Brandenburg, Sgt. Lawrence (Died 1943)

BRANDENBURG

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 9/26/2009 at 21:23:18

LeMars Globe-Post
April 26, 1943

LAWRENCE BRANDENBURG NOW “MISSING IN ACTION”
War Dept. Says It Happened “In European Area” of the War

Mr. and Mrs. George Brandenburg of Fredonia township have been notified by the War Department that their son, Technical Sergeant Lawrence Brandenburg, has been missing in action since April 17.

The telegram specifies that this soldier is missing “in the European area,” suggesting that he may have been taking part in a commando raid against Norway or some other part of Axis-controlled Europe. Recent reports of losses in the African area have so specified and as there is no established front in Europe, this suggests raids. This gives reason for hoping that Sgt. Brandenburg may be reported later as prisoner, but unharmed.

Lawrence Brandenburg was drafted into the Army on February 17, 1942, at LeMars, and did very well in the Army, advancing to a non-commissioned officer’s rating. He went overseas in December.

Sgt. Brandenburg was a farm worker before he was drafted. He has a brother, now in Navy training at Farragut, Idaho. He is the first Fredonia township boy to be a casualty in the present war, and although he was in the Army a year and a half, he has never been home on furlough since he was drafted.
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LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
July 11, 1944

PAY FINAL TRIBUTE TO YOUNG SOLDIER
Services For Sgt. L. Brandenburg

Memorial services were held on Thursday morning in St. Catherine’s Church at Oyens for Sgt. Lawrence Brandenburg, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Brandenburg of Fredonia township.

Young Brandenburg, 23 year old technical sergeant in the air force, was lost in a raid over Bremen, Germany, April 13, 1943. In accordance with the war department’s regulations a year was allowed to lapse before a presumptive date of death was declared, and the parents recently received word that he was listed among the dead on April 18, this year.

Sergeant Brandenburg was a radio operator and gunner on a B-24 bomber, stationed at an air base somewhere in England. He was inducted into the army February 18, 1942, and has been awarded the air medal, second and third oak leaf cluster. His brother, Petty Officer Clarence Brandenburg is in service somewhere in the Pacific.

The memorial services were attended by ex-service men and members of Pieper Post, American Legion, of Remsen, were in charge of the final services at the graveside.

Plymouth Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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