him when the allies invaded Sicily and then Italy. On Sept. 14, Private Ellsworth escaped from enemy held territory and started a long hazardous flight toward the allied lines.
After two months of hiding from nazi patrols, living in foxholes and existing on any food he could find, the soldier reached allied held territory. His arm had also been broken in his flight for freedom, causing him much pain.
Following a short period of recuperation he was sent back to the U. S. on furlough. Now he is reporting to Fort Sheridan, Ill., for a new assignment.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - Jan. 4, 1944
Norman Albert Ellsworth was born July 24, 1913 to Herman Harrison and Bertha Stumpf Ellsworth. He died Mar. 29, 1974 at Kennewick, WA.
Pvt. Ellsworth served with the U.S. Army in World War II in the North African Theatre in Italy. He was a Prisoner of War in Italy.
Source: ancestry.com
