ZIEGER, Boatswain 2/C Joseph M., WWII
ZIEGER, HUNST, SUPPLE, ORMSBY
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/8/2013 at 01:50:27
The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Tuesday, May 23, 1944, Page 6ZIEGER, BOATSWAIN'S MATE, OFFICIALLY DECLARED DEAD
Disappeared March 27, '42, During Action in N. Atlantic Area
Clear Lake - Mrs. Joseph M. ZIEGER, nee Marie I. HUNST, has received word from the navy department that her husband, Joseph M. ZIEGER, boatswain's mate 2/c, having been missing and unheard from since March 27, 1942, is presumed to have been dead since April 5, 1944. The letter was sent from Washington, D. C., May 6, 1944.
Mate ZIEGER was born in Waterloo Jan. 16, 1914, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John ZIEGER, who later moved to Belmond. He entered the navy in February, 1938, serving 4 years before Pearl Harbor. He received [an] honorable discharge in 1941, immediately re-enlisted and was in California when the Japs made their sneak attack on Dec. 7.
Jan. 14, 1942, he was married to Miss HUNST, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George HUNST, Clear Lake, at the rectory by the Rev. E. J. SUPPLE, pastor of the St. Patrick's Catholic church. He was sent to Philadelphia, Pa., and thence to Portsmouth, N. H., from where he sailed March 27, never to return.
He was trained at Great Lakes, spent some time in California and 2 years at Manila and Cavile in the Philippines. He received a good conduct medal on his record as a seaman.
The letter from the navy department said in part:
"According to the records of the bureau of navy personnel, you were informed May 7, 1942, that your husband was missing following action in the performance of his duty in the service of his country. He was officially reported missing in action as of March 27, 1942, when the ship in which he was serving was long overdue and presumed last in the north Atlantic area.
"The navy department is aware of the anxiety that you have endured for news of your husband during these intervening months and regrets that this conclusion of death was necessary. It is hoped you may find comfort in the knowledge that your husband was serving his country at the time of his death. Sincere sympathy is extended to you in your sorrow."
The letter was sent by A. C. Jacobs, commander, U. S. N. R., by direction of the chief of naval personnel.
Requiem high mass was celebrated at the Catholic church in Belmond May 16 by the Rev. Father ORMSBY, pastor.
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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Wednesday, August 23, 1944, Page 12Posthumous Medal Award
Ventura - Mrs. Joseph ZIEGER received the Purple Heart which was awarded posthumously to her husband Joseph ZIEGER, of the navy.
Seaman ZIEGER was reported missing somewhere on the Atlantic May 8, 1942, and was officially declared dead April 5, 1944.
Mrs. ZIEGER is the daughter of Mr. and George HUNST who reside on a farm 3 miles northeast of Ventura.
Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2013
Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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