Mr. and Mrs. Tim Kooima, Lois, Ed, and Miss Elsie Van Beek left for Texas Wednesday morning to attend the graduation exercises on November 10 at Ellington Field, Houston, at which Lawrence Kooima will receive his wings and become a Second Lieutenant in the Army AirCorps.
Source: Rock Valley Bee, Friday, November 6, 1942
Lt. L. W. Kooima Has Plane Shot Up—
Rock Valley Bee—Mr. and Mrs. Tim Kooima have received a fine photograph of the bombing group of the Squadron in which their son, Lt. Lawrence Kooima is first pilot in England. There are 37 men on the picture, all commissioned officers ranging from major to second lieutenant.
Mrs. Jake Kooima heard a late broadcast one night stating that Lt. Kooima’s plane had returned from a bombing trip with a wing shot up and the landing gear shot away. He landed it safely however. Lt. Crawford is co-pilot of the Fortress and Lt. Cressy bombardier.
Lt. Kooima wrote his parents here on August 5 that his crew was leaving for a period of rest. The bomber crews need frequent periods of relaxation to prevent nervous breakdowns.
Source: Sioux Center News, Thursday, August 26, 1943 page 2
ROCK VALLEY. Mr. and Mrs. Tim Kooima received official government notice that their son, Lieutenant Lawrence Kooima was missing in action. He failed to return from a bombing raid over Europe on October 8. He took part on a raid on Bremen and had been on bombing expeditions over Germany and Holland. He had been decorated with the four Oak leaves for 5 successful bombing raids.
In a letter dated September 12 he stated he had returned from his 21st bombing mission. He had received the distinguished Flying Cross coveted by all aviators. He thought that on the completion of his 25th mission, he might come home on leave. Lawrence was first pilot on a flying fortress.
Lawrence is 26 years of age and was raised on the family farm one mile west and one mile south of Rock Valley. He graduated with the class of 1938 from the Rock Valley high school. He taught in rural schools in the community for several years. He was a member of the Men’s chorus which gained much popularity as it traveled to neighboring towns singing in churches.
School County School Notes: It is with deep regret that we learn that Lt. Lawrence Kooima, member of the Air Corps and formerly a Sioux County rural school teacher, is listed “Missing in Action.” Lawrence is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Tim Kooima of Rock Valley. It’s only a few weeks ago that Lawrence was awarded the Oak Leaf Decoration for completing five bombing missions after he arrived at this foreign station. He was a member of the 8th Bomber Squadron. It is our hope that Lawrence may still be alive, somewhere out there, and that his parents may be notified soon, in order to spare them the grief and anxiety that comes with such uncertainty.
Source: Alton Democrat, Thurs. October 28, 1943 page 8.
Lt. L. W. Kooima Thought To Be a Prisoner of War.
A strong possibility that Lieut. Lawrence W. Kooima is a prisoner of war in Germany is seen since the arrival of a letter sent by air mail from England by Lieut. L. E. Kring, a friend of Lawrence’s from graduation days in Texas, Lieut. Kring writes that Lawrence’s ship “went down under control and that the chutes were seen coming out.” The letter was to Mr. Tim Kooima, Lawrence’s father here and reads as follows:
Oct. 19.—Dear Mr. Kooima: Surely by now you have received the news that Larry is missing in action over Bremen a few days ago. I have been to the 306th Gp. and found out that his ship went down under control and that chutes were seen coming out. I feel that he is a prisoner of war in Germany. It usually takes a couple of months before we hear anything concerning them unless we hear it over the German short wave radio. If we hear anything over here, we shall certainly let you know.
Now I must introduce myself. I am Lesley Kring. I met most of you in Houston. They (the Kooima party) took me into Houston the day we graduated. I was also with Larry all through our training. He was on his 23rd mission and one engine was hit by flak.
If I may be of any help don’t hesitate to write me. — Sincerely, Leslie Kring.
Lt. L. E. Kring, APO 634; care of postmaster, N.Y.
Source: Rock Valley Bee, Fri. November 5, 1943 page one.
Official Word On Lt. Lawrence Kooima Is Had.
