Peter Duits, son of Mrs. B. Duits received a notice from the army to appear soon for another examination. Pete is working in Grand Rapids and has a 1-B classification.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 6, 1942 p 2
Three Local Young Men Enlist in Navy
Four local young men have taken the initial U.S. Navy examinations and three enlisted in the Navy to leave September 15th. Those passing the preliminary examinations for the Navy were: John Van Aller, Peter Duits and Al Shafer. They will undergo a more complete examination in Des Moines. John is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dick Van Aller of Rock Valley, Peter is the son of Mrs. B. Duits of Sioux Center and Al is the son of Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Shafer of Sioux Center.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 3, 1942, p 2
Mrs. Jake Koolbeck received a card from her brother James Juffer who enlisted in the Navy at Sioux City last Tuesday that the five Sioux Center boys, John Van Aller, Duane Fisk, Alton Shafer, Peter Duits and James Juffer were still together and that the Great Lakes Naval Training Station was filled so they were temporarily being sent to a training station in Texas. The boys were on their way but had not yet arrived at their destination.
Source: Sioux County Capital Sept. 24, 1942 p 7
Five Young Men Now Sailors for the U. S.
The five young men who left Sioux City last week went on to Des Moines and passed the requirements. James Juffer, Peter Duits, Alton Shafer and Duane Fick were sent to Corpus Christi, Texas. John Van Aller went to the Great Lakes where he will do hospital work. The recruiting officer stopped in the NEWS office and advises people to write to the boys. Their address is: Naval Training Station, Corpus Christi, Texas, Detention. James Juffer will submit to a hernia operation later.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 24, 1942 p 8
Peter Duits, son of Mrs. B. Duits of Sioux Center, is now located at Corpus Christi, Texas with the U. S. Navy. His address is: Peter Duits, Barracks 116, Co. A., U.S.N.A.S., Recruit Div., Corpus Christi, Texas.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 1, 1942 p 2
Hans Juffer and Peter Duits who were recently sent to Corpus Christi, Texas, had the pleasant experience of meeting Chris Van Oosbree who is also in the U.S. Navy. Chris was sent to Corpus Christi some weeks ago for advanced training, having graduated from radio school at Stillwater, Okla.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 8, 1942 p 8
There has been a slight change in the address of Peter Duits who is stationed at Corpus Christi, Texas with the U.S. Navy. It is: Peter Duits 2-C, A. and R. Div., U.S.N.A.S., Corpus Christi, Texas.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 22, 1942 p 8
Dear Ed and Friends:
This is the best way I know of to thank everybody for the many cards and gifts that I have received. They surely were very welcome. A fellow in the service appreciates those things. I could use everything that was in the box your business women sent. Thanks.
I still receive the News regularly on Tuesday and I really enjoy it. The first thing I look for is the addresses and letters from servicemen. Thanks a lot.
Until two weeks ago I worked in the radio shop. Now I’m working in the main hangar putting in the electrical wiring in planes. I like it fine.
Today is Christmas, but it seems just like another Sunday. We don’t have to work but I have guard duty tonight. We had a swell Christmas dinner. Turkey, etc.
The weather is very mild here. Just about warm enough to go swimming. In fact, some of the fellows are swimming now.
We have plenty of recreation and entertainment on the base so I can always find something to do. Every once in a while we have a U.S.O. camp show. They’re swell; last week Ray Herbeck and his orchestra were here.
Well, I must close. Even my spare time isn’t always my own.
Your sailor friend, Pete
Peter Duits, F 2-c
A & R Dept., Shop 418
U.S.N.T.C.,
Corpus Christi, Texas
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 31, 1942 p 8
Peter Duits has been promoted from Seaman 2-c to Seaman 3-c.
Pete Duits A E M 3-c
A & R Dept. Shop 416
U.S.N.T.S., Corpus Christi, Texas
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 21, 1943 p 9
Correction
Peter Duits has been advanced from Fire Man 2c to Aviation Electricians Mate 3c. Which is the same as Petti Officer 3-c instead of seaman 3c.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 28, 1943 p 10
Sometime ago we published a news item about Peter Duits who is in the navy located at Corpus Christi. The item stated that he was a seaman third class which was incorrect. He was then Fireman 2-c and now has another promotion to his credit, namely Aviation Electrician’s Mate 3-c which is a rated petty officer. His correct address should read thus:
Peter Duits A.E.M. 3-c
A & R Dept. Shop 416
U.S.N.T.B.
