CAVANAUGH, Sgt. Robert J. “Bob”

CAVANAUGH, KNOLL, FIALA, SWED, HALL

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/14/2013 at 08:41:16

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Wednesday, April 29, 1942, Page 11; photograph by Lock

Cavanaugh of R. C. A. F. Goes Back to Duty After Leave

Local Man Training With Empire Forces as Fighter Pilot

Leading Aircraftsman Bob Cavanaugh of the Royal Canadian Air Force, son of Mrs. Catherine Cavanaugh, 1421 Quincy avenue northwest, returned to his duties in Canada, Wednesday following a 14-day leave.

The local flyer, only 21 years old, enlisted in the R. C. A. F. last Sept. 29 at Montreal, Canada. He began his training in initial training schools near Toronto, Canada, and has now been transferred to the service flying school, where he will be taught combat training.

Cavanaugh is in the final stages of his training, and after receiving his wings as a fighter pilot, will be sent to some point in the British Empire.

He was graduated from Holy Family parochial school in 1939. While attending the local school he was a star athlete, earning all-state football honors as a half-back in his junior year. Illness in his senior year forced him to the sidelines.

Cavanaugh expresses great admiration for the Australians. There are British, Polish, nearly ever nation represented in his flight, but he has highest regard for the famed Anzacs.

He has some regret that he isn’t in the United States army or navy air corps, but did not transfer after the war broke out because of the months of training he had received in the R. C. A. F. Had he returned to the states and entered the air corps, he would have been required to begin basic training, despite his work in the R. C. A. F.

Some time this year he will be going “over there,” and wherever he is, he hopes he “can get a crack at those nazis.”

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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Friday, October 30, 1942, Page 25

Mason Cityans Serve With RCAF

Some Mason Cityans, anxious to get into action in the battle against the axis, did not wait for the United States’ declaration of war but joined Canadian forces last fall. Of these, some are in active duty not after completing intensive training in Canada.

In Canada for flight training was Robert J. Cavanaugh, a fighter pilot and leading aircraftsman.

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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Monday, November 23, 1942, Page 12

War Strikes Home Again

The tragedy which is war has been brought home to Mason City again in the announcement that Bob Cavanaugh, former all-state athletic star with Holy Family high school, was killed in action overseas. He enlisted a little more than a year ago with the Royal Canadian air force.

While the particulars concerning his death have not been received, those who remember Bob Cavanaugh will have not doubt that he went down in heroic fulfillment of his duty. That’s the kind of lad he was – clean, fine, a fair-fighter always.

To his widowed mother and to his eleven brothers and sisters, the Globe-Gazette extends condolences and sympathy. This it does as a spokesman for the entire community. The gold star which will distinguish their home will be one of special luster.

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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Tuesday, November 24, 1942, Page 16

SERVICES HELD FOR CAVANAUGH AT HOLY FAMILY

Requiem High Mass Celebrated for Flyer Lost in Overseas War

Funeral services for Sgt. Robert Cavanaugh of the Royal Canadian air force, killed in action overseas Nov. 17, were held Monday morning at 10 o’clock in Holy Family church.

The solemn requiem high mass was celebrated by the Rev. R. P. Murphy, celebrant; the Rev. George Stem, deacon; the Rev. Duaine Brady, sub-deacon. Others taking part in the service were the Rev. W. F. Keiffer, master of ceremonies; William Sernett, censer bearer; Ken Quinn and Robert Douglas, acolytes.

The funeral sermon was delivered by the Rev. Edward Fitzgerald of Osage. Music for the mass was furnished by the Holy Family choir under the direction of the Rev. Joseph Kleiner. Ushers were Charles Casey, Ralph McCarron and Joseph Bertsch.

Sergeant Cavanaugh, son of Mrs. Catherine Cavanaugh, was born Oct. 29, 1920. He was graduated from Holy Family high school in the class of 1939. During his high school career he was an A student and also won all-state honors in football and basketball. Before entering the R. C. A. F. he attended Loras college in Dubuque for two years.

He is survived by his mother, five brothers, Maurice, Fremont, Nebr.; Eugene, Davenport; Tom, Don and Billie at home; and six sisters, Mrs. Marry Knoll, Los Angeles, Cal.; Mrs. Frank Fiala, Jr., Fremont, Nebr.; Mrs. Frank Swed, Mrs. Robert Hall, Lucile and Rita Ann of Mason City.

Members of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Gold Star Mothers attended the funeral in a body.

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2013

Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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