Marvin Grotenhuis arrived home this past week to await a call from the U. S. army as he is scheduled to leave in the near future. He has been working at Sac City as supervisor of the Dairy Head Improvement.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 5, 1942, p 4
Marvin Grotenhuis has not received any further notice from the draft board as to when he will leave. He passed his physical examination in Des Moines some time ago.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 19, 1942, p 8
Sioux County Draft Board Reclassifies Married Men
13 MEN CALLED TO SERVICE
The county draft board has started to reclassify all men in 3A group, who are now eligible for service. This includes all men married since Sept. 16, 1940, and all other married men who have no dependents. So far, the board has reclassified 38 men from class 3A to 1A, of this group, 35 were married.
A new call for men to leave soon will include the following 13 men: ….. Marvin Grotenhuis, Sioux Center
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 12, 1942, p 1
Two Sioux Center Men Inducted Into Army
Marvin Grotenhuis, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Grotenhuis and Lubert Niesink, son of Mr. And Mrs. Peter L. Niesink were inducted into the U. S. army on Monday and left from Alton.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 26, 1942, p 8
Marvin Grotenhuis, who was recently inducted into the army sends his latest address: Pvt. Marvin Grotenhuis, Service Btry., 343 F. A. Bn., Camp Barkeley, Texas.
Source: Sioux Center News April 9, 1942, p 8
Marvin Grotenhuis, Harvey Wissink and Bill Hofmeyer were a few of the Sioux County soldiers that met at Abilene, Texas recently. They are men in the U. S. army stationed at Camp Wolters and Camp Barkeley, Texas.
While there the young men had a group picture taken which we hope to publish a little later.
Source: Sioux Center News May 14, 1942, p 8
P.F.C. Marvin Grotenhuis Sends Card
8-22-42 Dear Folks: Tomorrow we go out on an overnight march again, so I should have my share of chigger bites by tomorrow night. Have been working pretty hard on payrolls this week. Had it all done before the new pay bill went through, and then we had to make it over. I hear it is fairly cool in Iowa. It was 103 here a week ago Friday. The sand blows so much that our blankets and beds are chuck full every morning. Went swimming the other night. They have a dandy pool in town. I took a drivers test last week and have an army permit to drive. ~Marv
Marv is the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Grotenhuis living west of Sioux Center. He is located at Camp Barkeley, Texas and his address is: P. F. C. Marvin Grotenhuis, Service Btry, 343rd F. A. Bn., Camp Barkeley, Texas.
Source: Sioux Center News July 2, 1942, p 6
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. .....
Pvt. Marvin Grotenhuis ..... 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
Marvin Grotenhuis Promoted To Corporal
Mr. and Mrs. John Grotenhuis were notified recently that that their son Marvin has been promoted to the rank of corporal in the U. S. army. He is stationed at Camp Barkeley, Texas. His correct address is: Corporal Marvin Grotenhuis, Service Btry., 343 F. A. Bn., Camp Barkeley, Texas.
Source: Sioux Center News July 30, 1942, p 8
Corp. M. Grotenhuis on Furlough
Corporal Marvin Grotenhuis, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Grotenhuis of Sioux Center, came home Monday morning on a five-day furlough. He plans to leave Friday for Camp Barkeley, Texas where he is stationed with the U. S. Army.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 10, 1942, p 2
Cpl. M. Grotenhuis To Officers School
Corporal Marvin Grotenhuis, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Grotenhuis living west of Sioux Center, notified his parents that he has been transferred from Camp Barkeley, Texas to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he will attend Officer’s training school. His new address is: Cpl. Marvin Grotenhuis, Officers Candidate School, Cl No. 43, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Marv writes to the News, “I certainly enjoy reading the NEWS and I’m pretty sure that goes for all the boys”.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 1, 1942, p 10
CORP. MARVIN GROTENHUIS
Corp. Marvin Grotenhuis is a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Grotenhuis who recently left here having retired from the farm. Marvin left here in March, 1942 and was sent to Camp Barkeley, Texas where he was in the office of the administrative department. He was sent to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma to attend Officers Candidate School early this fall, after coming home for a furlough. He expects to finish this course sometime in December. He is being groomed for work in the Artillery Division. His address: Corp. Marvin Grotenhuis, OCS F. A. Sch., Ft. Sill, Okla.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 3, 1942, p 1
Marvin Grotenhuis who has been visiting his sister at Maryville, Mo. is now transferred to Denton, Texas. You may write him at this new address: Lt. Marvin Grotenhuis Class L-6 25th A.A.F.L.T.D. Denton, Texas
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 7, 1943, p 6
2nd Lt. Marvin Grotenhuis spent Tuesday and Wednesday visiting here after being at the home of his brother Bill and family at Jefferson for part of his furlough. Marvin has been at Denton, Texas, but is going back to Fort Sill for Flight training in aerial observation.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 11, 1943, p 10
8 SIOUX COUNTY BOYS AT FT. SILL (photo) Here are eight Sioux County boys located at Ft. Sill, Okla. Reading from left to right they are John De Groot, Andrew Vermeer, Jake Konning, Henry De Groot, Gerrit Van Otterloo, Neal Dykhuizen, John Vander Berg and Casper Vander Ploeg. All of them were in one barracks building. Arend Voorderman is also there, but not on the picture. The boys seemed to think Elmer Lutjens was still there but he has been in Indiantown Gap, Pa. for several months now.
