Miscellaneous WWII Articles |
Clippings from the Women's Auxiliary ScrapbookCourtesy of Decatur County Historical Society Museum, Leon IABe sure to check for photos/documents of these soldiers at World War II Photos & Images |
| Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, July 6, 1944 Pvt. CHARLES ADAIR of Leon, who participated in the invasion of France, writes his aunt, Mrs. EDGAR EPPERLY of he just became a little homesick when he crossed the channel from England. He advised he was on deck all the time. He is in a tank battalion. The letter was dated June 18. |
| Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, April 13, 1944 A six-pound girl was born to Corporal and Mrs. CLIFFORD ADAIR of Leon at the Decatur county hospital early Monday morning. The little lady has been named LINDA KAY. Corporal ADIAR, who has been stationed at Chanute Field, Illinois, has been transferred to Greensboro, North Carolina. He is here visiting with his wife and little daughter on a delay enroute. |
| Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, July 27, 1944 Pvt. DOUGLAS ADAIR, who is stationed with a tank battalion in France, writes his aunt, Mrs. EDGAR EPPERLY of Leon, that he ate some of the peanuts she had sent him while crossing the channel in the invasion. |
| Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa December, 1943 Pvt. FRED A. ADAIR, who was inducted into the army December 8, is taking medical training at Camp Barkeley, Texas. His wife and little twenty months old son are living in Leon. |
| Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa January, 1944 Pfc. REX ADAIR, who is a radio operator for a coast artillery unit serving in Italy, writes his parents, Mr. and Mrs. MARLO ADAIR of Garden Grove, that he is well and having plenty to eat. “The Italians sell them delicious fruits of all kinds, and more reluctantly, potatoes. At first the prices were unreasonable, but the government came to the boys’ aid and set a reasonable price for the products and now the boys can by for that price,” he writes. He says the Italian girls are very efficient as truck and ambulance drivers. They go two to the vehicle. They change tires and he suspects they know what to do with a balky motor. The boys of his unit fixed a Christmas tree and the people came from all around to see it. They had never seen anything like it before. He also has seen the ancient city of Pompeii, built many years before Christ. |
| Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, November 11, 1944 Mr. and Mrs. FRED A. ADAIR of Leon revived a V-mail letter last week from Mr. ADAIR’s brother, Staff Sgt. VIRGIL O. ADAIR, of England, stating he had already received their Christmas package and the one sent by his daughter, Miss JANET ADAIR of Leon. Sgt. ADAIR says he is in fine health and was very much surprised at the speed overseas mail is now making. He states he has visited various parts of England on furlough, and finds it a very nice country. |
| Emmett D. Akes born October 30, 1919 in Decatur, Iowa. His home is LeRoy, Iowa. He was inducted into the Army October 13, 1941, at Des Moines, Iowa. He was sent to Camp Wallace, Texas; Camp Davis, North Carolina; Fort Lewis, Washington; El Paso, Texas; and then over-seas to England, France; Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg. T/5 Akes’ next of kin is his wife Lila Heaton Akes. |
| Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, March 23, 1944 Pvt. HARLEY AKES of Leon, who is stationed at Camp Blanding, Florida, writes that the really likes Florida and the nice warm weather there. “Most of the fellows in my company are from Texas, but there are a few from dear old Decatur county. I visit with HOYLE ANDERSON of Van Wert and MAX BAKER of Leon nearly every night.” ~ ~ ~ ~ Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa May, 1944 Pvt. HARLEY AKES, who is stationed at Camp Blanding, Florida is now in the station hospital suffering from burns. He writes that he will probably be a patient there for quite a while. He says HOLYE ANDERSON, from this county, is still at Camp Blanding. ~ ~ ~ ~ Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, June 15, 1944 Pvt. HARLEY AKES, who is stationed at Camp Blanding, Florida, arrived Thursday for a furlough visit with his wife and children and other relatives in Leon. The following little poem was written by Pvt. HARLEY AKES while in a hospital at Camp Blanding, Florida. Pvt. AKES will conclude a visit here today with his wife and children. He reports to Fort George E. Made, Maryland. THE PRIVATE’S PSALM The sergeant is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me pick up burnt matches. He leadeth me through mud puddles; He restoreth my step. He guideth me on the course of obstacles, for my health’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valleys, I must run up the hills. He anointeth my head with abuses, And my cup runneth over. And I shall dwell in the hair of my Sergeant Forever. Amen. |
| Harold K. Akes, born Nov. 28, 1923 at
Decatur, Iowa. His home address is LeRoy, Iowa. He was inducted into the Army Air Corps January 13, 1943 at Des Moines. He first went to Atlantic City, then Jonenboro, Ark.; Indianapolis, Ind. He has as next of kin, his wife Zelma Oliver Akes and one child born, Aug. 21, 1943. |
| Wayne L. Akes, born Oct. 10, 1924 in Decatur, Iowa. His home address is LeRoy, Iowa. He was inducted into the Army Air Corps March 30, 1943 and went to Atlantic City, N. J. Then to Ft. Monmouth, Dainel Field, Robins Field, Patterson Field, Army Air Field at Great Bend, Kans. His next of kin are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Warren E. Akes, of LeRoy. |
| Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa January, 1944 Mrs. WILLARD AKES of Leon received word from her husband WILLARD AKES that he is now a Water-tender 3-c and rates a crow on his sleeve. He also sent a picture of himself and four buddies, and they all have a four months growth of beard. ~ ~ ~ ~ Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, June 15, 1944 Mrs. WILLARD AKES recently received word from her husband, WILLARD AKES W. T. 2/c, saying that he received seventy-two letters in one day. He is abroad a destroyer in the southwest Pacific, and had not received any mail for six weeks. |
| Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa December, 1943 Lieutenant THOMAS ALLCOTT, who recently returned from duty in the Aleutians, and his wife were Christmas guests of Lieutenant ALLCOTT’s mother, Mrs. DIO MCGINNIS and Mr. MCGINNIS. Lieutenant ALCOTT’s half brother, Col. R. M. ALCOTT of Lincoln, Nebraska, was also a holiday guest. Lieutenant ALLCOTT leaves Des Moines this week for Santa Anna, California. |
| Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, November 18, 1943 Mr. and Mrs. O. L. ALLPRESS of Leon received a telegram Tuesday morning advising their son, Sgt. WILLIAM ALLPRESS had been slightly wounded. Sgt. ALLPRESS, who was with the first contingent of American soldiers to land in Ireland, participated in the Tunisian battles in North Africa. He was wounded in action on an Italian battle front. ~ ~ ~ ~ Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa June, 1944 Sgt. WILLIAM L. ALLPRESS, who has been with the famous 34th division, is now in the United States. Sgt. ALLPRESS telephoned his parents, Mr. and Mrs. O. L. ALLPRESS of Leon Friday evening. Sgt. ALLPRESS was with the first contingent of American soldiers to land in the Tunisian battles of North Africa and the invasion of Italy. He was wounded in October, 1943, in Italy. He has been in various hospitals during the past seven and one half months. He is now in the Halloran General Hospital, Staten Island, New York, and expects to son be transferred to a hospital here in the Midwest. ~ ~ ~ ~ Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, July 06, 1944 Sgt. WILLIAM ALLPRESS who was recently returned to the United States from seven months in a hospital in Italy is now at the Schick hospital in Clinton. He writes his parents, Mr. and Mr. O. L. ALLPRESS of Leon he expects to come home for a short visit. ~ ~ ~ ~ Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, July 29, 1944 Sgt. WILLIAM ALLPRESS, who recently returned to the United States from over two years’ duty in the European area, arrived Saturday afternoon for a visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. O. L. ALLPRESS, his sister, DOROTHY, and other relatives here. He departed Tuesday for Washington to visit before returning to Clinton where he will receive further treatment for his injured leg at the Schick hospital. He was injured in Italy. Besides the purple heart he is wearing are three stars in the European ribbon. They represent action in three major campaigns, Tunisian, Sicilan and Italian. ~ ~ ~ ~ Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa August, 1944 MISS DOROTHY DEHART AND SGT. WILLIAM ALLPRESS WILL WED IN FALL Mrs. HOWARD DENHART of Mount Ayr announces the engagement of