SERGEANT HAMES NOW LISTED AS GERMAN CAPTIVE
Williams—Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hames received word Tuesday evening that their son, Staff Sgt. Melvin J. Hames, is now a prisoner of war in Germany.
Sergeant Hames was previously reported missing over Germany on April 18, while on a bombing mission in which he served as a tail gunner aboard a Flying Fortress in the Eighth air force based in England.
The Williams gunner had previously completed 15 missions before his final flight, and on Monday it was announced in a dispatch from England, that he had qualified for the air medal.
Four days before he was reportedly missing, Sergeant Hames had a short visit with his brother, Master Sgt. Oscar Hames, who is stationed with a quartermaster division in England. It was the first time the two had met in two years.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, May 18, 1944
NOTES:
4 sons of Andrew J. and Catherine Leifker Hames are serving in World War II.
Urban B. Hames and Francis C. Hames are serving in the Army. Oscar H. Hames and Melvin J. Hames are with the Army Air Corps.
Sources: ancestry.com
Obituary:
Oscar Hames, 92, Williams, died Friday, April 4, 2003 at Hamilton Hospital. Funeral services have been rescheduled for Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williams with burial in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Williams. Visitation is one hour prior to the services at the church. Surls Funeral Home in Williams is in charge of the arrangements.
Oscar H. Hames, son of Andrea and Catherine Liefker Hames, was born in Dubuque on Feb. 29, 1911. He graduated from Williams High School and Loras College in Dubuque. Mr. Hames was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Air Force from 1942-1945. He worked for Swift and Co. for more than 41 years and was a 50 year-member of American Legion Post No. 633. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williams.
Survivors are special friend, Ardath Fowler of Webster City; his brother, Urban Hames of Williams, several nephews and a niece. His parents, a sister, Odelia Murphy, and five brothers, Ben, Fred, Walter, Frances and Melvin, preceded him in death.
Source: Webster City Daily Freeman Journal, April 11, 2003
