KILLED IN ACTION IN GERMANY, MARCH 6th
Pfc. William Vander Kooi, Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Vander Kooi, Gives Life For Country.
Mr. and Mrs. John Vander Kooi received word an official communication from the War Department Saturday evening, informing them that their son, Pfc. William Vander Kooi, was killed in action in Germany on March 6th, 1945.
It was with deep regret that the community learned of Pvt. Vander Kooi’s sacrifice and the sincere sympathy of the many friends of the family was extended to the bereaved ones.
William Vander Kooi was born in Hull, Iowa, January 30, 1924. He attended Hull Christian Grammar School and Western Christian High School, graduating from the latter school with the Class of ’41. After his graduation, he worked at the Kooiker Machine Works.
On April 30, 1943, he was inducted into the Armed Services and left for Camp Wolters, Texas, for infantry training. He was then sent to East Lansing, Michigan, where he attended college classes for six months, taking an army specialized training course. From East Lansing, he was transferred to McCoy, Wisconsin, for more infantry training. He enjoyed three furloughs, the last of which was in October, 1944.
Pvt. Vander Kooi went overseas in November last year, and arrived in England December 5th, then on to France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. His last letter was written February 19th, at which time he was on the fighting line with his infantry division.
He leaves to mourn his untimely passing, his parents, and one sister, Pearl, and many near relatives and friends.
The family is awaiting further particulars from the War Department.
Source: Sioux County Index, Hull, Iowa, March 29, 1945 (photo included)
Source: Sioux Center News, March 29, 1945
Born: 1-30-1924
Died: 3-6-1945 KIA
Pvt. William Vander Kooi is buried in Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in Luxembourg.
Sources: ancestry.com; fieldsofhonordatabase.com