her daughter, Miss DOROTHY of Pasco, Washington, to Sergeant WILLIAM ALLPRESS, son of Mr. and Mrs. O. L. ALLPRESS of Leon. The wedding will take place in the autumn. Miss DENHART has a war defense job in Washington. Sgt. ALLPRESS, who was overseas for over two years in the Mediterranean theatre returned to the United States for treatment at the Schick hospital in Clinton. Sgt. ALLPRESS visited Miss DENHART during a furlough early this month. ~ ~ ~ ~ Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa 1944 MISS DOROTHY DENHART AND SGT. WILLIAM ALLPRESS WED IN WASHINGTON The marriage of Miss DOROTHY DENHART, of Pasco, Washington, daughter of Mrs. HOWARD DENHART of Mount Ayr, and Sgt. WILLIAM ALLPRESS, son of Mr. and Mrs. O. L. ALLPRESS of Leon, took place in the Bethany chapel of the Central Methodist church at seven o’clock the evening of August 11, in Spokane, Washington, after a rather exciting experience by both the bride and the bridegroom. Dr. CHARLES MACCOUGHEY read the double ring ceremony in the presence of select friends. The bride wore a light blue dressmaker suit with brown and white accessories and an orchid corsage. The string of pearls she wore was a gift from the bridegroom. Miss RITA MAPES of Hanford, Washington, was the bridesmaid. She wore a beige and rust coat dress ensemble with brown accessories and the corsage of talisman roses. EUGENE E. RIGGIN of Richland, Washington, was the best man. Both the best man, the bridesmaid and the bride had been government witnesses before a federal grand jury in Spokane prior to the wedding. The bridal party included Mr. and Mrs. GEORGE MEIER of Richland, Washington. The wedding guests and the bridal party enjoyed a four-course dinner at the Italian Gardens in the Davenport hotels at Spokane following the ceremony. The young couple spent a few days at the Couer-D. Alene hotel prior to their departure for Leon. Sgt. and Mrs. ALLPRESS will be at home in Clinton after August 25. Sgt. ALLPRESS is still receiving treatment for wounds suffered in Italy, at the Schick hospital in Clinton. The following article taken from the Spokesmen’s Review describes Cupid as getting U. S. Marshal’s aid: “The United States marshal’s office proved last week it wasn’t devoting all its time to law enforcement, ELVIN L. (COP) DANIEL, deputy marshal, turned cupid to assist in six-year romance between a soldier and his girl. The girl had been called to Spokane to appear as a government witness before the federal grand jury. “She is DOROTHY DENHART, who came originally from Iowa and has been employed at the commissary department at Hanford. She and her fiancé, Sgt. WILLIAM ALLPRESS from Iowa, visited the marshal’s office early in the afternoon, after Miss DENHART had been excused as a witness, to inquire about a marriage license. “They had arranged for a minister and witness, but were not aware of the three-day marriage law in this state. The sergeant, who had just returned from 26 months duty overseas, told the officers his leave would be up the next day and that he was to report to an army hospital for further treatment of wounds he received in action. DANIEL got on the phone. “Marshal WAYNE BEZONA called judges in the city who stood firm on their agreement not to waive the law and declined to marry the couple. Discouraged and unhappy, the couple stood beside “COP” with their fingers crossed while he put in a call to Judge W. N. NEIVNS in Davenport. “I believe the law should make some consideration for the sergeant.” Judge NEVIN said. ‘I’ll not only issue a waiver and marry them, but I’ll keep my office open for awhile after five o’clock waiting for them to arrive.’ “Gratefully the six-foot soldier and his pretty bride-to-be rushed out of the marshal’s office for Davenport, with the best wishes of the staff following them. Miss DENHART said she plans to return to Iowa to be near the sergeant, who will be sent to a middle western hospital.” |
| Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa November, 1943 Lieutenant VERYLE AMUNDSON of Lamoni, has completed his fifty-fifth bombing mission in the European area and is now enjoying a furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. ALMA AMUNDSON of near Lamoni. Lieutenant AMUDSON arrived Thursday. |
| Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, March 23, 1944 Staff Sgt. BOB ANDERSON of March Field, California, enjoyed a furlough visit in Lamoni with relatives last week and visited with friends in Leon Friday enroute to Des Moines to see his sister. |
| Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, March 23, 1944 Pvt. DENNIS ANDERSON, son of Mr. and Mrs. CLARENCE ANDERSON of Van Wert, who recently enlisted in the marines, is now at San Diego, California, receiving his boot training. ~ ~ ~ ~ Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa June, 1944 Pvt. DENNIS ANDERSON son of Mr. and Mrs. CLARENCE ANDERSON of Van Wert, concluded a five day furlough here with his family and other relatives. Pvt. ANDERSON has finished his marine boot training at San Diego and is now being transferred to Camp Pendleton for further training. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa March, 1944 Lurl Thayer Daniels, born Oct. 10, 1923. He was inducted into the Navy at Creston. He attended Great Lakes, Chicago, and Little Creek, Virginia. His a boatman mate 2c on U. S. S. Guam. He was in a hospital at Pearl Harbor, and at present he is at sea. THAYER DANIELS, boatmate second class, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. CLARENCE DANIELS of near Leon. He has been in the southwest Pacific for over a year and a half. ~ ~ ~ ~ The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, August 03, 1944 DANIELS-CAMPBELL NUPTIALS ANNOUNCED Mr. and Mrs. W. C. CAMPBELL of Leon announce the recent marriage of their daughter, PHYLLIS C. to THAYER DANIELS, B. M. 2/C, son of Mr. and Mrs. CLARENCE DANIELS also of Leon. The Rev. MILES TABER read the double ring ceremony in his home at Leon at 6:00 p. m. July 15. The bride wore a light blue wool crepe dress with black accessories. Her corsage was red roses. Mrs. PAUL MANCHESTER of Des Moines was the matron of honor and LEE DANIELS, brother of the bridegroom, was best man. The matron of honor wore a brown dress with white accessories and a corsage of pink carnations. The bride is a graduate of the Leon High School class of ’41. She has taught in the rural schools of Decatur county for the past three years. The bridegroom enlisted in the U. S. navy in 1941. He received his boot training at Great Lakes. He has spent the last two years in the south Pacific. This is his first leave in two years. He departed last Tuesday for San Francisco. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, July 27, 1944 “SOLDIER OF THE WEEK” Staff Sergeant WALTER A. DAVIS, was recently named by Col. JOHN R. KANE, station commandant at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, as “Soldier of the Week” in field wide competition. The sergeant, who is the husband of Mrs. RUTH B. DAVIS of Osceola, has been awarded a hand engraved silver bracelet for his demonstration of the highest type of soldierly qualities. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. P. DAVIS of Leon. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa August 31, 1944 The following articles concern Pvt. WILLARD ELSTON, son of Mrs. KATE ELSTON of Davis City. It was taken from the Star-Times, St. Louis, Missouri: Speed, one of the five miracles of this war, has joined forces with blood plasma, penicillin, sulfa drugs and modern surgery to rush recovery to the boys who are now pouring into this country by boat, train and plane as battle casualties. It may be a general hospital at Springfield, Missouri, where the “best damned doctors in the world” - the cream of the crop form such places as Johns Hopkins, Mayo’s and Washington University – are devoting all their resources to send him back to the service or civilian life as nearly normal as possible. Some of the wounded don’t talk much, and in a place where Purple Hearts spring up like mushrooms and Oak Leaf Clusters are quietly laid away for the duration, a reporter is reluctant to press for a story. “Not Much to Tell” As the writer eased up to the bedside of Pvt. WILLARD ELSTON a Davis City, Iowa, boy, the soldier remarked, “There isn’t the much to tell.” But his laconic answer packed a punch. “I was attached to an infantry division headquarters,” he began. “As part of the infantry, I manned a 57-millimeter gun. We left England on D Day plus one (June 7). We crossed the channel in a Victory ship, a small fast boat built for invasion purposes. I don’t know what beach we approached, but when we landed we kept on going and we certainly didn’t take time out for supper. Shrapnel got me in the leg June 18. That’s all.” Given first aid at an evacuation hospital near the front lines, Pvt. ELSTON was sent to England for treatment at a base hospital and later by plane to Mitchell Field, and to O’Reilly hospital here on July 16. ELSTON had bridged the gap between battle line and recovery the way the army had planned it. Precision and speed we the answer. At O’Reilly he has the best orthopedic surgery, physical therapy, diet, rehabilitation, recreation and advice that the combined forces of the army, Red Cross, veterans’ organizations and service clubs can give him. Yes, the battle casualties; casualties to be sure, for they’ve lost eyes or have badly injured arms and legs and other battle scars to carry with them. But Brig. Gen. GEORGE B. FOSTER, Jr., commanding general of O’Reilly says: “We give them mercy and charity, but no pity. They don’t want it.” |
