WAR DEPARTMENT NOTIFIES PARENTS OF ROY W. NEWMAN
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Newman, of this city, have received word from the war department that their son, Pvt. Roy W. Newman, who was stationed in the Philippines when Corregidor fell, must be considered missing in action until definite information to the contrary is received.
In a letter from the adjutant general, the department stated that it was impossible to divulge more information, but it was hoped that at some future date the government would receive through Geneva from the Japanese government a list of persons who have been taken prisoners of war.
“In the case of persons known to have been present in the Philippines,” said the letter, “and who are not reported to be prisoners of war by the Japanese government, the war department will continue to carry them as “missing in action,” in the absence of information to the contrary until twelve months have expired. At the expiration of twelve months and in the absence of other information, the war department is authorized to make a final determination.”
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA – May 26, 1942
NEWMANS RECEIVE OFFICIAL NOTICE FROM DEPARTMENT
Although several of the Hamilton county youths reported missing in action in the Philippine Islands following the fall of Bataan have since been reported prisoners of the Japanese, the name of Pvt. Roy W. Newman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Newman of this city has been officially continued on the missing list by the war department.
The youth’s parents have received a notice from the war department saying that official determination has been made continuing Private Newman on the records of the department in a missing status. The department pledged immediate notification if any change occurs in the soldier’s status.
Private Newman was reported missing in action since May 7, 1942 as a member of the coast artillery corps in the Philippines. He was one of the first Webster City youths listed as missing in action.
The message from J. A. Ulio, Adjutant-general, expressed regret that “the far flung operations of the present war, the ebb and flow of combat over great distances in isolated areas and the characteristics of our enemies impose upon some of us the heavy burden of uncertainty.”
Other Hamilton county youths who have been reported missing but later turned up in Japanese prison camps in the Philippines were Marshall Appenzeller, Leon William Eckstein and James Peterson, all of Stratford.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA – May 11, 1943
LOCAL YOUTH A PRISONER
Pfc. Roy Newman Reported As Jap Captive in Philippines
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Newman of this city Tuesday received notice from Washington, D.C., that their son, Pfc. Roy W. Newman, who was first reported missing in action with a coast artillery unit in the Philippines after the fall of Bataan in May, 1942, is a Jap prisoner of war.
A telegram from the War Department stated that word of his capture had been received from the International Red Cross and that a letter of information would follow.
The notice of Newman’s capture accounts for all of the Hamilton county men reported missing in action in the Philippines after the fall of Bataan.
Source: Webster City Freeman, July 1, 1943
FIVE IOWANS LISTED AS WAR PRISONERS
Washington D. C. –(INS)—The War Department Monday made public the names of 90 United States soldiers who are held as prisoners of war by the enemy. Of these, 63 are held by Germany and 35 by Japan.
The lists include names of three Iowans held by Germany and two held as prisoners by Japan.
The Iowa soldiers who are prisoners of the Japanese are:
Pfc. Roy W. Newman, Webster City.
Pfc . Glen E. Teel, Columbus Junction.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, July 12, 1943
HEAR FROM SON
In their first message from him for two years this coming Christmas, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Newman of this city, have learned that their son, Pfc. Roy W. Newman, captured by the Japs in the early stages of the war, is still located at a Jap prison camp in the Philippine Islands. The printed and typewritten card his parents received Friday said, “I am interned at Headquarters War Prison camp, P. I. No. 11. My health is excellent. I am uninjured. I am well. Love to all. Please give my best regards to all my relatives and friends.
Private Newman was a military policeman connected with a coast artillery unit in the Philippines when the war broke out in Dec. 1941. He was one of the first Hamilton county men to be reported missing in action and later to be a Jap prisoner. His address is: PFC Roy W. Newman, Camp Headquarters, War Prison Camps, P. I. No. 11.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, Friday, October 29, 1943
PFC. ROY NEWMAN TRANSFERRED TO NEW PRISON SITE
Pfc. Roy Wesley Newman, son of Roy Newman of this city, has been transferred from a Jap prisoner of war camp in Philippines to another camp in Osaka, Japan, according to a report received here from the War Department.
Newman was attached to a coast artillery unit in the Philippines when the Pacific war broke out and was captured when Corregidor fell in May, 1942. He was one of the first servicemen from this city to be reported missing and later a prisoner.
This is the first news received concerning the serviceman since Oct. 29, last year when he was reported a prisoner of war in the Philippines.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, December 26, 1944
PARENTS GET CARD
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Newman of this city have received a card sent by their son, Pfc. Roy Wesley Newman, from a Jap prison camp in the Philippines. Private Newman, who was captured in the Philippines after the fall of Corregidor, wrote that he was in good health and had received some letters and a package from his parents. The card was the first message bearing their son’s signature, which the Newman’s had received since his capture. No date was on the card, which apparently was sent before Newman was transferred to a prison came in Japan. His transfer was reported in the Freeman-Journal a short time ago.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, January 18, 1945
PARENTS RECEIVE RADIO BROADCAST REPORT FROM SON
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Newman of this city were notified Wednesday that an enemy propaganda broadcast, purporting to be from their son, Pfc. Roy W. Newman, located at Osaka prison camp, Japan, had been intercepted.
