Cpl. Merle Lee Kline (1919-1944)

KLINE, FRETTE, MYERS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/4/2020 at 10:48:00

From Nevada Evening Journal August 8, 1944 (page 1 continued to page 4)

Memorial Service for Cpl Kline In Nevada Sunday

The Nevada Evangelical church was filled to capacity Sunday afternoon with sorrowing relatives and friends assembled at 3 o'clock in a Memorial service honoring Cpl. Merle L. Kline who gave his life for his country June 10 on the battlefield of France.

The church was appropriately decorated with American flags, and with baskets of flowers and other floral pieces which expressed mutely the sympathy felt for the bereaved relatives. In addition to the flowers which were also expressions of love and esteem for the young soldier, there were gifts of money of be used in a memorial to his memory.

The service was a most impressive one in charge of the Reverend Theo Yackel who paid high tribute to the deceased in an inspiring and comforting sermon the theme of which was "Remember."

In attendance of the memorial service in a body were Veterans of Foreign Wars of Story county Post No. 2209, the American Legion Post No. 48 members of Unit 109, United States Women of America, and members of other patriotic groups. There were also a large number of relatives and friends, a number of them were from a distance.

Full military honors were paid Cpl. Kline in the Memorial service which was presented as follows:
Prelude--"Memories," by M. M. Sturgis, Mrs. Theo. Yackel
Colors and Guard--V.F.W. and American Legion
Solo--"The Lord's Prayer," Mr. Leslie Henderson
Scripture Readings--Psalms 121, Romans 8:31-39, Hebrews 4:9-16
Prayer
Reading of Life Sketch
Solo--"American Prayer," Mr. Leslie Henderson
Sermon--"Remember," Theo. Yackel
Presentation of Flag--V.F.W.
Solo--"Sleep, Soldier Boy," Mr. Leslie Henderson
Taps
Benediction
Postlude
Retiring of Colors
Life Sketch

The following Life Sketch of the one honored by the Memorial Service, printed in the folders distributed to all in attendance was read by Rev. Yackel.

"Merle L. Kline, son of Mrs. and Mrs. Willie Kline of Nevada, Iowa, was born on May 30, 1919 in Story County. He spent his entire life in Story County until he entered the Armed Services of his county on April 3, 1942. He received his education in the Story County schools. He was baptized in the Evangelical Church at the age of eight years and as a boy attended the Sunday School of the Evangelical Church at Elwell, and later the Sunday School of the Evangelical Church at Nevada.

Upon entering the Armed Service on April 3, 1942, he was sent to Camp Barkley, Texas, where he received his basic training. He proved himself as an able and efficient servant in the army and was soon promoted to the rank of Corporal in the U. S. Army. He received advance training at Camp Granite, Calif., and Fort Dix, New Jersey. In March 1944 he left the United States for overseas duty, being then stationed in England. He was a member of 90th Division. He took part in the invasion of France and died in action somewhere in France on June 10, 1944. He had reached the age of 25 years and 11 days. He was awarded the Purple Heart for outstanding bravery and gallantry in battle.

On November 21, 1942, he was married to Marie Frette, of Story City, Iowa, at Abiline, Texas.

He is survived by his wife, Marie; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Kline, three brothers, Pvt. Lloyd Kline of Camp Roberts, Calif., Ronald and Wayne at home, one sister, Mrs. Helen Myers, formerly of Custer City, Okla., now of Nevada, Iowa, many other relatives and a host of friends.

Among the relatives from a distance in attendance at the Memorial service were Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Frette and sons, Mr. and Mr. Nels Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Oleson and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hansen of Story City, Misses Hyla and June Frette and Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Springer of Boone, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Larsen of Humboldt; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kline, Mr. and Mrs. John Kline, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Rob and son, Mrs. Henry Kline and Mrs. Edna Troutner of Iowa Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Claud Ladd of Forrest City.

Stars and Stripes Tribute

The 90th Division of which Cpt. Merle Kline was a member was given praise recently in the "Stars and Stripes," official paper by its staff writer in which he said,"There are many unsung heroes in this war, but it is hard to find as big a group as the 90th Infantry Division. For Army security reasons the story of his division has been withheld, although some units landed in Normandy at 11-hour.

The entire division was in Normandy on D-plus-two and in the line at D-plus-four. Since D-Day the division has been in almost constant contact with the enemy.

The 90th had the unenviable task of cutting off the German attempt to escape from Cherbourg peninsula toward the south. It held tight on this line until the fall of Cherbourg, and went back into action when the American assault southward opened July 3.

It was the 90th that cleared the Germans from Foret de Mont Castre. One day one divisional unit faced 15 German counter attacks at least one of them of battalion strength.