RIDGEWAY—Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Soukup received a cablegram Thursday from their son, Sgt. Raphael Soukup, that he had arrived safely in Australia.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, July 31, 1943
Cresco—Sgt. Raphael Soukup, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Soukup of southeast of Cresco, is reported seriously ill in New Guinea where he has been in the mechanized cavalry division of the armed forces. A message to his parents said that a letter would follow.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, August 13, 1944
PLAN MEMORIAL TO SERVICEMAN
Sgt. Raphael Soukup to Be Honored at Service
Spillville—Requiem mass will be held for Sgt. Raphael Soukup at the St. Wenceslous church Wednesday at 8 a.m. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. James R. Soukup received a message Saturday that he died after a several days’ illness on the Admiralty islands.
Raphael was 25 years old and was in service 20 months. He is survived by his parents, and the following brothers and sisters: Cpl. Daniel Soukup of Ohio, Jerome, seaman 2/c, Great Lakes, Ill., James, Fabian, Mrs. Rosemary Sebetka, Kathryn and Robert.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, August 15, 1944
BODIES OF IOWA VETS RETURNED
North Iowans Among Yanks on Transport
Remains of 4,459 Americans who lost their lives during World War II are being returned to San Francisco from Manila aboard the United States Army Transport Lt. George W. G. Boyce, the department of the army announced Monday.
Armed forces dead originally interred in temporary military cemeteries in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands are among those being brought to this country.
A total of 110 remains are being returned upon instructions of next of kin residing in Iowa.
North Iowans in the list include the following:
Sgt. Raphael Soukup, Ridgeway.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, June 1, 1948
RITES SET FOR SPILLVILLE GI
Cresco—The body of Raphael Soukup, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Soukup living southeast of Cresco, who died in the Admiralty islands, July 30, 1944, will arrive in Cresco Thursday. It will be received at the Bradley funeral home.
Funeral services will be held in St. Wenceslaus Catholic church at Spillville at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Burial will be in the cemetery near the church.
Raphael died of a heart ailment. He served with the 7th cavalry in the Army during World War II.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, June 29, 1948
Raphael John Soukup was born Dec. 28, 1919 to James Roomie and Marie Blackburn Soukup. He died July 30, 1944 and is buried in Saint Wenceslaus Cemetery, Spillville, IA.
Sgt. Soukup served in World War II with the U.S. Army 1st Cavalry Division and died of illness on Momote, Admiralty Islands while in the service of his country.
Source: ancestry.com
