Large Group Of Draftees Listed For Induction
Over 100 leaving on March 10
The following named registrants have been ordered to report for Army examination on March 10th. If they pass their examination they will return for a week's furlough before being called to active service.
...; Gerald G. Bosch, Sioux Center; ....
Source: Alton Democrat Mar. 5, 1943 p 1 & 5
The First Reformed Church held a short farewell service on Sunday afternoon for four of its members -- Stanley Campagne, James Mulder, Gerald Bosch and John Kempers who are leaving for army services on Thursday of this week.
Source: Sioux Center News March 18, 1943 p 4
Pvt. Gerald Bosch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch is stationed at North Camp Polk, La., one of the newer camps. He said he had just finished marking his clothes and was due for a haircut. That means goodbye to those wavy locks for a while... that's a shame! His address: Co. G. 36th A.R. 8th A.D., APO 258 North Camp Polk, La.
Source: Sioux Center News Apr. 1, 1943 p 10
Gerald Bosch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch has been promoted to First Class Private at Camp Polk, La. Gerald left here the 18th of March. He writes that he certainly enjoys the News. He was among the 19 men promoted out of a group of 175.
Source: Sioux Center News May 20, 1943 p 8
Pfc. Gerald Bosch surprised his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch by calling them by telephone last Sunday morning. Gerald is stationed at North Camp Polk, La.
Source: Sioux County Index June 10, 1943 p 8
Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Kempers, Miss Florence Scheffer and Mrs. Peter Bosch spent a week at North Camp Polk, La. where they visited Privates Gerald Bosch and John Kempers.
Source: Alton Democrat June 18, 1943 p 4
In Tank Division
(photo)
PFC. GERALD BOSCH
PFC. Gerald Bosch is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch of Sioux Center. He entered the service March 18 and has been at Camp Polk, La. all the time. He is in the tank division and has been practicing on the shooting range recently, which he says gives him rather an odd feeling, when the bullets hit the tank in mock battle. He has not yet had a furlough but expects one next month. His address is Co. G 86 A.R. 8th A.D., APO 258, North Camp Polk, La.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 16, 1943 p 1
Cpl. T/5 Gerald Bosch expresses his thanks for all the cards and letters he has received. Keep it up. Thanks for the News too. He also wished to inform you of his change of address, which now is:
Co. "A" 18th Tank Bn.
APO 258
N. Camp Polk, La.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 30, 1943 p 10
Cpl. Gerald Bosch accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Mulder and sons home from Sioux City on Monday when they went to get their son Pvt. James Mulder. Both came home on a 15-day furlough, James from Los Angeles, Calif. and Gerald from North Camp Polk, La. Incidentally it was just 6 months that day that both of the boys left for the service and neither of them had obtained a furlough before. The boys were at the same station at Kansas City but didn't see each other and met again at the same station in Omaha. They had already been riding for quite a while before they spied each other. They had a very pleasant trip the rest of the way.
.....
Gerald Bosch Home on Furlough
Mrs. George Lehudis, Esther Bosch and Viola Hulstein took Cpl. Gerald Bosch to Sanborn on Monday afternoon. Gerald came home unexpectedly and found that his parents had left for Sanborn that morning to assist with the corn picking on their farm. that evening a family gathering was held at the Jake Haagsma home... The Bosch family returned home to Sioux Center on Tuesday evening.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 14, 1943 p 8
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch and daughter Esther, and Gerald and Irwin Vermeer, took Cpl. Gerald Bosch back to Sioux City on Sunday afternoon where Gerald took the train to return to North Camp Polk, La. after spending a 15 day furlough at home. John Visser who also spent a furlough at home returned back to Camp Polk, La. on the same train.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 28, 1943 p 2
Nov. 20, 1943
Dear Editor:
I am going to take a little bit of my time tonight to drop you a few lines. I should have done so before, but due to the fact they are preparing us for maneuvers means a lot of extra work, and extra time. Time which could be spent in more ways than one.
The main reason I am writing you tonight is this. It was my 21st birthday today. When I came into camp from the field today there were some 50 birthday greetings waiting for me at mail call. Now it will be impossible for me to answer each one of these so I would like to thank everyone who remembered me on my birthday. I hope this letter may in some way serve as an answer to all the cards and packaged I received today.
I am still receiving the News every Monday and am enjoying it more and more each week. It is getting to be about 10:00 and time for me to be in bed. So until later. A soldier friend,
Cpl. T/5 Gerald Bosch
Co. A. 18th Tank Bn.
APO 238
Camp Polk, La.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 25, 1943 p 12
Here is the new address of Gerald Bosch who was recently moved back to Camp Polk, La. after having been on Maneuvers at Shreveport , La. for several months. Gerald is presently employed as an armorer and likes his new work very much.
