Pvt. Lawrence Wilcox (1917-1944)

WILCOX

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 1/9/2010 at 11:52:06

Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Iowa, December 22, 1944

WILCOX KILLED IN BURMA

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Wilcox, of Maquoketa, have received word that their son, Pvt. Lawrence Wilcox, 27, was killed in the Burma-India theatre of war on November 29, 1944. Pvt. Wilcox was killed in a training accident at Camp Toondis. Burma. The accident took place when an 81 mm mortar shell exploded during a training exercise. Pvt. Wilcox entered the service January 31, 1943 and went overseas July 24, 1944. He is the first Maquoketan to be killed in this theatre of war.
Lawrence Richard Wilcox was born on August 27, 1917, at Bastwick, Nebraska. He was engaged in farming with his father until inducted in January, 1944. He took his training at Fort Riley, Kansas and on July 24, 1944, was sent overseas where he had served with the 124th Cavalry.
He is survived by his parents, three sisters, Mrs. Walter Rockrohr, Mrs. Clarence Westphal, and Joy. Memorial service will be held at a later date.