ATALISSA MAN, 24 KILLED IN ACTION PARENTS ADVISED
Cpl. Leslie H. McKillip, 24, was killed in action in Belgium on Oct. 26, according to a telegram received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence W. McKillip, Atalissa, Tuesday night.
Cpl. McKillip was in service for 37 months, entering the army in 1941. He received training at numerous camps in California and Colorado before leaving for overseas duty about the middle of August of this year.
He was born on Dec. 28, 1919, in Atalissa, and spent all his life there. Surviving are his parents, three brothers, Staff Sgt. Kenneth McKillip, serving in England, Pfc. Lyle McKillip, overseas and Ernest McKillip, at home; one sister, Mrs. Genevieve Slimmer, California; and his grandfather, George Schildberg, Nichols.
The last letter received by the parents from Cpl. McKillip was delivered to them Monday and bore the date of Oct. 13.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, November 8, 1944 (photo included)
140 Have Made Supreme Sacrifice In Muscatine Area In War Against Axis Powers; Many reported wounded.
The cost of war runs high!
Word of the victory in Europe today brought a feeling of happiness and relief to thousands of families in the Muscatine area, but for others there were only sad memories. And for those who have sons, husbands, brothers or other relatives, fighting against the Japs in the second phase of the big world-wide conflagration the period of rejoicing was less pronounced.
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The names of those who have made the supreme sacrifice in the World War No. 2, compiled from records maintained by The Journal, follow:
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Cpl. Leslie H. McKillip, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence W. McKillip, of Atalissa, killed in action Oct. 26, 1944 in Belgium.
Source: Muscatine Journal, Victory In Europe Edition, Monday, May 7, 1945
Solemn Procession Continues Through 1948 as War Dead Are Returned Home
Flag-draped caskets, coming from the European and Pacific war theaters, were brought to Muscatine county and other neighboring communities at intervals throughout the year of 1948 as the solemn procession of the country’s war dead continued to move home. As each casket carrying a soldier, sailor, marine or flier who died during World War II was returned, last honors were accorded to the servicemen at funeral and burial rites. Final interment was in the cemetery chosen by his next-of-kin.
This year was the second for the government’s program of returning the bodies of war dead to the United States for burial in keeping with the wishes of their family. Inaugurated in the fall of 1947, the program has to date seen the return from overseas cemeteries of more than 50 bodies of men from this vicinity who died in the service of their country during the war.
The list of war dead returned to Muscatine and surrounding counties includes the following:
Cpl. Leslie H. McKillip, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence W. McKillip of Atalissa, killed in action in Belgium Oct. 26, 1944. Burial at the Overman cemetery, near Atalissa.
Source: The Muscatine Journal, December 30, 1948 pg 8