T/5 Gerald G. Bosch 37475923
Co. A. 18th Tk. Bn.
APO 258
Camp Polk, La.
Source: Sioux Center News May 11, 1944 p 2
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch entertained the Hulstein relatives at a picnic supper held at their home on Monday evening in honor of their son Cpl. Gerald who is home on furlough from Camp Polk, La. (another excerpt of the local news on the same page mentions 4 soldiers were home at the time and spoke at a church meeting, Bernard Brunsting, Pvt. James Mulder, Cpl. Gerald Bosch and Lt. Dave Vermeer)
Source: Sioux Center News July 6, 1944 p 4
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch and daughter Esther and son Art of Sanborn and Gerald Vermeer took Cpl. Gerald Bosch to Sioux City on Sunday afternoon from where he left by train to return to Camp Polk, La. after enjoying a 15 day furlough with family and friends. Gerald who has been in the tank division for some time has been attending school for a few weeks learning how to care for guns. He likes his new work very much.
Source: Sioux Center News July 13, 1944 p 2
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch and children left for Kansas City, Mo. on Monday afternoon. They will meet Cpl. Gerald Bosch who is stationed at Camp Polk, La. He has secured a three day pass and will spend it with his parents at Kansas City.
Source: Sioux County Capital Oct. 19, 1944 p 6
Cpl. T/5 Gerald Bosch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch of Sioux Center, has moved from Camp Polk, La. to the following outgoing address: Co. A 18th Tank Bn., APO 258, c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 9, 1944 p 2
Sioux Center: Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch receive a telegram Thursday from their son, Gerald, telling of his safe arrival, but he did not say where he had been sent. He left from the East Coast.
Source: Sioux County Capital, November 30, 1944
(photo included)
T/5 Gerald Bosch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch of Sioux Center, writes from England --
Nov. 25
Dear Editor and Friends:
It's been a long time since I wrote to you so I will try and write a few lines this morning. By this time you probably know I landed in England. As yet I haven't received much mail, but evidently it hasn't caught up with me.
The last issue of the News I received was the Sept. 15 issue. A fellow does not realize how much it means to him until he doesn't receive it for a month. I expect to receive a couple issues soon.
Today is an unusual day in England. It's a bit cold but at least the sun is shining. A day seldom goes by unless it rains.
At first the British money was pretty hard to get used to but with the help of the British soldiers we were able to get along. Fortunately we have barracks to sleep in. A fireplace is our means of heating the room. The rationing system is very strict over here. Our PX supplies are also rationed.
Well, I see my page is nearly full. I want to thank all those who have written me. The letters certainly are welcome. I hope and pray that the war will soon end and we may all return home again.
A friend, Gerald Bosch
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 7, 1944 p 10
T/5 Gerald Bosch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch, writes from France:
Dear Editor and Friends:
It's been quite a while since I wrote you last. The last time I wrote you I was in England. Now I am in France. France reminds me more of the United States than England, mostly because the cars travel on the right side of the road instead of the left as they did in England. The roads are also much wider.
Although I won't be able to answer each one personally, I want to thank everyone who has sent me a Christmas card, and remembered me during the Christmas season. The business girls and different organizations of the church who sent me packages. The all came in very handy and useful.
The weather is much like the states over here. With snow, ice, cold weather. But I'll take it in the states any day. Well I must go to bed now so here's hoping and praying that we will be all home again soon. A soldier friend, Gerald Bosch
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 8, 1945 p 2
PROMOTED
(photo)
T/4 GERALD BOSCH
T/4 Gerald Bosch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch tell of some of his recent experiences in Germany--
April 23, '45
Dear Friends:
A little time this afternoon so I thought I would write to you, as my correspondence has been a little weak lately. Since the crossing of the Rhone our chances of writing a letter were very slim.
Probably the reason I have time to write this afternoon is that the tank I am driving has broken down and am now waiting for repairs. Tanks, like automobiles and tractors have their troubles.
I wanted to let you know my small change of address, from T/5 to T/4. My promotion came through a few days ago. You will find my correct address at the end of this letter.
Riding through Germany the last couple weeks has caused me to believe that Germany is more beautiful than I expected. Looking out of a tank hatch you're not able to see too much.
It's mostly an agricultural area around here. Some of the farming is done with oxen. Mostly with horses, however.
Everything seems to be built for a military purpose. The roads and highway have trees planted on both sides. They serve as road blocks for tanks or for any other vehicle. When the Jerries retreat they cut the trees down and lay them across the road. On either side of the road they plant mines thinking we might go around them. But we fool them, we have our engineers take the trees off the road first.
