FIVE IOWA SOLDIERS KILLED in ACTION
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 (AP)—Names of five Iowans killed in action in the Asiatic, European and north African (including Sicily) were announced today by the War Department. Second Lt. Richard E. Mallette, Atlantic, was killed in the Asiatic area; Sgt. Willard O. Simpson, Des Moines and first Lt. Jay R. Sterling, Sioux City, in the European; and Cpl. Arthur P. Clemitson, Graettinger, and Second Lt. John A. Wilbois, Jr., of Des Moines, in the North African areas.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, October 11, 1943
Source: Creston News Advertiser, October 11, 1943
War Brings Death Into Family First Time in 57 Years
War has brought death into the family of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Burgett for the first time in their 57 years of married life.
Their granddaughter, Mrs. John A. Wilbois, of Des Moines, has been informed of the death of her husband, John A. Wilbois, jr. He was killed in action in the Mediterranean area Aug. 10. Lieutenant Wilbois was co-pilot on a bomber.
Mr. and Mrs. Burgett have seven children, 20 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Mrs. Wilbois, before her marriage to Lieutenant Wilbois in 1942, was Doris LaFavre. She has been living with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl C. LaFavre, at 2400 Elizabeth st. in Des Moines.
Source: Chariton Leader, November 2, 1943
John Appanoose Wilbois, Jr. was born July 1, 1919 to John Appanoose (Sr.) and Viva Mae Moore Wilbois. He died Aug. 10, 1943 and is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing, North Africa American Cemetery, Tunis, Tunisia and has a cenotaph in Woodland Cemetery, Des Moines, IA.
2nd Lt. Wilbois served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 448th Bomb Squadron, 321st Bomb Group, Medium and was MIA. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
