37 Sioux County Men Will Leave Soon For U. S. Army
The following young men have been called for service in the U. S. Army and will leave within the near future.
….. 1578 – Theodore Goslinga, Orange City …..
Source: Sioux County Index May 21, 1942, p 8
Theodore Goslinga, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Goslinga of Orange City is now located in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was recently inducted into the army. His address is: Pvt. Theodore Goslinga, Btty. D-26 Bn. 6th Reg., Platoon II, 3rd Sec. Fort Sill, Okla.
Source: Sioux Center News June 18, 1942, p 12
Pvt. John Goslinga, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Goslinga who live east of Sioux Center, has been sent from Fort Snelling, Minn. where he has been stationed since his induction into the army over a year ago. His new address is: Pvt. John Goslinga, Anti-Tank Co., 3rd Infantry, APO 1076, c.o. Postmaster, New York, N.Y.
Another son, Theodore, who is stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, having recently been inducted into the army, has a slight change in his address there. The new address is: Pvt. Theo. T. Goslinga, Btty. D, 26 BN F.A.T.C. 3rd Sec., Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Source: Sioux Center News June 25, 1942, p 8
SOLDIER’S LETTER 6-20-42 Fort Sill, Okla.
Dear Editor: Well I haven’t much to write and not much time to write: But I’ll write a little and let you know I’m getting the paper, and tell you what I’m doing. I’m feeling fine at the time of this writing. I’m in the mule pack over here and that will make any fellow tough. I get hikes here in the mule pack of 10 to 80 miles long. Have to learn to pack out in 15 minutes and that’s no snap if I have to say so. I’m about 40 miles from the Texas line over here. So far I don’t mind the army life a bit. It gives a fellow a lot of stuff to learn which he never knew. It teaches a fellow to keep neat and clean. One thing is sure that it builds a fellow up to good posture and health. My buddy next to me got a box of cookies from home today and did they taste good. He is from Kansas City, nice fellow too. There is one other boy in my company from Sioux Center and that is Ted Goslinga. There are also a lot from Minnesota I got to know and they all happen to know the town of Sioux Center. Well this is all I know now so I’ll close. Yours truly, Pvt. Louis G. Franken Batty. D-26 Bn. 6 Reg. Platoon II 4th Sec. Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Source: Sioux Center News June 25, 1942, p 8
Sat. eve., July 25, 1942
Dear Ed: Just a line that I receive your paper regularly. And to say that I sure am pleased with it here – you know from home. The weather is warm and the sky is clear. Had a little shower this morning, since its been about a week back that it has rained here. We still go on those long hikes here, which are very rough when its warm. Last week we took one for the second time overnight which was 25 miles out and 23 back. We all looked tough coming back, just about all limping on account of the blisters. Yes Ed, it’s a rough army. Franken has k.p. today and as I passed by a while back he was peeling spuds. We have k.p. about once in two weeks here lately. They also put in big days from six a.m. to nine p.m. One fellow said all he was worried about was that he would not be back for bed check. By the way, I have it tomorrow. Well, that’s about it, as Franken wrote all the news in his last letter, and things are about the same. So bye now, and good luck, yours, Pvt. Theodore T. Goslinga Btty. D. 26 bn. Fatc. 3rd Sec. Fort Sill, Oklahoma
P.S. - One thing I want to add it is a very interesting paper from the home town.
Source: Sioux Center News July 30, 1942, p 8
Fort Sill, Okla. Dear Mr. Editor: Well here my buddy Ted Goslinga and I are sitting together and we thought it would be a good idea to let you folks know that we are moving from here Tuesday the 8th of this month. Don’t know as to where we go as it is a military secret anyway. He said I had to write and he would put it in the envelope. Our platoon is split into three companies and it happened to be that we stay together yet. Lucky for us, at least that is what we wanted. We were just talking about how much we enjoy the Sioux Center News and hope it may keep on coming. As soon as we land at our next camp we will send our address as soon as we can. We also want you to hold on to our papers till then. I just asked Ted Goslinga if he liked it here, and he said “Yes”. He didn’t even care to go home anymore – just a joke from us. We would as you all know just as soon be home with our folks. But after all, we like it here very much. More than I thought I would. We had a nice shower of rain out here this A.M. I went out in the field with three other boys herding the mules. As you well know then we got wet. Well, as we saw in the paper, they are taking the boys pretty fast yet. Well hope they will like it just as well as we do here. You have to put your heart and soul into it or it won’t last and you will get homesick. After all, we all know that the Lord will be wherever we are. And hope we may all keep Him in our hearts and souls. Well, I have no more news so I think I’ll close. Ted says for me to write you all and give his best regard to you all. Pvt. Louis G. Franken Pvt. Ted T. Goslinga
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 17, 1942, p 2
Camp Carson Sept. 17, 1942
Dear Editor: How are you all back in good old Sioux County? Well I’m here now at a new camp. There sure is a change in the climate here compared to Oklahoma. Yes, Franken is still with me here, and we sleep side by side, although the rest of the battery got split up pretty well. We still can go to see those good pals that we have become friends with. We are next to the great Colorado mountains here known as the Pikes Peak. Yes, very beautiful. Well my card is getting full. So I’ll say bye for now. Theodore Goslinga Pvt. Theodore T. Goslinga Hq. Btry. 602d F.A.B.N. (PK) Camp Carson, Colorado.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 17, 1942, p 2
Together In Army Service (Photo of both men)
Louis Franken, Ted Goslinga, Pvt. Louis Franken and Pvt. Ted Goslinga are together in the U.S. army located at Camp Carson, Colo. where they were recently sent from Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Pvt. Franken and Pvt. Goslinga were together in the Mule Pack at Fort Sill. They enjoy the change of climate from Oklahoma to Colorado and like the army although the boys say that there is no place like home.