Lt. Marvin Grotenhuis is again at Ft. Sill for some special training, having gone back there just recently from Denton, Texas.
Source: Sioux Center News March 25, 1943, p 10
(Excerpt of letter from Henry Neal De Groot) I was fortunate in seeing Cpl. Everette Muilenburg and Lt. Marvin Grotenhuis. We were buddies in high school, starts a fellow thinking of high school days all over again, gone but not forgotten. Source:
Sioux Center News April 22, 1943, p 10
Lt. Marvin J. Grotenhuis, Hq. Btry., 306 F. A. Bn., D.T.C., APO 77, c.o. Postmaster, Los Angeles, Calif. He has been moved from Fort Sill, Okla.
Source: Sioux Center News May 20, 1943, p 9
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. ….. 10 2nd Lieutenants ….. Marvin Grotenhuis …..
Source: Sioux Center News July 8, 1943, p 5
Lt. Marvin J. Grotenhuis arrived in Jefferson Wednesday morning from Arizona, where he had been on desert maneuvers, and stopped here for a week’s leave in the parental A. J. Grotenhuis home and in the home of his brother, W. J. Grotenhuis. He will be joined here later in the week by Mr. and Mrs. Earl Atkins of Pella for a visit over the weekend. Mrs. Atkins is a sister of the honored guest. Upon leaving Jefferson, he will go to a camp in Virginia for additional training.
Source: Jefferson Herald Sept. 30, 1943, p 5
Lt. Marvin Grotenhuis spent last Friday here enroute to his new station from Los Angeles to Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was a guest at the home of Mr. and Mrs. G. Doornwaard. Marvin is a flyer, in the artillery division and flies a little plane which they have fondly christened the “Maytag Messerschmidt” ….(and I believed it for a moment – M. R.)
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 7, 1943, p 10
SIX IOWANS RECEIVE TEMPORARY PROMOTION Washington, D. C. – Temporary promotion of six Iowans was announced Tuesday by the war department. ….. Elmer E. Kirchner, AC, Estherville; Merle H. Brown, OD, Keokuk; and Marvin Grotenhuis, FA, Sioux Center, were promoted from second to first lieutenant.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier Dec. 7, 1943, p 2
Taylor-Grotenhuis
Miss Lila Taylor, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Taylor, living six miles north of Ireton was united in marriage to Lt. Marvin Grotenhuis formerly of Sioux Center. The wedding took place Dec. 23 at the Chapel at Camp Pickett, Va. The couple both graduated from the Sioux Center high school, and the bride later attended Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls. The bridegroom attended Iowa State College at Ames prior to going into the Army two years ago. Mrs. Grotenhuis was called home by the serious sickness of her father, and came Wednesday morning, but plans to remain near where her husband is stationed.
