Iowa
Old Press
The Bayard News
Bayard, Guthrie co. Iowa
Thursday, September 2, 1943
Jack Stiles ‘Missing in Action’ in Sicily - War
Department Telegram Received By Parents of Troop Carrier Pilot
Lt. Jack Stiles, first Bayard man to win his wings
during this war and pilot of a huge troop transport plane, has
been reported missing in action in the Sicilian campaign by the
War Department.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marc Stiles received a telegram from
Washington early Tuesday morning stating that their son had been
“missing” since July 10. Apparently Jack was lost
during the first great thrust against the Axis on Sicily since
July 10 was the day the invasion started and it was announced at
that time that 29 troop carrier planes were lost the first night.
KELLY FIELD
He reported to Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, on March 26,
1942. From there he went to Garner Field, Randolph Field and
Brooks Field, where he received the coveted silver wings of a
pilot last November 12.
After receiving his wings he flew observation planes at Brooks
for five weeks and was then sent to Austin, Texas, where he
entered the troop carrier service. He took advanced training at
Sedalia, Mo., where he was advanced to first pilot and was given
a plane of his own. From there he went to Lawson, Ga., and Ft.
Benning, Ga.
ON FEB. 12, 1943, HE WAS MARRIED TO MISS VIRGINIA DOTY OF
AMARILLO, TEXAS, AT THE ARMY BASE AT SEDALIA.
He left the United States about May 1, and landed in North Africa
a few days later after a trip which took him to South America and
over the Atlantic. His letters from Africa said that they were
carrying on their training over there and he mentioned one time
that he had flown more than 10,000 miles since landing in Africa.
Lieutenant Stiles has two brothers serving their county in the
Navy. Bob is an aviation cadet stationed at Ottumwa and Don is an
apprentice seaman taking his boot training at Farragut, Idaho.
As pilot of a troop carrier it was his duty to haul the parachute
troops over their objective and undoubtedly they were among the
first troops to enter Sicily.
CLASS OF 1937
Jack was graduated from the Bayard high school in the Class of
1937 and was a classmate of Gerald Grove, who was reported
missing in November 1942 in New Guinea. He was an outstanding
athlete in high school and ranked near the top of his class
scholastically.
HE ATTENDED SIMPSON COLLEGE ONE YAR AND DRAKE UNIVERSITY ONE
SEMESTER.
At the time Lieutenant Stiles joined the air corps the
requirements were exceedingly strict and he had a tough time
meeting the education requirements. However, he was undaunted in
his efforts to enlist and after completing his semester of work
at Drake he passed a written test and qualified.
[photo included with this news item]
Pictured here is Lt. Jack Stiles as he appeared the day he
received his wings and his Army Commission Nov. 12, 1942, at
Brooks Field near San Antonio, Texas. He has been reported
“Missing in Action” since July 10.
HOME FROM SEA
Howard Snell, 20, ship’s cook, first class, was
home again at Belle Plaine after two years at sea. In that time
he took part in ten sea battles in the Pacific and was wounded
once. He reports back to his ship August 20, when the vessel
emerges from dry dock.
GOLD IN THEM HILLS
Mrs. Joe Morek’s Victory Garden at Belle Plaine
yielded gold in addition to a plentiful supply of fresh
vegetables. Her hoe turned up a gold ring she lost eighteen years
ago.
[transcribed by L.Z., August 2017]