9 Howard County Men Drafted Into Army;
To Report On Friday
Cresco—Summoned to report to the Howard County local draft board Friday are the following nine men who have been selected for induction to be sent to Fort Des Moines:
Hubert O. Ernst and Martin H. O’Kada, Cresco;
Harold G. Schreiber, Chester;
Jerome N. Friedhof, Charles V. Morris and Wesley T. Haskovec, Elma;
John L. Pedrick, Lyle K. Blomgren and Harris E. Mahoney, Lime Springs.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, November 10, 1941
CRESCO SOLDIER DIES AT SALISBURY, ENGLAND
Cresco—Word is received from the War Department at Washington, D.C., that Pvt. Martin Okada, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Okada, farmers living 4 miles northwest of Cresco, died March 7, at Salisbury, England, while serving in the Army. The message gave no particulars, but stated that a letter will follow.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, Friday, March 17, 1944
FLAG DEDICATED
Cresco—A large flag containing 64 stars and one Gold Star was dedicated by the Cresco Methodist church. The Gold Star was in memory of Martin Okada, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Okada of near Cresco.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, June 2, 1944
Pvt. Martin H. O’Kada (Army)
36th Armored Infantry Regiment
3rd Armored Division
From Cresco, Iowa
Parents: Henry T. O’Kada & Violet (nee’ Betts) O’Kada
Born: 15 Jan 1917, at Nora Springs, Iowa
Died: 07 Mar 1944
Buried: Cambridge American Cemetery (England)
Plot C, Row 2, Grave 74
Source: ancestry.com; American Battle Monuments Commission (photo included)
