KEEFE, Thomas James 1922-1944

KEEFE

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/4/2010 at 20:47:11

#1 of 2 items:

THOMAS KEEFE, GUNNER, KILLED

Loses Life in Action in Europe, Wire States

CHARLES CITY, IOWA — The following wire was received from the war department by Mr. and Mrs. Tom Keefe, Saturday: "Report received from the German government through the International Red Cross states your son, S/Sgt, Thomas J. Keefe, Jr., who was previously reported missing in action was killed in action Jan. 4, 1944 in the European area."

Thomas James Keefe, Jr., was born June 25, 1922, in Charles City. He attended the Immaculate Conception academy, Charles City high school, Loras, of Dubuque, and Gordon Military, Barnesville, Georgia.

Tommy enlisted at Camp Dodge Nov. 11, 1942, was sent to Kearns, Utah, then to Lowry Field, Denver, Colorado, to enter armament school. He went to Tyndall Field, Panama City, Florida, next to Pyote, Texas, Dyersburg, Tennessee, and Topeka Kansas, from where he was shipped to somewhere in England arriving Nov. 11, 1943.

He was a finished Instructor as well as gunner and at the time of his death his position was ball turret gunner. He was a Life Boy Scout, an exceptional golf player and won the state fancy diving contest while attending CMTC camp at Dos Moines in 1939. He had a very pleasing personality and of a very friendly nature which impressed himself on those he met.

He is survived by Ms parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Keefe, sister, Nancy, and two brothers, Joe and Pat, his grandparents Atty. and Mrs. J. C. Campbell, Charles City, and Mr. and Mrs. James Keefe of Fort Dodge.

[Mason City Globe-Gazette, Tuesday, February 8, 1944]

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#2:

CHARLES CITY, IOWA — Double funeral services will be at Immaculate Conception Catholic church, with burial in Calvary cemetery for a grandfather and his grandson, on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Attorney J. C. Campbell, 76, practicing here for 50 years, died at his home Sunday night after two weeks illness.

The grandson, Staff Sgt. Thomas James Keefe, Jr., 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Keefe, Charles City, with the air force of the army, died over Germany on January 4, 1944.

[Mason City Globe-Gazette, Monday, August 8, 1949]

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#3:

Double services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Sacred Heart Catholic church for J. C. Campbell, 76, practicing attorney here for 50 years, and his grandson, Staff Sgt Thomas James Keefe.

Mr. Campbell died Sunday night after a two weeks illness.

His grandson, who was with the U.S. air forces, was 21 when he met death in the skies over Germany, Jan. 4, 1944. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Keefe of Charles City.

Mr. Campbell was born Feb. 17, 1873, at Hazleton, Pa., the son of David and Bridget (Gallagher) Campbell. He attended Loras college at Dubuque and was graduated from University of Iowa in 1898 with an LLB degree.

He married Anna Dougherty Oct. 10, 1893, at Dougherty; practiced law two years at Rockwell and since 1900 had practiced in Charles City; was a former city attorney, member of the American and Iowa State Bar associations, past president of the Floyd County Bar association, member of the 12th judicial legal clinic, Chamber of Commerce, Elks, Knights of Columbus, Catholic church, and past chairman of the Floyd county Democratic central committee; Mr. and Mrs. Campbell celebrated their golden wedding anniversary Oct. 12. 1943.

He leaves four daughters. Mrs. Tom Keefe, Charles City; Mrs. R. H. Campbell. Rutherford, N. J.; Mrs. E. P. Shea, Decorah, and Mrs. H. C. Turner, Chicago; three sons. Attorney A. C. Campbell, and Garland J. Campbell, both of Charles City; D. R. Campbell, Chicago: 19 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Campbell preceded him Jan. 13, 1948;

Thomas Keefe was born June 25, 1922, at Charles City. He attended Immaculate Conception academy here, Charles City high school, Loras college, and Gordon military academy at Barnesville, Mo.; enlisted at Camp Dodge, Iowa, Nov. 11, 1942. He was sent to Denver Colorado, to enter an armament school, and subsequently trained at Tyndall field Panama City, Cal.; Ft. Meyer. Fla.; Pyote, Tex.; Dyersburg. Tenn, and Topeka, Kansas. He arrived in England Nov. 11 1943; at the time of his death he was ball turret gunner with the Eighth Army Air Force. He was first reported missing January 23, 1944 and officially declared dead February 5, 1944.

His parents received the Purple Heart March 6, 1949 and citations from the Eighth Air Force and from the President of the United States.

He leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Keefe, Sr.; one sister, Mrs. DuWayne Wessel, Savanah, Georgia; two brothers, Joe and Pat, Charles City.

Military rites will be conducted by the VFW and the American Legion at the graveside in Calvary Cemetery.

[Waterloo Daily Courier, Tuesday, August 9, 1949]