Joins Crack Thunderbolt Bombadiers
An Eighth AAF Fighter Station, England -- Lt. Alan R. Jacobson, Britt, Iowa, has recently started his combat career as a fighter pilot in the European theater.
Lt. Jacobson, 23 years old, joined the crack P-47 Thunderbolt group commanded by Col.Frederick C. Gray, Abilene, Texas. He has already participated in several escort missions to Europe, accompanying large formations of B-17 Fortress and B-24 Liberator bombers to targets in France and Germany.
Lt. Jacobson's plane, the 400 m.p.m. Thunderbolt, is also used as a divebomber and carries either 100, 250 or 500 pound bombs on attack missions to the continent.
His group has been on combat operations since April 1943, and is one of the oldest fighter units in England. The group has a toll of well over 250 German planes destroyed in the air and on the ground.
Lt. Jacobson attended the University of Iowa and was a member of the Gamma Eta Gamma legal fraternity.
His wife, Mrs. Marguerite Jacobson, resides at 721 4th St. S.W., Mason City, Iowa. His father, Mr. Chris Jacobson, resides in Britt.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, August 19, 1944 (photo included)
MISSING -- 1st Lt. Alan R. Jacobson of Britt, a member of the army air forces, is reported missing in action over Germany since Nov. 9. He was recently awarded the distinguished flying cross and was expected to be home soon.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, November 30, 1944
MISSING BRITT AIRMAN KILLED
1st Lt. Alan Jacobson Downed Over Germany
Britt -- Word has been received here from the war department through the International Red Cross that 1st Lt. Alan R. Jacobson, son of Chris Jacobson of Britt, was killed in action over Germany Nov. 9. He had been previously been reported missing.
Lt. Jacobson's wife, the former Marguerite Hall, lives in the Colonial apartments in Mason City. A brother, Harold is with the army in France, a brother Robert, lives in Britt and a sister, Betty lives in Chicago.
Lt Jacobson entered the service in February, 1942, and went overseas in April, 1944. He was a fighter pilot and wore the air medal with 4 oak leaf clusters and the distinguished flying cross.
Along with the message of his death came an expression of sympathy from the secretary of war with the statement that a confirmatory letter follows.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, January 23, 1945
WWII DEAD DUE TO ARRIVE
North Iowans Among Bodies on Way Home
Washington—Among the bodies of 4,384 World War II dead due to arrive from Europe aboard the U. S. Army transport, Barney Kirschbaum, are 76 Iowans, according to announcement by the department of the Army.
Armed forces dead originally interred in temporary military cemeteries in France, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg are among those being brought back to this country.
North Iowans in the list include the following, together with the next of kin:
Pvt. Orval R. Alden; Milton L. Alden, Thornton.
Pvt. Wayne W. Dale; Mrs. Nettie D. Felkey, Armstrong.
Pfc. Neil L. Gilbertson; Jane Gilbertson, Burr Oak.
Pfc. Royal A. Jacobs; Hezzie R. Jacobs, Rudd.
1st Lt. Alan R. Jacobson; Chris Jacobson, Britt.
Sgt. William L. Monroe; Lloyd E. Monroe, Estherville.
1st Lt. Robert L. Sill; Nina S. Christopher, Eagle Grove.
S/Sgt. Edwin E. Sowles; Mrs. Mary F. Sowles, Mason City.
2nd Lt. Robert L. Van Horn; Carl C. Van Horn, Hampton.
1st Lt. Jens T. Weiby, Jr.; Jens T. Weiby, Sr., Armstrong.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, December 29, 1948
1921-1944
Application For Headstone or Marker
Source: ancestry.com
