MILITARY DRAFT NEWS GROWS MORE IMPORTANT EVERY DAY
Three Local Boys To Army On April 24th
Donald Mouw, son of Mr. And Mrs. Neal Mouw, was called to the army the past week with instructions to appear in Des Moines, April 28th. Don has been working on the Hampton, Iowa paper. Harold Mulder, son of Henry Mulder will go on April 24th, as will Jim De Witt who expected to be called in the near future, and therefore volunteered to go this month.
18 Names Drawn for Army – To Go April 24.
The following names were drawn Wednesday to be called to the army service on April 24th. They will leave Alton for Omaha Next Thursday afternoon.
James De Wit, Sioux Center, volunteer – 925
…..
Source: Sioux Center News Apr. 17, 1941 p 1
Mr. and Mrs. Neal De Wit, Maria and Gene Kuyper left Wednesday for Rollo, Missouri to visit Jim De Wit who is stationed in the army post there. They plan to spend the 4th with him and return early next week.
Source: Sioux Center News July 3, 1941 p 5
Write the Boys in the Service
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Pfc. James De Wit
Co. K 56th Q. M. Reg.
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 30, 1941 p 4
Among the soldiers who are having furloughs are: Harold Mulder, Gerrit Van Engen, Lester Van Muyden and Jim De Wit. Neal De Wit and Eugene Kuyper left on Monday night to go to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. and brought Jim De Wit back with them for a 12 day furlough. …
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 18, 1941 p 4
Jim De Wit left on Saturday morning for his post at Fort Leonard Wood. Mo., after a furlough with the home folks.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 1, 1942 p 8
Jim De Wit sends home a new address: P.F.C. James De Wit, Motor School, Brick Barracks A., Fort Crook, Nebr. He will take seven weeks training there if his unit remains at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 19, 1942 p 8
Jim De Wit, who is attending a six week course in Omaha, spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Neal De Wit. His division is stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 26, 1942 p 8
Jim De Wit, who is attending school at Omaha while his unit of the army remains in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., visited at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Neal De Wit on Sunday.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 5, 1942 p 8
(photo)
P.F.C. James De Wit
Private First Class James De Wit is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Neal De Wit of Sioux Center. He is located at Fort Crook, Nebr. at present where he is going to school. Jim has been located with his unit at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. with the mechanical division and has been given time off to attend school at Omaha.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 26, 1942 p 1
58 Soldiers From Sioux Center Vicinity
SEND OMITTED NAMES OF MEN IN SERVICE
The American Legion has been sending inspirational letters each month to the soldiers of the Sioux Center vicinity and are anxious to have a complete list of the men in the service. The NEWS has published the names of the men who left to serve their country in the "NEWS ABOUT OUR SOLDIERS" column. Please contact the NEWS if any soldier has been omitted or if the rank is not correct in the list which follows:
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P.F.C. James De Wit
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Keep the Sioux Center News informed when your soldier has a promotion in rank, change of address, or just a line about how he is getting along. Little sidelights on the activities of the men under arms are of interest to everyone. Call us anytime and give us a news item on the man who has gone to serve his country in the time of war. The News Reporter cannot contact each one of you every week so your cooperation will be appreciated. Every letter from the soldiers indicate a great deal of pleasure is derived in reading about his fellow "Buddy" and the mutual experiences in the U.S. service.
Source: Sioux Center News March 26, 1942 p 3
Jim De Wit, who is completing a 6 week course of schooling at Omaha, was in the Army Day parade at Omaha. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Neal De Wit of Sioux Center. The Fort Leonard Wood Unit to which Jim belongs, marched at Des Moines on Army Day.
Source: Sioux Center News Apr. 9, 1942 p 8
De Wit – Kuyper
A very pretty home wedding took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Neal De Wit on Saturday evening, June 6, 1942 when their daughter Adrianna became the bride of Mr. Eugene Kuyper, son of Mrs. Neal Kuyper….. Out of town guests at the wedding included …, Pvt. James De Wit from Fort Crook, Nebr. ….
Source: Sioux County Capital June 11, 1942 p 4
Maria Kuyper and Agnes De Wit accompanied P.F.C. James De Wit on Sunday afternoon to Ft. Crook, Nebr. where they will stay until Jim leaves for Florida. He expects to leave Ft. Crook on Saturday.
Source: Sioux Center News June 11, 1942 p 8
Word reached Mr. and Mrs. Neal De Wit of Sioux Center that their son, Jim, is now stationed at Camp Blending, Florida. He was recently sent to Fort Crook, Nebraska after completing a course at Omaha. His new address is: P.F.C. James De Wit, Co. K, 58 Q.M. Regt., Camp Blanding, Florida.
Source: Sioux Center News June 25, 1942 p 8
Thirty Young Men From Central Church In Service
The following is the list of boys from Central Reformed Church who are now serving in the armed forces. Their addresses change frequently, and P. Mouw is keeping an up-to-date list of addresses. Parents are asked to give him changes of addresses as soon as they get them, so the boys may get all the mail that it is possible for them to get.