Source: Alton Democrat Jan. 13, 1944, p 6
Mrs. Marvin Grotenhuis, nee Lila Taylor, left by train Friday to visit her husband, Lt. Marvin Grotenhuis at Camp Pickett, Virginia. Marvin expects to be sent overseas in the near future.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 10, 1944, p 2
1st. Lt. Marvin J. Grotenhuis 0-117487 has an outgoing address: Hq. Btry. 306th F. A. Bn., APO 77, c/o Postmaster, San Francisco, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News March 23, 1944, p 2
Source: Sioux Center News Jun 1, 1944, p 2
Lt. Marvin Grotenhuis writes from somewhere in the South Pacific
July 1, '44
Dear Friends: I have a change of address again, and at the rate I’m going I’m beginning to doubt whether the News will ever catch up with me. It is about the only way I have of knowing where the people from the old home town are. I haven’t had a copy of the News for a couple of months now. I was surprised to receive a letter from Lt. Henrietta Eppink. She undoubtedly got my address from the News, and I will try to answer her letter soon. I have had an opportunity to visit Honolulu on Oahu. I also had a chance to see a few of the towns on the island of Maui. They remind me a lot of some of the smaller towns on the west coast. I want to say Hello to all my friends and here’s hoping we all get to see each other soon. As ever, Marvin
Source: Sioux Center News July 20, 1944, p 2
COUSINS MEET ON SAIPAN
Lt. Stanton Grotenhuis and Lt. Marvin Grotenhuis, both flyers in the Army Air Corps, have been stationed at Saipan and met frequently according to word received indirectly by relatives here. The boys are cousins. Marvin is the son of John Grotenhuis who until last year lived in Sioux Center and now resides at Jefferson, Iowa. Stanton is the son of Wm. Grotenhuis, former Sioux Center residents, now living on the West Coast.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 9, 1944, p 2
Receives Air Medal
LT. MARVIN J. GROTENHUIS Here is a copy of the citation Lt. Marvin Grotenhuis received recently and for which he will receive the air medal: “First Lieutenant Marvin J. Grotenhuis, 01174873, Field Artillery, United States Army. For meritorious achievement while participating in serial flights from 19 June to 1 August 1944. As pilot of an unarmed liaison type airplane Lieutenant Grotenhuis flew again and again over enemy territory on Tinian, Marianas Islands. Despite the anti-aircraft fire which frequently struck his airplane, Lieutenant Grotenhuis skillfully maneuvered at low altitudes to provide the best possible visibility for his observer. From the accurate information obtained the battalion was able to register a most effective fire upon the enemy.” Marvin wrote that he met Reuben De Groot and Lubbert Niessink on Feb. 2nd in the Philippines.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 15, 1945, p 1
Marv. Grotenhuis Writes from the Philippines
Sun., Feb. 11
Dear Friends: I wish to use this means of expressing my thanks to all those who have written very interesting letters to me in the past months. Thanks too for the cards, Xmas packages, etc. I had what might be called a strange experience, a few days ago. I stepped into our APO on business, and as it was very busy I had to wait in line. I kept hearing a voice that seemed to sound familiar, but when I’d look at the fellow I couldn’t place him. I noticed he had on an identification bracelet, and I could read the name from where I stood. Well it turned out to be Reuben De Groot. As I last remember him, he was a stocky lad of about 5’7”, and about the age of my youngest sister Hendrine. My description of him now would be, a big fellow of about 190 pounds, and 6’1” or 6’2”. From him I found out where Lubert Niessink was, so I went right over to see Lubert who I hadn’t seen since we took off in different directions down in Texas, about 5 days after we came into the army. I met Lubert again a couple of days ago, when he was presented the “Soldier’s Medal”, you undoubtedly will get the details on that in the very near future. I received three copies of the “News” at the same time, and managed to get quite a few addresses of people from home, who I think are fairly near here. Wish someone would make a file copy of the addresses I have now there are quite a few. Of the three copies I received, the News of Oct. 26th gave me a few good laughs. To get off the subject a minute. They say in the army that when you complain you’re in perfect shape, when you get too happy, they say you’re due for rotation, and you are, what they call, Rock Happy. I think you’ll get the connection as far as I personally am concerned when you read what follows. I refer mainly to the various articles about the election. I can’t see how the Democrats could possibly fail to carry the state of Iowa with Marie and Ed plugging for them, also backed by their staunch supporter “The Cop” – no offense Joe, I’m not speeding. Now here’s my true opinion. I realize I know little or nothing about politics, but I think a large number of people will agree with me that “The Cop” article of Oct. 26th, is plenty sound, and far-sighted. Joe brings out that the item of money would have turned it one way or the other. I would like to have a qualified person explain to me, who is going to pay for the debts politicians are building up? I’m wondering whether I’m correct in supposing it will be those in the service, their children, and children’s children? In my present position I could ill afford to involve myself in politics, but I do think about a few of those things in my spare moments. I’d surely like to have a rear seat in some of those good old Home Town debates. Well, enough of that. Best wishes to everyone, and I’ll be seeing you. Respectfully yours, Marvin J. Grotenhuis
P. S. I hope to receive an answer to my inquiries, in fact I expect one.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 22, 1945, p 2
WINS CITATION
Lieut. Marvin Grotenhuis, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Grotenhuis and brother of W. J. Grotenhuis, all of Jefferson, recently received a citation, for which he will receive the air medal. Lieutenant Grotenhuis has been serving as pilot of an observation plane in the South Pacific, where he has been many months.