| The Lamoni Chronicle Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, June 08, 1944 WITH OUR FIGHTING MEN REX EVANS, son of Mrs. JOHN EVANS, is the soldier of the week this issue. REX is a gunner on a Fortress and now stationed with forces in England. After attending several flying schools in this country he left for foreign duty last month from a field in Nebraska. REX attended the local schools and after finishing school operated a farm for his mother southeast of Lamoni. As address are difficult to give in the paper at the present time we are unable to print it here; however we suggest that you contact this office and write him a letter. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa July 27, 1942 Mrs. GRIMM of Grand River has received an interesting letter from her son, DALE, who is stationed in New Guinea, describing natives of the villages on that island. He writes: “Southwest Pacific Area, “June 22, 1944. “Dear Mom and All: Yesterday we went out on the crash boat. We followed the coast line up for about two hours to a large native village. On the way up a B-25 gave us a buzz job, clearing the mast about one foot at the most, also we were all ready to take our chances in the ocean. We saw the largest fish I have ever seen on the way up also. We ran into a school of porpoises. They were about five feet long and a foot and a half thick with fins that stick above the water. As the water is perfectly clear we got several good pictures of them. They are brown in color and there is a $500 fine for killing them in the states, as they keep the water clean. If someone is drowned, within 24 hours they will push his body to shore. They also keep rubbish, etc., out of the water. We also saw several coral reefs which as have explained, is a growth rock formation of all different colors on the bottom of the sea. We dropped anchor outside the native’s dock which they used for their own boats carved out of logs. There was a mountain back of the village completely covered with jungle, and at the foot of the mountain are large cocoanut groves in which the natives have their grass houses. Then there is a long sandy beach leading out to the sea. By the time we had anchored about fifty or more kids all the way from one year to five ran around on the beach. We swam into shore, taking our cameras, etc., by rub boat. We spent some time taking pictures of the native kids, then a native guide told us that if we wanted to buy bananas to take the road up to the main village. On the way up at the sides of the paths were natives sewing grass with vines so as to make houses. They sew them by punching a hole in the grass and running the vine through it. When we came to the main village the huts all had shrubbery around them and looked fairly neat. We passed through the village with about a hundred dogs barking at us and crossed a stream on the footbridge and went up a rise to the big chief’s house. He had a nice house. The guide took us on the porch where the big chief and about six of his wives were. Boy, he had the cream of the crop in the women. He stood at attention and saluted us as we came in and we all sat down on benches around his throne. We gave him and his guards cigarettes which they were glad to get then explained to him that we wanted to buy bananas. He stood up and started shouting his voice of authority and from about three directions came native men with bunches of bananas, pampan, bread fruit, pumpkin, squash, etc., and piled about a wagon load at our feet. We started picking out what we wanted, but that wasn’t for them. The chief was a really high pressure salesman. He stood up and said ‘You can buy all or none, and go.’ He said it in such a way that inferred that I inferred that if we didn’t he would as soon have our heads stuffed for his dinner, so to oblige and keep peace we bought the whole works for twelve shillings.” |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa, 1944 Sgt. CLAIR HAMILTON, son of Mr. and Mrs. JAMES HAMILTON of near Davis City, is recovering from an appendicitis operation in Italy. Sgt. HAMILTON is a cook. ~ ~ ~ ~ The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa, March 1944 Mr. and Mrs. JAMES HAMILTON of Davis City received a letter from their son, Sgt. CLAIR HAMILTON, stationed in Italy, saying he was back with his company, he stated they would be back from the front for a few days of a rest. He is with the 34th division. ~ ~ ~ ~ The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa July 13, 1944 Mr. and Mrs. JAMES HAMILTON received a letter from their son, Sgt. CLAIR HAMILTON, who is with the 34th division in Italy, stating he had been in Rome and was feeling fine. They also received a letter Saturday from their son, Sgt. CHARLES HAMILTON, who is in New Guinea saying he was in the combat area now and had his fox hold dug. He is a cook. |
| PFC. LOWELL R. SPICER, CPL. LLOYD C. HELTON, CPL. JOHN
W. SCOTT Fighting along the Arno river in Italy with the 133d infantry regiment of the fifth army that has proved a nightmare to battered German troops throughout the fifth army’s Italian campaign. Includes: Staff Sgt. WILLIAM S. FLUMMER of route three Lineville, who is squad leader; CLARENCE P. BRIGHT, route three, Linville, a gunner; Corporal LLOYD C. HELTON, a switchboard operator; Pfc. LOWELL R. SPICER, machine gunner; Corporal JOHN W. SCOTT, a wireman of Leon. These Yanks have been overseas nearly three years. The 133d infantry regiment of the famous 34th “Red Bull” division has piled up more hours in actual combat than many American divisions have time overseas. The veteran fifth army regiment first blazed its guns at a cocky enemy in the boney mountains ranges of Tunisia and defeated the Krauts in the famous battle for Hill 09. Backed from Tunisia to the Arno, the defeated-written faces of retreating German troops are still haunted by the Red Bulls who have gored the enemy at Cassion, Anzio and in crushing drives above Rome. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa March, 1944 Mr. and Mrs. W. B. KESHLEAR of Burlington, formerly of Davis City recently received a letter from their son, Pfc. JAMES KESHLEAR, who is in the ferrying group, air transport command as radio operator and navigator. He is now back in Texas after his first foreign delivery of airplanes completed successfully. The planes were delivered to European battle fronts. His recent trip took him to India, Egypt, Arabia, and Italy. He writes that he saw thousands of wrecked German tanks and planes piled up on the former Tunisian and North Africa battle fields. Pfc. KESHLEAR’s brother, Pvt. WILLIAM B. KESHLEAR, Jr. is in the marines receiving his basic training at San Diego, California. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa January, 1944 The promotion of CLIFFORD N. KIRKPATRICK, 22, of Grand River, to staff sergeant was recently announced at the eight AAF bomber command station in England. Sergeant KIRKPATRICK, a Flying Fortress waist gunner, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. OREL L. [and Lois] KIRKPATRICK, Grand River. Since being assigned to one of the pioneer American bombardment groups in the European air war, he has made eight day-light missions over the continent. Before joining the AAF, he was an aircraft metal worker for the Hayes Manufacturing company, Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was graduated from Cainsville, Missouri, high school in 1939 and attended Chillicothe, Missouri, business college. |
| WM. KLUSSMAN, E. M. 2/c, of Davis City, was
recently discharged after six years in the navy. He has been in a
hospital in Australia for the past year. He is now visiting his mother,
Mrs. LESTY HILL in Davis City. Prior to coming to Davis City he enjoyed a visit with his brother, ALVIN KLUSSMAN, Washington, D. C. He is stationed at the navy yard there. |
| SGT. R. M. LEECH, who is stationed at the army air
base, Clovis, New Mexico, writes his parents, Mr. and Mrs. G E LEECH of
Leon, that he is completing his last week for ground school training and
will soon rate a furlough. After completing ground school work, he will
fly. He hopes to return to Iowa on a Flying Fortress soon. At the Fox
drug store in Clovis, often the patrons are interviewed over the air,
writes Sgt. LEECH. “Last Saturday morning I was interviewed from 7:30 a.
