Men and Women In Service
Benami Bereskin, 1890 Seventh Street, Raymond F. Carlson, 1218 Washington Avenue, Willis F. Friend, 120 S. Rustin Street, Morris Ginsburg, 102 16th Street, Wayne J. Hoeck, 1202 18th Street, Richard J. Rensch, 1815 Douglas Street, Edward J. Smith Jr., 2037 S. Cleveland Street and Donald J. Ward, 4020 ½ Van Buren Street, have entered preflight pilot training at the San Antonio, Texas, aviation cadet center.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, August 17, 1943
MEN and WOMEN in SERVICE.
Aviation Cadets Richard J. Rensch, 20, son of Harold G. Rensch, 1815 Douglas Street and Edward J. Smith, Jr. son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Smith, 2037 S. Cleveland Street have reported to the army airfield at Coffeyville, Kansas for basic training.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, November 22, 1943
IN UNIFORM
F/O Richard J. Rensch, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Rensch, 1815 Douglas street, has been awarded the air medal for “meritorious achievement in aerial combat over Germany.” He was graduated from Trinity high school and also attended Trinity college before going into service. He trained at Chickasha, Okla., and Coffeyville, Kan., before he received his commission at Moore field, Tex., on March 12, 1944.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, February 9, 1945
Pilots (left to right) - Adolph Paquet, Ernie Corner, Dick Rensch. (At Front)-Don Jones
Above 2 photos-dated March 25, 1945
IN UNIFORM
Richard J. Rensch, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Rensch, 1815 Douglas street, has been commissioned a second lieutenant at the headquarters of Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle, commanding general of the Eighth air force. He went overseas as a flight officer in November, 1944, has participated in many dive bombing and bomber escort missions and has been awarded the air medal for “meritorious achievement in aerial flight.” He enlisted in the air corps in November, 1942, and took his training at Chickasha, Okla., and Coffeyville, Kan. He received his pilot’s wings on March 12, 1944, at Moore field, Tex. Lt. Rensch is a graduate of East high school and before enlisting was attending Trinity college.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, February 20, 1945
IN UNIFORM
Second Lt. Richard J. Rensch, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Rensch, 1815 Douglas street, recently was awarded an oak leaf cluster to his air medal at an Eighth air force fighter station in England where he is stationed as a P-51 fighter pilot. The award was made for meritorious achievement in aerial combat over Germany. Lt. Rensch enlisted in the army air forces in November, 1942, and received his wings and appointment as flight officer in March, 1944. Last November he joined the 356th fighter group, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in January.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, March 7, 1945
IN UNIFORM
Second Lt. Richard J. Rensch, a P-51 Mustang fighter pilot based at an Eighth air force fighter station in England, has been awarded a second oak leaf cluster to the air medal for “meritorious achievement” in aerial combat over Germany. The son of Mr. and Mrs. H.G. Rensch, 1815 Douglas Street, Lt. Rensch was graduated from East High School and attended Trinity College. He enlisted in the army air forces November 14, 1942, and received his wings and appointment as flight officer March 12, 1944 at Moore field, Texas. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in January.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, April 23, 1945
Lt. Dick Rensch
Killed in England
Lt. Dick Rensch, second oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Rensch, veteran of more than 300 combat hours in the European theater, was killed last week while practicing dive bombing in England.
This boy is a nephew of Mrs. E. I. Snyder of this place.
Source: The Colman Argus, Colman, SD, July 5, 1945
NOTE: The Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial is having a "Face of Cambridge" Tribute & Honor Celebration over the Memorial Day weekend in 2017. The fellow in charge of the group heading this up said they selected 2017 as the 75th Anniversary of the "friendly invasion" of Britain -- Think about it--he meant the friendly invasion of the Yanks! What An Honor--The Cemetery group is researching to find photos & stories of the men buried or memorialized there. One of which is Iowa's Lt. Richard J. Rensch.
1st Lt. Richard Joseph “Dick” Rensch served with the U.S. Army Air Corps 360th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group. He was awarded the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
