Gold Stars Are Symbols of Mother’s Day
for Women Whose Sons Will Never Return
These mothers represent hundreds like them in Waterloo to whom Mother’s day brings memories of the sons who will never return from service in World war II. Although they join with the nation in rejoicing in the victory over Germany, they contributed more than anyone else to make V-E day a reality.
Shown above with the only contact she has left with her son, Staff Sgt. Wendell Hayward, who was killed Jan. 30, 1944, with the Rangers at Anzio beachhead, is Mrs. Florence Hayward, 629 West Fifth street, and “Sookie,” the 13-year-old Irish terrier which her son brought home one day when he was only ten years of age.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Sunday, May 13, 1945, Page 6 (photo included)
Wendell Hayward’s Body on Way Here
The body of Tech. Sgt. Wendell Lavern Hayward, accompanied by military escort, will arrive in Waterloo Thursday at 5:10 p. m. aboard the Illinois Central’s Iowan.
Sergeant Hayward, the son of Mrs. Florence Hayward, 615 ½ West Fifth street, was killed in Italy Jan 30, 1944. The body will be taken to Kearns Garden chapel where arrangements for reburial will be completed.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Thursday, August 05, 1948, Page 13
Sgt. Wendell Lavern Hayward is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Waterloo, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