m. until 8:00 a. m. over the Fox Coffee clue review. They asked my
opinions on sports and had me compare some of the football teams. Sure
was fun. ~ Leon Journal-Reporter, Leon, Decatur County, Iowa, November, 1943 ~ ~ ~ ~ Staff Sgt. RICHARD LEECH, son of Mr. and Mrs. GLEN LEECH of Leon, who is a bombardier in England, has been recently awarded an air medal and the oak leaf cluster. ~ Leon Journal-Reporter, Leon, Decatur County, Iowa, May, 1944 ~ ~ ~ ~ An air medal has been awarded to Staff Sergeant RICHARD M. LEECH of Leon, who is stationed in England, for exceptionally meritorious achievement while participating in five separate bomber combat missions over enemy occupied continental Europe. The medal was awarded under command of Lieut. Gen. JAMES DOOLITTE. Mr. and Mrs. GLEN LEECH received the medal sent to them by their son on Father’s Day. ~ Leon Journal-Reporter, Leon, Decatur County, Iowa, June 22, 1944 ~ ~ ~ ~ Staff Sergeant RICHARD M. LEECH, son of Mr. and Mrs. GLEN LECH of Leon, who is a tail gunner at an eighth air force liberator station in England, is a member of the group cited for distinguished and outstanding service in 100 combat missions over Europe. The group, commanded by Col. IRVINE A. RENDLE of Rawlins, Wyoming, made its port of the initial landings by Allied forces in France. The citation, issued by Major Gen. JAMES F. HODGES, division commanding general covered mission to Berlin, Friedrichashaven, Poland, Norway, Holland, Belgium, Gotha, and France. ~ Leon Journal-Reporter, Leon, Decatur County, Iowa, July 27, 1944 ~ ~ ~ ~ Staff Sgt. RICHARD LEECH writes his parents, Mr. and Mrs. GLEN LEECH of Leon, that he has completed his missions and has been released form combat. He was given a seven-day furlough and will soon start home. ~ Leon Journal-Reporter, Leon, Decatur County, Iowa |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Probe Gun Death Of Lamoni Soldier CHICAGO, ILL – The death of Pvt. NORMAN L. LEAVERSON, 32, of Lamoni, Ia., from a fatal gunshot wound suffered at Camp Skokie Valley, near Chicago, last Wednesday, was under investigation by army authorities Thursday. The army public relations officer said Private LEVERSON, member of the 740th Military Police battalion, was found wounded in the camp supply room, surrounded by materials used to clean a gun. He died without regaining consciousness. ~ ~ ~ ~ PVT. NORMAN LEVERSON In the death of this Lamoni son we’re are again remained of the importance of the great cause for which he gave his life. We must pledge anew our every effort to the end that freedom and justice for all will prevail throughout the world. Pvt. NORMAN LEVERSON has contributed his part in this effort. Lamoni will not forget his devotion. ~ ~ ~ ~ The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Thursday, June 22, 1944 ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN SUPPLY ROOM AT CAMP SHERIDAN. ILL., JUNE 14 Services Held Here Sunday Afternoon At 4:30; Burial At Rose Hill Word reached Lamoni late last Wednesday that another one of our boys had lost his life in the service of his country. Pvt. NORMAN LEVERSON, 32, well know Lamoni young man, who was stationed at Fort Sheridan, Ill., had lost his life in a gun accident while attending to routine duties at the camp. NORMAN has lived in Lamoni for 17 years, where he had completed his high school work and was graduated from Graceland College. For 7 years he had been employed by Hyde & Verdenburg, Inc., where he had managed stores for this firm. He had spent 3 months of the year 1943 with the railway mail service. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa April, 1944 IN ENGLAND “The army walks on its stomach” is a slogan that is often applied to the modern American army. It has special significance with the many top-ranking non-commissioned officers who are served at a noncom club at a depot in England where Corporal RUSSELL LEWIS, is affiliated with the mess. The reason: ice cream three times a week and on Sundays with apple pie, hot cakes, three times a week and daily soup and a desert for dinner. Corporal LEWIS is the son of Mr. and Mrs. BILL LEWIS of near Weldon. He was stationed at Duncan Field, Texas; Ten Mile Station, Charleston, South Carolina, and an eastern seaboard base prior to his going to England. Prior to entering the service, he was a Decatur county farm youth. He is now at an Eighth Air Force Service Command in England. “I have had a very good time in England.” says Corporal LEWIS. “I was able to meet my father’s family and as was to see my grandmother before she passed away in North Wales.” |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa November, 1943 Pvt. PRESTON MCDONALD, recently graduated from an aerial gunnery school at Harlington army air field, Harlington, Texas, and received his silver wings. He was prepared for his place in America’s stepped-up air offensive by a comprehensive six weeks course in every phase of aerial gunnery warfare. Besides learning to fire every type of weapon from camera guns to the deadly .50 caliber Brownings, he studied turret manipulation, aircraft identification as was taught to tear down and assemble machine guns while blindfolded. He is the son of Mrs. PRESTON MCDONALD of Davis City. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Decatur County, Iowa CHESTER CLIFTON MCGAHUEY, born in Decatur County, Iowa Aug. 22, 1922. He enlisted Sept. 29. 1942 at Davenport, Iowa. He received his boot training at U. S. Naval Training Station in San Diego, Calif. He graduated from Aviation Machinist Mate school April 10, 1943 from Norman, Okla. Graduated from Naval Air Gunner’s School May 13, 1943 at Purcell, Okla. completed his flight training and plane captain at Oakland, Calif. Other bases were Alameda, Calif. Long Beach, Calif, San Diego, Calif. In shore patrol and convoy duty in South West Pacific. He was reported missing in action – plane and crew from night flight Oct. 29, 1943. His next of kin are his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. BERT [LEANDER] MCGAHUEY, of Decatur Iowa. Serial number [omitted for security]. ~ ~ ~ ~ The Leon Journal-Reporter Decatur County, Iowa March, 1944 Plane Failed to Come Back from Mission Decatur Youth Was Stationed in the Southwest Pacific Battle Area. CHESTER CLIFTON MCGAHUEY, 21, aviation machinist third class, has been reported as missing in action by the war department, according to the youth’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. BERT MCGAHUEY of Decatur. The war department notified Mr. and Mrs. MCGAHUEY Monday that the plane and her crew had failed to return from a mission. MCGAHUEY, a turret gunner, was stationed in the southwest Pacific battle area. Recently he wrote his parents he had been flying at night. The youth, who attended high school here, and graduated from the Decatur high school, was chosen as an all county player of an all county basketball team a few years ago. He enlisted in the navy nearly two years ago. He has a brother, Pvt. MARVIN FRANCIS MCGAHUEY, who is stationed at the marine base, Camp Elliott, California. He also has another brother, KEITH who is a home with his parents, and a sister, Mrs. ALBERTA ALEXANDER, of Des Moines. ~ ~ ~ ~ The Leon Journal-Reporter Decatur County, Iowa March, 1944 Missing in Action CHESTER CLIFTON MCGAHUEY, 21, aviation machinist, third class, has been reported missing in action in the southwest Pacific area. The war department notified the youth’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. BERT MCGAHUEY of Decatur last week. MCGAHUEY is a turret gunner on a flying fortress. He enlisted in the navy nearly two years ago. The following letter was received by Mr. and Mrs. BERT L. MCGAHUEY of Decatur, who recently received a message from the navy department advising their son was missing in action in the southwest Pacific. The letter is from Lt. Comdr. S. SERGCY, Jr., of the navy, who reveals how much the home morale means to those in the service: “Dear Mr. and Mrs. MCAHUEY: I must apologize for not answering your letters and card sooner, but we have been pretty busy and doing a bit of traveling. However, I do want to express my thanks and those of all the members of the squadron for your letters and for the card which you have so kindly sent. I can tell you frankly that all of the boys really appreciate your thoughtfulness and your sentiment toward your son’s squadron. Personally I think your spirit and courage are grand and your letters are really a big morale factor for the officers and men of the squadron. Even though your son is missing in the service of his country, you continue to keep your chins up and this fact has a noticeable effect on all of us. “Since we left San Diego some time back we have been moving around quite a bit and ‘seeing a bit of the world.’ Due to censorship regulations I am not permitted to tell you where we are, nor what we are doing, but we are still all together except for one pilot and his crew whom we lost about three weeks ago. I feel that we have been very fortunate and I pray that our good fortune continues. We have all been together for so long now that each member of the squadron holds his own special place in the hearts of his squadron-mates. “You have read in the papers about the actions in the Pacific and the meager resistance that the Japs have put up. We all hope this state of affairs continues and will lead, before too long, to a general march on Tokyo. It is such a spirit as yours among the people back home that will make this hope come true more quickly. “I regret that there is so little that I can write you concerning the actions of the ship and squadron, and I realize that a letter such as this is necessarily dull, but mainly I wanted to thank you for your letters to us and especially for the effect that such a spirit as yours has upon the squadron as a whole. “Sincerely, “S. S. SEARCY, JR., Lt. Comdr., USN.” NOTE: AV MM3/C Chester Clifton McGahuey was born at Decatur, Iowa, on August 22, 1923. While participating in a night flare attack out of San Diego in area H-14, the squadron lost one torpedo plane with pilot and air crewmen. Ensign A.H. Campbell, who was flying the flare plane, rogered his instructions for dropping flares, executed these instructions, and has never been seen nor heard from since. Searches were flown for four days out as far as 150 miles but no trace of a life raft or plane could be found. Ensign Campbell's crewmen were McGahuey, Chester C., AM3/c - Gunner - Pulliam, Julian (n) ARM3/c - Radioman. AM McGaughey was declared deceased on October 29, 1944. There is a memorial stone for him at Decatur Cemetery. ~ Sharon R Becker |
| Pvt. MARION McINTOSH, who is
stationed at Camp Hood, Texas and his brother, Pvt. JOHN
MCINTOSH, who is taking officer’s training in the marines at
Norte Dame University, South Bend, Indiana, are enjoying furlough visits
with their mother, Mrs. DELLA McINTOSH of Leon. ~ ~ ~ ~ Pvt. MARION McINTOSH who is stationed at Camp Hood, Texas concluded a furlough visit here with his mother, Mrs. DELLA McINTOSH Tuesday. He also enjoyed a visit here with his brother, Pvt. JOHN McINTOSH of the marines who is attending Notre Dame university. ~ ~ ~ ~ FRANCIS MARION McINTOSH, son of Mrs. DELLA and the late J. A. McINTOSH, was born in Leon, Iowa, September 24, 1905, and passed from this life February 11, 1944, near Burnet, Texas. On his entry into the army he was sent to North Camp Hood, Texas, and was injured in the early days of his training; went to the camp hospital and on his recovery remained at the hospital doing laboratory work. He organized a musical group at the hospital and put on numerous musical shows for the patients and Red Cross entertainments. He was sent out with these musical groups to surrounding towns and cities on bond drives. Upon returning from one of these meetings he was killed with six other comrades in a collision with an oil service truck. ~ ~ ~ ~ Pvt. Marion McIntosh Killed in a Truck-Car Crash at Burnet, Texas One of Seven Killed; Three Other Injured Musicians Were Enroute Back to Camp Hood, Texas, From Bond Selling Rally Pvt. Marion McIntosh, 38, son of Mrs. Della McIntosh of Leon, was one of seven killed in a truck-car accident which occurred early Friday near Burnet, Texas. Besides the soldiers killed, one was seriously injured and two others suffered body bruises and cuts. The accident occurred as Pvt. McIntosh with nine other men riding in a station wagon were enroute back to Camp Hood, Texas, from a bond selling rally. A truck loaded with oil equipment, mostly pipes, crashed with the station wagon. According to Corporal H. Cramer of Holland, Michigan, who accompanied the body to Leon, Pvt. McIntosh, a pianist, and the others, singers and musicians, were followed by an army truck. The group of twelve musicians presented entertainment at a bond selling rally. Pvt. McIntosh suffered a fractured skull, fractured jaw and a cerebral hemorrhage. Pvt. McIntosh was stationed at Camp Hood on attached service with special duty. He was in the laboratory department of the station hospital and worked with the Red Cross on special entertainment services. Early in his basic training, Pvt. McIntosh suffered a foot injury. He had been offered a medical discharge from the army but he preferred to remain in the service and do what he could. Pvt. McIntosh attended Simpson college, the University of Minnesota and the McPhall School of Music in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a theatre organist at Minneapolis before returning to Leon. He became manager of the McIntosh Clothing store here in 1929 and continued in that capacity until he was inducted into the service. He was a pianist here for the Methodist church, the Rotary club and Chamber of Commerce. Always he graciously played for public events. His music made many happy. Funeral services in charge of the Slade Funeral home were conducted by the Rev. Clarence C. Moore, assisted by the Rev. G. A. Civey at 2:00 p. m. Tuesday in the Methodist church with internment at the Leon cemetery. Larkin Barry of Des Moines was the soloist. The American Legion post held a short service both at the church and the grave. Besides his mother, he leaves a sister, Miss Helen McIntosh, supervisor of music in the Mitchellville schools at Mitchellville, and a brother, Pvt. John McIntosh, who is taking an officers training course in the marines at Notre Dame university, South Bend, Indiana. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Pvt. JOHN L. McMORRIS, son of Mr. and Mrs. WILLIAM (and Eliza) McMORRIS of Decatur recently completed seventeen weeks of infantry training at Camp Robert, California. He enjoyed a ten day furlough here visiting his wife, Mrs. VIOLA (McBEE) McMORRIS of Grand River and other relatives in Decatur county. He returned to Camp San Lus Obispo, California last Friday. [Pvt. McMorris served with the 97th Infantry Division in Europe and Japan.] |
| ARVID FREDERICK MILLER was born July 4, 1908 at
Beaconsfield, Iowa. He entered the service December 14, 1942, at Camp
Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa. He trained at camp Dodge, Camp Maxey, Texas,
and Shreveport, La. He is with the Army, Co. C.. 327th Medical Bn.,
