KELLY, Daniel P. "Bud" 1908-1944

KELLY, INGLES

Posted By: Errin Wilker
Date: 11/5/2013 at 20:15:16

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR PFC. DANIEL P. KELLY

Private First Class Daniel P Kelly, son of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Kelly, was born July 6, 1908 at New Albin, Iowa. "Bud" as he was better known, was graduated from the New Albin High School May 27, 1926. While in school he received a medal for public speaking and spoke at several social gatherings. After graduation he was employed by the Ford Motor Co. in Milwaukee, Wis., and in 1934 he was employed by the Fisher Body Co. in Janesville, Wis., until being inducted into the service.

In March, 1942 "Bud" was inducted into the army at Janesville, going from there to Sheridan, Ill. He received his infantry training at Camp Claiborne, La., and after several months was sent to Fort Bragg, N.C., for paratrooper training.

Daniel served in Co. G. 401st Glider Infantry and went on maneuvers with the 82nd Division to Memphis, Tenn. "Bud" was sent overseas to England in August, 1943 where he received further military training.

On June 9, 1944 he was seriously wounded in the invasion of France and was hospitalized in England. Daniel received the Purple Heart and presidential citation. For participating in the Lansing in Normandy he received the expert rifle badge and glider pin with star in it. He also received the good conduct medal.

On Sept. 7, 1944 he again rejoined his company and on Oct. 2, 1944 he was reported missing in action in Holland. Friends and relatives held out hope for his safe return home until October of this year when his parents were informed by the war department of their presumptive finding of death.

Memorial Mass was celebrated by the Reverend L. Hayes at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Thursday December 6th and was largely attended by a crowd of sorrowing relatives and friends with about 50 ex-service men present from Lansing and the New Albin vicinity.

Fr. Hayes preached a consoling sermon and after services a firing squad under the direction of Lt. Harold W. Gaunitz fired the volley salute. Taps were sounded by Dorothy Barthell and the echo blown by Dick Terry. The flag was removed from the catafalque and presented to his parents.

Honorary pallbearers were: John Plembing, Frank Weymiller, Ronald May, Robert Moore, Floyd Zarwell and Gail Gantenbein. Ushers were John Burke and Edmund Smerud.

When Daniel was stationed in England Lt. Joseph Meyers wrote a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Kelly informing them of "Bud's" clever method of telling stories. He was a popular, likeable man and who it can be truly said "He died for his county."

Daniel is survived by his parents, two brothers, William and Marce of New Albin; two sisters, Mrs. William Ingles of Racine, Wis., and Miss Norma E. Kelly of Grand Canyon, Ariz.; and a niece, Margaret Mary Ingles.

CARD OF THANKS

Our special thanks to Rev. L. Hayes, the choir, the Lansing - New Albin American Legion Post and veterans of World War I and II, honorary pallbearers, the ushers, our relatives and friends for their many acts of kindness and prayers.

Mr. and Mrs. John F. Kelly.
William and Marce Kelly.
Mr. and Mrs. William Ingles.
Miss Norma E. Kelly.

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LETTER TO MRS. J.F. KELLY FROM SOLDIER IN ENGLAND

England, April 14, '44

Dear Mrs. Kelly:

Your son Daniel is a member of my platoon and I thought I would drop you a line to let you know that he is doing a swell job. Whenever the boys of his tent get too dull, he can always snap them out of it with one of his stories. He is with a "great bunch" and "Kelly" is always in there pitching so that we will all get home as soon as possible.

Every soldier enjoys getting mail, so write when you can and encourage some of his old friends to drop him a letter from the home front.

Sincerely,
1st Lt. Joe Myers

Source: Newspaper Clippings from a New Albin area scrapbook.