VanVeldhuizen, Cornie, 1924-1945

VANVELDHUIZEN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/29/2011 at 08:10:01

HOSPERS BOY KILLED IN THE PACIFIC AREA
Cornie Van Veldhuizen Killed In Accident April 28

Cornie Van Veldhuizen, Seaman 1/c, son of Mr. and Mrs. Evert Van Veldhuizen of Hospers, has been killed in the Pacific, according to a message from the Navy Department received last Thursday morning.

The message read as follows:
Washington, D.C., May 17
Mr. and Mrs. Evert Van Veldhuizen
Hospers, Iowa
The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you of the death of your son, Cornie Van Veldhuizen, seaman first class, USNR, as a result of an accident on April 28, 1945, while in the service of his country. No information available at present in regard to disposition of remains but by reason of existing conditions burial at sea or in locality of death is highly probable. When further details are received they will be forwarded to you promptly. The Navy Department extends to you its sincerest sympathy in your great loss.
Vice Admiral Randall Jacobs
Chief of Navy Personnel

Cornie Van Veldhuizen was born at Matlock on September 6, 1924. He moved to Hospers with his parents in 1928. He attended the School of Christian Instruction in Hospers and graduated from the public high school with the class of 1943.

He enlisted in the navy and with his brother, Edward, left for boot training at Farragut, Idaho on January 25, 1944. They came home on leave together and reported back to Idaho. From there he was transferred to Bremerton, Wash., where he was assigned to a destroyer. He left for sea duty in the Pacific the first part of July. He took part in the major battles of Guam, Saipan, Marshall Islands, Tarawa, Luzon, Leyte and Iwo Jima as well as other Pacific battles.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by two brothers, both in the service: Pvt. Gilbert Van Veldhuizen, who is home on furlough from Camp Gruber, Okla., and Edward, Fireman, first class, somewhere on sea duty; also three sisters, (Nellie) Mrs. Donald Den Hartog, Cornelia and Bertha.

Cornie was a member of the Christian Reformed church of Hospers. However, memorial services will be held in the First Reformed church this Thursday afternoon at one o'clock, trusting [here the newspaper clipping ends]

Source: unidentified newspaper clipping. The clipping is annotated Sioux Center News, May 24, 1945, but the article was not found in the online Digital Archives of Sioux County.