Private Richard Debner 1922-1944

DEBNER, MOTZ

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 2/25/2017 at 10:33:32

15 June 1944 - The Clarence Sun

War consciousness became still tighter in Clarence when the news came last Thursday night that Private Richard Debner had been killed on May 18 in action in Italy. He was twenty-two years of age and entered the service at Tipton on Sept. 15, 1943, less than a year ago. The community's sympathy goes out to his young widow and their daughter and his parents.

Richard Debner, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred G. Debner, was born on a farm south of Clarence on Jan. 30, 1922, and has spent most of his life here. He was married on Feb. 14, 1943, to Miss Melba Motz of Bennett who with their small daughter, Patricia Ann, his parents and one brother, Wilbur, survive.

On the day before he was killed, on May 17, he wrote both his wife and his parents.

He sailed the last of February or in the first days of March for Europe.

In going back over the Sun's mailing list, it is found that Private Richard Debner and Private Burrel Oberholser both belonged to the 190th Battalion, 60th Regiment, but Richard was a member of Co. F and Burrel belonged in Co. D. They were located then at Camp Blanding, Fla. On April 19th, each had acquired a New York address with Richard in Co. A 180th Infantry, APO 45, and Burrel with Cod. B 141st Infantry, APO 36. The two men apparently crossed the Atlantic on the same transport but were assigned to different units upon arrival in Europe. At this date, the addresses remain the same as last given.

Mr. and Mrs. Debner and Mrs. Richard Debner were here on Sunday. The report that Richard was shot by a stray bullet when he was behind the lines, was new to them. They had not heard it before coming to Clarence.

The Debners live on a five-acre tract near the Davenport fair grounds. The move from Clarence was made because the men were at work in that city.

The home here is still maintained, only needed furniture taken to their present home.