New Fighting Men
The following men have been accepted for military service:
U. S. Navy
Dick John Duits, Holland, Mich.
…..
Source: Sioux County Capital July 1, 1943 p 1
Alton Sailors
Farragut, Idaho, July 13 – For the next few weeks two men from Alton, Iowa, will be learning the Navy way of doing things, and preparing themselves, both physically and mentally for a vital job as members of the United States fleet.
These men, who have begun their training at the West’s largest Naval Training Station high in the hills of northern Idaho, will be given an opportunity to qualify for advanced specialized training upon completion of recruit training.
They are: James William Kass, son of Mrs. O. N. Kass, and Dick John Duits, husband of Mrs. Dick J. Duits, Box 44.
Source: Alton Democrat July 23, 1943 p 8
Home from Farragut
James Kass and Dick Duits, apprentice seamen at Farragut, Idaho, have completed their apprenticeship and are home on furlough. James hopes to qualify as a yeoman on his return.
Source: Alton Democrat Sept. 9, 1943 p 8
Dear Editor
1-5-44
I don’t quite remember who the business girls of Sioux Center are because I imagine there have been some changes made there since I left, but anyway they sent me a nice Christmas gift of candy and cake for which I wish to thank them and all concerned via the News from men in the service. You may be sure it was very much appreciated and not only by me but also by several of my neighbors here in the barracks. I think I was the only one who got that kind of gift. Thanks again for remembering me. It always makes us feel good to know we haven’t been forgotten. I know I shall never forget my Sioux Center friends. I hope I can go back there someday.
Now just a few lines about what I am doing here in Farragut. As you can see by my address, I am one of the gate guards stationed at the main gate. Our job is to check all passes going both in and out of the station. We are on duty for eight hours every other day so get liberty the rest of the days. Of course we have work to do for ourselves such as washing clothes, writing letters, some drilling and several other things so we save those for our off duty days. It really keeps us quite busy.
I see by the News that there are several boys from Sioux Center and vicinity at Farragut but haven’t seen any of them yet that I know of. I keep looking for familiar names and faces when I am checking passes but so far have not had any luck. I do see a Dutch name occasionally but haven’t been able to recognize any of their faces. I see young Henry Addink is here too now so I’ll be looking for him. Of course he is in one of the “boot” camps so won’t be getting out much. They get only two or three days liberty in their eight weeks in boot camp.
So far we are having a very mild winter. I don’t think we have had more than a total of four inches of snow here in the valley, but the mountains have been white for several weeks making the air quite cold. The old timers say the winters are quite long here so I hope it holds off for a while yet.
So long for now folks and thanks again for the gifts.
Dick J. Duits F 3-c
Gate Guard, U.S.N.T.S.
Farragut, Idaho
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 13, 1944 p 2
Norfolk, Virginia
24 May, 1944
Dear Ed:
I am not at Farragut, Idaho anymore so will have to send you a new address. It is now:
D. Duits S 2-c
L.S.T. School Group
A.T.B. Camp Bradford
Norfolk, II, Virginia
I am now in the amphibious forces and going to school for duty aboard an L.S.T. I expect to be here for about six more weeks, two of which will be spent by attending classes.
When I get through school I will be placed in a crew and will live with them on the base for about two more weeks. When that is over, we will go on a two-weeks cruise out on the Atlantic and in the Chesapeake Bay which is nearby. We are supposed to get our sea legs, etc. on this cruise.
We come back here then and wait for orders to pick up a new shop which will be our home for the duration (we hope).
After that we don’t know where we will go so most likely I won’t be seeing much of the News after leaving the States.
I haven’t received the News for the past three weeks so am getting anxious to see one again.
Please note the change in my address and send it to me here.
Sincerely,
Dick Duits
Source: Sioux Center News June 1, 1944 p 2
From Dick Duits in the Southwest Pacific comes this letter of greeting and word of his promotion to Seaman First Class –
Dear Eddie: 11 Oct. 1944
Here I come with another change in my address so please make this correction for me. The change is both in my rating and my address so here it is:
D. J. Duits S 1/c
U.S.S. LST 754,
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, Calif.
I haven’t seen one of your papers for a couple of months now so am getting anxious to get them coming regularly.
I cannot tell you where I am now except that I am somewhere in the S. W. Pacific and a long way from what I used to know as my home, good old Sioux Center. May the day soon come when we can all return.
Thanks a lot Ed, and get the News coming my way again.
Say hello to the folks and the old gang around there for me will you. If you publish this, in part I’ll do it myself, too. Hello, Folks!
Your old so and so, Dick Duits
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 9, 1944 p 2
In The Pacific
Dick Duits, Cox., is serving on an L.S.T. ship based in the Pacific. He has been in the Navy for two years and 8 months in the Pacific area. His wife, the former Malinda Minten, and small son live at Alton.
Source: Alton Democrat June 28, 1945 p 8
Cox. Dick Duits Gets Navy Discharge
(photo)
DICK DUITS
Dick Duits arrived in Alton Thursday to join his family from the Wold Chamberlain Naval Air Station at Minneapolis after receiving his honorable discharge from the navy separation center there.
This marks the end of nearly 2½ years of active duty for Dick, most of which was spent aboard an L.S.T. in Pacific and far eastern waters. – (Alton Democrat)
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 29, 1945 p 2
Discharged
Servicemen who have filed discharges in the County Recorders office at Orange City since November 14 include:
…..
Dick Duits, Alton
…..
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 29, 1945 p 1
Iowa, U. S., WWII Bonus Case Files 1947-1954, Claim No. 165433
Dick John Duits, SN 8719323, was born on May 11, 1910 in the Netherlands, and registered with the Selective Service at Orange City, Iowa prior to entering the Navy on July 2, 1943 at Orange City, Iowa. He left for foreign service on July 5, 1944, returned on Nov. 5, 1945, and was honorably discharged on Nov. 14, 1945. His application for bonus pay was filed on June 20, 1949, for which he received $340.00.
Source: ancestry.com
