REQUIEM HIGH MASS IS SAID FOR AKRON OFFICER
Lieut. Arnold Waterbury Made Supreme Sacrifice In France On July 7
A requiem high mass was said in St. Patrick's Catholic Church Monday morning at 9:00 o'clock by Rev. Fr. Chas. Erust in memory ad honor of Lieut. Arnold L. Waterbury, who was killed in action July 7, 1944, while serving with the U. S. forces on the French invasion coast. Many relatives and friends attended this solemn and impressive service, a number being present from Elk Point and Westfield, his former home. The Elk Point American Legion and Auxiliary members attended in a body, bringing their color guards and colors. On behalf of Hoschler Post, American Legion, of Akron, Jack Behmer presented an American flag to Mrs. Waterbury.
Arnold, second son of Frank and Catherine Waterbury, was born at Westfield, Iowa, August 15, 1916, and attained the age of 27 years, 10, months and 22 days. He attended the Westfield school and graduated in 1933. He then moved to Akron with his parents and entered the University of South Dakota, at Vermillion, that fall graduating and receiving his degree in 1937. He was active in R. O. T. C. at the U and became a second lieutenant in the O. R. C. After completing his studies, he was employed by the Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. and the C. M. St. P & Railway Co.
He was married to Miss Betty Harter, of Elk Point, S. D., January 10, 1942.
Lieut. Waterbury entered the army service January 31, 1942, and received his training at Camp Barkeley, Texas, and Camp Roberts, Calif. He went overseas in March, this year, leaving from Camp Dix, New Jersey, and landing in England. He arrived in France the second day of the invasion. He belonged to the 358th Infantry, 90th Division, and his division took part in some of the hardest fighting of the invasion. His wife received a telegram August 2, stating he had been killed July 7 on the French invasion coast.
Lieut. Waterbury is survived by his wife, Betty, and a 2 year-old daughter, Kay, of Elk Point; one brother, Myron, of Akron, and a grandmother, Mrs. Rose Burke.
He was preceded in death by is parents and one brother, Bobby, in infancy.
Source: Akron Register Tribune, Thursday, August 10, 1944
SILVER STAR GIVEN POSTHUMOUSLY
Lieut. Arnold Waterbury of Akron Died In Action July 7, 1944
Mrs. Arnold S. Waterbury of Elk Point, S.D., recently received the following communication from Adj. Gen. J. A. Ulio, of the War Department, Washington D.C.:
Dear Mrs. Waterbury: I have the honor to inform you that, by direction of the President, the Silver Star has been posthumously awarded to your husband, First Lieut. Arnold S. Waterbury, infantry. The citation is as follows:
“For gallantry in action on 7 July 1944, in the vicinity of ***. During an attack on a strategic position, an infantry company was subjected to devastating artillery, machine gun and small arms fire, which inflicted heavy casualties. First Lieut. Waterbury, realizing the critical condition, reorganized his men for a new assault and personally led them in an attack, advancing well ahead of his men until he was killed by machine gun fire. So inspiring was his courageous act that the men, many of whom were experiencing their first combat action, continued to charge and captured the objective. His gallantry will be a lasting inspiration to his men and was in accordance with high military tradition.”
The decoration will be forwarded to the commanding general, 7th service command, Omaha, Neb., who will select an officer to make the presentation. The officer selected will communicate with you concerning your wishes in the matter.
May I again express my deepest sympathy to you in your bereavement.—J. A. Ulio.
Second Lieut. Arnold S. Waterbury was born and grew to young manhood in Westfield, second son of the Mr. and Mrs. Frank Waterbury. He later lived in Akron and graduated from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, in 1937, where he became a second lieutenant in the officers’ reserve corps. Entering the Army service with that rank on January 31, 1942, he received training at Camp Barkeley, Tex., and Camp Roberts, Cal. Going overseas in March, 1944, landing in England, he arrived in France the second day of the great Normandy invasion, with the 358th infantry, 90the division, which took part in some of the hardest fighting of the invasion. Special memorial services were held in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Akron, the 7th of last August. His wife and 3-year-old daughter, Kay, live in Elk Point, and his brother, Myron Waterbury, lives in Akron.
Source: LeMars Globe-Post, June 25, 1945
WAR DEAD RETURNED
Among the war dead returned from Europe aboard the U.S. Army transport, Haiti Victory was: 1st Lt. Arnold S. Waterbury, son of Myron W. Waterbury of Akron. He was formerly interred in France.
Source: LeMars Globe-Post, May 5, 1949
Burial St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Akron, Iowa