When the trees are in bloom along the highway they make a very beautiful scene, however. The small villages have not been destroyed too much, only where heavy resistance was encountered then there isn't much left of the village.
Most of the Germans had slave laborers working for them and in most cases treated them very cruel.
The other day I was at a prison where political prisoners were held. Those prisoners received very little food and a lot of them died of starvation. I saw the room where they had executed 500 prisoners since 1938 by beheading them. You wouldn't want to hand a prisoner a cigarette unless you had a 20-foot extension on your arm. Otherwise you might get stampeded. They hadn't had a smoke for six months.
Well, time is getting short. I am still receiving the News regular and am enjoying it more every issue. I wish to thank all those who have written me. The letters certainly are welcome. Hoping and praying to see you soon.
A friend, Gerald
T/4 Gerald G. Bosch 37475923
Co. A. 18th Tk. Bn.
APO 258, c/o Postmaster
New York, New York
Source: Sioux Center News May 17, 1945 p 7
Sends German Knife
Sgt. Gerald Bosch sent his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch, a German knife for a souvenir this past week. The murderous instrument for all its evil intent, is nevertheless beautifully made with silver trim. On the blade appear the words, "Alles fur Deutchland".
Source: Sioux Center News May 31, 1945 p 1
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch received a letter from their son Gerald telling them that he had now been moved to Holland, where he expects to receive a month's amphibious training, and he also sends the following new address:
T/4 Gerald G. Bosch 37475923
Co. A. 80th Amphibian Tractor Bn.
APO 526, c/o Postmaster,
New York, New York
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 16, 1945 p 2
T/4 Gerald Bosch has a slight change of address. His APO number is 891. The rest of his address remains the same.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 24, 1946 p 10
T/4 Gerald G. Bosch Writes From Belgium:
Mons, Belgium
Jan. 4, 1945
Dear friends;
It's past the busy holiday season now and I imagine everyone is back at their regular job again. For most people in the world today, this Christmas meant more than any other because it was a Christmas at peace. The first one in five years for many people. Some servicemen were fortunate to celebrate Christmas at home. That's the real Christmas, isn't it? But those fellows are the ones who deserved it. Most of them have seen a lot of service.
You people who were so thoughtful in remembering us with your cards and letters have made our Christmas a more pleasant one. I would like to thank everyone personally, but hope you will accept this means of doing so. It was certainly appreciated.
Sweating out this redeployment, as most of us are doing, makes the days go very slow. As far as we know now we should be shipping out in February sometime. However, in the Army everything is subject to change. At present we are guarding warehouses for a Quartermaster Depot. That's probably why they are uncertain about our shipping date.
I received another S. C. News today, which was very welcome. I really enjoyed reading every word. In my months in the army I don't think I've missed very many of them. Thanks to the good work of our News staff.
These 34 months in the army have been a great experience. An experience that's hard to forget. Numerous things you don't want to forget, such as the boys you get acquainted with. That's the best part of the army, meeting new people. Living with them that length of time has made them almost brothers to you. Now most of us have separated and we all want to get back to civilian life as soon as possible. I know it's not going to be so difficult for me to adjust myself to civilian life as it was to army life. Now we hope that those boys who aren't going back to civilian life haven't died in vain. That the peace they so gallantly fought for will be fought for now more than ever.
It's getting late so I'll close hoping that soon it will be "Destination Sioux Center" for me. I'll see you all soon. A friend, Gerald
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 24, 1946 p 2
T/4 Gerald Bosch wrote his parents not to send him any more mail as he expects to be leaving for home in the very near future.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 14, 1946 p 4
Gerald Bosch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch, was scheduled to arrive in New York Wednesday from overseas where he has been serving in the European Theater.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 21, 1946 p 12
Gerald Bosch arrived in the States on Saturday and called his parents. He is expected to arrive here the early part of the week and has been discharged after three years of service, two of which were spent overseas.
Source: Sioux County Index Feb. 28, 1946 p 7
Gerald Bosch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bosch, arrived here on Wednesday forenoon and has been discharged after three years of army life. Two years were spent overseas. He received his discharge at Camp Grant, Ill. on Monday.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 28, 1946 p 12
Draft Board
Minutes of March 5, 1946
.....
1-C Discharged
....., Gerald G. Bosch, .....
Source: Sioux County Capital March 7, 1946 p 8
Gerald G. Bosch was born Nov. 19, 1922 to Peter and Pearl Hulstein Bosch. He died Nov. 5, 1976 and is buried in Memory Gardens Sioux Center Cemetery, Sioux Center, IA.
Sgt. Bosch served in World War II with the U.S. Army 8th Armored Division Amphibious Tank Battalion.
Source: ancestry.com
