Soldier Honored
A gathering of a group of cousins was held at the Russell Vogel home Tuesday evening in honor of Pvt. Paul Vogel, who is stationed at Camp Livingston, Louisiana, who is enjoying a ten-day furlough with home folks. Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. Will Vogel, William Vogel, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Vogel, Mr. and Mrs. Bissell and son, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Vogel and son, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Johnston and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Vogel and family, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Vogel and son, Mr. and Mrs. Verle Musman and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Vogel of Nodaway, Mrs. Winnie Vogel, Mr. and Mrs. Verle Vogel and Linda Lou, Miss Janice Molyneux, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Felt, Mr. and Mrs. Olin Shuler and Karen Kay, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Amdor and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Gentle, Cpl. Howard Musman, Zola Rogers, Elda Cramer and the guest of honor, Pvt. Paul Vogel and the host and hostess. At the close of the evening of visiting, delicious home-made ice cream and cake were served.
Source: Adams County Free Press, Corning, Iowa, Thursday, August 26, 1943, Page 3
Soldier Letters
From Paul Vogel, stationed at Camp Livingston, La., comes the following letter to home folks. Paul was temporarily in the hospital when he wrote the letter.
Station Hospital
October 20, 1943
Dear Folks,
I don’t know whether you’ll be able to read this any better than that last letter I scribbled, but I feel quote a bit better so though I’d try and answer your letter. I still have to lay in bed, I can’t get up and run around but I can roll around in bed to beat heck, ha.
I just as well go back and start at the beginning. Last Tues, we watched some planes in the forenoon trying to learn them so we knew which was which, etc. Had an early dinner and took off for the woods on foot. We walked from 12 noon till nearly 12 that night with just 10 minutes off each hour. Then we had to dig us some fox holes for protection before we did anything else. Mine was sandy so it didn’t take long, ha. Our rolls with our blankets and tents and stuff came by truck about that time so we proceeded to bed down. I just got good and asleep when she cut loose and rained and Lord, how it rained. I flipped my shelter half over my equipment as well as myself and went on to sleep. I did get wet, but just in a spot or two. Several others were plumb soaked.
We got up the next morning, had breakfast, still raining, finished our holes and fixed up our tents so we could use them and lit some fires. We just about got dried out when the order came down to douse the fires, so after that we could have no fires. The rain slackened up before evening and the sun came out good and warm. But during the night the temperature pinned clear to the bottom. Boy we did get cold. The sun came out early and we sure hit for the sunny spots to get thawed out, ha. I shivered all day and the following night wasn’t so bad, we changed our method. We put our blankets and tents together, me and another guy, and cuddled together. In the evening while we were out practicing our problem, I got sick at the stomach and went to throwing up. After that they wouldn’t take me on the problem and started find someway for me to get back to camp.
At one then we all got up and made ready to move. I was to come in with some guys who were being brought in for dental work. Then the first Sgt. sent me looking for a jeep. I found the jeep but he wasn’t going in so I started looking for the other guys. They’d left already so I finally wound up with some M. P.’s they brought me right in. Our medics gave me another check-up and said hospital, so here I am. That was Friday afternoon they brought me here and today is Tuesday following, so I’ve been here about 4 days now. I really have a pretty nurse now, she just came on this morning. She has a little tinge of red to her hair, and is quite pleasant. About all she gets done though is boss the ward boys around, they do most of the work. She’s only been out of school a school a short while, you can tell she’s kinda green at it, but I believe she’ll make a pretty good nurse at that. I’ll have to tell Janice about my nusry. Love, Paul.
Source: Adams County Free Press, Corning, Iowa, Thursday, November 04, 1943, Page 7
Soldier Letters
The following letter is from Pvt. Paul Vogel to home folks from Somewhere in the Pacific:
Somewhere in the Pacific
January, 1944
Dear Folks at Home:
Hooray, at last I got a letter from the folks today. I’d heard from darn near everybody else, ha! Seems as tho you were all fell except Verle. I suppose he’s better by now. You’re no better off than I am. I don’t know where I’m at either, ha! I know it’s quite beautiful in spots.
I’m in good spirits. I’m driving a truck now so I’m happy, ha. It’s so much better to have a definite job to do and know just when you’re to do it, ha! We have small houses to live in and books to read, can play most any kind of games, but not too much drinking water. We’ve established a small P. X. for our own use and that helps a lot. Our meals are brought to us and so far have been pretty good. It’s really not half bad. It could be so much worse. Being busy most any time of the day and night, I don’t have so much time to write letters but neither do I have time to get homesick, ha. I didn’t get sea sick either, Ha. I got to go to church this morning too.
I can’t imagine 4 below zero weather. It’s been practically a year since I even saw any snow, ha. I don’t see how come you looked for me home, ha. I’m always so good about telling you when I’m coming, ha. I hope Aunt Esther is alright. I haven’t heard from her yet either, I think I wrote to her just before I left camp. I haven’t received the Free Press yet.
Yes, I always enjoy packages, but if you ever send me any now be sure and wrap ‘em up good and don’t send anything perishable. I can always use razor blades and Molle. Yes, I’m almost out of Molle. I had to divide with the boys so I couldn’t pack it all by myself so now I’m short again, ha. Oh yes, I reckon my hair will all grow out and several times before I get another furlough, ha. Hope this finds you all well. You’ll kinda have to tell people about me as I can’t write like I did. I don’t have time. So bye now, write again, as often as you can and don’t worry about me. Lots of Love, Paul.
[Transcriber’s Note: Molle is brushless shaving cream.]
