Frank P. Lanners is Victim of War
Remsen Boy Reported Dead of Wounds Received July 12 in Africa
The first overseas war fatality to strike into a family in the immediate Remsen community was announced Monday afternoon when a telegram from the War Department told Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lanners that their son, Pfc. Frank P. Lanners, had died of wounds received in battle.
Following is the message received from the office of the adjutant general.
“The Secretary of War desires that I tender his deepest sympathy to you in the loss of your son, Pfc. Frank P. Lanners. Report received states that he died on 12 July in the North African area as a result of wounds received in action. Letter follows.”
The soldier was with the 133rd division which was in training at Camp Claiborne, La., in 1941.
The people of this community join the parents in sorrow over the loss of their soldier son. Frank was their all—their only child.
Frank Lanners, 25 years old, was born on the farm southwest of Remsen January 6, 1918. He attended St. Mary’s school and later assisted on the farm until he was called to the defense of his country. Entering the army April 26, 1941, he soon was sent to join the 133rd at Camp Claiborne, training there until the fateful December 7, of that year when the division was immediately moved to Camp Dix, N. J., the preliminary to the overseas voyage.
At Camp Dix Pvt. Lanners was taken down with a finger infection, result of a cut received while assisting as a cook and which took him to the hospital on April 10. Six days later his ship departed but Frank was a hospital patient for three months.
In July he was given a 15-day furlough—his first, and the last until he was called to the long, last furlough as announced in the message that Monday crushed the hearts of his parents.
Back to Fort Dix after his visit home, he was ordered to work in the shipyards for a short time, and December 1, 1942, found him on the African front. His frequent letters home withheld news of his military activities, presumably for the sake of shielding the parents from worry. Not until they received word of his death were the parents aware of his activities on the fighting front.
Memorial Service.
Memorial services with a requiem high mass for Remsen’s first victim to actual combat overseas will take place Monday morning at 9 o’clock in St. Mary’s Catholic church, of which the young soldier was a devout member. The mass will be sung by the pastor, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. M. A. Schemel, who will preach a brief sermon.
Military honors will be accorded by Pieper post, American Legion, Dickman post, Veterans of Foreign Wars and their auxiliary bodies, and be men or women of the present military force who may be home at the time.
The former service men and the ladies will congregate at the Legion hall at 8:30 o’clock Monday morning and march to the church. During the services, veterans and present servicemen will stand at attention beside the flag-draped catafalque.
Stores to Close.
Cooperating with the veterans, Mayor John Keffeler is asking business places to close during the hour of the Memorial mass---from 9 to 10 o’clock.
Source: Remsen Bell-Enterprise, August, 19, 1943
REMSEN SOLDIER REPORTED KILLED IN SICILY, JULY 12
Had Been In Service For More Than Two Years
Mr. and Mrs. Peter P. Lanners, of Remsen, were notified Tuesday of the death of their son and only child, Frank Lanners, with the army in the Mediterranean area.
Young Lanners, who was 22 years old when he was inducted April 24, 1941, had been overseas for some time and his parents had letters from him in Tunisia. The date of his death, July 12, indicates he may have been taking part in the invasion of Sicily which started July 9. No further particulars have been received by the family and his name has not yet appeared in the casualty lists in the papers.
Frank Lanners, 25 years old, was born on the farm southwest of Remsen January 6, 1918. He attended St. Mary’s school and later assisted on the farm until he was called to the defense of his country. Entering the army April 24, 1941, he soon was sent to join the 133rd at Camp Claiborne, training there until the fateful December 7 of that year, when the division was immediately moved to Camp Dix, N.J., the preliminary to the overseas voyage.
At Camp Dix, Pvt. Lanners was taken down with a finger infection, result of a cut received while assisting as a cook and which took him to the hospital on April 10. Six days later his ship departed but Frank was a hospital patient for three months.
Back to Camp Dix after his visit home on a furlough, he was ordered to work in the shipyards for a short time, and December 1, 1942, found him on the African front. His frequent letters home withheld news of his military activities, presumably for the sake of shielding his parents from worry. Not until they received word of his death were the parents aware of his activities on the fighting front.
Memorial services with a requiem high mass for Remsen’s first victim to actual combat overseas will take place Monday morning at 9 o’clock in St. Mary’s Catholic church, of which the young soldier was a devout member. The mass will be sung by the pastor, Rt. Rev. Msgr. M.A. Schemel, who will preach a brief sermon.
Military honors will be accorded by Pieper Post, American Legion; Dickman Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars and their auxiliary bodies, and by men and women of the present military force who may be home at the time.
Source: LeMars Sentinel, August 20, 1943
