Brunsting, Albert 1918-1943

BRUNSTING, DEJONG

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 4/19/2017 at 19:11:37

Lieut. Albert Brunsting, Sioux Center Boy, is Reported Missing in Action

SIOUX CENTER, IA. _ Rev. and Mrs. L. A. Brunsting received a message from the War Department early Monday morning that their son, Lieut. Albert Brunsting, was missing in action since January 5.
Albert was one of the first boys to leave Sioux Center, going on May 8, 1941. He was with the Army Air Corps in England.

Source: Sioux County Index of Jan 14th, 1943

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The Quiet Hour
Relative to our son, Lt. Albert Brunsting, we promised a statement. On January 11, just one year after we received the telegram that he was missing, we received two boxes from the War Department. At that time they also sent us a letter, telling us in strong language to carefully keep all his stuff, for they hoped it might be all returned to him someday. We were appointed custodians. His status the letter said, was still "missing". We did not open the boxes.
On February 18 a statement came from the War Department saying that "your son Lt. Albert Brunsting is "presumptive" dead". On that day we opened the boxes. They contained most of his personal belongings except those things he was wearing, and a few other things were not there. They contain some things that did not belong to him. There was also a letter half finished, written to Art and Frieda, in which he expressed strong longings for his dear ones, "I am so lonesome at times, I hardly know what to do. I am not so much interested how the New Year begins (he wrote that letter New Years Day, 1943) but what it holds in store for us. I do long to go home and see my dear ones."
There is a legal side to this thing. The War Department has stricken his name from the official list - and they call that "presumptive dead". The War Department is through with him. It would only be a burden to carry him any longer. They do not say that he is dead, but they clear the channels legally.
There is a parental side to this thing also, he is our son. He has been as a son of whom the Doctor said, "critically ill, the crisis may come at any moment". And there it stayed and stays. The doctor says the son cannot live, but he does not say that he is dead, and the parents CANNOT arrange for and have a funeral. Parents do not say he IS dead, when the War Department says, "presumptive dead". Cold intellect may say, "why hope, there is no chance". But the parental instinct does not so conclude. And Al asked us to hold on, not to give up hope.
...
There is a legal side, there is a parental side to this thing. I hope that no one need go through an experience of a "missing son". But if you do this will be your experience, at least it is ours. Let me restate that last sentence. I hope that no one who reads these lines need to endure the suffering of a "missing son", but if you do you will share with us, that the parent holds on to every little straw he can see. And why should he not?
It is not easy to write these lines. Only the sympathetic understanding of this unique Christian Community makes me write, and that out of a sense of gratitude to you all.
~Rev. L. A. Brunsting, dad

Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 2, 1944 p 3

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Legion Changes Name Of Post To Doornink-Brunsting Post

The local Legion Post formally voted to change its name from the Doornink Post to the Doornink-Brunsting Post. The change was in honorable memory of Albert Brunsting, son of Rev. and Mrs. L. A. Brusting, who was the first local boy to give his life in WWII.

Source: Sioux Center News May 16, 1946 p 1
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RESEARCHER NOTE:
Albert Brunsting was born Oct. 24, 1918 to Luke A. and Margaret De Jong Brunsting. He died Jan. 3, 1943/FOD Jan. 3, 1944 and is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing, Brittany American Cemetery, Montjoie Saint Martin, France.

2nd Lt. Brunsting served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 369th Bomber Squadron, 306th Bomber Group, Heavy and was MIA/KIA over the English Channel. He was awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart.
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Researcher Notes: He was married 23 Jun 1942 to Miss Arlene De Mots, his parents were Lukas Albert Brunsting and Maggeltje ‘Maggie’ De Jong.

Albert Brunsting born 24 Oct 1918 died 3 Jan 1943 Lt.Air Corp Group Purple Heart Memory Gardens Sioux Center IA, as listed in the Sioux County cemetery index.