Iowa
Old Press
Mason City Globe-Gazette, December 10, 1943
Pvt. Martin E. Shinn, Italy, Killed in Action, Nov. 21, 1943
Last Heard From in Sept. When in North Africa; Transferred to Italy
Mrs. Harry Dolter, 511 Jackson N.W., received a telegram Friday, signed by the adjutant general, Washington D.C., stating that her brother, Pvt. Martin E. Shinn, had died on Nov. 21 from wounds received in action in Italy.
In a letter to his sister on Sept. 29, written from Africa, Private Shinn said that he was being transferred and that he would write, but no word had been received from him since. He was with a tank destroyer battalion and had taken part in the invasion of Africa, having been sent there with the first contingent of men sent to Africa. He was last home in Sept. 1942.
Private Shinn volunteered for service in February, 1942, and took his first training at Fort Lewis, Wash., later going to Camp Hood, Tex., where he was stationed before leaving for overseas in November, 1942.
Private Shinn was born on April 28, 1914. He attended the Mason City schools and some time before entering the service had worked in CCC camps at Hampton and Cresco.
Surviving besides his sister, Mrs. Dolter, are 5 brothers and another sister: Harry Shinn, Des Moines; Lewie Shinn, Oregon, Ill.; Arthur, Fort Madison; Ernest, Glenwood; George, Mason City; and Mrs. Erne Towne, Alexander.
[transcribed by L.Z. Dec 2019]