serial number [omitted] and Sergant April 17, 1943. His next of kin is his mother, Mrs. NELLIE MAE MILLER of Leon, Iowa. He is a member of the M. E. Church. ~ ~ ~ ~ Sgt. ARVID F. MILLER, former Decatur county farm bureau agent for several years, remains in Louisiana on maneuvers. Sgt. MILLER writes, “they have really dished it out plenty to us but the weather has been most favorable so the going hasn’t been too rough Livestock has free range here, farmers fence in what little crop they have. Hogs are a nuisance. We have to chase them out of our kitchen truck area. They root open garbage pits and give us all kinds of grief. I lost a box of candy bars one night and swore I would have myself some pork chops when next pig came along. Sure enjoy reading “Yank” column.” Sgt. MILLER is in the medical battalion of the division. He is classified as a surgical technician sergeant, third grade. ~ ~ ~ ~ MISS GWENDOLYN PENNIWELL AND T-3 ARVID MILLER WED IN CHURCH RITE Miss GWENDOLYN PENNIWELL daughter of V. F. PENNIWELL of Leon and T-3 ARVID MILLER of Fort Dix, New Jersey, son of Mrs. NELLIE M. MILLER of Leon exchanged nuptial vows in the Methodist church here at four o’clock Sunday afternoon. The Rev. C. MOORE read the double ring service in the presence of the immediate relatives. The bride wore an afternoon dress of brown lace with white accessories and a corsage of gladioli and roses. Technician MILLER is a graduate of Iowa State college, Ames. He was a county agent of Decatur county for seven years. Mrs. MILLER will continue as cashier of the Iowa Southern Utilities company office in this city. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa March, 1944 Pfc. JOSEPH MOREN of Camp Roberts, California, concluded a furlough visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. EARL MOREN of Van Wert yesterday. Pfc. MOREN “middle-aisled” it with a Grand River girl while visiting here last week. His bride will continue to live with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. GEORGE BURCHETT. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa October 21, 1943 Pfc. WILLIAM DON MUNYON, 22, is in North African. Pfc. MUNYON has been in North Africa since February. He is a ground mechanic in the air corps. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. EPHA MUNYON of Grand River. |
| A/C NILE B. NORTON, son of Mrs. HAZEL NORTON
of Garden Grove, has completed a ten weeks course of primary flight
training at Rankin Aeronautical academy, Tulare, California. Cadet
NORTON is scheduled to be sent to an army operated basic flying school
this week where he will receive further training in heavier type
aircraft. ~ ~ ~ ~ A/C NILE B. NORTON, is the son of Mrs. HAZEL NORTON of Garden Grove. He recently graduated from a course in aviation mechanics at Gulfport Field, Mississippi, with a rating of corporal. He will complete his preflight training at Coe College, Cedar Rapids, within the next two months and will be transferred to Santa Ana, California, for primary training. |
| Pvt. F. L. OSBORN of Davis
City, who is in Italy, writes C. B. SIMPSON of Leon of his activities
leading up to this, his second Christmas overseas. “It is just another
duty to us because all of Christmas cheer is left behind when one leaves
the United States. The poverty, grief and after effects of the war are
worse than the actual battle. I have seen various places that have been
bombed and it really leaves things in one hell of a mess. One just
simply can’t describe in writing. We have been in various raids. I have
been many places in the British Isles and have a great respect for their
people. They really know what war is like. I read various complaints on
the rationing of products back there. Really, they don’t know what
rationing is. I have visited many cities in England. Last Christmas I
was in London. Everyone is very friendly to a Yank. I had a wonderful
time while there. I was on Picadilly Circus Christmas eve. Everyone was
having a good time, singing, drinking and dancing. Of course it was
blacked out. “In Africa I have visited many of the name towns, that were so prominent in the news a short time back. Africa is all pretty much the same. As you know, it is a very old country. Majority of the population are Arabs. The rest are French, Spanish, Italian, etc. Many are from Europe, France, they left their countries when Germany took over. Oran is about the best place I’ve visited. They have various Red Cross projects there including shows for service men. “I enjoy the column “Our Yanks” in the county paper very much. Through it I learn a lot about people in the service that I used to know. Recently received a very interesting letter from CARL BARMAN, who is in the southwest Pacific area. He told of the various insects they have to contend with. We have a few ourselves, including mosquitoes and flies. “I heard one of the world series games direct from the United States, but the rest of the time couldn’t get stations. Had to be content with a fifteen minutes review of games from BBC London. I have public address systems hooked on to the radio, then four speakers n that. Radio is our main entertainment and what few shows we see. I have seen only one movie star over here. That was MARTHA RAYE. She was on a very good show. I have read of the various strikes. I really don’t understand. The allies are at last really one the “beam,” and I know we have a long way to go yet, but we will d it all right.” Pfc. F. L. OSBORN, is stationed in Sardini. Pfc. OSBORN is the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. OSBORN of Davis City. |
| Corporal L. Parmer, son of Mrs. Della Parmer
of Van Wert pictured above, is stationed at Camp White, Oregon. On
December 29 he will have been in the serviced a year. ~ ~ ~ ~ Corporal LAWNEY D. PARMER, formerly of Van Wert, arrived in Des Moines March 30 for a visit with his mother, Mrs. DELLA BARBER. Corporal PARMER was stationed in the Aleutians ten months and participated in one major battle. ~ ~ ~ ~ Corporal PARMER and Miss MAXINE PHIPPS were married April 5. The nuptials were read in the Fort Des Moines church of the Open Bible. The Rev. THERON TOUSLEY read the service. The bride wore a traditional white satin dress with illusion veil. The young couple enjoyed a honeymoon to Kansas City for a visit with his sister, Mrs. L. A. COWDEN. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa July 27, 1944 ROBERT PUCKETT, second class yeoman who is stationed on the Atlantic coast is enjoying a two weeks leave visiting his mother at Davis City. “It was erroneously reported early in the spring that I was married, but I’m definitely single,” asserts BOB, as he is known to his many friends in Leon and Davis City. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa May, 1944 JUNIOR RAUCH, son of Mr. and Mrs. FORREST RAUCH of Grand River, has been advanced to fireman first class. He is stationed at Fort Pierce, Florida. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa June, 1944 Sergeant ELDON L. REED, who recently returned to the United States from thirty months duty overseas is enjoying a furlough visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. IVAN REED at Pleasanton and his wife. Sgt REED was awarded the silver star January 29,1944 for walking 500 yards under machine gun fire to secure plasma to save the life of a soldier whose leg had been blown off. Sgt. REED was spotted by the enemy and they kept firing on him. He participated in the Sicilian invasion and was one of the first to land on the Anzio beachhead. His sister, Miss RUTH REED of Washington, D. C., another sister, Lieutenant HELEN REED of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia and a brother, Sgt. IVAN LYLE REED of Bruning, Nebraska are at Pleasanton visiting with him. ~ ~ ~ ~ Staff Sergeant ELDON L. REED, of the famous thirty-fourth division, who was in the first contingent of soldiers to land in Ireland and who was wounded in North Africa, recovered and went into battle again. He participated in the Sicilian invasion and was one of the first to land on the Anzio beachhead in Italy. He arrived in the United States last week and is now in Pleasanton enjoying a furlough visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. IVAN REED and his sister, Miss RUTH REED, who is employed in Washington, D. C., accompanied him to Pleasanton. His sister, Lieutenant HELEN REED, of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, of the WAC, arrived for a furlough visit the first of the week and her brother, Sgt. IVAN LYLE REED, who is stationed at Burning, Nebraska. |
