SHEFFIELD - Melvin LASKOWSKI, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. LASKOWSKI of Sheffield, became North Iowa's first victim of World war II, when he was killed in action during Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Sunday.

His parents were notified by a telegram from the navy department late Thursday night that the 19-year-old Sheffield youth was killed, apparently while aboard his ship stationed at Pearl Harbor. The name of the ship of which he was a member of the crew was not disclosed.

LASKOWSKI was born in Sheffield March 26, 1922, and was graduated from Sheffield high school in 1940. On July 30, 1940, he enlisted in the navy. His parents recently received a letter from his post-marked Pearl Harbor.

His father is employed at the Sheffield Brick and Tile company.

Surviving are his parents, four sisters, Mrs. Lafe TURNER of Waterloo, Mrs. Bob LEAMAN of Mason City, Elaine and Dixie, at home, and two brothers, Gerald, in California, and Ralph at home.

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Friday, December 26, 1941, Page 3

SHEFFIELD - Memorial services for Melvin LASKOWSKI, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. LASKOWSKI, will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the First Baptist church. The Rev. Park MILLER will be in charge and the Rev. Brainard BROWN will assist.

LASKOWSKI was Cerro Gordo county and North Iowa's first victim of World war II in the attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7.

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Wednesday, December 31, 1941, Page 10

SHEFFIELD - Relatives of Melvin LASKOWSKI, officially reported killed in action on Dec. 7, Tuesday received letters from him, dated Dec. 7, 9, 12 and 13, stating that he is safe and unharmed. No official word that LASKOWSKI is still living has been received from army officials, however.

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, January 27, 1944, Page 6

Sheffield - Melvin LASKOWSKI, fireman 1st class, has arrived from San Francisco, Cal., for a 30-day leave at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. A. LASKOWSKI.

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
November 01, 1945, Page 11

Sheffield - Melvin LASKOWSKI, MM 1/c, and Mrs. LASKOWSKI are visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ted LASKOWSKI, en route from Cleveland, Ohio, to Bremerton, Wash., where he will report for assignment.

NOTE: Melvin LASKOWSKI died on February 23, 2000 and was interred at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California.

Transcriptions and note by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2013