T-5 Richard E. Kopecky Is Killed in action February 21
Parents Get Message From Secretary of War Friday Morning
Clear Lake -- Mr. and Mrs. John Kopecky, 324 Main street, received a message from the war department Friday morning as follows:
"The secretary of war desires me to express his deep regret that your son, T/5 Richard E. Kopecky, was killed in action Feb. 21 in France. Confirming letter follows. J.A. Ulio, the adjutant general".
T/5 Kopecky, known familiarly as 'Dick' entered the service in October, 1943, and went first to Fort Riley, Kans., where he received basic training at the cavalry replacement training center. Last July 1, he completed a communications course at the cavalry school and spent 2 weeks at home. He was then sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and went overseas early this year. His parents have had but 2 letters from him overseas, one written Jan. 29 and the other Feb. 8. In the first letter he told of the cold and living in tents. In the 2nd he was at the front and in a town so they lived in a house. He said he was anxious to get the war over and come home.
T/5 Kopecky was born in Mason City and came to Clear Lake as a young lad. He was graduated from Clear Lake high school, having been prominent in all musical events and also in basketball. He was a member of the cornet quartet which won state and national honors.
Besides his parents he is survived by 2 brothers, John, Sioux City, and S/Sgt. Cyril C. Kopecky, in service and 4 sisters, Mrs. Donald Schmidt and Miss Mildred, Cedar Rapids; Miss Rosalyn, a teacher, and Mrs. Keith McCourt, at home.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, March 2, 1945 (photo included)
Richard Eugene Kopecky was born Jan. 1, 1925 to John and Hazel K. Dutro Kopecky. He died Feb. 21, 1945 and is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, IA.
Sgt. Kopecky was KIA in France while serving with the U.S. Army in World War II.
Source: ancestry.com