Pvt. Franken is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit H. Franken living northeast of Sioux Center.
Pvt. Goslinga is the son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Goslinga living southeast of Sioux Center.
John Goslinga, a brother of Ted’s is in Newfoundland in the U.S. army.
Addresses: Pvt. Louis Franken, H.Q. & H.Q. Battery, 602 DFA Ban., Camp Carson, Colo. Pvt. Theodore Goslinga, Hq. Btry. 602nd, F. A. Bn., Camp Carson, Colo.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 24, 1942, p 1
Camp Carson
Dear Mr. Editor: Well I think I’ll write you all a few lines. Have a little spare time now. First of all I want to thank all who remembered me on my birthday last Friday, the 16th. It sure was grand to receive so many gifts and cards, and letters. Well I didn’t feel so good today. Have a bad cold lately, and can’t seem to get rid of it here. Hope all is well out in Sioux Center at the time of this writing. So far I have been getting the Sioux Center News pretty regular yet and hope it may keep coming. It is a pleasure to read a home town paper if you aren’t home. Well I hear they are going to make travelling a little harder too now. They plan to ration gas now even if there is no tires. Hear by the paper that the scrap drive is going over great in Sioux County. Keep it up as we need it. Don’t know what we could do without it. Well how is corn picking coming along by now? Hear that it is going pretty much to the acre. Wouldn’t mind if I could pick a load or two now. Well I had the privilege to meet a few boys from Sioux County Sunday forenoon. They are located right here near me. Don’t know their names though, but that don’t matter. I spent Sunday P. M. in the country out here. A fellow by the name of Peter De Jong from town here picked up Ted Goslinga, Virgil Menning and Corporal Hyda a friend of us, and myself out for a joy ride. We saw the place which they call the seven falls. Had to climb about 300 feet of stairway to get to the top of that. Then we saw the cave of the winds. That was all formed by running water. And it was all worth while seeing. He said he would like to take us out again sometime before they ration gas out here. He is a very nice fellow, and his folks live at Newkirk, Iowa. I worked at his cousin’s place last spring so he knew me too before I got here. He also said that he had gone to school with my uncle, Henry Franken. In the evening he took us to C.E. out at his church. It was a well spent day by the time I got to bed that night. Well, no more news so I think I’ll sign off for now. And I want everybody who reads this not to think that I forget them in not writing them. Well I’m writing this in behalf of you all. So God Bless us and keep us till we meet again in health and strength. Yours truly, Pvt Louis G. Franken Hq. and Hq. Battery, 602nd F.A. Bn. Camp Carson, Colorado.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 29, 1942, p 10
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Bruins left for California with their family last Tuesday morning. They stopped to visit with Ted Goslinga at Camp Carson, Colo. They arrived at their destination Wednesday noon.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 12, 1942, p 3
Misses Julia In’t Veld and Mavis Tearrell of Sioux Center and Messrs. Henry and Geo. Goslinga have returned from a weeks visit with Ted Goslinga at Camp Carson, Springfield, Colorado.
Source: Sioux County Capital Nov. 26, 1942, p 5
Pfc. Theodore Goslinga has this new address: Hq. Btry. 602 D. F. A. Bn. (PK) Camp Hale, Colo.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 25, 1943, p 10
Theodore Goslinga, son of T. J. Goslinga, and Louis Franken, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gt. H. Franken, came home together Saturday for a 12-day furlough from Camp Hale, Colo. where they are both stationed with the Pack Artillery. The two boys went into the service in May, 1941, and have been together ever since. This is their first furlough.
