One Killed, Another Missing
One Waterloo man was reported killed in action and one reported missing Monday, according to telegrams received from the war department by their respective parents.
Dead was First Lt. Wesley R. Farnum, 23, killed in action with the infantry on Luzon Jan. 17.
Missing in action is Sgt. James G. Patterson, 19.
First man on the Waterloo Daily Courier honor roll to be listed as dead, Lieutenant Farnum, who was killed in action with the infantry on Luzon Jan. 17, had been employed as a circulation truck driver until he entered armed service.
He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray S. Farnum, 738 West First street.
Born June 29, 1921, in Waterloo, son of a veteran of World war I, he lived here all his life, graduating from West high school in 1930, and attending Iowa State Teachers college for three years thereafter. He was active in band music activities at both schools.
He entered the army June 14, 1942, trained at Camp Ricker Ala., received officer’s candidate training at Ft. Benning, Ga., and was stationed at Camp Swift, Tex., and Ft. Ord, Cal., before embarking for duty overseas, Dec. 10, 1944.
Surviving are his parents, and one sister, Charlotte, now teaching at Ft. Madison, Ia. He was a member of First Methodist church.
[NOTE: Portions of this article regarding Sgt. James G. Patterson have been omitted but may be found on his individual webpage within this site.]
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Monday, February 12, 1945, (photo included)
Silver Star to Late Wes Farnum
The Silver Star has been posthumously awarded First Lt. Wesley R. Farnum for gallantry in action in the engagement which took his life Jan. 17, 1945, according to the citation received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray S. Farnum, 738 West First street.
Lieutenant Farnum, former Waterloo Daily courier employe (sic), had been serving with the infantry on Luzon for only a month when he was killed.
The citation read:
“When a strong enemy patrol attempted to move against the flank of his battalion, Lieutenant Farnum was sent to take charge of that defense of that flank. Quickly estimating the situation, he deployed his troops and was only partially finished organizing his defense when the Japanese attacked.
“Completely disregarding his own personal safety, and in the face of heavy fire from rifles and machine guns, he placed each man in position to afford the most effective fire.
“His own coolness and courage inspired the men, who were largely unseasoned troops, to fight a determined foe.
“Constantly he moved from position to position checking ammunition, helping the wounded, steadying the panicky. When the engagement terminated, 85 enemy dead were counted while his force suffered a minimum of casualties.”
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Sunday, March 03, 1946, (photo included)
Farnum Body Home Friday
The body of Lt. Wesley Farnum, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy S. Farnum, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy S. Farnum, 738 West First street, will arrive at Kearns Garden chapel Friday morning.
First Lieutenant Farnum, a former employee of the Waterloo Daily Courier circulation department, was killed in action on Luzon, P. I. Jan. 17, 1945.
He was 23 years old at the time of his death. Arrangements for memorial services and reburial are being made.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Sunday, August 10, 1948, Page 2
City in Brief
The family of Lt. Wesley Farnum, whose body is expected to arrive at Kearns Garden chapel Friday morning prior to committal services, is requesting that no flowers be sent. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray S. Farnum, 413 Wellington street, he was killed in action on Luzon, P. I. Jan. 17, 1945. He was 23 years old at the time of his death, and had been employed by the Waterloo Daily Courier before entering service. Memorial service arrangements will be made following arrival of the body.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Monday, August 11, 1948, Page 1
Farnum Rites to Be Monday
Funeral services for First Lt. Wesley Farnum, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray S. Farnum, 413 Wellington street, will be at 3 p. m. Monday in the First Methodist Episcopal church with Rev. Harlan W. Farnham of Grace Methodist church officiating.
Burial will be in Memorial park cemetery. The family requests no flowers.
Lieutenant Farnum, a member of the First Methodist church and a former employe (sic) of the Waterloo Daily Courier, was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for gallantry in the action which took his life on Luzon Jan. 17, 1945.
Surviving, in addition to the parents, is a sister, Charlotte, of 413 Wellington.
Born June 29, 1921, in Waterloo, son of a World war I veteran, Lieutenant Farnum lived here all his live, graduating from West high school in 1939, and attending Iowa State Teachers college for three years. He was active in band music activities at both schools.
He entered the army June 14, 1942, trained at Camp Rucker, Ala., received officer’s candidate training at Ft. Benning, Gal, and was stationed at Camp Swift, Tex., and Ft. Ord, Cal., before embarking for duty overseas Dec. 10, 1944.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Monday, August 13, 1948, Page 3
Transcriber’s Note: The paper gave two different addresses for Mr. and Mrs. Ray S. Farnum throughout these articles. It is not known which one is correct.
