Messages of DEATH, Word of Valiant Soldiers, Sailors “Missing in Action,” Brought Sadness to Families Here
“The Navy deeply regrets……”
Messages addressed to a number of Muscatine county parents or next of kin of men in the service of their country, carrying this sad phrase or one similar to it from army or marine corps officials, have brought sorrow to a number of homes in this area in the slightly more than 12 months since Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese struck at Pearl Harbor and Manila.
Muscatine county me gave their lives for their country in that initial attack, which plunged the nation into a globe girdling war.
In Thick of Fight.
Muscatine county men have figured in most of the history making engagements which have been recorded since that date. Some have escaped, unharmed, but in other cases, engagements with the enemy have been followed by official notices of men either killed in action, missing in action, or taken prisoner and gold stars have replaced those of blue on service flags in the community.
Wartime casualties increased sharply in June, as the result of naval action in the Pacific war zone, with official notice received June 20, that two Muscatine sailors had been killed in action and that a third was missing.
Served On Same Ship.
All had been in service aboard the same destroyer, which had figured in the Coral Sea engagement, and which was officially announced as lost subsequently by the Navy department.
Officially listed as killed in the action were Walter Gesell and Robert C. Richardson; Warren Richardson, cousin of Robert and who had enlisted at the same time, was reported as missing.
Source: Muscatine Journal News-Tribune, December 30, 1942 (photo included)
IOWA’s HONOR ROLL
Here are more Iowans who have been killed in action. The final line beneath each picture gives the geographical location in which the man was killed. Additional Honor Roll pictures will be carried on future Sundays.
Source: The Des Moines Register, Sunday, January 2, 1944 (photo included)
140 Have Made Supreme Sacrifice In Muscatine Area In War Against Axis Powers; Many reported wounded.
The cost of war runs high!
Word of the victory in Europe today brought a feeling of happiness and relief to thousands of families in the Muscatine area, but for others there were only sad memories. And for those who have sons, husbands, brothers or other relatives, fighting against the Japs in the second phase of the big world-wide conflagration the period of rejoicing was less pronounced.
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The names of those who have made the supreme sacrifice in the World War No. 2, compiled from records maintained by The Journal, follow:
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Walter Gesell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gesell, 981 Lucas street, died of wounds received in action June 6, 1942 in the battle of the Coral Sea.
Source: Muscatine Journal, Victory In Europe Edition, Monday, May 7, 1945
Walter Alfred Gesell was born Apr. 11, 1920 to Fred E. and Viola Simons Gesell. He died June 7, 1942 (was buried at sea) and is memorialized in Saint Marys Cemetery, Muscatine, IA and at the Courts of the Missing, Court 3, Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii. He was KIA while serving aboard the USS Hammann (DD-412) in the Battle of Midway and was awarded the Purple Heart.
Sources: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
