Vaagen's Honored at Farewell Gathering at Rake

Rake, Ia. - A number of friends and relatives gathered at the J.T. Johnson home on Saturday evening for a farewell party in honoro of Paul and Oscar Vaagen. They were presented a purse of silver. Games were played and refreshments were served by Mrs. Pete Vaagen and Mrs. J.T. Johnson. Paul and Oscar, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Vaagen, enlisted in the national guard, and are leaving in February to be stationed with Company F at Louisiana.

~Mason City Globe-Gazette, January 21, 1941
~contributed by S. Ferrall

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Oscar Vaagen enlisted in the national guard in 1941 and was trained with the 133 infantry at Camp Claiborne, La. He was sent overseas, including Ireland, England and North Africa where he took part in the North African campaign. He lost his life July 1, 1944, at the age of 26 while serving his country.

Paul Vaagen served in World War II being discharged in November of 1944. He was injured in Africa January 27, 1943 and received the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry in action.

~photos & captions from 'Rake, Iowa 1900-1975'
~contributed by Ken Moen

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Oscar Vaagen

Sergeant Gives Life to Country
1st Rake Man Killed - Brother 1st Wounded

Rake, Ia. - Mrs. Anna Vaagen received a message from the war department Thursday that her son, S. Sgt. Oscar Vaagen, was killed in action in Italy July 1. Sgt. Vaagen is the first from the immediate Rake community to give his life in the present war and his brother, Pfc. Paul Vaagen was the first from the community reported to be wounded in action.

Oscar and Paul Vaagen enlisted in the National Guard together almost 4 years ago. They were at Camp Claiborne, La., until they went to England with the first contingent of soldiers.

Sgt. Vaagen has been in north Africa, Sicily and Italy battles. His brother, Paul Vaagen, was wounded seriously while in action in north Africa, Jan. 24, 1943. He was hospitalized for a long time and was home on a furlough recently. He is now stationed in Virginia.

~Mason City Globe-Gazette, July 24, 1944
~contributed by S. Ferrall

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Soldier Gives All

Memorial services were held at the Liberty Lutheran church Sunday for S. Sgt. Oscar Vaagen, who was killed in action in Italy July 1. The Rev. N. Okerlund conducted the services. The military funeral was in charge of the Rake American Legion post.

~Mason City Globe-Gazette, August 2, 1944
~contributed by S. Ferrall

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Paul Vaagen

Wounded Rake Soldier Given Army Discharge

Rake, Ia. - Pfc. Paul Vaagen arrived in Rake Tuesday at the home of his mother, Mrs. Anna Vaagen. Pfc. Vaagen, who has been at Camp Lee, Va., the past few months, received a medical discharge from the army. He has been in active service with the national guard for 4 years, serving overseas 27 months where he was wounded. Paul visited his brother, Martin Vaagen and family, in Chicago and with relatives in Gardner, Ill., before coming to Rake.

~Mason City Globe-Gazette, November 17, 1944
~contributed by S. Ferrall

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