Lt. Sidney Story 1922-1944

STORY, RICHARDS, GUSTAFSSON, MERRITT

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 3/17/2021 at 09:44:18

7 September 1944 - The Anamosa Journal

Popular Anamosa flyer was killed Tuesday night in a training accident near Ontario, Calif. Lieut. Sidney Story, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar H. Story, met instant death when the plane in which he was practicing dive bombing from 25,000 feet exploded in mid-air.

According to word received by his parents, Sidney followed his captain in the dive when both planes disintegrated and exploded. Accident was credited to the plane and not to the flyers. Each man was flying alone. Captain was also killed.

Those remains which could be found were cremated, according to word sent to Mr. and Mrs. Story, and services will be planned as soon as further word is received from the government concerning shipping the ashes here. Lieut. Carl Gustafsson, brother-in-law of Sidney, will accompany the remains on the trip.

Sidney was born Aug. 24, 1922, at Olin, Ia. He graduated from the Lost Nation high school in 1939, and attended the University of Iowa for two years.

Young Story starred at the University of Iowa on the basketball court where he was regarded as the 'hot-shot' on Coach Rollie Williams quintet. In high school he also had gained the reputation as one of eastern Iowa's leading athletes.

He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air force July 9, 1941, and earned an officer's rating.

He was transferred to the United States air force in May, 1942, and has since served as an instructor in various air bases in California. Jan. 31, 1943 he married Elaine Richards, Eagle River, Wis.

Surviving besides his wife are his parents, and three sisters, Mrs. Phyllis Gustafsson, Los Angeles, and Joan and Gretta, at home. Mrs. Gustafsson and Mrs. Story will come from California for the service.

14 September 1944 - The Anamosa Journal

Memorial service for Lieut. Sydney A. Story was held at the Olin high school gymnasium Monday, Sept. 11. Smykil funeral home was in charge of arrangements, and Rev. J. K. Delahooke of the Anamosa Methodist church officiated.

Truax Army Air base, Madison, Wis., representing the Army Air Corps, provided the Guard of Honor, Firing Squad and Bugler, with Chaplain Orville H. McKay conducting military last rites at the cemetery. Anamosa and Olin posts of the American Legion assisted with the service, and the auxiliaries cared for the flowers.

Mrs. Kenneth Daniel, former English instructor of Lieut. Story read a poem often recited by him at patriotic events, entitled "The Fool" by
Robert Service. Male quartet, composed of Albert Ament, Leo Loyet, Irvin Hovet and Charles Alyea, sang the Army Air Corps song. Piano accompanist with Miss Myrna McCorkel.

Mrs. Alma Stuart furnished the music at the beginning and close of the service. Burial was made in the Merritt cemetery, northwest of Olin.

Those from a distance who attended the service were Mrs. Sydney Story, Ontario, Calif., Lieut. and Mrs. Carl Gustaffson, Los Angeles, Calif.; Mrs. L. E. Wetzel, Eagle River, Wis.; and Mrs. Ray Peterson, Lindsbourg, Kan.

Sydney Alyn Story, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Story, was born at Olin, Ia., Aug. 24, 1922. He received his education in the public schools of eastern Iowa, and was graduated from the Lost Nation high school in 1939. In high school he exceled in music, dramatics and athletics. He received all state recognition in high school basketball.

He attended the state university at Iowa City for two years where he was a member of the university basketball squad. He had an absorbing interest in the radio, serving as sports announcer, news commentator, and announcing a variety of university broadcasts.

During this time his interest in aviation grew, and Aug. 24, 1940, he was granted a civilian pilot license at Hunter's field, Iowa City.

He enlisted in the Royal Canadian air force July 9, 1941, and received his commission as Pilot Officer April 10, 1942. Lieut. Story was transferred to the United States Army Air force May 31, 1942. Since that time he served as an instructor in the following fields: Mather, Calif.; LeMoore, Calif.; Pecos, Texas; Chico, Calif.; Moses Lake, Wash.; and Ontario, Calif. He was commissioned a first lieutenant April 7, 1943.

Lieut. Story was married Jan. 31, 1943, to Miss Elaine Richards, Eagle River, Wis., at Pecos, Texas. Surviving are his wife, Elaine; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Story, Anamosa; three sisters, Mrs. Phyllis Gustafsson, Los Angeles, Calif.; Joan and Greta Story, Anamosa; a niece, Gail Gustafsson; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Merritt, Olin.