MISSING - Mrs. A.F. Trettin of Rockford received word that her son S. Sgt. Walter W. Trettin, 23, was missing in action over Germany since Dec. 24. He was top gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress and was recently awarded the air medal in England. He entered the A.A.F. Jan 8, 1942, and went overseas in September 1944. His last letter was dated Dec. 23.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, January 25, 1945 (photo included)
ROCKFORD YANK PRESUMED DEAD
S. Sgt Walter Trettin Was Lost Over Aachen
Rockford -- Mrs. Katherine Trettin received word that her son, S.Sgt. Walter Trettin, who had previously been reported missing in action, is presumed dead.
He was a crew member of a B-17 (Flying Fortress) when reported missing Dec. 24, 1944, on a bombing mission over Germany from a base in England.
The plane was hit by enemy antiaircraft 20 miles southeast of Aachen, Germany. The plane went into a spin, part of the tail and wing came off, and the aircraft crashed.
Two members of the crew parachuted to safety and have since returned to the United States.
In view of the fact that 12 months have elapsed without the receipt of evidence to support a continued presumption of survival the war department gives a presumptive finding of death.
S.Sgt. Trettin was 23 years old. He was top gunner on the Flying Fortress and had been awarded the air medal in England. He enlisted in the A.A.F. Jan 8, 1942, and went overseas in September, 1944. His last letter was dated Dec. 23, 1944.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, February 6, 1946
ATTEND MEMORIAL
The Rudd American Legion joined the Rockford Legion in a memorial service in the Rockford high school auditorium Sunday afternoon in honor of Sgt. Walter Trettin, son of Mrs. Katherine Trettin of Rockford, and of Sgt. Orland Graper, her nephew who she reared, both young men being in the army air corps, in which they lost their lives.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, May 15, 1946
Double Funeral for 2 Gunners
Services at Rockford Will Be Held Friday
Charles City -- Double funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran church in Rockford, with the Rev. Carl Busse, pastor, officiating for S.Sgt Walter W. Trettin, son of Albert F. and Katherina E. Trettin, and Sgt. Orland Ralph Graper, son of Levi and Lena Graper, all of Rockford, who lost their lives in World War II. Grossmann's of Charles City and Rockford will be in charge. Burial will be in a Rockford cemetery.
S.Sgt. Trettin, flight engineer and top turret gunner on a B-17, left Rattlesden, England, Dec. 24, 1944, on a bombing mission to Babenhausen, Germany, it was struck by anti-aircraft fire near Aachen, Germany. The plane went into a spin,part of the tail and wing came off and the aircraft crashed. Only 2 members of the crew parachuted to safety. One year and eight months later, a farmer found S.Sgt. Trettin's remains near Aachen.
Born Near Grafton
He was born Sept. 2, 1921, near Grafton. In March, 1929, he moved with his parents to Rockford, and was graduated from the Rockford high school with the class of 1940.
Walter enlisted in the army air corps, Jan. 17, 1942. He took his basic training at Sheppard Field, Texas, and was then sent to Boston, where he was graduated from the army air corps mechanic school. He was then sent to Lunken Field, Cincinnati, Ohio, then transferred to gunnery school at Tampa, Fla., where he was graduated and received his silver wings. He left for overseas duty on September, 1944, with the 8th army air forces.
He was awarded the air medal, good conduct medal and citation of honor, posthumously. He is survived by his mother, 4 sisters, Mrs. Carl Schutt, Mason City, Mable, Marie and Shirley, Rockford; 4 brothers, Wesley, Floyd; Edwin, Harold and George, of Rockford, besides a host of other relatives and friends.
Crashed in Germany
Sgt. Graper was a waist gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber which departed England on a bombardment mission to Holle, Germany, on February 27, 1945. During this mission his plane was subjected to enemy anti-aircraft fire, the bomber sustained damage, crashed and Sgt. Graper met his fate. Three of the crew members parachuted to safety. He was posthumously awarded the purple heart, air medal and citation of honor.
When a few months old, he with his parents to moved to Minnesota. His mother became seriously ill and died Aug. 16, 1926. After her death his aunt and Uncle, Mr.and Mrs. Albert Trettin, took him into their home as a member of their family. He remained in their home until he entered the service of his country. In March, 1929, he moved with his aunt and uncle to Rockford. He completed his grammar school and was graduated from the Rockford high school with the class of 1943.
Receives Silver Wings
He enlisted in the army air corps in September, 1943 and received his basic training in January, 1944 at Jefferson Barrack, Mo. He was transferred to Selfridge Field, Mich. He received his silver wings for gunnery training at Tyndall Field, Fl., taking further training at Gowen Field, Ida.
Shortly after Jan. 1, 1945, he went overseas to the European area, and was on active duty with the 8th army air force.
He is survived by his father, and step-mother of Waterville, Minn.; one brother Clarence Graper, Rockford; one sister, Mrs. Elfie Graper Pingree, Berkeley, Cal., 2 step-brothers, Franklin and Oren Graper, Waterville, Minn.; and his aunt, Mrs. Katherina E. Trettin.
His mother and brother, Capt. Melvin H Graper, preceded him in death. Capt Graper also made the supreme sacrifice in the European theater July, 1944. His burial place was in the United States military cemetery near Metz. France.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, October 29, 1948
