Two sons of Mr. and Mrs. John Kruger of this city—Cpl. Verle and Pvt. Eldon are serving with the U.S. armed forces in this country.
Cpl. Verle Kruger, who has been in service nearly two years is stationed with a tank battalion at Camp Campbell, Ky., where his address is: Cpl. Verle Kruger, Co. C, 47th Tank Bn., 14th Div., APO 446, Camp Campbell, Ky.
His brother, Eldon, has been in the army for three years, two of which were spent in the Aleutian islands where he was attached to an anti-aircraft division. He returned to this country in May on furlough and is now located at Camp Swift, Texas. His present address: Pvt. Eldon Kruger, Co. B, 1684 Engr., C. Bn., Camp Swift, Texas.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, September 26, 1944 (photos included)
VERLE KRUGER LOST JAN. 15
W. C. Soldier Listed Among Missing With 7th Army Unit.
T-5 Verle A. Kruger, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kruger of this city, has been missing in action in France since Jan. 15, his wife and his parents have been notified in a war department message.
Technician Kruger was attached to a tank battalion and had been overseas since October. Before leaving the states he was located at Camp Campbell, Ky.
With Seventh army troops, the Webster City soldier was last heard from in a letter written Dec. 31, at which time he was safe and well.
Mr. and Mrs. John Kruger have one other son, Cpl. Eldon who is stationed in Texas.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - Feb. 7, 1945
T5 VERLE KRUGER REPORTED TO BE SAFE IN EUROPE
Technician Fifth Grade Verle A. Kruger, who has been missing in action since Jan. 15, is “well and safe,” according to a telegram received by his wife in this city.
Kruger, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kruger of this city, had been transferred overseas last October, and was serving as an assistant driver on a tank of the 14th armored division.
When he was reported missing he was with other Seventh army soldiers in the vicinity of Strasbourg near the German frontier.
The complete message sent by the soldier said. “All well and safe. Please don’t worry. Hope to see you soon.”
Apparently the Webster City tankman had been liberated from a German prisoner of war camp by advancing allied soldiers.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - May 18, 1945
NOTES:
Verle Alvin Kruger was born Nov. 13, 1921 to John and Minnie Brinkman Kruger. He died Jan. 15, 1998, and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Hamilton Co., IA.
He was reported missing in action Jan. 15, 1945, with other Seventh army soldiers in the vicinity of Strasbourg near the German front. He had been held at a German prisoner of war camp.
Sources:
Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA
ancestry.com
