23 Greene County Boys Are Reported Missing in Action
Telegrams Are Still Arriving of Losses On Tunisian Front
Believe Most Are German Prisoners of War
The full impact of the war fell upon Greene county this week with the news that many of our boys are “missing in action” on the Tunisian front.
To date The Bee has learned of a total of 23 telegrams received by relatives here, all bearing the information that the soldier named has been missing in action since February 17. That was the date that one battalion of Iowans escaped through German advance lines after being cut off from the main body of Allied troops following the German break-through at strategic Faid Pass.
Actual fate of the men reported missing, of course, cannot be known at this time. However, it is reported that the adjutant general in the War Department at Washington stated that most of the men reported miss in Tunisia have not been killed or wounded but are prisoners of war.
Germany, it is said, has been prompt in informing American forces of the men which it holds as prisoners, so more word may be expected.
Telegrams started to arrive Sunday and continued all day Monday and others were still coming Tuesday, so all of the names may not be included here. The list as compiled to date by this newspaper is as follows:
Scranton. Dale Ray, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jess Ray.
Source: Jefferson Bee, March 9, 1943
Personnel of Jefferson Company with Boys Now “Missing in Action”
Here is the national guard company which left Jefferson in March, 1941, taken in the Jefferson armory just a few days before starting its trip to Camp Claiborne, La. The company has been in the thick of the battle in Tunisia and reports of “missing in action” have been received this week by many families.
Source: Jefferson Herald, March 11, 1943 (includes photograph of National Guard group)
Mr. and Mrs. Jess Ray have received word that a letter of 25 words, strictly personal or of family character may be sent in care of Vatican Information Service, Vatican City, for their son, Corp. Dale F. Ray, who is a prisoner of war in a transit camp in Italy.
Source: Jefferson Bee, June 22, 1943
TELLS OF FUNERAL IN PRISON CAMP
Bob McCoy, who is a prisoner of war of the German government, May 2 sent a letter to his mother, Mrs. Minnie McCoy, and to his grandmother, Mrs. Hollie McCoy, both of Scranton, in which he told of the death of his brother, Bill McCoy, who died in the prison camp. The letter, received recently by them is as follows:
“Dearest Mother and Grandmother: I hardly know how to start this ordeal. I know how it will be for you folks to take, but please don’t go to pieces. Everything was done that was utterly possible in the way of medicinal treatment. He personally investigated it. Bill died April 27 about 9:30 p.m. at Guben. He was buried April 30 at Guben cemetery. A beautiful cemetery, a very decent casket, three magnificent wreaths. The Pallbearers were Bill’s and my friends and comrades: Sgt. Murray, Sgt. Hanson, Cpl. Condon, Cpl. Dale Ray, also two other friends, Sgt. Rudi and Sgt. Bennet.
Folks, I know how hard it is, but please believe me, everything was done that was possible. Decent funeral, fine service. Folks that the Red Cross for all they have done. Please take it easy. I’ll be home when this is all over. Remember this: “When God calls, we must go.” Folks—chins and heads held high. Love forever, Bob.”
Source: Jefferson Herald, September 2, 1943
Mr. and Mrs. Jess Ray recently received a letter from their son, Dale Ray, who is a prisoner of war at Stalag III in Germany. The letter was written Oct. 17, 1943, as follows: “Dear Mom and all. Got a nice big letter from you a few days ago. Glad everything is all right at home. Hansen and I are fine. See Bob McCoy every day and he is fine. Dale.”
Source: Jefferson Bee, March 14, 1944
SCRANTON:
Mr. and Mrs. Jess Ray received a letter Tuesday fro their son, Cpl. Dale Ray, who was a prisoner of war in Germany. The letter was written May 7, and contained the same as others who have heard, that they are preparing to come home.
Source: Jefferson Herald, May 24, 1945
12 Prisoners Back in the U. S.
So far as The Bee had been able to determine by noon today, 12 of the 27 guard company men who had been prisoners of war of the Germans until late in April or early May, have now returned to the States.
Already home are Cpl. Dale Ray of Scranton.
Source: Jefferson Bee, June 12, 1945
SCRANTON:
Cpl. Dale Ray left Friday for Des Moines and will leave from there for Hot Springs, Ark., following a 60-day furlough. Dale was a prisoner of war in Germany.
Source: Jefferson Bee, August 14, 1945
SCRANTON:
Dale Ray, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jess Ray, received his discharge from the Army Aug. 20, at Hot Springs, Ark., and has returned home following a few days’ visit with relatives and friends in Oklahoma and Des Moines.
Source: Jefferson Bee, Tuesday, September 11, 1945
