Our Neighbors in the Service
Spencer, Iowa—Milford Nielsen of Everly, reported missing last May, is a prisoner of the Japs in the Philippine Islands. The news came in a letter to his mother, Mrs. John Westphalen of near Everly. It was the first word concerning him received since the report that he was missing. The letter came from the government through the Red Cross.
Nielsen, 25, enlisted in the navy in 1938 when he was a senior in Everly high school. During his last year in service before being captured he was in submarine work off Corregidor.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, March 19, 1943
Name Iowa Men Held Prisoners
Navy, Was Department List Men of City and the Area
Washington -- The navy department announced Thursday the names of 1,044 United States Navy personnel, including six Iowans, held as prisoners of war by the Japanese, mostly in the Philippine Islands.
Iowans listed were:
LeRoy F. Barber, gunner’s mate, son of Mrs. Nora Barber, 920 Wright Avenue, Sioux City;
Milford Nielsen, yeoman, son of Mrs. Hattie Westphalen, Hartley;
John W. Reimer, Jr. aviation chief metalsmith, son of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Reimer, Sr., Havelock;
Steve M. Sorensen, chief boatswain’s mate, brother of Hans K. Sorensen, 123 S. Davidson Street, Sioux City;
Rudolph P. Steck, chief commissary steward, son of Mr. Carrie Garber, 416 S. Lafayette Street, Sioux City;
William B. Westerberg, boilermaker, son of John A. Westerberg, Hinton.
Washington – The war department has announced the following Iowas as being held prisoners of war by Italy:
Private Milford W. Beldt, son of Mrs. Albona Beldt, route 1, Sheldon;
Corporal Arthur P. Clemitson, son of Halvor A. Clemitson, route 2, Graettinger;
Private Marion DeVries, son of Mrs. Jennie DeVries, route 2, Orange City;
Private Delbert J. Beirne, son of Mrs. Bright A. Beirne, Denison;
Corporal Richard A. Lavrenz, son of Fred W. Lavrenz, Burt;
Private Merwin L. Thompson, son of Lewis Thompson, Okoboji.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, May 14, 1943
Milford Louis Nielsen was born June 14, 1915 to Irwin and Harriet Guyette Nielsen. He died Sept. 30, 1976 and is buried in Beckham Cemetery, Marion County, Arkansas.
Chief Warrant Officer Nielsen served in World War II with the U.S. Navy.
Source: ancestry.com
