The War Department also announced the names of 11 Iowa soldiers who are prisoners of war interned by Italy. They are:
Pvt. Melvin Brue, Lake Mills;
Corp. Merle Cripe, Rockwell City;
Pvt. Alvin C. Crouse, Storm Lake;
Staff Sergeant Charles R. Gillespie, Red Oak;
Pvt. Eldon D. Patterson, Rockwell City;
Pvt. (f.c.) Merlene H. Rold, Avoca;
Corp. Earl F. Schenck, Villisca;
Pvt. Michael M. Stern, Sioux City;
Sergt. John W. Wagner, Council Bluffs;
Staff Sergeant Sam L. Willoughby, Cumberland;
Pvt. (f.c.) Francis X. Zembsch, Cherokee.
Source: The Des Moines Register, Tuesday, July 20, 1943
Melvin B. Brue was born Feb. 20, 1906 to Charley and Josephine Levad Brue. He died Feb. 8, 1955 and is buried in Salem Memorial Cemetery, Lake Mills, IA. Pvt. Brue was awarded the Bronze Star.
Source: ancestry.com
