WEINSCHENK, Melbert M. 1918-1944

WEINSCHENK

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/14/2011 at 00:44:42

#1:

OSAGE, IOWA — Melbert M. Weinschenk, 26, ordnance maintenance mate first class, was reported by the government as missing on a routine flight from his base in the south Pacific. The message was received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Weinschenk of New Haven, located nine miles east of Osage.

Melbert enlisted in the navy in September, 1941, and following his basic training was assigned to a pontoon squadron. During recent months he was a nose gunner on a Liberator bomber.

Besides his parents there are a brother, Melvin Weinschenk, Mitchell county recorder, and three sisters, Mrs. Paul Green, New Haven; Mrs. Clayton. Olson and Mrs. Claire Condon, of Osage.

In his last letter home he wrote that he had hopes of being home to observe his birthday. He was sent to the Hawaiian islands two years ago. He hadn't had a furlough since November, 1941.

[Waterloo Courier, Tuesday, March 28, 1944)
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#2:

MISSING SAILOR
DECLARED DEAD

Gunner on Liberator
Lost in Pacific Area

OSAGE, IOWA — John Weinschenk of New Haven received word that his son, Melbert M. Weinschenk, aviation ordnance man 1/c, missing since March 9, 1944, has been pronounced dead as of January 16, 1946.

Melbert was born on April 16, 1918 at New Haven, Mitchell county, Iowa. He attended St. Mary's Academy. Before entering service he engaged in farming with his father.

In September, 1941, he enlisted in the navy at Mason City. He received his 6 weeks' boot training at Great Lakes Naval Station. He was assigned to the naval aid station, San Diego, California in December 1921. Three months later he was sent to the Hawaiians where he was stationed for 10 months.

In January, 1943, he was with Fleet Air Wing 2 at Midway, returning to the Hawaiians in March, 1943, to attend gunnery school. On August 15, 1943, he left for Munda Field, Guadalcanal with bombing squadron 104, later known as the "Buccaneers".

Here the squadron was presented the presidential unit citation for "Outstanding performance above the call of duty while engaged in reconnaissance and search missions in the forward area of Japanese controlled territory in the South Pacific from August 16, 1943 to March 1944."

March 9, 1944, the Liberator, on which Melbert was chief gunner with position as bow gunner was reported missing after being overdue at the land base. Extensive searches were carried on in hopes of finding them, but no trace was ever found. On March 24, 1944 his parents were notified he was missing.

Mrs. John Weinschenk, mother of the navy youth listed as dead, died in May, 1945. Surviving are his father, John, brother, Melvin, Mitchell county recorder, and four sisters, Mrs. A. O'Donnell, Long Beach, California, Marjorie Green, New Haven, Ardella Olson, Osage, and Ardis Condon, New Haven.

[Mason City Globe Gazette, Thursday, February 7, 1946]

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#3:

MILITARY INFORMATION--

Name: Melbert M Weinschenk
Inducted From: Iowa
Rank: Avaition Ordnanceman First Class
Combat Organization: United States Navy
Death Date: 16 Jan 1946

Monument: Fort William Mckinley, Manila, The Philippines
Last Known Status: Missing
U.S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal
Air Medal
Distinguished Flying Cross
Additional Navy-Marine Corps Awards

(Credit: Diane Scott)
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#3:

Photo of Melbert Weinschenk, from Mitchell County Press.

Mitchell Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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