Corpus Christi, Texas
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 4, 1943 p 11
Peter Duits of the U.S. Navy arrived home Tuesday on a fifteen day leave from Corpus Christi, Texas where he is an electrician. He has been in the Navy since September 15th.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 25, 1943 p 10
Receives X-mas package
Dear Business Girls: Sat. night
I have received your welcome and very much appreciated Christmas package this afternoon. I would like to thank all of you personally. Also, all of those that contributed in any way. But I think you will realize that is impossible or practically so, so this will have to suffice.
Being away from home, it helps to know that we are not forgotten, especially for the fellas out of the states and seeing action. Thanks again.
Even though we won’t have a white Christmas here we will have Christmas trees, given through the Rotary Clubs. I don’t know yet how they will be put to use.
For a couple weeks now it has been raining quite a lot, but otherwise the weather has been grand, so I’m not complaining. A snow storm like you had back home is hard to imagine.
So long and Merry Christmas
Pete Duits AEM 3-c
A & R Dept. Acc. Div.
U.S.N.T.C.
Corpus Christi, Texas
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 9, 1943 p 12
Peter Duits who is with the navy at Corpus Christi arrived home on a 16-day leave last Saturday morning.
Source: Sioux Center News Apr. 13, 1944 p 10
Peter Duits AEM 3-c
A & R Dept., Acc. Div.
U.S.N. T.S.
Corpus Christi, Texas
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 26, 1944 p 10
Peter Duits was recently promoted to A.E.M. 2/c at Corpus Christi, Texas.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 2, 1944 p 10
Peter Duits sends greetings to all from Corpus Christi, Texas
Dear Ed: Nov. 24, 1944
I guess its time you heard from this part of the country again. I could use the old standby that I was too busy to write but it seems that excuse has been overworked. Even now about the only thing that prompted this letter is the very excellent gift from the business girls. I wish to thank every one of them heartily, and those generous people who contributed. It is a fine gift and will prove to be very useful. I’m using it right now. Could not wait to open it.
I also want to thank the members of the Second Christian Reformed Church and Rev. Breen for the fine album. It brings back memories that seem so long ago, and yet at times seem like but yesterday.
Well, another Thanksgiving has gone by. I hope all of you had as good a dinner as I had, with turkey and everything that goes with it. I suppose you folks had snow and a good day of hunting. We’ve had rain for several days in a row. For a coupld weeks it was cold but now it is warm again.
I’m on our division basketball team. We haven’t played any games yet, but have been practicing every night this week. I think our first practice game is next Tuesday, I’d like to be home and watch the high school team play.
My work here is about the same. I’ve been teaching some new boys the ropes on various electrical accessories, but now I’m on another bench by myself again. It helps to break the monotony to move around from one thing to another. We’ve been working mostly on training planes, but after the first of the year there won’t be any cadets here and we’re getting a lot of combat planes in. That will be much more interesting – and complicated.
Well, all you people, it will probably be after Christmas before I write again, so now I’ll say “Merry Christmas”. God bless you all. So long.
Your friend, Pete Duits
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 7, 1944 p 2
HERE ON LEAVE
Peter Duits arrived on a surprise visit Wednesday morning on a six day leave form Corpus Christi, Texas where he is stationed with the U. S. Navy as an electrician (A.E.M. 2-c). As soon as he returns to Texas he will be shipped out to Seattle.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 14, 1944 p 10
The latest address of Pete Duits is: Pete Duits A.E.M. 2/c, Box H-3, U.S.N.A.S., Whidbey Island, Wash.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 4, 1945 p 8
DISCHARGED
Peter Duits A.E.M. 2-c received his discharge on the point system on Oct. 26 at Minneapolis, Minn. He has been in the service for three years and two months and for the past several months had been stationed at Whidbey Island, Washington.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 1, 1945 p 2
Servicemen Discharged
Servicemen who have filed discharges at the County Recorder’s Office since October 31 include:
…..
Peter Duits, Sioux Center
…..
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 8, 1945 p 1
Iowa, U. S., WWII Bonus Case Files 1947-1954, Claim No. 120179
Peter Duits, SN 6210997, was born Jan. 24, 1919 at Sioux Center, Iowa, where he was living prior to entering the Navy on Sept. 16, 1942 at Des Moines, Iowa. He served at the U.S. Naval Air Station at Corpus Christi, Texas and the U. S. Naval Air Station at Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, Washington, and was honorably discharged on Oct. 26, 1945. His application for bonus pay was filed May 24, 1949, for which he received $400.00.
Source: ancestry.com
