Cedar County, Iowa
Histories

ST. MARY'S CHURCH
Mechanicsville, Iowa

A CENTURY OF SERVICE
Founded in 1872

Transcribed by Sharon Elijah, February 1, 2019

Page 14

PARISHIONERS KILLED IN SERVICE

Fred B. Dennis
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     Fred B. Dennis, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Dennis, was born on a farm near Stanwood Sept. 5, 1891. As a young man he worked for farmers in the area. He entered service Sept. 21, 1917, and was sent to Camp Dodge, then Camp Pike and on to France. He was a member of Supply Co. 347th infantry, and died in France of pneumonia on Nov. 12, 1918.

     Memorial service was held at St. Mary’s church with Father Glenn, former pastor of St. Mary’s, celebrating the requiem Mass, assisted by 2 priests from Clinton. The Clinton choir also sang the Mass.

     Burial was in Rose Hill cemetery, Mechanicsville

Capt. James I. Taylor
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     Capt. James I. Taylor, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rex E. Taylor, was born Feb. 27, 1921, at Vinton, Iowa. Capt. Taylor enlisted July 2, 1942, was a member of the 9th Air Force and entered combat June 29, 1944. He was killed on his 103rd mission March 26, 1945.

     Capt. Taylor received the air medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, 19 oak leaf clusters, Presidential unit citation, Belgium Cross of War and the Purple Heart.

     He is buried in the U.S. military cemetery at Margraten, Holland.

Everett F. Kline
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     Everett F. Kline, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Kline, was born March 19, 1916, at Mechanicsville and graduated from high school here in 1935. On April 22, 1941, he entered the U.S. Army and was sent to Jefferson Barracks, Mo. In December 1941, he was promoted to corporal and in August, 1942, promoted to sergeant. He was sent to England in December, 1943, and killed in action at Normandy, France on July 28, 1944, at the age of 28.

     His body was returned from France and he was buried in Rose Hill cemetery, Mechanicsville.

Tech. Sgt. William Zenishek
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     Tech. Sgt. William Zenishek, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Zenishek, was born Nov. 19, 1922. He was inducted into the Army Feb. 4, 1943, and left for overseas in October, 1944.

     Sgt. Zenishek was wounded twice in action. While acting as a platoon leader, he led his men through a heavy mine area to the company’s objective. They then pushed forward, routed the enemy and captured 18 prisoners. After establishing a defense against a counter attack, he personally led litter teams through the mine fields to evacuate the wounded. For this action, he received the Silver Star on Feb. 28, 1945, and was recommended for a field commission. However, he died of wounds April 25, 1945, before his commission was received. Sgt. Zenishek was buried in Germany and later moved to his present resting place, the U.S. military cemetery at Margraten, Holland.

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Page created February 1, 2019 by Lynn McCleary