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P.F.C. James De Wit
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since the above list was published in the church bulletin, two more boys have gone into the service: ....
Source: Sioux Center News July 9, 1942 p 4
Jim De Wit, son of Mr. and Mrs. Neal De Wit of Sioux Center who was recently sent from Fort Crook, Nebr. to Camp Blanding, Florida is now located at Dilworth, North Carolina before going on maneuvers. He was recently promoted to rank of corporal and his address is: Corp. James A. De Wit, Co. K, 56th Q.M. Reg. (HM), APO No. 302, Dilworth, North Carolina.
Source: Sioux Center News July 2, 1942 p 6
(photo)
CORP. T. JAMES DE WIT
Corp. T. James De Wit is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Neal De Wit of Sioux Center and is stationed at present at Delworth, North Carolina where his unit will be participating in maneuvers soon. “Jim” was promoted to the rank of corporal about two weeks ago, having completed a 16 week course in mechanical schooling at Fort Crook, Nebr. He left from Fort Crook for Florida catching up with his group and then was sent to North Carolina. Upon entering the army last April, 1941, he was first stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. before he began his schooling. His address is: Corp. T. James De Wit 37037460, Co K, 56th Q. M. Rgt. (HM), APO 312, Delworth, North Carolina, U.S. Army.
Source: Sioux Center News July 16, 1942 p 1
Cpl. T. James De Wit back in Florida
Corporal T. James De Wit, son of Mr. and Mrs. Neal De Wit, who has been on maneuvers in North Carolina is now back at Camp Blanding, Florida. His address is: Corporal James De Wit, Co. K, 56th Q.M. Regt. (HM), Camp Blanding, Florida.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 27, 1942 p 8
Home On Furlough
Corporal T. James De Wit, son of Mr. and Mrs. Neal De Wit of Sioux Center, came home last Thursday on a ten day furlough. He will leave tomorrow for Camp Blanding, Florida where he is stationed with the U.S. army as a technician. His address when in Florida: Corporal James De Wit, Co. K, 56th Q.M. Regt. (HM), Camp Blanding, Florida.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 3, 1942 p 8
James De Wit Address
Here is the address which will reach James De Wit, son of Mr. and Mrs. Neal De Wit of Sioux Center who is stationed in Florida with the U.S. army. Tech. 5th Gr. James De Wit, 893rd Ord. H.M. Co. (Q), Camp Blanding, Fla., U.S. Army
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 22, 1942 p 8
Two Soldiers Wed While Home On Furlough
Kuyper – De Wit
A lovely home wedding took place at the home of Mrs. Christina Kuyper on Wednesday evening at 6:30 o’clock when Miss Maria Kuyper became the bride of Corp. James A. De Wit, son of Mr. and Mrs. Neal De Wit in a charming candlelight service. Rev. R. D. Meengs officiated at the single ring ceremony in the presence of the immediate families and a few friends.
Preceding the ceremony Robert Kuyper, brother of the bride sang “Until” and Gene Kuyper, brother of the bride sang “Because”. Immediately after the ceremony Gene Kuyper sang “Serenade” by Schubert.
Helen De Wit, sister of the groom, played Lohengrin’s wedding march while the couple took their places before a background of beautifully arranged evergreens and baby breath.
The bride was beautiful in a floor-length gown of brocaded Chenille satin with a train and sweetheart neckline and a beaded “U” fitted bodice. She wore a fingertip veil and carried a white Bible with white streamers and varied small flowers. As jewelry she wore a “Mother Pearl” necklace with the army insignia, a gift from the groom.
The groom appeared in his army uniform and the couple were unattended.
A two course wedding luncheon was served to the guests by Dorothy Boeyink, Mable Eggink and Delia Franken.
Corp. De Wit will return to his army duties at Camp Blanding, Fla. early Saturday morning and the bride will finish her school year as teacher in the rural school, one mile north and one mile west of town.
Out-of-town guests at the wedding were Mr. and Mrs. Gene Kuyper of Sioux Falls, S.D.
…..
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 11, 1943 p 5
County Court News For Sioux County
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Marriage licenses were issued to the following persons:
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James A. De Wit, 27, and Maria M. Kuyper, 25, both of Sioux Center
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Source: Sioux County Index Feb. 18, 1943 p 1
Mrs. James De Wit left on Sunday for Tenn. to visit her husband who is stationed there for a short time before going on maneuvers.
Source: Sioux Center News June 24, 1943 p 8
SIOUX COUNTY SERVICEMEN HAVE GOOD MILITARY RECORDS
29 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OUT OF 325
The News recently made a survey of the Soldier Mailing list and discovered there were a good many officers in the U.S. Fighting Forces representing Sioux Center all over the world. While some of these men are not from Sioux Center proper, they all have some connections here and most of them are known in this territory. This is only a small percentage of Sioux County men, but is a fair cross section of the County.
There may be others who are from this territory whose names do not appear on this list, but we are using our mailing list to go by, so those who do not get the News would naturally not appear on this list. However, it is interesting to note the percentage of officers (commissioned or non-commissioned) in a list of over 325 servicemen.
