Ackley Soldier Is Missing in France
Ackley, Ia. – John McGough received word Tuesday from the war department that his son, Pfc. Bernard McGough, has been missing in action in France since Jan. 28.
Bernard was with the 42nd division, infantry, and when last he wrote said he was along the western front, near Strasbourg, south of the Seventh army.
He enlisted Aug. 13, 1943, at Waterloo where he was employed at inspector in a defense plant, and trained at Camp Gruber, Okla., before going overseas in November, 1944, He was first sent to southern France.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Wednesday, February 14, 1945, Page 5 (photo included)
Ackley Soldier Is Reported Killed
Ackley, Ia.—John McGough received word Tuesday from the war department stating that his son, Pfc. Bernard McGough, who a week ago had been reported missing, was killed Jan. 28.
Bernard was born Apr. 18, 1910, on a farm in south Franklin county, where he grew to manhood. He attended Ackley high school and was graduated with the class of 1928.
He attended Iowa State college at Ames where he took a three months' training course in inspection work, and was sent to Chicago, Moline and lastly to Waterloo, where he was employed the last two years.
Surviving are his father, one sister, Mrs. Ira Studebaker; two brothers, Edmund and Cyril, all of Ackley.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic church by Rev. J. J. Murtagh.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Wednesday, February 21, 1945, Page 5
PAY TRIBUTE TO MILITARY HERO
Rites to Be Held for Pvt. Bernard McGough
Ackley — Memorial services for Pfc. Bernard McGough will be held at St. Mary's Catholic church Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., the Rev. J.J. Murtagh officiating. Merle Elliott American Legion post will be in charge.
Pvt. McGough was killed in action in France Jan. 28. It is thought that he lost his life during the bloody fighting in Alsace. He was with the 42nd division.
Bernard was born April 18, 1910, on a farm north of Ackley. He was graduated from Ackley high with the class of 1928 and attended Iowa State college where for 3 years he took a course in agricultural engineering. He was employed in Chicago, and Moline, Ill., and Waterloo before his enlistment.
He is survived by his father, one sister, Mrs. Ira Studebaker, southwest of Ackley, and two brothers, Cyril and Edmund of Ackley.
Source: Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Monday, February 27, 1945, Page 8
Deaths
BERNARD McGOUGH
A war casualty, for whom memorial services were held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Wednesday morning.
The services were very largely attended by sympathizing friends of the McGough family.
Son of John McGough: mother deceased.
Solemn High Mass was conducted Wednesday morning at 9:30 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, a memorial in tribute to P.F.C. Bernard McGough who was killed in action in France Jan. 28. Rev. Father N. Steffen of Ames was the celebrant of the Mass; the Rev. Father J.J. Murtagh, who was sub-deacon, delivered the sermon. Rev. Father Cassidy of Parkersburg served as Deacon. Merle Elliott Post of the American Legion had charge of the military rites.
Source: Ackley World Journal, Ackley, Iowa, Wednesday, March 01, 1945, Page 3
Bernard Martin McGough was born Apr. 18, 1910 to John and Alice Cooney McGough. He died Jan. 28, 1945 and is buried in Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial, Dinoze, France. He also has a cenotaph in Saint Marys Catholic Church Cemetery, Ackley, IA.
Pvt. McGough served with the U.S. Army 242nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division. He was KIA and awarded the Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com
