WHEREABOUTS
Pvt. Peter Hart, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred O. Hart, 823 Washington S. W., who entered the service on Sept. 21, is now stationed at Camp Jos. T. Robinson, Ark.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Friday, October 13, 1944, Page 14
Mason Cityan Is Reported Killed in War
Pvt. Peter Hart, son and only child of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick O. Hart, 816 Jefferson N. W., previously listed as missing in action in Germany on March 19, was killed in combat on that date, according to a message received here from the war department.
Pvt. Hart was inducted into the service in Sept., 1944. After completing basic training at Camp Robinson, Ark., he was home on a short furlough in Feb., 1945, following which he was sent overseas. He went across as a casual and joined the 102nd regiment of the 94th division on March 12, just 7 days before he met his death.
Peter was born on June 6, 1928, in Vienna, Austria, and came to this country with his parents in Jan., 1939. He attended the Mason City schools and was graduated with the class of 1945, receiving his diploma in absentia.
Besides his parents he is survived by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Bunzel, also of the above address.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Friday, September 28, 1945, Page 1 (photo included)
Iowa War Casualties
(Official OWI reports on State’s Army, Navy Losses in all theaters of action.)
Army Dead—European.
S/Sgt. Helmer W. Gangestad, Webster City;
Pvt. Peter Hart, Mason City;
Pvt. Glenn W. Keller, Ottumwa.
Source: Carroll Times-Herald, October 8, 1945
Naturalization Papers Tuesday
American Legion to Assist in
Posthumous Presentation to Hart
Posthumous presentation of naturalization certificate for Pvt. Peter Hart, who was killed in action in the European theater of war March 19, 1945, will be granted to his mother, Mrs. Fred O. Hart, 816 N. Jefferson, when she received her own naturalization certificate at the opening of federal court session for the northern district of Iowa, central division, next Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock.
Twenty-five persons will receive their naturalization certificates at this time, pending final hearings of their petitions. The American Legion will participate in the proceedings with appropriate ceremonies and talks, and will present the certificates, according to Commdr. Elias Kelroy.
Pvt. Hart was granted naturalization while serving in the army at Little Rock, Ark. Dec. 21, 1944. Before it was delivered to him he was killed in action.
Born in Vienna, Austria, June 4, 1926, by the name of Peter Herzl, Pvt. Hart came to the United States on Jan. 191, 1939, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fritz Herzl, who changed their names to Hart. The father is a clerk at the Hub Clothing company and the mother is a saleslady at the B & B shoe store. They are buying their home in Mason City.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Tuesday, November 20, 1945, Page 15
13 Certificates Given in Court Naturalization
Ceremony Conducted for Special One Given
to Mother of Soldier
Naturalization certificates were presented to 13 persons in federal court before Judge Henry N. Graven Tuesday morning and one certificate was issued posthumously to Pvt. Peter Hart, who was killed in action March 19, 1945, in the European theater of war.
Mrs. Maria Hart, mother of Pvt. Hart, who also received her own naturalization certificate Tuesday morning, accepted that of her son. The presentation was made by B. R. Dunn, service officer of the American Legion, in a special ceremony before the court.
“On this special occasion, it is with a feeling of humility that I make this presentation,” said Mr. Dunn. “No words of mine could add or detract one iota from the record of Peter Hart. The record speaks for itself.
“Six years ago he first set foot on American soil and in less than 5 years this immigrant boy had laid down his life in defense of principles insulated in his heart as he played here.
“To you, Mrs. Hart, no words of mine could ease your soul or memory, but we do want you to know that America is a grateful nation. Pvt. Peter Hart’s record speaks for itself. On behalf of the government of the United States I present this certificate.”
Following the special presentation flags were presented by the American Legion Auxiliary to the individuals receiving naturalization certificates.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Tuesday, November 27, 1945, Page 6
Joint Memorial Services Set
Joint public memorial services honoring 4 Mason Cityans who gave their lives in the service will be held at Music hall Sunday afternoon at 3:30 with the Rev. Alvin N. Rogness, pastor of Trinity Lutheran church, giving the eulogy.