Source: Sioux Center News April 22, 1943, p 10
Cpl. Louis G. Franken and Theodore Goslinga are at present being moved from Camp Hale, Colo. to Camp Carson. Both boys are in fine shape and send their greetings to their many friends in this vicinity. The boys are moving to their new camp on foot and expected about three more days of travel at the time Louis wrote the News a post card telling of their new address: Louis G. Franken, Cpl. Hq. Btry 602, D.F. A.B.N., Camp Carson, Colorado. Ted Goslinga’s is the same except he is PFC.
Source: Sioux Center News May 13, 1943, p 8
Cpl. Louis G. Franken writes from Camp Carson, Colo. May 20, 1943
Dear Sioux Center News and Sioux Center Friends: Well how is everything in Sioux Center and around at this time of the year. Guess every one of the farmers are busy with the corn crop by now or through with it. Hope everyone is in good health yet when you receive this letter. I’ve been in the hospital for a week and a half and feel fine now again. Have had a bad case of the grip they said. Just had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Peter De Jong formerly from Newkirk. He told me his father was selling out his stuff now, and wish him luck and a good sale. So far my address has been changed and me transferred to another outfit. It now is Cpl. Louis G. Franken Hq. & Hq. Ser. Btry. 609th F.A. Bn. Camp Carson, Colo. So now you know that Ted Goslinga and I finally got split up, and are in different outfits. We finally made this hike from Camp Hale to Camp Carson on foot and with our mules. They said we made 170 miles in all. Nice little walk. Wouldn’t you all liked to have walked with us boys? Seen a lot of pretty nice country to my idea. Others may not think so. Well my news is run out so I’ll sign off. My best regards to all at Sioux Center, and grandpa and grandma Franken. Hello Bros. Dries and Everett how is trucks up where you are at by now. And now may God bless us all abundantly from day to day. With love, Cpl. Louis G. Franken
Source: Sioux Center News May 27, 1943, p 6
Miss Julia In’t Veld accompanied Mrs. T. J. Goslinga and sister, Mrs. Menage and granddaughter of Rock Rapids Tuesday for a visit with Ted Goslinga who is with the armed forces at Denver, Colo. They will also visit relatives in California for several weeks.
Source: Sioux County Capital June 17, 1943, p 8
(Excerpt from Cpl. Louis Franken’s letter) And by the way Ted Goslinga I don’t get any letters from you at all. Write to you twice, and hope you got them. How is the weather up in Calif.? Here it rains now days every night at about time for retreat. Just like a year ago, and the time of the year for it.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 12, 1943, p 2
PFC Theodore T. Goslinga’s outgoing address is: 37126110, Hq. Btry. 602, F.A. Bn., ATF No. 9, APO 730, Seattle, Washington.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 19, 1943, p 8
Pfc. Theodore T. Goslings is now overseas. His address is 37126110, Hdqs. Btry. 602 F. A. Bn. A.T.F. No. 9, APO 730, Seattle, Wash.
Source: Sioux County Capital Sept. 9, 1943, p 7
Pfc. Theodore Goslinga is among the boys who have returned from Kiska and is now spending a fourteen-day furlough with friends and relatives here. Ted was overseas for 3 months and 2 days. He will leave the latter part of this week to report at Camp Roberts, California. His new address is: Pfc. Theodore T. Goslinga 37126110 Hq. Btry. 602 Field Artillery Camp Roberts, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 30, 1943, p 2
Several Sioux Center boys returned to Camp Roberts and other various camps on Friday evening. Among these Gerrit H. Roelofs, Ted Goslinga, Cornelius Schelling. These boys have been to Kiska and called back here and were given a 20-day furlough which was cut short six days.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 6, 1944, p 2
Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Goslinga have two sons in service. Theodore has safely arrived in Italy. He formerly served for several months in the Kiska Islands, and then returned home to the states, after a furlough was sent overseas. He has been in service since May, 1942. His new address is: Pfc. Theodore T. Goslinga 37126110 Hq. Btry. 602nd Field Artillery Bn. APO 9470, c/o Postmaster New York City, N. Y.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 23, 1944, p 2
Pfc. Theodore Goslinga writes from Italy: Aug. 3, ‘44
Dear News Staff – Since I have a little time and it’s months ago since I last wrote I’ll send a V-mail letter. Still enjoying the best of health and hope everyone at home can say the same. Had a very easy day…played ball this morning and all afternoon we fellows went swimming. We have our easy days as well as the hard ones. Still enjoy your paper very much. Am receiving them all. I have a new APO number which is now 758. We sure change often and travel…why I can’t say. I noticed Sam Holtrop and Peter Dykstra were here and if I had their addresses I could visit them. Was all through Rome and St. Peters Cathedral clear into the dome. One climb like that is enough. We’re having very nice weather here…it’s very warm but cools off at night. There is always a little breeze which helps considerable. No doubt back in good old Sioux County the people must be very busy after the storm picking up the ruins. I’ll say so long as space is limited. Always a friend, Theodore Goslinga.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 24, 1944, p 10
