EARL L. MEDBERRY

MEDBERRY

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 11/8/2002 at 18:42:05

Earl L. Medberry

EARL MEDBERRY DIES OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN WAR

Disabled in Sea Battle While Serving in Navy; Military Funeral Today.

Earl L. Medberry, a veteran of the recent war in which he served with the U. S. Navy, passed away Sunday in the veterans' hospital in Des Moines where he had been a patient for several weeks.

Direct cause of his passing was an injury he sustained to his head and brain during the shelling of his transport ship off the Marshall Islands in the Pacific area on February 5, 1944, while at his post of duty. Following this injury he was hospitalized at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and at San Diego, Calif., where all surgical attention was given him that could be provided.

Born in Highland township, Clayton county, August 13 [this could be an 18, too, as the newspaper is tore at this spot],1925, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Rex Medberry. He received his education in the rural schools of Clayton county and the Elgin [newspaper is tore here] Postville high schools, graduating from the latter in the spring of 1942. In high school he participated in various activities, including the Future Farmers of America of which he was vice president in 1941-42.

Following graduation he responded to the call of his country and enlisted in the United States Navy on January 14, 1943. He received his training at the Great Lakes station and later was transferred to the west coast and then to Hawaii where he was assigned to the U. S. S. Harris. In the meantime he had received a rating of Gunner's Mate. It was while on this ship that he was seriously wounded.

Earl received his honorable discharge from the navy with total disability provisions November 3, 1944. He was the recipient of the American and Pacific Theater of War ribbons and also a battle star.

Possessed of a cheerful disposition, Earl made and kept many friends. Following his discharge it was these characteristics that enabled him to accept his handicaps and still fully enjoy the remaining years of his life. He spent much time in travel, and in the winter of 1946-47 he spent much time in Arizona. In the past summer he joined a motorcycle cavalcade to the western states with the Little Switzerland Motorcycle Club of America which he helped to organize and of which group he was treasurer.

He was a member of Elgin Post No. 352 of the American Legion and also a life member of the Disabled Veterans of America Post No. 8 at Decorah. Earl was also a member of the Luther League of the Marion Lutheran congregation at Gunder and took an active part in the work of that organization.

Earl is survived by his parents and one brother, Gene, in addition to many other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be held this (Wednesday) afternoon at the funeral home in Elgin and later at the Marion Lutheran church at Gunder, with the Rev. S. J. Strandjord officiating. The American Legion and Auxiliary military rites will be conducted by members from the Elgin Post and Arthur F. Brandt Post of Postville. Six cousins will act as casket bearers.

Postville Herald newspaper clipping, hand dated October 1947, from my mother's obituary collection.