Squires, William Max 1917-1942

SQUIRES, HAMMOND, RICHARDS

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 12/29/2013 at 00:02:42

Volga City, Ia. - Mr. and Mrs. William Squires, farmers living west of here, said Tuesday they were notified by the War Department that their son, Pvt. Max Squires, 26, was killed in action overseas since Dec. 13 [1942]. Pvt. Squires, who enlisted in the Army in April, 1940, was first stationed at Camp Claibourne, La. He had been overseas for several months. Surviving are his parents; one sister, Ruby of Davenport; and a brother, Charles, who is a buttermaker at Oran.

~Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, evening edition, Tuesday, March 30, 1943

~Note: in the Telegraph-Herald, April 1, 1943 a correction was published giving the cause of death "accidental discharge of a grenade", rather than killed in action.

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Former Oran Resident Casualty of African Battle
Oran - Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Squires of Volga City have received word that their son, Max, was killed in action December 13. Max enlisted and left here April 2, 1941 after spending several years here with his brother Charles. Max worked in the creamery and trucked for the Youngblat Brothers, besides numerous other jobs. Upon leaving Oran he was stationed for some time at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana and was then moved to Camp Dix, N.J. from which place he was taken to Ireland, later going to Scotland and Africa.

~Oelwein Daily News, Wednesday March 31, 1943

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William Max Squires, son of William L. Squires and Neola Hammond Squires was born near Arlington, Iowa, January 18, 1917 and passed from this life on December 13, 1942, while in service for his country in North Africa.

His boyhood days were spent around Arlington and he graduated from Arlington High School with the class of '35. While in school and all his life he made many true and lasting friends. His quiet friendly disposition and his ability to see the bright side of things and his liking for everyone made him loved by all who knew him.

After graduating from high school he assisted his parents on their farm near Volga and worked for a while with his brother, Charles, at Oran.

Max knew his country needed him and he enlisted in the army April 3, 1941. He received his training at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana and Fort Dix, New Jersey. In April 1942 he was sent overseas. He spent several months in Ireland and England. Here he joined the Commandos and was sent into Africa when they made the invasion. It was in North Africa that he met his death December 13, 1942. He was laid to rest December 14th in an army cemetery in North Africa.

His going leaves desolate his mother, father, two brothers, Charles of Oran and Billy at home, one sister Ruby, of Davenport; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Squires of Arlington and Mrs. Sadie Richards, of Edgewood, aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of loving friends.

Last services were held in the Volga City Methodist church, Sunday afternoon at four o'clock. The pastor, Rev. Deo Butler, of Arlington, spoke words of comfort to the loved ones. Gorda Gill had charge of the service. Members of the American Legion Post of Volga and Wadena, and Golden Rod Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Arlington were in attendance. A quartette, Mrs. Fred Gernand, Miss Freda Adams and Messrs. Harry Boleyn and L.H. Hungerford, accompanied by Mrs. Leta Myers, pianist, sang "God Will Take Care of You," "Just When I Need Him Most," and "Sweet Peace."

Altho his body lay in a foreign land, he was there in spirit and picture. Lights shown on his picture thruout the service, those most dear to him felt comforted in the memory of his love thru his life.

~Arlington News, May 13, 1943

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Notes: U.S. Army, Private First Class, 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division; Service #37042106. Buried in the North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia, Plot A, Row 1, Grave 2. (source: American Battle Monuments Commission website www.abmc.gov )