Bosma, Pvt. John Edward 1914-1944

BOSMA

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/30/2014 at 12:35:37

LAKOTA SOLDIER DIED SEPT. 8 IN SOUTH PACIFIC

Memorial services for Pvt. John Edward Bosma were conducted in the First Presbyterian Church at Lakota at 8 o’clock last Wednesday evening, Sept. 25, with the Rev. E. H. Buschman officiating.

Honorary pallbearers were Elso Jansen, Dan O’Keefe, Dwight Smith, George Meyer, Fred Baumann and Andrew Jensen. Music was furnished by Mrs. Gertrude Gutknecht, Mrs. Edith Schroeder, J. E. Ukena, J. R. Heetland and Mrs. J. E. Ukena at the organ.

Pvt. John Edward Bosma, son of Albert and Johanna Bosma, was born near Lakota, Iowa, on September 18, 1914. He attended the Lakota public school and later worked on the farm with his father. On May 1, 1942, he was called into the service of his country. He was first stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., then at Nashville, Tenn., and from Los Angeles, Calif., he was sent across to the Hawaiian Islands. Later he went to New Guinea, where on August 24, he was stricken with the malady of scrub typhus from which he succumbed on September 8, in Sansapor, Dutch New Guinea, thus reaching the age of 29 years, 11 months and 20 days.

John Edward was a quiet, unassuming young man. Looking eagerly forward to the day when he would receive his honorable discharge to resume his work on the farm.

He leaves to mourn his early departure, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Bosma; three brothers, Herman of Ledyard, Heyo at home, and Corporal Albert Bosma Jr., who is stationed at Camp Bowie, Texas; three sisters, Mrs. Hanna Wilcox of Lakota, Mrs. Gertrude Picht of Armstrong, and Mrs. Dessie Beck at home; also many other relatives and friends.

Source: Titonka Topic, October 5, 1944

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BODIES OF IOWA VETS RETURNED

North Iowans Among Yanks on Transport

Remains of 4,459 Americans who lost their lives during World War II are being returned to San Francisco from Manila aboard the United States Army Transport Lt. George W. G. Boyce, the department of the army announced Monday.


Armed forces dead originally interred in temporary military cemeteries in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands are among those being brought to this country. 


A total of 110 remains are being returned upon instructions of next of kin residing in Iowa.


North Iowans in the list include the following:


Pvt. John E. Bosma, Lakota.


Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, June 1, 1948