| Stephen Lewis Sanders, son of Henry William and
Glada Fern (Warnstaff) Sanders, was born September 28, 1921 in Leon,
Iowa. He served during World War II in the U.S. Navy from 1940 to 1946
in the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. ~ ~ ~ ~ STEPHEN L. SANDERS, first class fireman of the coast guard stationed in New York City, and his wife arrived Friday evening for a leave to be spent visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. BILL SANDERS of Leon. |
| Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa VAN WERT SAILOR WAS IN SUBMARINE SERVICE Son of Mr. and Mrs. CHRIS SCHULDT was on Duty in the Southwest Pacific. Seaman 1/C GALE MORRIS SCHULDT, 27, has been reported by the navy department as missing in action while on duty in the Southwest Pacific, according to a telegram received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. CHRIS [and EDITH F.] SCHULDT of Van Wert Thursday. SCHULDT was a torpedo man on a submarine [USS Corvina (SS-226)]. He enlisted in the navy eighteen months ago. He received his training at the Great Lakes naval training station, Great Lakes, Illinois. SCHULDT attended the Good Hope rural school near Van Wert and was a honor scholar of Decatur county. He was one of five with highest grades. Although he didn’t attend high school, he took examinations with high school graduates at then naval training station and passes with the seven receiving highest grades. He was sent to school for special training at New London. Connecticut, and received advanced training in Florida. He is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. SCHULDT. The parents still hope the submarine may be safe somewhere. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa June, 1944 Lieutenant CLAYTON SCOTT, who is stationed at Langley field, Virginia, concluded a furlough visit last week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. PEARL SCOTT of Davis City. ~ ~ ~ Mr. and Mrs. PEARL SCOTT of Davis City have received a message from their son, Lieutenant CLAYTON P. SCOTT, radar bombardier, that he has arrived in England. |
| JOHN C. SCOTT, son of Mr. and Mrs. ERALD SCOTT of
Davis City, departed Monday for Des Moines to begin his training in the
U. S. army air forces. The twenty-three years old future cadet has been
a member of the army air forces enlisted reserves. His wife and two
children are living at Indianola for the duration. ~ ~ ~ ~ A/S JOHN C. SCOTT of Davis City has completed his basic training at Sheppard Field, Texas, and passed the tests. He is now an aviation cadet and awaiting orders to be shipped from Texas to a college for pre-flight training. He enjoyed a visit last week with his parents at Davis City and his wife and children at Indianola. |
| Pfc. Stanley D. Sears, born Nov. 2, 1910, was
inducted into the Army April 3, 1942. He was assigned to the 90th
Infantry Div. He attended Camp Barkley, Camp Grant, and Fort Dix before
being sent over-seas March 1944. He was first sent to England and later
to France where he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge. His next of
kin is his mother, Mrs. Frank Sears. ~ ~ ~ ~ The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Pfc. Stanley D. Sears writes his mother at Decatur from France that he is okay and there are lots of apple orchards loaded with apples. They were having nice weather, but very hot. |
| ERNEST L. SELLERS, 36, son of Mr. and Mrs. JAY W. SELLERS of near Davis City, was recently promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sgt. SELLERS is stationed at the Hondo army air field in Hondo, Texas. This is a huge navigation air base of the AAF training command where Sgt. SELLERS is on duty as an instrument specialist. Prior to entering the armed forces Sgt. SELLERS operated a service station at Davis City. |
| DELMAR WILLIS SLY of Davis City has completed the course of training in aviation at the naval air technical training center, Memphis, Tennessee, and has been promoted to corporal. Corporal SLY is a graduate of the Davis City high school. He received his boot training at San Diego, California. He is now an aviation machinist’s mate. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Sgt. CHARLES E. SMITH of Grand River, who has been overseas twenty-six months, was in action at the Anzio beachhead and was recently wounded in the Italy. He has been in a base hospital in Italy since July 1. Miss HELEN ZAVICAR of Detroit, Michigan, fiancée of Sgt. SMITH, writes that he sent her the purple heart awarded Friday to him for wounds suffered in Italy. Miss ZAVICAR has been in Leon several times with the family of Sgt. SMITH, who live near Grand River. Miss ZAVICAR has a brother, JOHNNY, who is with the fifth army in Italy. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Corporal MARVIN K. SMITH who has been stationed in the Aleutians arrived at Grand River Friday to enjoy a furlough visit with his parents Mr. and Mrs. ORAL SMITH. |
| Lieutenant and Mrs. JOHN SNYDER of Shreveport, Louisiana, enjoyed a seven-day leave visiting relatives in Iowa. They enjoyed Thanksgiving Day at the home of Lieutenant’ SNYDER’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. ROBERT SNYDER of Davis City. Mr. and Mrs. H. L. TOWNSEND of Council Bluffs were…. (rest of article is missing) |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa Sgt. OREN L. TAYLOR of the marines, who is stationed at Camp Matthews, San Diego, California, writes his parents, Mr. and Mrs. JOHN TAYLOR of Grand River that he has been placed in charge of the school range and now has seventy coaches under him. He is known as JOE to many friends back in this county. |
| The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa In Berlin Pfc. Maurice Thomas is on guard duty with the 82d airborne division in Berlin. Pfc. Thomas is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alva Thomas, Grand River. Pfc. Thomas entered service one and one-half years ago and took his basic training at Camp Hood, Texas. He sailed overseas and landed in Africa during the early part of 1944. He joined the 17th airborne division in March, 1945, and was transferred to the 82d airborne division June. He is a member of Co. I. 325th Glider infantry. ~ ~ ~ ~ Pvt. MAURICE E. THOMAS, who is stationed at Camp Hood, Texas, writes C. B. SIMPSON of Leon “No one knows how to appreciate their hometown paper until they get far away. The hometown news really means a lot. It has really been raining here during the past few weeks. It has been 100 here all day. How are the crops back in Decatur county? Last week I noticed the farmers around here have their oats cut and roasting ears big enough for the table and oh, my the watermelons are they good, yessiree." |
| Gerald Gene Thompson, born November 27, 1922 in
Decatur, Iowa, enlisted in May 1942 in the U. S. Navy, Kansas City, Mo.
Sent to Great Lakes Naval Training School, then to Waupation, No.
