GUSTISON, Richard John 1924-1944

GUSTISON, FALLS

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 2/15/2015 at 23:40:57

[Waterloo Daily Courier, Sunday, February 20, 1944, Waterloo, Iowa, p19]

R. J. Gustison
Killed in
Pacific Area

Richard John Gustison, 19, fireman second class, has been killed in action, according to word received from the navy department by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Gustison, 316 Freemont Street.

The telegram, sent by Vice Admiral Randall Jacobs, chief of naval personnel does not disclose the circumstances of Gustison's death but states he was killed "in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country."

He has been stationed with the Pacific fleet, however, since being assigned to active service, and is presumed to have died in action against the Japanese.

Fireman Gustison was inducted into navy service May 2, 1943, and received his boot training at Furragut, Ida. He spent a 15-day leave here last July, after which he was sent to the west coast where he was assigned to a ship in September.

He last work his parents had from him was a letter they received Jan. 29 which was dated Jan. 20. He indicated at that time that he had been promoted from seaman second class to fireman second class.

Richard John Gustison was born Dec. 11, 1924, at Richmond, Ia. He graduated from St. Rose Catholic School and attended Notre Dame Catholic Academy in Quincy, Ill., coming to Waterloo in October 1942.

He was employed as bellboy at Hotel Russell-Lamson and was working in the shipping department at the Galloway Company before entering service.

Survivors include his parents and two sisters, Shirley Ann, 11, and Mary, 9, both at home. Also surviving are his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gustison, Quincy, Ill., and maternal grandmother, Mrs. Mabel Falls, St. Louis, Mo.

Also surviving in the south Pacific area are two of his uncles, Staff Sgt. Timothy Gustison, and his cousin, Pvt. Edward Bozarth.

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[Waterloo Courier Aug. 19, 1945 "World War II casualties from Black Hawk County"]

Gustison, FM2/C Richard John
U. S. Naval Reserves
K.I.A. Feb. 14, 1944
Manila American Cemetery & Mem.
Manila, Philippines
Son of M/M Harold Chas. Gustison
316 Freemont St., Waterloo IA

Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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