Le Mars Youth Answers Call While On Duty
Donald Langendorfer Of Fort Ord Killed In Accident
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Langendorfer of Grant township received word Wednesday from authorities at Fort Ord, California, informing them of the death of their son, Donald Robert Langendorfer. The message said young Langendorfer was accidentally killed but contained no further details.
Donald Langendorfer entered the navy last September, and was stationed at Camp Ord where he was an instructor at the Fort, training army men to land in barges when disembarking from ships.
Born June 10, 1914, on the farm where his parents reside. Donald Robert Langendorfer attended school here and worked on the farm until he entered service.
He leaves to mourn his death his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Langendorfer, a sister, Mary Frances of Sioux City, and four brothers, Lowell and Lloyd of Hobart, Ind., Lester of Sioux City and Wendell living at home.
Arrangements for the funeral are incomplete, pending the arrival of the remains.
Services will be held in the First Methodist church with Rev. W. M. Hubbard officiating, and interment made in the city cemetery.
Source: Le Mars Semi Weekly Sentinel, Friday, February 26, 1943
Last Rites For Young Sailor Held Monday
Donald Langendorfer Drowned On Duty When Boat Capsizes
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the First Methodist church for Donald Robert Langendorfer, who died Wednesday (February 23, 1943) at Fort Ord, Cal., while in the service of his country. The services, conducted by Rev. W. M. Hubbard, were largely attended.
Military honors were accorded by members of the American Legion and Company D of the Iowa National Guard, and a squad fired a volley over the grave as a parting salute.
Pall bearers were Gordon Gerling, Lyle Werley, Wayne Heusinkveld, John Langendorfer, Allen Hansen and Robert Grahlman.
Donald Langendorfer enlisted in the Navy last September and was stationed at Camp Ord, where he was instructor, training army men to land in barges when disembarking from ship. He was accidentally drowned, according to authorities, when he was thrown from a boat when it capsized and he was struck on the head by some object.
Source: Le Mars Semi Weekly Sentinel, Tuesday, March 2, 1943
18 KNOWN DEAD FROM PLYMOUTH
Speaking at the city cemetery Decoration Day, Morse Hoorneman gave the names of 18 Plymouth countyans reported killed in action, or died in line of duty in the present war.
No complete record has been compiled of Plymouth County wounded and prisoners of war. Those listed as dead are those whose bodies have actually been recovered, or those missing in action under circumstances which preclude the possibility that they may be alive as prisoners. The dead are:
KENNETH PAULIN, of LeMars.
EARL JEFFERS, of LeMars.
GLEN K. COLLINS, whose parents live in Akron and who worked in Plymouth County before he went into the service, and who was a member of K Company.
HAROLD MACK, of LeMars, who is reported missing, for whom hope has, I believe, been given up.
DONALD LANGENDORFER, of LeMars.
DONALD BEY, of Akron.
JOSEPH KONZ, who was formerly from Remsen.
JAMES MONTAGNE, of Akron.
DONALD HARNACK, of Remsen.
EILERT W. SEGGERMAN, of Remsen.
HERMAN STOOS, of LeMars.
WILLIAM ROSENOW, of Merrill.
LEO ROLFES, of Craig.
RONALD CAREY, of LeMars.
WALTER REICH, of Struble.
ROY McCARTHY, Westfield.
CLYDE PELTON, missing in action.
Mr. Hoorneman quoted from a letter received a few weeks ago by The Globe-Post from members of K Company, then already in action in Tunisia, in which they made it clear that fighting forces in the field rely upon, and need all of the support they can get from home.
“This letter,” he said, “in which are included the thoughts of boys we all knew—some of whom are no dead—and others wounded—is flecked with mud—Tunisian mud. It is the very soil in which many Americans, who have paid the supreme sacrifice, now lie buried. When I read over these lines, which convey clearly that our boys out there—and on many another front—often feel that we have forgotten them—I experience a feeling of poignant regret.”
But, the speaker added, the opportunity to make our fighting forces feel that we appreciate their sacrifices and are with them heart and soul, is a continuing opportunity. He urged that more and caring letters by written to men in the fighting services.
Previously to the ceremony at the city cemetery, a program was given at St. Joseph cemetery and the speaker there was Rev. Bauer, of St. James parish.
Fr. Bauer’s theme was the eroding and negative effect of the red. He pointed out that a hatred does not win wars and does not build enduring peace, but hatred is a handicap, rather than an asset, in any war effort. He warned that hatreds now during the present war may be carried over into the ensuing negotiations, and sow the seeds for future wars.
Source: LeMars Globe-Post, May 31, 1943
