Iowa Old Press
Monticello Express, April 26, 1945
Pay Tribute To Sgt. Juilfs In Memorial Service Sunday
WYOMING – Memorial services for Sgt. Raymond Juilfs were held at the Lutheran church Sunday afternoon with the Rev. H. Graening in charge. Mrs. Erman Graening sang two solos with Mrs. Luella Bahnsen at the organ. American Legion post colors were carried by First Lt. Don Gerdes and Pvt. Raymond Holtz, both home on furlough, and Melvin Petersen, home on furlough and L. Bahsen, honorably discharged from the color guard.
Sgt. Juilfs was born at Amber, August 25, 1922, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Garrett Juilfs. He was reared in his parental home and in the Lutheran faith. During the period of need for workers in critical war production plants he was employed at the Rock Island arsenal. He was called to service Dec. 26, 1942.
He was first stationed at Ft. Knox, Ky., where he received training with an armored division. Completing his training here, he was moved to Camp Campbell for one week and from there to Indiantown Gap, Pa. He went overseas September 19, 1943. He was moved to France 18 days after D-day to participate in the heroic activities of the Third armored division under the direction of Gen. Rose, who was recently killed in action. Sgt. Raymond saw almost constant action at the front since July 1944. He died as the result of enemy action February 26, 1944. He lies buried in an American cemetery in Belgium.
He leaves to mourn, his wife, Darlene, nee Hamer, a son Jimmy Ray, whom he had never seen; his parents, and the following sisters and brothers: Mrs. Joe Jacobsen, Onslow; Mrs. R. Potter, Anamosa; Pvt. Mabel Juilfs of the WAC, El Paso, Texas; Pfc. John Juilfs, in the European area; Mrs. Dean Meade, Onslow; Edwin Juilfs, at home; Pfc. Donald Juilfs, somewhere in the Pacific.
Servicemen
Sgt. William Redmond was wounded in action in Germany on March 23, according to word received last Wednesday morning by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Redmond, from the war department. A letter received from him the same morning told of injuries to his left hand.
Mr. and Mrs. John M. Petersen have received word of the hospitalization of their son, Lt. Henry Petersen, in France recovering from wounds received early in April. Thi9s is the second time he had been hospitalized because of injuries.
Mrs. Imogene Jurgensen Smeltzer has received word that her husband, S/Sgt. John Smeltzer, is now in Germany.
Melvin Dubbs Reported Killed In Italian Fight
Sgt. Melvin Dubbs, a graduate of the Monticello High school in 1929, was killed in Italy April 9, according to word received by his father Wm. Dubbs, of Marion, last Thursday. Sgt. Dubbs was born July 18, 1907 on the farm of his grandfather, Jacob Meyers, near Alburnett and was working for the Cedar Rapids Manufacturing Co. before entering the service. His mother died in 1937 at Marion.
The message to his father gave no further details, but stated a letter would follow with particulars.
The last letter from Sergeant Dubbs to his father was mailed April 4, and he was known to be doing important clerical work at the time. The father cannot help but connect his death with the terrible accident April 9, in which an American ammunition ship blew up in an Italian harbor, causing a very heavy loss of life. The father knowing the nature of his son's work, had preliminary misgivings, and had a clipped story of that accident on hand.
Sergeant Dubbs was last home on furlough in July 1943, and went overseas in August that year. He entered service in April 1941, and was later discharged, arriving home on that fateful day, December 7, 1941, when Japan started things. He knew that day that he would be immediately recalled into service. Shortly the army called for him.
Sgt. C. Arduser Is Given Citation By U.S. Army
With the 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion In Germany – Sergeant Casper D. Arduser of Hopkinton, has been awarded the Bronze Star by Major General Louis A. Craig, Commanding General of the 9thInfantry Division, for heroic achievement in action as a member of Company “B” of the famous 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion.
His citation reads, “On 10 July 1944 in the vicinity of Goucherie, France, advancing against strongly fortified enemy positions, Sgt. Arduser's section of M-10 Tank Destroyers moved forward in close support of the assault elements of the infantry. In command of two tank destroyers, Sgt. Arduser assisted in destroying eight enemy machine gun emplacements and forcing the gun crew of a 75mm anti-tank gun to abandon their weapons. Subjected to a fierce enemy counterattack, his section withstood the assaulting enemy forces in spite of heavy rocket, rifle grenade, machine gun, and observed mortar fire, Sgt. Arduser's aggressive leadership, devotion to duty, and courageous actions contributed materially to the success of the operations and were a credit to himself and to the Armed Forces of the United States.”
Sgt. Arduser took part in the Tunisian and Italian campaigns, and landed on the beaches of Normandy shortly after D-day, and has participated in the 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion's drive through France, Belgium, and into Germany.
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Casper Arduser of Hopkinton, Sgt. Arduser, prior to his entry into the service on February 7, 1941, assisted his parents in the operation of their farm.
[transcribed by J.B., Feb 2022]