December Draft Call Sets Record
The following named registrants have been ordered to report for Army examination on Dec. 8th. If they are found qualified for army service they will return for a week’s furlough before being called for active duty:
… 10,898 Sam A. Klein, O.C. …
Source: Sioux County Capital Dec. 3, 1942, p 1
More Soo Co. Boys Get New Classification
Draft Board Releases List Reclassified Dec. 16 … Class 1-C: …; Sam A. Klein, Orange City; …
Source: Alton Democrat Dec. 25, 1942, p 1
Pvt. Sam A Klein Btry. C. 55 F. A. Tng. Bn. Camp Roberts, Calif., U.S. Army
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 7, 1943, p 6
Here is a list of boys located in Camp Roberts, Calif. Gerrit Heunink, Martin Postma, Raymond Kempema, Sam Klein, Peter Dykstra, Elmer Kooistra, Thomas DeJong, Reynold Bruinsma, Peter De Stigter.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 25, 1943, p 10
March 5, 1943 Dear Editor: I thought I would send you a few lines, letting you know I’m still in good health. I sure did appreciate the News which you sent me every week. I usually got it every Tuesday, and as soon as I got it I would look at the back page, reading the letters and news of the other soldiers. The weather lately is quite nice except once in a while when we get that rain, and makes it kinda nasty working outside. The mail clerk told me to write you that you should hold the News till I get my next address, because I would leave here in a short time. And soon as I get my new address I will let you know. Because I sure would feel lost without receiving the home town news. Well I will close now, and thanks for sending the paper so regular. Your Soldier Friend, Sam Klein
Source: Sioux Center News March 11, 1943, p 10
(Excerpt of letter from Pvt. Gerrit Heunink, APO New York) … Thursday Sam Klein got two papers and I read them through both. …
Source: Sioux Center News Apr. 22, 1943, p 3
Here is the address of a soldier who would like letters from the home folks: Pvt. Sam A. Klein, Btry. B. F.A., APO 8775, c.o. Postmaster, New York City, N. Y.
Source: Sioux Center News Apr. 22, 1943, p 10
Sioux County Boys At Camp Roberts, Calif. (group photo) Back row – left to right: Pete De Stigter, Albert Broek, Pete Dykstra of Hull, Sam Klein; front row: Martin Postma, Ray Kempema, Rock Valley, Reynold Bruinsma. The arm is of Gerrit Heunink of Hawarden. The above picture was sent by Al Broek, having been taken the evening before they left Camp Roberts. Several of them have already gone overseas.
Source: Sioux Center News May 6, 1943, p 1
Pvt. Sam A. Klein 37467016, Co. A. 21st Repl. Bn., 2nd Repl. Depot, APO 776. c.o. Postmaster, New York, New York.
Source: Sioux Center News May 20, 1943, p 9
6 Sioux County Boys In North Africa
According to word received by their respective parents, it is believed that six Sioux county boys who left for the service a little over five months ago, are now in North Africa, having left the states in the same contingent.
The boys are Gerrit Heunink, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dick Heunink of Lebanon, Martin Postma, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Postma of Rock Valley, Raymond Kempema, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kempema of Rock Valley, Peter Dykstra, son of Ed Dykstra of Perkins, Sam Klein, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Klein of Sioux Center, and Renold Bruinsma, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Bruinsma. None of these boys ever had a furlough. They apparently arrived there sometime the early part of April or thereabouts.
Source: Sioux Center News May 27, 1943, p 6
Pvt. Sam A. Klein Co. H. 3rd Repl. Bn (SEP) APO 763, c.o. Postmaster New York City, New York
Source: Sioux Center News June 3, 1943, p 8
Pvt. Sam Klein has this new address: Btry. C. 60 F Bn., APO 9, c.o. Postmaster, New York City, N.Y.
Source: Sioux Center News June 17, 1943, p 10
(Excerpt of letter from Pvt. Gerrit Heunink in North Africa
6-26-43) I rather unexpectedly was shipped across. But it’s not so terrible bad, seeing there’s so many thousands of other boys over here too. I’m all alone here except for Sam Klein from south of Sioux Center. He and I are great chums.
Source: Sioux Center News July 15, 1943, p 2
(Excerpt of letter from Pvt. Gerrit Heunink in Sicily Aug. 9, ‘43)
I haven’t seen any of the Sioux County boys over here yet, only Sam Klein, and he’s just in a different battery than I am. I used to see him almost every night. But since we landed in Sicily I don’t see him very often. You can figure out for yourself why I think. But of course I can’t say anything.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 2, 1943, p 2
The News was pleased to receive a Christmas card bearing the following message this past week: “Greetings From Overseas - The officers and men of the Ninth Infantry Division wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Victorious New Year”. Pvt. Gerrit Heunink Pvt. Sam A. Klein Sicily - Nov. 2, 1943
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 2, 1943, p 3
Sam Klein, son of Arthur C. Klein, writes that he hasn’t slept in a bed since he left the states on April 27th, 1943. Sam is in the Field Artillery, has been in Tunisia, Sicily, Italy and at present is in England. He thanks one and all for the letters, cards, and Christmas packages which he thoroughly enjoyed.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 30, 1943, p 2
In England (photo)
PVT. SAM KLEIN
Pvt. Sam Klein, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Klein, entered the service in Dec. 1942. He went overseas four months after he entered the service. He took his basic training in Camp Roberts, Calif. Sam is a line man. He has had no furloughs and recently wrote in one of his letters that he had not slept in a bed since he left the states.
