LOCAL SOLDIER IS LISTED AS DEAD OVERSEAS
Pfc. Bernard Hoshaw, 25, Died July 25, in South Pacific.
News that their son Pfc. Bernard E. (Bud) Hoshaw, 25, had died July 25 at an army base somewhere in the South Pacific was received Thursday morning by Mr. and Mrs. Orva Hoshaw of this city.
A telegram from the adjutant-general’s office stated simply that reports had been received of the local youth’s death and that a letter would follow. No details about the exact place or manner of the soldier’s death were given.
Entered in June
Private Hoshaw went into service June 13, 1942, receiving his basic training at Fort Sill, Okla. He was later transferred to Camp McCoy, Wis., with the quartermaster corps. From there he was sent to the west coast and left for overseas duty Dec. 28.
The youth was last heard from in a letter to his parents postmarked July 29, and at that time he wrote he was getting along O. K.
1936 Graduate
A graduate of the Webster City high school in 1936, Private Hoshaw was widely known in this community. Prior to entering the service, he was an employee of the Doolittle Oil company here.
His death brings to two the number of local servicemen who have died overseas. Roland J. Silvers, son of Mrs. Nellie Silvers of this city, died somewhere in England Sept. 22, 1942. Other local young men have been reported missing in the various battle theaters of the world but their capture or death has not been verified.
Source: Webster City Freeman, Webster City, IA - July 29, 1943
SKULL INJURY PROVED FATAL
Private Bernard Hoshaw Died July 25 in South Pacific.
Mr. and Mrs. Orva Hoshaw of this city received notice Monday morning in a letter from the war department that their son, Private First Class Bernard E. Hoshaw, 25, had died July 25 as the result of a compound fracture of the skull suffered at the army base somewhere in the south Pacific. Details of how the serviceman was fatally injured were lacking, however.
The Hoshaws are certain that their son’s death was accidental since in a letter received from him Sunday and dated July 21, he wrote of what he was planning to do when he returned home—indicating he was to receive a furlough shortly.
News of his death was first received here last Thursday in a telegram from the war department which stated that a letter would follow. Further news on details of the soldier’s death are expected shortly.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA- August 2, 1943
Bernard E. Hoshaw was born Apr. 19, 1918 to Orva Allen and Anna Pearl Hoshaw. He died July 25, 1943 and is buried in the Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.
Source: ancestry.com; World War II Memorial