The citation follows: “First Lieutenant Marvin J. Grotenhuis, 01174873, Field Artillery, United States Army. For meritorious achievement while participating in serial flights from 19 June to 1 August 1944. As pilot of an unarmed liaison type airplane Lieutenant Grotenhuis flew again and again over enemy territory on Tinian, Marianas Islands. Despite the anti-aircraft fire which frequently struck his airplane, Lieutenant Grotenhuis skillfully maneuvered at low altitudes to provide the best possible visibility for his observer. From the accurate information obtained the battalion was able to register a most effective fire upon the enemy.”
Source: Jefferson Bee, Feb. 27, 1945, p 1
Direct from The XXIV Corps on Leyte.
1st Lt. Marvin J. Grotenhuis, Sioux Center, Ia., recently received the Air Medal from Maj. Gen. John R. Hodge, commanding general, XXIV Corps, for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights as a field artillery observation plane pilot at Tinian, Marianas Islands. Lt. Grotenhuis, the citation said, “despite the anti-aircraft fire which frequently struck his airplane, skillfully maneuvered at low altitude to provide the best possible visibility for his observer - enabling the artillery battalion to register a most effective fire upon the enemy.” Maj. Gen. Hodge, whose troops conquered southern and western Leyte in the Philippines, at a formal military ceremony praised Lt. Grotenhuis and six other artillery pilots who received air medals for their bravery and devotion to duty. Lt. Grotenhuis formerly attended Iowa State College and was commissioned Dec. 17, 1942. His wife, Mrs. Lila B. Grotenhuis, resides at Sioux Center. Picture was sent to the News and may be called for by any of his family here.
Source: Sioux Center News March 8, 1945, p 2
(Excerpt of letter from Pfc. Gerrit Ter Haar) I met a few Sioux County boys while over here. They are Lubbert Niessink, Reuben De Groot, Marvin Grotenhuis, Arthur Schuiteman, Bert Hubers (Hull) and Marion Ten Napel, Ireton. Lubbert, Reuben and I went over to visit Marvin Grotenhuis a few days ago and we had a swell visit. He took us for a ride in his plane which was pretty thrilling and it made my heart jump into my throat. But I soon got used to it.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 15, 1945, p 2
Mrs. Marvin Grotenhuis received a letter from her husband the past week telling her that he had been released from the hospital after a two-weeks stay while ill with yellow jaundice. He is somewhere in the Philippine islands.
Source: Sioux Center News April 12, 1945, p 8
Lt. Marvin Grotenhuis has recovered from his illness with yellow jaundice and is now on Okinawa, where he is piloting an “Artillery plane”. He has been there since the latter part of April.
Source: Sioux Center News May 24, 1945, p 2
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 20, 1945, p 10
Lt. Marvin J. Grotenhuis, 01174873, Btry. C. 531st F. A. Bn., APO 73, c/o Postmaster, San Francisco, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 25, 1945, p 2
Lt. Marvin J. Grotenhuis has received a promotion to Captain, effective Jan. 4. He returned to the States from Okinawa on Nov. 24 and is on Terminal leave until Feb. 12.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 24, 1946, p 2
Iowa, U.S. World War II Bonus Case Files, 1947-1954
Marvin J. Grotenhuis was born Nov. 1, 1919, at Sioux Center, Iowa, where he was residing prior to entering the U. S. Army on March 24, 1942, at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. He served with the 90th Infantry Division, FAS Det. Fort Sill, Okla., 77th Infantry Division, 24th Corps Artillery, departed for foreign service on March 23, 1944, and returned on Nov. 23, 1945. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 12, 1946. His application for bonus pay was filed on May 20, 1949, for which he received $500.00.
Source: ancestry.com