The Webster City serviceman, who was captured in the Philippines when Corregidor fell, was held in a prison camp there and later transferred to Japan, according to news received by his parents prior to receipt Wednesday of the broadcast message.
The radio broadcast was as follows:
“A few words to say hello. I am in fair health. How is everybody at home? It will soon be four years since I’ve enjoyed one of Mamie’s good home-cooked meals. There are lots of things that I would like to have but being in my position I cannot hope for too much. I hope to be able to return home in the near future so keep the coffee pot boiling.”
Following publication of several news stories of the sinking of several Jap transports loaded with American prisoners, Mr. and Mrs. Newman were worried concerning their son’s safety but the government message, signed by Provost Marshall General Lerch has dispelled doubt that he was still alive and well.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, February 28, 1945
HEARD MESSAGE
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Newman of this city received a v-mail letter from a sailor, W. P. Yeager, RT 3-c, evidently serving aboard an escort aircraft carrier, saying that he had heard the Newman’s son, Pfc. Roy Newman, broadcast from a Jap prison camp. The Webster City serviceman was taken prisoner after the fall of Bataan and was attached to a coast artillery unit at that time.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, March 30, 1945
PFC. NEWMAN DIED DEC. 6, 1944
W. C. SOLDIER HAD BEEN HELD PRISONER OF JAPS SINCE ‘42
Pfc. Roy W. Newman, held prisoner by the Japs since early in 1942, was killed Dec. 6, 1944, in Japan, his father Roy Newman of this city, has been notified by the War Department.
The Webster City soldier was serving with the coast artillery at the time the Philippines were invaded by the Japs, and was first reported missing in action when Corregidor fell.
He was later listed as a Jap prisoner, and his relatives here were notified later that he had been transferred to a Jap camp at Osaka, Japan.
Details of the soldier’s death have not been furnished, but the War Department message, received Saturday night, stated a letter would follow.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Monday, November 5, 1945 (photo included)
HONOR ROLL
NEWMAN, ROY W. PFC
Died in Pacific area
Father: Mr. Roy Newman, 1511 1st Street, Webster City, Iowa.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, January 22, 1946
SON KILLED IN NIP MINE
Document Cites Accident At Prison Camp
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Newman of this city have been notified by the War Department that their son, Pfc. Roy W. Newman, previously reported as having died of wounds incurred in a bombing of the Osaka prisoner of war camp in Japan on Dec. 6, 1944, was actually killed in a mining accident on that date.
New information as to the cause of Pvt. Newman’s death was the result of a translation of a Japanese war document which stated, “Pfc. Newman was operating a small pneumatic drill in the No. 8 mine of the Mitsul Mining company, while 05 meters (approximately 213 feet) down in the Iborn tunnel. While he was drilling, a boulder the drill hit a left-over explosive, which was buried therein.”
The document also revealed that the resulting explosion killed Newman instantly.
According to the official communiqué received by the Newmans, War Department records in Washington D. C., will be amended to include the new information.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Saturday, November 8, 1947
Military Rites for Pfc. Newman
Military services will be held here on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Foster's funeral home for Pfc. Roy Wesley Newman, who died during World War II.
The body is expected here Tuesday morning.
The Rev. J. P. Mahan will officiate and burial in Graceland cemetery.
Roy Wesley Newman was born May 11, 1922 on a farm in Wright county. In 1929 he moved with his parents to Webster City and attended the Webster City schools.
He entered the service Jan. 17, 1941, receiving his training in Des Moines and California. He was sent to the Philippines for active duty and was taken prisoner on Corregidor May 11, 1942. He was held prisoner at Camp 11 in the Philippines and was later transferred to Osaka, Japan, where he was working in the mines and was killed in an explosion Dec. 6, 1944.
He is survived by his father and step-mother, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Newman of Webster City, one sister, Mrs. Marion (Shirley) Leeper of Webster City; a brother, Stanley E. of Woodstock; another brother, Robert Neil of Webster City; a half-brother, Larry Jess, of Webster City. He was preceded in death by his mother, who died in 1936.
He attended Sunday school and church services at the Nazarene church in this city.
Source: Daily Freeman-Journal, Monday, October 25, 1948
U.S. Headstone Application for Military Veterans for Roy W. Newman
Pfc. Roy W. Newman
State of Iowa
Company: HQ Battery
Date of birth: May 11, 1922
Date of death: December 6, 1944
Name of Cemetery: Graceland Cemetery
Location: Webster City, Iowa
Applicant Name: Roy Newman, 1511 First St., Webster City, IA
Monument ordered: Nov. 20, 1948, Bronze Marker
