Iowa
Old Press
The Mason City Globe-Gazette, March 21, 1945
First Howard County Selectee, Prisoner of Germany, Is Released
Cresco—S/Sgt. Virgil L. Barnes, who was a prisoner of war, has been released from a German prison camp.
Sgt. Barnes, who was the first Howard county registrant under selective service. He went to Fort Des Moines Thanksgiving night, 1940, for induction and from there was sent to Fort Snelling, Minn. He went overseas in May, 1944.
Word of his release was received Tuesday by Cresco relatives from his mother, Mrs. John Gates of Milwaukee, Wis. He is a member of a mechanized cavalry unit and was serving as platoon sergeant in scouting and patrolling.
It is believed he was out on a scouting mission when captured by the Germans, August 27, 1944.
[transcribed by L.Z. May 2020]