First Lieutenant Lawrence Kooima, reported missing in action last October 8, had been officially presumed dead by the War Department according to a letter received this week by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tim Kooima.
Letter follows: 9 October, 1944. Dear Mr. and Mrs. Tim Kooima: Since your son, First Lieutenant Lawrence W. Kooima, 0666754, Air Corps, was reported missing in action 8 October 1943, the War Department has entertained the hope that he survived and that information would be revealed dispelling the uncertainty surrounding his absence. However, as in many cases, the conditions of warfare deny such information. The record concerning your son shows that he was the pilot of a Flying Fortress which was lost near Bremen, Germany in the course of a bombing mission to that city.
Full consideration has recently been given to all available information bearing on the absence of your son, including all records, reports and circumstances. These have been carefully reviewed and considered. In view of the fact that twelve months have now expired without the receipt of evidence to support a continued presumption of survival, the War Department must terminate such absence by a presumptive finding of death. Accordingly an official finding of death has been recorded under the provisions of Public Law 490, 77th Congress, approved March 7, 1942, as amended.
The finding of death does not establish an actual or probable date of death; however, as required by law, it includes a presumptive date of death, for the termination of pay and allowances, settlements of accounts and payment of death gratuities. In the case of your son this date has been set at 9 October 1944, the day following the expiration of twelve months absence.
I regret the necessity for this message but trust that the ending of a long period of uncertainty with which war has surrounded the absence of your son, has enhance the honor of his service to his country, and of his sacrifice. Sincerely yours, —Major J. A. Ulio, The Adjutant General.
The Rock Valley community extends deepest sympathy to the Kooima family, who have suffered such suspense for a year. They with his host of friends have still the right to hope that after this war is over here, at least some final word of him will come.
Source: Rock Valley Bee, Friday, October 20, 1944, page 1
His Obituary - Memorial
Military Rites for Military funeral services were held for Lawrence Kooima of the Air Force at the family home at 1:30 o'clock and in the high school auditorium at 2:00 o'clock Saturday afternoon. All business places were closed from 1 to 3:30 in respect. Flags were at half mast.
Rev. S. Camminga conducted the funeral services. A male quartet, Clarence Mulder, John Vande Kerk, Lorance De Vries and Bas Lems sang "Abide With Me" and Jesus Saviour Pilot Me". At the close of the service the congregation sang "Saved by Grace". Clarence Kempema played the organ.
Lawrence Kooima was born on July 26, 1917 to Mr. and Mrs. Tim Kooima. He graduated from the Rock Valley High school in 1935. He entered the army air corps on September 7, 1941. He went overseas in April 1943 and had participated in 22 air raids. He was shot down while on his 23rd raid over Bremen, German on October 8, 1943. He was reported missing in action in October that year, afterwards was declared legally dead and it was not until last fall that word was received his temporary grave had been found and the remains would subsequently be shipped home.
He is survived by his parents, Mr and Mrs. Tim Kooima, Sam, Tracey (Mrs. Al Harmsen), Paul, Edward, Arthur, Gertrude (Mrs. Henry Rozeboom) and Lois (Mrs. Ted Ribbens) of Grand Rapids, Mich. One sister, Adrianna passed away in 1930.
Pallbearers to bear their comrade to his last resting place in Valley View cemetery were Bas Lems, Marinus Oostra, Richard Visser, Ted Baartman, William Vanden Top and Gary Van Ktey. The pall bearers walked beside the flag draped casket in the funeral car to the depot led by the color bearers and guards followed by a large body of service men of both wars. Lawrence had won the air medal W/3 Oakleaf clusters and the distinguished flying cross.
Before enlisting he had served as a school teacher and a farmer. He was a member of the Valley Chorus and was always ready to do his part in serving humanity.
Those attending from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Ted Ribbons of Grand Rapids, Mich; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Noteboom of Inwood; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hauser, of Inwood; Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Van Otterloo and Mr. aud Mrs. Lawrence Achterhof of Sioux Center. The high school auditorium was well filled by the large crowd attending the funeral.
Source: Sioux Center News, April 7, 1950