Dakota, then to Treasure Island, San Francisco, Calif. Assigned to the
U. S. S. San Francisco. His ship participated in the battles of Kiska, Attu, Wake, Makin, Gilbert and Marshall Islands, Kwajolein Atoll. Later assigned to U. S. S. Gilbert Island, MM3 Thompsons’ next of kin is his wife, Jean Adair Thompson of Leon, Iowa. Serial Number [omitted for privacy]. |
| SSgt. Granville K. Thompson GRANVILLE K. THOMPSON, son of Mr. and Mrs. FLOYD THOMPSON of Davis City, writes his parents from England that he has been promoted to staff sergeant. He says he has his own jeep now and everyone is really busy getting ready for the big show. He says the isle looks like Coney Island on a Sunday afternoon |
| OSCAR LEE VAN WINKLE, 20, is the son of Mr. and
Mrs. O. C. VAN WINKLE of near Davis City. He is a first class gunner and
was on the famous U. S. S. South Dakota. He is now at Natchitoches,
Louisiana, taking sixteen months of technical schooling to become a
naval air pilot. The U. S. S. South Dakota was recently disclosed as the
famous battleship which shot down 32 planes in one engagement and then
sank three Japanese cruisers. The navy in disclosing which ship was
credited with such fine work, stated the identity was kept secret for
nearly a year because she was the first ship of a new class bearing new
armament and with greatly increased fire power. She was as the
Battleship X until the disclosure was made. At one time VAN WINKLE and his buddy were the only ones left on the deck after one of the battles. “We kept at our guns,” he stated. The big score made by the South Dakota battleship was the night of November 14, 1943, when under the command of Capt. THOMAS L. GATCH, now Rear Admiral GATCH, judge advocate general of the navy, off the point of Savo island in the Solomons. She was prowling in search of enemy shipping when the three cruisers came into sight. The first salvo from the South Dakota set ablaze one of the cruisers. Before the other enemy warships could get within range, the South Dakota had sunk them all with her big 16-inch guns. Earlier she had slugged her way through a heavy air attack shooting down 32 planes. |
| Pvt. ARTHUR L. VANDAL, son of Mr. and Mrs. LOREN VANDAL of Davis City, had completed a five months course in aircraft maintenance and repair at Seymour Johnson Field, North Carolina, and is now rated as an aircraft mechanic. He was sworn into the army January 13 of last year. He attended the Davis City high school and worked with the St. Clair Rubber company prior to entering the service. |
| T/Sgt. WAYNE VENTLING of Fort Snelling, Minnesota,
and his brother, Pfc. DOYLE VENTLING of Dodge City, Kansas, were in Leon
Monday visiting friends. They visited Sunday with their parents at
Corydon. Both are former Leon residents. ~ ~ ~ ~ WITH OUR YANKS Master Sergeant WAYNE VENTLING, who is stationed at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, his wife and their little son are enjoying a furlough visit at Corydon, with his relatives in Davis City and Leon. Before returning to Fort Snelling they will visit his wife’s parents at Eagle Grove. |
| Pfc. George L. Williams, born Sept. 30, 1917. He
was inducted into the Coast Artillery Nov. 4, 1936 at Ft. Des Moines,
Iowa. He attended Ft. Lewis, Washington, Fort Jackson, S. C., Ft. Mills,
Corregidor, and remained there until May 1942 when Corregidor fell to
the Japs. He was one of the Death March to Bataan. He was in prison camp
#1. Then transferred to Gentsiyi on the Island of Shikoku in Japan. He is the son of Mrs. Lou Roach. ~ ~ ~ ~ IN GOOD HEALTH Pfc. George L. Williams, Burlington, a prisoner of the Japanese, is in good health, according to a card form him received by his mother. Mrs. H. R. Roach. He told his mother not to worry. Word that he was a prisoner was received last March. George’s brother, Sgt. Bill Williams is also in service, on duty in the South Pacific area. Mrs. Roach formerly lived at 258 S. Central avenue, but now makes her home in Mt. Pleasant. ~ Taken from local newspaper |
| Sgt. Wm. M. Williams was in Hawaii when the Japs
attacked Pearl Harbor and soon after war was declared, he was sent into
the Pacific. He was wounded in the fighting on Guadalcanal and was taken
by plane to a hospital ship and more recently has been at Schick general
hospital, Clinton. From Burlington he will go to Fort Sam Houston, Tex.
His next of kin is his mother, Mrs. Lou Roach, Decatur, Ia. Wounded Vet Visits Mother Sgt. William M. Williams, wounded war veteran, who saw service on Guadalcanal, is spending a furlough with his mother, Mrs. Lou Roach, and his sister at 515 S. 10th Street. It is the first time he has seen his mother in 4 years and 4 months. Sgt. Williams was in Hawaii when the Japs attacked Pearl Harbor and soon after war was declared he was sent into the Pacific. He was wounded in the fighting on Guadalcanal, and was taken by plane to a hospital on New Caledonia. Later he came to the U. S. on a hospital ship and more recently has been at Schick general hospital, Clinton. From Burlington he will go to Fort Sam Huston, Texas. The sergeant’s brother, Pfc. George L. Williams, is a prisoner of the Japanese in the Philippines. His mother has not had word from him in 9 months. ~ ~ ~ ~ The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa T/4 Wm. M. Williams, born May 1, 1911, was inducted January 16, 1937 and assigned to the Field Artillery BN. He attended Ft. Des Moines, Iowa, Ft. Bragg, N. C., Ft. Jackson, S. C. Fort Knox, Ky, and Schofield Bks., Hawaii. His unit saw action in the Pacific, and he was wounded April 15, 1942 at Guadalcanal. He was awarded three bronze battle stars for his service. His next of kin is his mother, Mrs. Lou V. Roach of Decatur, Ia. |
From grandmother West's scrapbookContributed by Barry West |
| Home on a Furlough Gale Bright, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Bright of near Decatur, arrived Tuesday from the San Diego training station for a thirty-day visit. Gale, who enlisted some time ago in the navy with be attached to the U. S. Raleigh. |
| (This is about my father) Wm Raymond West, S 1/c pictured above, is a cook on a Dutch troop transport in the southwest Pacific. He has been across several times. His wife Marie lives at Leon and works at Graham's Department store. Seaman West is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clifton West of this city. He received his boot training at Farragut, Idaho. First Lieutenant Clayton P. Scott, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. Pearl A. Scott of Van Wert is currently assigned to the AAF redistribution station number four at Santa Ana Army base. Lt. Scott, a B-17 bomzardier in the 8th air force with 39 combat missions to his credit entered the service March 29, 1944 and went overseas in July 1944. He has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the European theatre ribbon with three battle stars. Pfc. Francis M. Cox of Leon is a patient at Camp Carson Convalescent hospital after serving five months overseas in Germany with the 102 infantry division. Camp Carson is one of nine such units in the United States. This recently established center consists of a general hospital and a ? Staff Sergeant Darrell Kendall of the marine air corps who is stationed at Santa Barbara California arrived in Leon Thursday with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kendall of Des Moines for a visit with friends. The Kendalls are former Leon residents. Sgt. Kendall is enjoying a fifteen day furlough in Iowa. Charles W. McKern, 19 signalman, third class of the navy of Weldon who served aboard an escort destroyer with the Atlantic fleet as he hunted Nazi U-boats through the Atlantic, got a close look at his former prey recently. After V-E day, German submarines flying the black flag of surrender , pulled into an Atlantic port. He was one of the crew members from this ship merited to board the subs for an inspection tour. Signalman McKern is the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. McKern. He is a graduate of the Garden Grove high school and was employed at he Hyde Service store in Leon before entering the navy. Sgt. Deqayne Showers, just back from Germany, is enjoying a thirty day furlough visiting his wife. Baby and his parents, of Lineville. Sgt. Showers was with the 95th infantry in Germany. He reports to Camp Grant, Illinois at the close of his furlough. |
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The Leon Journal-Reporter July 19, 1945 Willard, Willis and Wilbur Stanford are sons of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Stanford The only triplets to register from Decatur county in World War II registered yesterday at the Selective Service office in Leon. The youths who were eighteen are Willard, Willis and Wilbur Stanford. They are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Stanford of Leon. Wilbur and Willis look alike and are difficult to tell apart but Willard doesn't look so much like them. Wilbur and Willis are the same height. Willard isn't quite so tall. The trio are all blonds with fair skin and brown eyes. They all weight just about the same. The triplets are exceptionally healthy and always have been according to their mother. Each of them prefer service in the army. No particular branch of the service is preferred. |
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