Burial flags from the U. S. government will be presented to the next of kin of the 4 men as follows: To H. J. Hendrickson, 25 20th S. E., for his son, Lt. Lawrence E. Hendrickson; to Fred Hart, 816 Jefferson N. W., for his son, Pvt. Peter Hart; to Harriette J. Larson, 1442 Jefferson N. W., for her husband, F/O Harley R. Larson; and to Frances Louis Spencer, for her husband Pfc. William C. Spencer.
Gold star citation scrolls from the national department of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and flowers from the 3 local organizations will also be presented to those receiving the flags.
The service will begin with a 5 minute piano prelude played by Mrs. Mildred Wolf. Mrs. T. J. Kiesselbach will be soloist.
Honor guard and firing squad for the day will be furnished by Company E of the Iowa state guard, Capt. L. R. Whipple commanding officer, with Lt. George C. Mathews in charge. Bugler of the day will be Dick Whipple, veteran returned from overseas.
All veterans organizations will attend in a body with their colors. They are requested to be at Music hall at 3:15. Tyler Stewart is in charge of arrangements.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Friday, January 25, 1946 Page 7
Memorial Service for Hart
at Synagogue Wednesday Night
Rabbi Martin Weitz, Former Chaplain,
to Be Here From Des Moines
A memorial service for Peter Hart, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick O. Hart, 816 Jefferson N. W., who was killed in action in Germany a year ago, will be held at Adas Israel synagog (sic), 620 Adams N. W., Wednesday evening at 8 o’clock, with Rabbi Martin Weitz, Des Moines, conducting the service.
Hart was born on June 6, 1926, in Vienna, Austria, and came to this country with his parents in Jan., 1939. He was graduated from the Mason City high school with the class of 1945, receiving his diploma in absentia. He was inducted into the service in Sept., 1944 and went overseas the next February as a casual, joining the 102nd regiment of the 94th division on March 12, just 7 days before he met his death.
Rabbi Weitz is pastor of a leading Jewish congregation in Des Moines. He returned to the states a year ago from overseas service as chaplain in the Pacific and was stationed at that time on as regional Jewish chaplain at Fitzsimons general hospital, Denver, Colo., until his election to the Des Moines synagog (sic) last September.
Before his return to the states, Chaplain Weitz was given a special commendation for his morale building among all faiths, by Lt. Gen. Oscar W. Griswold, then commanding general of the northern Solomons. Rabbi Weitz has contributed articles and essays to numerous publications and is the author of “Timberline,” a book of verse, and a number of booklets and tracts on contemporary religious and sociological themes.
The services are open to the public and not limited to members of the church only.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Tuesday, March 19, 1946 Page 7
HART MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD
“He Died That We Could Learn to Live,” Weitz
A memorial service honoring Peter Hart, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick O. Hart, 816 Jefferson N. W., killed in action in Germany on march 19, 1945, was held at the Adas Israel synagog (sic) Wednesday night with Rabbi Martin Weitz, former chaplain with the armed forces, now of Temple B’nai Jeshurun, Des Moines, conducting the service.
“We give homage to the life of Peter Hart because of the legacy it bequeathed to us,” said Rabbi Weitz to the large number of persons gathered to pay tribute to the young soldier.
“Peter Hart and other men like him died that we could learn to live together. They have bequeathed to us something to remember. They have left to us a sense of proportion of the work ahead so that life may be meaningful, not empty vanity,” said Rabbi Weitz.
“He has bequeathed to us a sense of direction that we might end our zigzag course in life. Hatred will not destroy our enemy – it will destroy us,” he declared.
“Young men like Peter Hart have left with us a sense of creation. We learn that out of adversity and chaos can come beauty, peace and dignity that is latent in all of us. We would live and complete the task he started – we shall be the unknown soldiers who strive to free this earth of frustration,” the rabbi concluded.
The sermon was preceded by a prayer service such as those conducted overseas by chaplains for men in the armed forces. Special music for the service was provided by Mier Charzen, soloist; Mrs. Norman Chapman, violinist; Mrs. Harry Wolf, piano; and Alexander Madenburg, assistant soloist. Taps was played at the conclusion of the prayer service by Bill Nicholas.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Thursday, March 21, 1946 Page 3
