His Obituary:
Robert McKinley Larson was born at Story City, Iowa, on Dec. 11, 1922. He was baptized at Bethel Lutheran Church at Story City by Rev. G. O. Paulsrud, and confirmed in May, 1937, in the Salem Lutheran Church of Roland by Rev. Olaf Holen.
He attended the Sandness school near Randall for three years, and the Roland Consolidated school the rest of his school days, graduating with the class of 1940. He was engaged in farming with his father one mile south of Roland before entering the service on March 2 1943. He received his basic training at Camp Roberts, California, leaving for overseas, June 11, 1943, without ever having a furlough.
Pvt. Larson served with the 130th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division. He spent 11 months in Hawaii, eight months in New Guinea, one month in the Netherlands East Indies and two months on Luzon, Philippines, where he met death on April 12, 1945. Pvt. Larson is memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Philippines. There is also a cenotaph at the Roland Cemetery, Roland, IA.
While in the Netherlands East Indies he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge. He is also the holder of a Purple Heart.
He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sherman M. Larson, one brother, Pvt. Darrel Larson, who is on the Marianna Island, three sisters, Virginia, Faye Anne, and Sheryl, and his fiancee, Miss Mary Britson.
Source: ancestry.com
