Albertus Harrenstein

Military Service
War: WWII
Branch: U.S. Army
Enlisted: 21 August 1942
Unit: 563 Army Air Force Bomb Squadron
Killed In Action: 5 November 1943

Personal Details
Born: 14 October 1916
Died: 5 November 1943
Parents: Ben and Elsie (Ostwold) Harrenstein
Spouse: Lois Dirks

Buried: Colfax Center Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Colfax Township, Grundy County, Iowa

Mrs. Albertus Harrenstein returned home Monday after spending the weekend in Chicago with her husband, Pvt. Albertus Harrenstein of the Army Air Corps. Pvt. Harrenstein is attending a technical school.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 22 October 1942, pg 7

Pvt. Bert Harrenstein, who is stationed in Chicago, spent the weekend here with his wife.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 26 November 1942, pg 7

Pvt. Albertus Harrenstein has graduated from a radio technical school in Chicago, and has been sent to Tyndall Field, Panama City, Florida, for training in an aerial gunnery school.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 25 February 1943, pg 7

Bert Harrenstein Ready to Join Squadron

Grundy Register: I'm almost ashamed to write, but the longer I wait the worse it is bound to be.

I want to thank you for sending me The Register as regularly while I'm in the Army as I was used to getting it at home.

The good old Register has quite a time keeping up with me but somehow it keeps following me around from camp to camp.

I'm at my fifth camp now and have enjoyed them all but one, which happens to be in Florida. I guess the reason for that is while we were there we weren't allowed off the Post and seven weeks in one room besides the classroom is enough for anyone.

I owe that camp the most of all as graduating as a Sergeant and also receiving a "Pair of Silver Wings," which no man on earth has a right to take away once you have earned them.

It's a pretty hard struggle learning all the things you have to know along with the obstacle courses we had to grind through daily to get us in shape.

I had the misfortune of being robbed on the train from Florida to Utah, in which they not only took my wings but also my money. The officer in charge of our coach had a "shakedown" the next morning, but nothing turned up so I was just out and nothing could be done about it.

My education while in the army has been swell and I know very few people would spend the amount it takes to graduate from Radio and Aerial Gunnery School which the Government spends on all these men.

I have been qualified for high altitude flying, which is on the famous Flying Fortress, and have all my flying clothes, which is something to be proud of.

While I'm at this Post all we do is play ball during the daytime, just to pass the time away while we await shipping orders.

The longest time a man spends at this base is about a week, after which you go to your permanent Squadron and with which you stay the rest of your time in the Army.

If you happen to be assigned to a new squadron you might be here another six months, but in case you get an old squadron you are liable to go over with them in less than a month.

This place where we await shipping orders is a pretty large place and I have a "private" bedroom along with 700 other soldiers, but they all happen to be in the same room with me.

Well, I've probably written more now than I should have, as I imagine you get tired of reading letters from soldiers, of which at times I notice quite a few in your paper at one time.

I won't send you my proper address from here, as I'm liable to leave tomorrow and I know for sure that I won't be here any more by the time you get this letter.

Just a few more liens to tell you that I'm in the best of health as yet and plan on staying that way, and as long as I get the Register I know it will help as much as my meals and sleep will. There isn't anything that helps a soldier more than a letter from home an then if you get the home town paper once a week, you simply don't miss a thing.

Thanking you again for sending the paper every week right on schedule, I remain as ever. Albertus "Bert" Harrenstein

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 22 April 1943, pg 5

Picnic for Sgt. Harrenstein

A family picnic was held at the Grundy park Sunday evening in honor of Staff Sergeant Albertus Harrenstein, who was home on a short furlough. Those present included Sgt. and Mrs. Harrenstein, Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Dirks and family, Mr. and Mrs. John K. Dirks, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Andreessen and family, Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Dirks and Harlan, Otto Dirks, Delmer and Harriett, Mrs. Walter Sealman, Mrs. George Kallemyn, Mrs. Koert Seehusen and Rosie Kae.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 22 July 1943, pg 6

Staff Sergeant and Mrs. Bert Harrenstein arrived last week from Dalhart, Texas, to visit relatives. Sgt. Harrenstein returned to his camp Tuesday at the conclusion of his furlough, but Mrs. Harrenstein will remain for a longer time with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ford Dirks. Sgt. Harrenstein is chief radio man on a Flying Fortress.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 22 July 1943, pg 7

Receives Promotion

Bert Harrenstein
Who was recently promoted from Staff Sergeant to Technical Sergeant. He is radio technician on a Flying Fortress.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 12 August 1943, pg 1

Grundy Soldiers Meet In England

Mrs. Bert Harrenstein of Grundy Center has received word from her husband, T/Sgt. Albertus Harrenstein, that he has arrived safely in England. He is attached to the Second Air Force. In his letter he also stated that much to his surprise he ran into Henry Sents of Wellsburg, with whom he went to radio school in Chicago several months ago and hadn't seen him since that time.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 30 September 1943, pg 1

Wins Air Medal

Albertus Harrenstein, whose wife, Mrs. Lois Harrenstein, lives in Grundy Center, has been awarded an air medal in England, where he is stationed as a radio gunner with the Air Corps. The following citation was read at the presentation: "For exceptionally meritorious achievement while participating in five separate bomber combat missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The courage, coolness, and skill displayed by this radio gunner upon these occasions reflects great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States." The medal was awarded to "Bert" by Brig. Gen. LeMay on his birthday anniversary, which was October 14.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 11 November 1943, pg 1

Missing in Europe

Mrs. Lois Harrenstein received word from the war department last week stating that her husband, Sgt. Bert Harrenstein, 27, is missing in action since November 5. Sgt. Harrenstein was a gunner and radio operator on a Flying Fortress, based in England. He was with the Eighth Army Air Force. Mrs. Harrenstein has received word from the wives of the other members of Bert's crew that their husbands are also missing. It is possible that the airmen may be prisoners of war.

