MAPES, Harold I. 1920-1943

MAPES, COLVIN, GUSTAFSON, NEWELL

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 7/28/2013 at 23:52:02

[Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Sunday, May 2, 1943]

WATERLOO MACHINE GUNNER KILLED IN AFRICA

MOTHER TOLD
HAROLD MAPES
DIED APRIL 8

Former Coworker at Rath's,
Ervin Laures, Wounded
on Same Day

Cpl. Harold I. Mapes, 23, an army machine gunner, was killed in action April 8 in north Africa, his mother, Mrs. Carl F. Gustafson, 428 Dawson street, was informed Saturday by the war department.

Corporal Mapes, who enlisted for service in April, 1941, left Waterloo on May 5. He had been stationed in north Africa since February 1943. Before enlisting he was employed by the Rath Packing company. He was born March 7, 1920, in Waterloo, the son of Orville and Edith [Colvin] Mapes. His father is dead. Harold Mapes attended West public schools. On June 10, 1939, he married Valda M. Newell. They were later divorced.

Corporal Mapes attended Union Congregational church.

The only survivor is his mother.

___________________

[Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Tuesday, June 15, 1943]

Purple Heart
Given to Mapes,
Killed in Africa

A Purple Heart medal for military merit has been awarded posthumously to Cpl. Harold I. Mapes, Waterloo, who was killed in action April 8 in north Africa, his mother, Mrs. Carl F. Gustafson, 428 Dawson Street, reported Tuesday.

She received the medal Monday from the army quartermaster depot at Philadelphia, Pa.

Mapes was an army machine gunner. Mrs. Gustafson said she was told by another soldier who was in an outfit with her son that when he was killed Corporal Mapes was at the head of a group of men going into action.

Harold Mapes enlisted for service in April, 1941, and left Waterloo the next month. He had been stationed in north Africa since last February. He had been an employee of the Rath Packing company.

Mrs. Gustafson was informed of her son's death on May 1.

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Burial in the North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia.