IN ENGLAND—Pvt. Wesley Hagens, whose wife resides at 156 Sherman street, has arrived safely in England, according to word received here. Pvt. Hagens entered the service on Dec. 14, 1943.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, August 31, 1944
ADVANCED.
Wesley Hagens has been promoted to private first class according to word received by his wife, who resides at 1202 ½ Oak street. He has been overseas since August 1944, and is now located in France.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, January 4, 1945
Pfc. W. S. Hagens Is Missing On European Front
Pfc. Wesley S. Hagens of Muscatine has been missing in action in France since Dec. 23, 1944, according to information received Sunday from the War Department by his wife, Mrs. Mildred B. Hagens, 1202 ½ Oak street.
Pfc. Hagens entered service Dec. 14, 1943, and was in training at Camp Fannin, Tex., and Camp Van Dorn, Miss., before going to England in August, 1944, from which point he was later moved to France.
The last letter from him was received by his wife Dec. 21. He had been employed at the Roth service station and at the Huttig Mfg. co., before entering service.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, January 15, 1945 (photo included)
Pfc. W. Hagens Listed Missing, Dead, Kin Told
Pfc. Wesley Samuel Hagens, previously listed as missing in action in France since Dec. 23, was killed in action on that date, a telegram informed his wife, Mrs. Mildred B. Hagens, 1202 ½ Oak street, Saturday.
Pfc. Hagens was serving with an infantry division of the Seventh Army. He entered service Dec. 14, 1943, and trained at Camp Fannin, Tex., and Camp Van Dorn, Miss., going overseas to England in August of 1944. He was later sent into action in France.
Born in Muscatine on Jan. 4, 1916, he spent his entire life here. He had been employed at the Roth service station and at the Huttig Mfg. company before entering service.
Surviving are his wife and three children, Wesley John, Thomas Grant, and Letahe Deane. His parents and one son preceded him in death.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, February 5, 1945 (photo included)
Tribute to Memory Of 7 Servicemen Planned
Seven Muscatine county servicemen whose deaths have been reported between Jan. 20 and Feb. 17 will be honored at the February community memorial rites at the high school auditorium at 2:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon, officials in charge have announced.
The program followed for the services will again include the memorial ritual of the American Legion with other patriotic organizations in the county participating. Leonard Plessy will be soloist and Miss Catherine Flannery, organist. Dr. Henry C. Schneider, Legion post chaplain, will offer the eulogy.
The servicemen to be honored include: Pvt. Fred Hintermeister, killed in action in Luxembourg, Dec. 23, 1944. Lt. Phillip Fagan, killed in action in Belgium, Jan. 14. Tech. Sgt. Karle E. Kolmerer, killed in action over Germany, Sept. 10, 1944. Pvt. Roy E. Bond, killed in action in Belgium, Jan. 3. Staff Sgt. Donald G. Kopf, killed in action over Germany May 27, 1944. Pfc. Wesley Samuel Hagens killed in action in France, Dec. 23, 1944. Pvt. Marvin G. Daufeldt killed in action in France, Jan. 25.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, February 21, 1945
WITH THOSE IN SERVICE
Six Servicemen Who Made Supreme Sacrifice Are Honored At Rites Here
The fourth community memorial rites in honor of Muscatine county soldiers and sailors killed in the service of their country were conducted by patriotic organizations at the high school auditorium Sunday afternoon with Dr. Henry C. Schneider, American Legion post chaplain, offering the eulogy. Six servicemen whose deaths have been reported since the January memorial were honored: Pfc. Fred Hintermeister, Lt. Phillip Fagan, Tech. Sgt. Karle E. Kolmerer, Pvt. Roy E. Bond, Pfc. Wesley Samuel Hagens and Pvt. Marvin G. Daufeldt. [in part the rest of this article reads:] “We eulogize these men,” Dr. Schneider said, “their sacrifices, their bravery, their courage. We call them our heroes—they are. But there is little comfort in eulogizing unless we know that they have not died in vain.” L. C. Flannery, Legion commander, was in charge of the rites, with music provided by Leonard Plessy, soloist, and Catherine Flannery, organist.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, February 26, 1945
140 Have Made Supreme Sacrifice In Muscatine Area In War Against Axis Powers; Many Reported Wounded
Pfc. Wesley Samuel Hagens, husband of Mrs. Mildred B. Hagens, 1202 ½ Oak street, killed in action Dec. 23, 1944, in France.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, Victory In Europe Edition, May 7, 1945
Solemn Procession Continues Through 1948 as War Dead Are Returned Home
Flag-draped caskets, coming from the European and Pacific war theaters, were brought to Muscatine county and other neighboring communities at intervals throughout the year of 1948 as the solemn procession of the country’s war dead continued to move home.
As each casket carrying a soldier, sailor, marine or flier who died during World War II was returned, last honors were accorded to the servicemen at funeral and burial rites. Final interment was in the cemetery chosen by his next-of-kin.
This year was the second for the government’s program of returning the bodies of war dead to the United States for burial in keeping with the wishes of their family. Inaugurated in the fall of 1947, the program has to date seen the return from overseas cemeteries of more than 50 bodies of men from this vicinity who died in the service of their country during the war.
The list of war dead returned to Muscatine and surrounding counties includes the following:
Pfc. Wesley S. Hagens, husband of Mrs. Mildred Hagens, 919 Colver street, killed in action in France, Dec. 23, 1944. Burial at Greenwood cemetery in Muscatine.
Source: The Muscatine Journal, December 30, 1948