Ted Goslinga writes from Southern French Front: Sept. 23, 1944
Dear Friends: It has been very long since I last wrote. So I thought I’d do it now while relaxing on the front, here at Southern France, yesterday have received another issue of the News. Only a few months old. Indeed it was still very welcome. Very many items were again of great interest. All our mail has been delayed due to transportation on account of this invasion on Southern France. Still not coming the way we would like it. Wish to say thanks for all the papers and letters that I’ve received in the past. Honest folks you don’t know how they help to know you back on the home front are backing us up. It’s been very warm here at times, not meaning the weather, but they do have swell climate here in France, like Iowa the sunny days in October, not too hot. Notice by the News very many boys from Sioux County are here in France. All the men are fine, the ones from home. I’ll say so long, thanks again. Hello to all I know in Sioux Center, and surrounding territory. As ever, Ted Pfc. Goslinga T. 37126110 Hq. 602 F. A. Bn. APO 758, New York
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 12, 1944, p 2
Theodore Goslinga has a slight change of address. It has changed to Btry. B instead of H. For his complete address call the News.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 14, 1944, p 10
Theodore Goslinga writes from Southern France – Nov. 18, 1944
Dear News: Just got thru with a letter to my folks and now have decided to give my thanks to all who have donated a fund and made it possible for the Business Girls to get their Christmas gifts to all girls and boys in uniform. Thanks again ever so much. Have been bedfast here for a few weeks, have undergone an operation and getting along just swell. As it looks I’ll be out in short order. In writing this now in bed. Get out now and then, as my heart desires. Schelling is also here and comes to my ward every day and pays a visit. I’ll sign off for now and thanks again for all what you are doing for us over here. As ever, now a friend, always Ted
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 21, 1944, p 2
George Goslinga, husband of the former Mavis Tarrell, joined the United States Maritime Service and will be assigned at Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, N. Y. After completing training he will become a seaman in the U. S. Merchant Marine. George is a son of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Goslinga of Orange City and has two brothers serving in the army, Pvt. John Goslinga at Ft. Benning, Ga. and Pfc. Theodore Goslinga serving somewhere in France. George was employed on construction work before entering the service.
Source: Sioux Center News April 12, 1945, p 3
SPOTS NEIGHBOR IN GERMANY
On April 23rd Pfc. Theodore Goslinga wrote that he had spotted Henry Hubers on a truck which drove past him somewhere in Germany and wrote home asking for Henry’s address. Here are the addresses of both boys and we hope they get together soon. Sgt. Henry Hubers 37470138 Co. B 135th Engr. (C) Bn. APO 403, c/o Postmaster New York City, N. Y. Pfc. Theodore Goslinga 37126110 Btry. B, 602nd F. A. Bn. APO 464, c/o Postmaster New York City, N. Y.
Source: Sioux Center News May 17, 1945, p 2
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 2, 1945, p 2
ARRIVED IN STATES
Pfc. Theodore Goslinga, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Goslinga of Orange City, has arrived in the States after having served overseas since February, 1944. He is expected to arrive home the latter part of this week to spend a 30-day furlough with relatives and friends here.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 20, 1945, p 10
(Excerpt from article about Gt. H. Roelofs) …., and Ted Goslinga, another local boy, made the trip home with him.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 4, 1945, p 1
BRINKS – GOSLINGA
A lovely wedding took place at the farm home of the bride’s brother, Ralph Brinks of Pease, Minn., when Miss Angeline Brinks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Brinks of Minneapolis, Minn., became the bride of Theodore Goslinga, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Goslinga of Orange City. Rev. De Haan, pastor of the Christian Reformed Church of Pease, performed the double ring ceremony in the presence of a few immediate relatives of the bride and bridegroom. ….. The newlyweds have no definite plans for the future, as Ted has just been discharged from the service.
Source: Sioux County Capital Nov. 1, 1945, p 4
Servicemen Discharged
Servicemen who have filed discharges at the County Recorder’s Office since October 31 include: ….. Theodore T. Goslinga, Orange City …..
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 8, 1945, p 1
Iowa, U.S., World War II Bonus Case Files, 1947-1954, Claim No. 160205
Theodore T. Goslinga, SN 37-126-110, was born June 9, 1917, at Orange City, Iowa, which was where he was residing prior to entering the army on May 28, 1942, at Ft. Crook, Nebraska. He left for foreign service on July 27, 1943, returned on Nov. 30, 1943, then departed again on Feb. 1, 1944, and returned on Sept. 18, 1945. He served with Btry. B. 602nd F.A. Bn. and was honorably discharged on Sept. 27, 1945. His application for bonus pay was filed on June 15, 1949, for which he received $480.00.
Source: ancestry.com