Here is a letter which he wrote his mother just recently: England, Dec. 27, ‘43 Dear Mother: It’s been five days ago since I’ve written you. So tonight I’m writing a regular letter and sending you two of my homely pictures at the same time.
We had a pretty fair Christmas dinner, had a little turkey too. We also had the kitchen decorated a little too, and that made it feel a little more like home. At least it brought back some old memories. The only thing I didn’t like about it was that we had to eat out of our old aluminum mess kits, which we are quite tired of eating from.
The Lord’s supper which we celebrated on Christmas morning certainly was an inspiration to me. It struck me more than ever before. And in the afternoon, I went with a few of my buddies for a walk and went to see the country and several little villages close by.
I also sent a picture along of what it looks like when we have services in the field. The organ folds up like a suitcase and is carried that way. Your loving son, Sammy
Source: Sioux Center News Jan 27, 1944, p 1
Pvt. Sam A. Klein, son of Mr. and Mrs. Art Klein writes home that in England they are raising winter wheat and vegetables. The people have been threshing and working in the fields most of the winter. The women mostly operate the machinery. Sam also wrote that he received a medal for good conduct.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 24, 1944, p 8
Pvt. Sam Klein, son of Louis Klein, has been wounded and is obviously getting along alright at present according to this letter received at the News office Friday, Sept. 8.
England Aug. 30, 1944 Dear Ed: I’m usually quite busy and don’t get around to do much letter writing, especially when the invasion started and I went to France. But now I’m back in England again in the hospital, and I’m feeling okay and able to write again. So I’m trying to catch up on a little letter writing. (photo) I came to England from France by airplane and liked my ride much better than I thought I would. The towns and country really look wonderful from the air, and everything looks so peaceful and quiet. I’ve seen a pretty good number of wounded soldiers, some not bad and others that are plenty bad, and never heard one that did complain, and when trying to help them they will say: take care of the next man he is hurt worse than I. But a wounded German is always whimpering and think they really need care. I must close now, for my V-mail is full. Lots of love to all, Pvt. Sam Klein Det. of Patients, 4149 U.S. Army Hosp. Plant APO 9, c/o Postmaster New York City, N.Y.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 14, 1944, p 2
Pvt. Sam A. Klein Ground Force Replacement Pool APO 874, c/o Postmaster New York City, N.Y. Sam is the son of Arthur Klein. He was wounded slightly in action, but seems to be back at work again.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 28, 1944, p 2
Sam A. Klein, APO 874, c/o Postmaster, New York, N.Y. has been promoted to PFC. The rest of his address remains the same.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 25, 1945, p 4
Sam Klein’s correct APO number is No. 9. His complete address is on file at the News Office.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 1, 1945, p 12
Sam A. Klein has been promoted to Cpl. His address remains the same and may be obtained from the News Office.
Source: Sioux Center News May 17, 1945, p 2
Sam Klein has been promoted from Cpl. to Sgt. He is in Germany.
Source: Sioux Center News June 14, 1945, p 2
RECEIVES SILVER STAR (photo) T/S SAM A. KLEIN
Sam A. Klein, Technician Fifth Grade (then Private First Class), 60th Field Artillery, who distinguished himself by gallantry in action against the enemy on March 11, 1945, in the vicinity of Linz, Germany.
Acting as radio operator with an Artillery Forward Observer, Cpl. Klein remained at his radio while the Observer reconnoitered for a better Observation Post. After a prolonged absence, Cpl. Klein began to search for the Observer. With complete disregard for personal safety, he moved forward under heavy enemy artillery, mortar and small arms fire and located the body of the Observer who had been killed by an enemy sniper.
Returning to his radio, he notified the Command Post of the situation. Cpl. Klein’s aggressive initiative, devotion to duty, and courageous actions contributed materially to the success of the operations and were a credit to himself and to the Armed Forces of the United States.
He entered the military service from Iowa. By command of Major General Craig G. L. Materewicz, Major, A.G.D., Acting Adjutant General
Source: Sioux Center News June 28, 1945, p 2
Sgt. Sam A. Klein Btry. A 770 F. A. Bn. APO No. 887, c/o Postmaster New York City, N.Y.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 30, 1945, p 2
Servicemen Discharged
Servicemen who have filed discharges in the County Recorder’s Office at Orange City since October 10 include: … Sam A. Klein, Orange City …
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 18, 1945, p 1
Draft Board Minutes of Oct. 2, 1945
… Discharges include …, Sam Klein, …
Source: Sioux County Capital Oct. 25, 1945, p 1
Iowa, U.S., World War II Bonus Case Files, 1947-1954, Claim Number
Sam A. Klein was born on August 3, 1921 at Maurice, Iowa, and was residing at Orange City, Iowa prior to entering the army on December 18, 1942 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He served with Btry. C 770th FA Bn. and Btry. C 60th Field Artillery, left for foreign service on April 19, 1943, returned on September 27, 1945, and was honorably discharged on October 2, 1945. His application for bonus pay was filed on May 20, 1949, for which he received $432.50.
Source: Ancestry.com
