Leon Fike Killed in Germany
Pfc. Roy Leon Fike, 24, one of the six sons of Mr. and Mrs. David R. Fike, Sr., 424 East 11th street, who was in service, was killed in action Christmas day in Germany, it was learned here Friday in a war department telegram.
Private Fike, whose wife and two sons, Terry Michael, seven months old, and two and a half year old Ronny Leon, reside with his parents, had been overseas with the infantry since the middle part of October, 1944.
The last letter received here from him was dated Dec. 18 and he stated that he had been awarded the combat infantryman’s badge.
A three-letter man in sports while attending East high school and a former employe (sic) of the Rath Packing Co., he entered service eight months ago and trained at Camp Wolters, Tex.
Born Dec. 13, 1920, in Bellville, Kan., he moved to Webster City, Ia., with his parents in 1925 and came to Waterloo six years later. On Aug. 30, 1941, he married Donna Fairbanks, who is the daughter of Mrs. Roger Aldrich, 346 Butler street, and E. L. Fairbanks, 516 Edward street.
He attended Central Christian church.
Surviving besides his parents, wife and two sons are four brothers, Marine Pfc. William Dwight Fike, in the south Pacific; Pvt. David Fike, Jr., stationed in the East Indies; Ernest Fike, seaman second class, based at Camp Endicott, R. I.; and Robert at home. Also two half-brothers, Marine Cpl. Lester J. Mellen, Sun Valley, Ida., and Pfc. Joseph N. Mellen, at Ft. Riley, Kan.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Thursday, January 05, 1945 (photo included)
Memorial Services
for Pvt. Leon Fike
Memorial services for Pfc. Roy Leon Fike will be conducted at 2:30 p. m. Sunday in the Church of the Brethren with Rev. Charles Dumond, pastor, officiating.
Private Fike, whose wife resides with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. David R. Fike, at 424 East 11th street, was killed in action Dec. 5, 1944, in northern Germany, where he was serving with an infantry unit.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Thursday, February 25, 1945, Page 8
Pvt. Fike served in World War II with the U.S. Army 414th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division and was KIA in Germany and awarded the Purple Heart.
He is buried in Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands.
Source: abmc.gov
