OH WELL, THE JAP COULDN’T SPEND IT WHERE HE’S GONE
John A. Manson has received a letter from his son, Corporal John Manson, on Attu Island, in the Aleutians, where the American forces are now taking it easy after digging out all the Japs from their holes.
Corporal Manson included a Japanese bank note, which he said he had taken from a late worshipful subject of Hirohito who made no objections, having lost all interest in the subject of money or anything else mundane.
Another Manson boy, Eugene Manson, is home on boot leave after completing his primary naval training at Farragut, Idaho.
Source: LeMars Globe-Post, Thursday, August 19, 1943
MORE PICTURES CAN BE USED FOR GLOBE-POST HONOR ROLL
(photo only)
Source: LeMars Globe-Post, June 19, 1944
SGT. JOHN MANSON GIVEN BRONZE STAR FOR HEROIC WORK
Sergeant John W. Manson of Glendale, California, was awarded the newly authorized Bronze Star for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy during the battle for Attu, by Brigadier General Joseph L. Ready of the Seventh Infantry Division, in a ceremony held recently at a Central Pacific base.
Sergeant Manson, a member of an infantry assault unit, received the decoration in recognition of his outstanding actions, beyond the call of duty, in a grueling three-week battle for Attu, tip of the fog-bound Aleutian chain, a year ago.
A veteran of two campaigns in the Pacific war, Sergeant Manson participated with the Seventh Division in the recent assault and capture of Kwajalein Atoll, center of Jap held Marshall Islands.
In addition to the Bronze Star, Sergeant Manson wears the American Defense Service Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon with two Battle Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Manson, who reside at LeMars, Iowa.
Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, Tuesday, September 19, 1944
SGT. JOHN MANSON KILLED JUNE 22 ON OKINAWA FRONT
Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Manson of Union Township
Mr. and Mrs. John Manson of Union township were notified by the War Department Monday evening that their son, S/Sgt. John Manson, had been killed in action on Okinawa on June 22. The last letter from their son, June 19, stated he was nearly finished with his campaigns and had hopes of being home soon.
Sgt. Manson, who was a member of the 7th Division, entered the service on July 7, 1941, and has been overseas two and one-half years. He partook in the campaigns at Attu and Kiska, Marshall Islands, Leyte and Okinawa.
John was born on December 29, 1917, near Battle Creek, Iowa, and moved to Plymouth County with his family twelve years ago. He attended Western Union College and at the time of his entrance into the service was a sanitary engineer at Glendale, California.
The young man is survived by his parents, one brother, Radar Operator Eugene Manson, who at present is on an aircraft carrier in the west Pacific, and two sisters, Mrs. John Morton of Union township and Miriam, at home.
Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, July 20, 1945
S/Sgt. John William Manson is buried in Memorial Cemetery, Le Mars, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
