Messages of DEATH, Word of Valiant Soldiers, Sailors “Missing in Action,” Brought Sadness to Families Here
David Clark Wren, aviation machinist’s mate third class in the Navy, who attended grade school here but later moved to California, was also reported missing, the Navy Department informed his father, Joseph C. Wren, 207 ½ East Second street, on August 16.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, Annual Edition, Wednesday, December 30, 1942 (photo included)
Number From Area Included On Missing Lists; Safety of Some Subsequently reported for duty
“Missing in action.”
Official notifications from the war and navy departments, bearing this saddening information about a loved one, have come to a number of homes in this area since the Pearl Harbor attack back in the waning days of 1941.
For some relatives, this opening sentence was followed by happier information in the course of time. For others, where no further details have been received, only the hope will come, revealing the safety of a loved one.
For, in a number of cases, some of the men who were reported as missing in action were later reported to have rejoined their combat units, or rescued by comrades. Others, subsequent messages related, were being held prisoners by enemy countries and have communicated with relatives.
Others, about whom their commanders have had no additional information to relate, have, after an interval, been declared officially to have been killed in action.
And, for the parents and relatives of some, the suspense of waiting has continued month after month, as they clung to the hope that no news may be good news and that some day, soon if possible, a message may clear, reporting that the absent member is alive and well.
From official lists issued at intervals, augmented in instances by information obtained from relatives and friends, the following information relative to those from this area who have been reported missing in action was obtained.
David Clark Wren, aviation machinist’s mate, was listed as missing in action in an official report of the U. S. Navy department which covered the period from Aug. 13-30, 1942. He is the son of Joseph Christopher Wren of Muscatine.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, December 30, 1943 (photo included)
Battle Casualties Sadden More Homes
DAVID CLARK WREN, Aviation Machinist’s Mage Third Class—Reported missing in action Aug. 9, 1942, when the plane on which he was serving was downed in action against the Japanese in the Aleutian islands theater. David Clark Wren, aviation machinist’s mate third class, was presumed as dead by the Navy department on Aug. 10, 1943, his father Joseph C. Wren, 207 East Second street, was informed. Aviation Machinist Wren had been awarded the Air Medal for gallantry in action against Japanese ships in Kiska harbor during the period of June 1 to 15, 1942.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, Friday, December 29, 1944 (photo included)
140 Have Made Supreme Sacrifice in Muscatine Area In War Against Axis Powers; Many Reported Wounded
The names of those who have made the supreme sacrifice in World War No. 2, compiled from records maintained by The Journal, follow:
David Clark Wren, aviation machinist’s mate third class, son of Joseph C. Wren, 207 East Second street, presumed as dead by the Navy department on Aug. 10, 1943, after being reported missing in action on Aug. 9, 1942, over the Aleutian Islands.
Source: Muscatine Journal, Victory in Europe Edition, May 7, 1945
David Clark Wren was born Jan. 1924 to Joseph and Amy Townsend Wren. He died Aug. 10, 1943 and is memorialized at the Courts of the Missing, Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Source: ancestry.com