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5 Tech. Sgts.:
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James De Wit
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Source: Sioux Center News July 8, 1943 p 5
Jim De Wit, son of Mr. and Mrs. Neal De Wit, has quite likely left for overseas duty. He has been in the service since April 1941. Previously he has been stationed in Camp Forest, Tenn. His wife, the former Maria Kuyper, has been with him up to this time and arrived home Friday evening. His complete address will be published as soon as possible.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 16, 1943 p 2
Mrs. James De Wit, who has been staying with her husband for the past several months arrived here last Friday evening as her husband had been moved. His new address is:
Tech. 5th Grade James A. De Wit 37037460
893 Ordnance H.V.A.M. Co.
APO 4849, c.o. Postmaster
New York City, N. Y.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 16, 1943 p 10
Cpl. and Mrs. James De Wit became the parents of a new daughter born to them at the Maris Maternity home on Wednesday morning. She has been named Mary Jo and the mother is the former Maria Kuyper. The father is in the service and is stationed somewhere in England.
Source: Sioux Center News March 23, 1944 p 5
T5 James A. De Wit 37037460, c/o Postmaster, New York City 4, New York has a slight change of address. His APO number has changed to 562. The rest of his address remains the same.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 28, 1944 p 8
BABY PARTY
Twenty-three mothers with their little ones were guests at the annual Baby Party sponsored by the Iota Sigma in the A. Te Paske home last week.
Mrs. Bernard Ver Hoef and Mrs. H. J. Ramaker were hostesses. The program was in charge of Miss Wilmina Eppink. Mrs. R. D. Meengs preceded her prayer by bringing to mind the matchless ways of Jesus when He called little children, when He took them in his arms, when He blessed them and when He likened the Kingdom of God to a child.
Each mother and her baby were introduced by Mrs. Douwe Vander Berg, Mrs. A. Te Paske tied the white ribbon on the tiny wrist. She said that this little ceremony is observed wherever the Women’s Temperance Union and the Iota Sigma (its new branch) function. And that it implies a mutual promise among God fearing women to strive and pray for the protection of the home and childhood – and to seek the things that make for purity and peace.
The Babies and Their Parents
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Impressive also was the presence of 10 babies whose daddies are away in the war. As each young mother appeared with her precious charge there were tender thoughts and words, a prayer too, and a tear for a father far away from a broken home.
Soldier Babies
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Mary Jo, daughter of James De Wit
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Each child received a gift. Sweet songs were sung, first by Elaine Dykstra, later by Charlotte Poppers. Mrs. Neal J. Mol read delightful bits of poetry concluding with this by Dickens:
The Children
They are idols of hearts and of households,
They are angels of God in disguise.
His sunshine still sleeps in their tresses,
His glory still gleams in their eyes.
These truants from home and from Heaven
They have made me more manly and mild
And I know now how Jesus could liken
The kingdom of God to a child.
General MacArthur, father of a small son, is quoted as saying, “I would rather be a good father than a great general. It is the business of the soldier to destroy; it is the privilege of a father to build”.
(Contributed through the courtesy of Mrs. A. Te Paske)
Source: Sioux Center News June 14, 1945 p 2
COMING HOME
(photo)
James De Wit
Liege, Belgium
October 17
Dear Ed:
I have been waiting a long time to write this special message to you to discontinue my subscription for the News as I expect to leave here soon. Have been transferred to another organization which is scheduled to go back to the States. So with moving from place to place the mail would not catch up with me.
Have enjoyed every issue of your paper and since you started mailing them first class they came through in eight or nine days. Sometimes came before an air mail letter would. Want to thank everyone who was responsible for this good service.
Hope to be reading the News right in Sioux Center one of these days.
Yours truly,
James De Wit
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 1, 1945 p 2
Discharged
T/5 James De Wit arrived home on Sunday morning and has been discharged after serving in the armed forces for four and a half years. He spent 26 months overseas where he worked as a mechanic repairing trucks and jeeps. He has a total of 89 points. Ready to welcome him home was his little year and a half old daughter Mary Jo whom he had never seen. He has no definite plans for his immediate future.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 29, 1945 p 1
Servicemen Discharged
Servicemen who have filed discharges in the County Recorder’s office since Nov. 28 include:
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James A. De Wit, Sioux Center
…..
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 6, 1945 p 12
Iowa, U. S., WWII Bonus Case Files 1947-1954, Claim No. 64114
James A. De Wit, SN 37037460, was born Feb. 3, 1916 at Ocheydan, Iowa, was living at Sioux Center, Iowa when he registered for the draft, and entered the Army on April 24, 1941 at Omaha, Nebraska. He served with the 893rd Ordinance, Hq. Det. 22nd Ord. Bn., left for foreign service on Sept. 20, 1943 and returned on Nov. 19, 1945. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 24, 1945. His application for bonus pay was filed on May 9, 1949, for which he received $500.00.
Source: ancestry.com