Source: Adams County Free Press, Corning, Iowa, Thursday, February 10, 1944, Page 7
Report Paul L. Vogel
Died From Wounds
Mrs. Winnie Vogel, who resides with her son, Verle Vogel, received the sad news Sunday evening, that her son, Pvt. Paul L. Vogel died of wounds received May 26, 1945.
Pvt. Vogel was 35 years old, unmarried and entered military service March 25, 1942. He went overseas in December, 1943. He served on the Hawaiian Islands, New Guinea and in the Philippines. According to the records, this is the 44th Adams County man to give his life in the service of his country in World War II.
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MAIN STREET
The uncertainty of life and how suddenly tragedy may strike was very forcibly brought home to this community the past week when three comparatively young men met death through accident, an elderly man died suddenly and another fine young man of this county gave his life to the service of his country.
We refer to the deaths of Robert O’Riley, aged 24, and Clesson Roberts, aged 10, from injuries received in an auto accident; the death of Marion C. Burton, aged 40, fatally injured when run over by a truck-trailer; the sudden death of Wes Gale, aged 67, Quincy service station operation; and, finally, the death of Pvt. Paul Vogel, aged 35, who died of wounds received in the fighting on Luzon.
Every day we read in the daily press, accounts of similar deaths in other towns, some nearby and others far away, and we pass them over with only casual notice. But when such things strike in the homes and families we know personally, perhaps intimately, it leaves an impression and sadness which are hard to forget. We begin to wonder why all these things much happen, just as we wonder why the world can not realize the awfulness of war – and do something to assure lasting peace.
And in the last analysis we come to the only logical solution of these problems we can not understand – they are the Will of the Divine Master and as such we must accept them as a part of life.
Words of sympathy to the bereaved ones in tragedies like those mentioned above seem empty and meaningless and the real source of consolation for the surviving ones must come from the knowledge and belief in a higher power. [illegible] The community must in so far as possible share a neighbor’s burden.
Source: Adams County Free Press, Corning, Iowa, Thursday, June 14, 1945, Page 1
Obituaries
PAUL LA VERNE VOGEL
Pvt. Paul L., eldest son of James O. and Winnie Vogel, was born at Fergus County, Montana, July 25, 1910 and died from wounds received in the service of his country on Luzon, May 26, 1945, at the age of 34 years, 10 months, 1 day.
He graduated from Denton High School with the class of 1929. He and the family moved to a farm northwest of Carbon in October, 1929. He worked at home until the fall of 1937 when he and his brother started farming together. They remained in partnership until Paul left for the service.
He entered service March 25, 1942. After training at various camps he left the states December 28, 1943, landing on the Hawaiian Islands January 28, 1944. In July of this year he was sent to New Guinea, then to the Philippines, landing on Luzon with the 38th Infantry Division January 29, 1945. He was awarded a Bronze Star, an expert Infantryman’s Badge, a Good Conduct Medal and the Purple Heart.
Paul was united with the Methodist Church of Denton in 1927, transferring his membership to Lincoln Center in 1930 where he had remained loyal to Christ and His work. He was a lover of the soil and nature, those things close to God. A builder at heart, rather than a destroyer and his strong Christian leadership will be a great loss to his community.
Paul was loved by all who knew him and he leaves his winning smile, kindly deeds and thoughts as a memory for his many acquaintances.
Being preceded in death by his father on December 29, 1937, he leaves to mourn his passing, besides his mother, one brother Verle and wife, Maxine, one niece, Linda Lou, his devoted sweetheart, Janice Molyneau, whom he planned to marry upon his return from the war, his grandmother, Mrs. Anna Campbell, Denton, Montana, with a host of other relatives and friends.
Paul, a very fine Christian young man, was always able to meet every situation as it arose in life and we are sure that in his own heart he was willing to give the supreme sacrifice of himself for the freedom of others.
Source: Adams County Free Press, Corning, Iowa, Thursday, June 21, 1945, Page 6
Memorial Service Held For Paul Vogel Sunday
Memorial services in honor of Pvt. Paul D. Vogel were held at Lincoln Center church, Sunday at 2:30 p. m. Paul gave his life for his country on Luzon Island, May 28, 1945.
Many beautiful flowers decorated the altar, behind a table on which a picture of Paul was placed with the American flag beneath it.
The services were in charge of Rev. Orley White and The American Legion. Music was furnished by Mrs. Beryl Roberts, Mrs. Orlo Drennan and Mrs. Stanley Evans, accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Orely White. They sang “In The Garden” and “Have Thine Own Way.”
The flowers were beautifully arranged by Mrs. Frank Gaskill and Mrs. Roy Penfold. Donald Drennan and Morris McPherren acted as ushers. The American Legion was in charge at the close of the services presenting the flag to the mother.
Source: Adams County Free Press, Corning, Iowa, Thursday, June 28, 1945, Page 1
Card of Thanks
We wish to thank our many relatives and friends for the lovely cards and letters and kindly thoughts and deeds at the time of our bereavement of the death of our loved one, Pvt. Paul L. Vogel. Also for the beautiful floral offerings and ones who helped with the Memorial services.
Mrs. Winnie Vogel, Mr. and Mrs. Verle Vogel and Linda, Miss Janice Molyneux, Mr. and Mrs. Howard McGrew.
Source: Adams County Free Press, Corning, Iowa, Thursday, June 28, 1945, Page 5
Pvt. Paul LaVerne Vogel died May 26, 1945 and is buried in Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines.
Source: ancestry.com