Bert was awarded an air medal in October for his fine record in five bomber combat missions over enemy territory. He enlisted from Grundy county August 21, 1942, and received most of his training in Texas before going overseas last summer.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 25 November 1943, pg 1

Killed In Action Over Enemy Territory

Mrs. Bert Harrenstein received a message yesterday from the International Red Cross in Germany that her husband had been killed over enemy territory on November 5th. The message was sent here to Miss Ada Mutch, Home Service chairman, who delivered it to the family. Late in November the war department notified the wife that her husband had been missing in action over enemy territory since Nov. 5th and it was believed possible at that time that he was held as a prisoner in Germany.

Bert Harrenstein was 27 years old. He enlisted in the Army on August 21, 1942, and received his initial training in Texas. He was a gunner and radio operator on a Flying Fortress with the Eighth army air force. Last October he was awarded a medal for his fine conduct in five bomber combat missions.

He was married July 10, 1942, to Miss Lois Dirks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ford Dirks, Grundy Center.

Surviving relatives are the widow and two brothers. The brothers are Alvin and Edwin, both of whom are in the armed service. He was born in Colfax township and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Harrenstein, both of whom are dead. His father died in 1931 and his mother in 1939.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 30 March 1944, pg 1

Air Medal to Widow Of Albertus Harrenstein

Mrs. Lois Harrenstein was presented with an air medal posthumously for her husband, Albertus Harrenstein, who lost his life when his plane was shot down over Germany in 1943. The medal is of bronze. The presentation was made last Thursday morning by Lt. Irwin E. Stauber, representing the War Department from the Army Air Force Service Detachment Division, Des Moines. Mrs. Harrenstein was presented the Purple Heart medal for her deceased husband last September.

Sergeant Harrenstein was reported missing over Germany November 19, 1943. The family received no further information until March 29, 1944, when a message was received that he was killed.

The Presentation
Lt. Stauber in presenting the Air Medal to Mrs. Harrenstein said:
"The War Department has designated me to bring to you the grateful appreciation of the Army and of the People of our United States for the heroic service that has been rendered by your husband to our nation. It is a great signal honor to me to have the privilege of bringing you that sincere appreciation and of presenting to you the high military decoration that has been won in combat by your beloved husband, Technical Sergeant Albertus Harrenstein, Air Corps.

"What I say here today will, I know, not soften your grief. In fact, that words I use here today will soon be forgotten. But the courage, the patriotic devotion to duty, the resolute determination to win, displayed by your husband in combat, and the magnificent courage and fortitude shown by you in facing your loss, will forever have the respect and admiration of your friends and neighbors, of free Americans everywhere, and of those people throughout the world who are fighting by your side to insure the freedom of mankind.

"Thank God that America has men like Sergeant Harrenstein to fight her battles! And too, may God bless both him and his in every way."

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 19 July 1945, pg 11

Body Of Albertus Harrenstein Is On Way Home

The body of T/Sgt. Albertus Harrenstein, who was killed in action overseas during the late war, is on its way home for re-burial. He with the bodies of 105 Iowans who lost their lives overseas, arrived in New York last Saturday. They were sent to the distribution center at Chicago where they will soon be forwarded to the homes of the deceased veterans.

Date for the arrival here of the body of Sgt. Harrenstein has not been set. He is a brother of Alvin G. and Edwin Harrenstein of Grundy Center.

Bert lost his life November 5, 1943. He was a gunner and radio operator on a Flying Fortress based in England with the Eighth Army Air Force.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 12 May 1949, pg 1

Last Rites Today For Sgt. Albertus Harrenstein

Last rites are being held this afternoon for Tech. Sgt. Albertus Harrenstein who was killed in action in the European war area and whose body has been sent to his home to its final resting place. The body arrived from Chicago this morning with a military escort. It was taken to the Engelkes funeral home where services will be held this afternoon. There will also be a graveside service in the Colfax Presbyterian church cemetery. The service will be conducted by Rev. George Swalve. Burial is by the side of the parents in the Colfax Presbyterian church cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by the Grundy Center American Legion Post.

Albertus Harrenstein enlisted in the air service in August, 1942. He was a radio gunner on a flying fortress with the 8th army when he was killed. He was reported missing in action on November 5th, 1943. The family received word on March 29th that he was killed. He was 27 years old at the time of his death. He was married to Lois Dirks a month before he entered the armed service.

He was born in Colfax township and grew up there. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Harrenstein. His father died in 1931 and his mother died eight years later.

Surviving are two brothers, Alvin and Edwin.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 16 June 1949, pg 1