Douglas B. Gertsen (1920-1943)

GERTSEN, VOGA, SMYTHE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:11

From Nevada Evening Journal May 4, 1943 (page 1)

Story City Boy Met Death In Parachute Jump

Story City, Iowa, May 4--INS--Douglas B. Gertsen, 23, Story City boy, who had served about 3 years in the air service, was killed Monday afternoon about 1:45, when a parachute in which he made a jump from at plane, failed to open, near Cape Charles, Virginia.

Gertsen was stationed at Langley Field, a previously has been at Chanute Field.

He had been home for a visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Gertsen at Story City in October.

The body will be returned to Story City for funeral services and burial but definite arrangements have not been made as yet.

He was born near Rosendale, west of here, a son of Mr. and J. M. Gertsen, who have since moved to Story City. He graduated from Story City high school and had entered the service about 3 years ago.

Besides his parents he leaves a brother Elton Gertsen, now in the Coast Guard and stationed at Brooklyn, N. Y., and two sisters, Mrs. Alice Voga of Tucson, Arizona, and Mrs. Opal Smythe of Des Moines.