Mrs. Jessie Freise, 115 East Sixth street, has received word that her son, Pvt. Clarence A. Plank, now in England, has been awarded the Good Conduct medal. Pvt. Plank enlisted in the Army in September, 1942, and has been on combat duty since July, 1943.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, April 19, 1944
Pvt. C. A. Plank, Paratrooper, Is Slain in Holland
Word was received today by Mrs. Jessie Freise, 515 East Third street, that her son, Pvt. Clarence A. Plank, was killed in action on Oct. 2 in Holland.
Pvt. Plank was a paratrooper with the 82nd airborne division which took part in the invasion of Holland.
He enlisted in Sept. 1942, and received his wings at Fort Benning, Ga., in March of 1943. He was sent overseas in May of that year and took part in the invasion of Sicily, Italy, France and Holland.
Pvt. Plank was born on July 9, 1921, in Mercer county, Ill., and spent most of his life near Aledo, Ill.
He is survived by his mother; his father, Lee Plank, Muscatine rural route; and two sisters, Mrs. Beatrice McCulley and Miss Bernice Miller, both of Muscatine.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, October 27, 1944 (includes photo)
CARD OF THANKS.
WE WISH to express our thanks and appreciation to those who extended their sympathy and kindness to us in any way, as we mourn the loss of our loved one, Clarence A. Plank, who so willingly gave his life that we might have the peace and freedom he loved so much. Although he has left a vacant place in our home, he has also left with us many fond memories that we can cherish in our hearts always, and so proudly we say, he never shirked his part. ~Mother and Sisters.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, November 18, 1944
ON OFFICIAL LIST.
The name of Pvt. Clarence A. Plank, Muscatine, was included in a list of 46 Iowans killed in action in the European area released by the War Department Wednesday, Associated Press dispatches from Washington revealed today.
Next of kin have been notified and kept informed in case of change in status, the War Department said.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, January 25, 1945
BODIES OF FOUR MUSCATINE COUNTY VETERANS BEING SENT BACK FOR BURIAL
Bodies of four Muscatine county war dead are being returned to the United States aboard the U. S. Army Transport Barney Kirschbaum coming from Europe with war dead originally interred in France, Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg.
According to an announcement by the Army today, the 76 bodies being returned upon instructions of next of kin residing in Iowa include:
Pvt. Clarence A. Plank, Army, son of Jessie L. Freise, 1232 Dale street, Muscatine.
Plans for burial in Muscatine of the bodies of Tec. Sgt. Kolmerer and Pvt. Plank have already been announced by their families.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, December 28, 1948
Clarence Alvin Plank is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Muscatine, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
