Iowa Old Press
Council Bluffs Nonpareil, September 16, 1945
On Battleship in Tokyo Bay
Arthur A. Odell, seaman 2/c, has notified his parents, Mr.a nd Mrs. A.A. Odell, 2934 Seventh avenue, that he is stationed aboard the battleship Mississippi, in Tokyo bay after having participated in four major bombardments in the Palau islands, Leyte gulf, Luzon, Okinawa, and also in Sagro strait.
Two Ex-prisoners at Hot Springs
Prisoners of war in Germany following combat duty in North Africa, S/Sgt. Harry J. Morgan, 2827 South eighth street, and Sgt. Jim E. Berry, 2319 Avenue C, both of Council Bluffs, have completed furloughs at their homes and reported to the Army Ground and Service Forces Redistribution Station, Hot Springs, Ark., for reassignment. Both men wear the American Defense ribbon and the European theater ribbon with three battle stars. Sgt. Berry served as a combat infantryman in the invasion of Africa.
WINS BRONZE STAR MEDAL
1st Lt James W Platt, 25, USMCR, 204 Oakland avenue, Council Bluffs, was presented the bronze star medal last week at the U.S. Naval hospital, Great Lakes, Ill. Lt Platt entered the marine corps on Aug 4 1942 and spent 18 months overseas. He wears the purple heart, unit citation Asiatic-Pacific theater ribbon, as well as the bronze star. He is the son of Mrs. G C Platt.
Glenwood War Vet Dies at Moline, Ill.
GLENWOOD – Leo Hanfeld, 38, veteran of world war II, serving in the African, European and middle eastern theaters, died Sept. 12, at Moline, Ill. He was a resident of Rock Island, Ill., since his discharge from the service Aug. 10.
He is survived by four children, Dorothy Ann, Donald Lee, George, and Leonard all of Moline; one brother, George Hanfeld of Glenwood; two sisters, Mrs. Emma Echternach of Augusta, Ga., and Mrs. Lena Newton of Burbank, Calif.
Funeral services will be held Monday at 2:30 p.m. At the James chapel at Glenwood, with Dr. F.W. Long officiating. Burial will be in the Glenwood cemetery. The Harvey T. Rimel post of the American Legion will be in charge at the grave.
Top Naval Aviators Draw Shore Duty
OTTUMWA, (AP) – Young veterans of naval aviation's victories in Pacific and European waters, all entitled to wear at least one distinguished flying cross, are assuming the principal squadron administrative duties at the Ottumwa naval air station. They replace senior naval aviators who are going on inactive duty under the point system.
Now heading squadron two is Lt. Robert F. Edmondson, Brighton, Iowa, one of the Hawkeye state's most decorated naval aviators. Lt. Edmondson, a graduate of the University of Iowa's law school, earned the navy cross, silver star, distinguished flying cross, and three air medals with fighting 32 and scouting 10 in Pacific battles from the Coral sea to the Philippines.
Station officials also announced that Lt. Comd. Edward E. Sleet, supply officer 19 months, has been ordered to duty at the naval personnel separation center, Great Lakes, Ill. He will be replaced by Lt. Malcom K. Peterson, his senior assistant.
Wins Medal for Saving Pal's Life
The soldier's medal was awarded for heroism on New Caledonia to T. Sgt. Edward K. Olsen, whose wife, Mrs. Lucille Olsen, resides at 506 East Pierce street, according to word received here. Sgt. Olsen was awarded the medal for helping a companion rescue a third member of their unit from drowning in the Quenghi river Nov. 29.
Although their lives were endangered by the man's struggles, Olsen and his companion brought the man back to the bank and revived him.
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter K. Olsen, 1009 Sixth avenue, he is a 1940 graduate of Abraham Lincoln high school. He entered the service in 1942.
Wounded in action in April, 1945 on Okinawa he wears the purple heart. Sgt. Olsen also holds the combat infantryman's badge. He is presently stationed on Tinian in the Marianas.
Iowans Honored in Omaha Presentation
Three Iowa soldiers were honored, two posthumously, at special award ceremonies at Fort Omaha Friday. The living soldier was 1st Sgt. Carn A. Godsey of Pacific Junction, who received a bronze star. Awards to the other two men were presented to the next of kin. Those honored in addition to Godsey were:
S. Sgt. Everet E. Baker, distinguished service cross and silver star. The award was made to his father, Guy R. Baker of Red Oak. The silver star was awarded for “extraordinary heroism in action near Boich, Germany, Feb. 26, 1945. The silver star was for gallantry in action while a private.
Pfc Arlos E. Wright, whose bronze star was given to his wife, Mrs. Frances L. Wright of Malvern.
[transcribed by J.B., Mar 2022]
Council Bluffs Nonpareil
September 22, 1945
“MISSING” IOWANS LISTED AS “SAFE”
Washington, (AP)—Five Iowans who previously had been listed a prisoners of war were reported as safe Friday on a Navy casualty list.
Six other Iowans were listed as dead and two as missing.
The list included:
Safe—Pfc. Harland R. Johnson, New Sharon; Pfc. George L. McShane, Storm Lake; Pfc. Clare W. Nielsen, Rutland; Gunner’s Mate Elmer L. McFadden, Adair; and Seaman 1/c Dale J. Tiefel, Dubuque.
Dead—Fireman 2/c Glenn L. Burns, Ottumwa; Seaman 1/c Robert H. Kallansrud, Fort Dodge; Seaman 1/c Cecil L. Pickering, Ollie; Machinists’s Mate 3/c Floyd V. Turner, Atlantic; Seaman 1/c Arlo M. Link, Diagonal; and Seaman 1/c Eldon R. Noelting, Greene.
Missing—Seaman 2/c Chris A. Jensen, Sioux City, and Fire Controlman 2/c Dale M. Siefken, Rockford.
[transcribed by L.Z., Jan 2020]
Council Bluffs Nonpareil
Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie co., Iowa
September 30, 1945
Devivo Released From Jap Prison
Pvt. Frank H. Devivo, a Japanese prisoner since the fall
of Corregidor, May 7, 1942, has been released and is on his way
home, according to a telegram received by his parents, Mr. and
Mrs. Nick Devivo, Friday, and letter from Pvt. Devivo Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. Devivo live at 2310 Eighth avenue. In the letter
written Sept. 20 to his parents, Pvt. Devivo said: “I am on
my way home right now. Do not worry about me. I am well, though I
was sick two weeks ago.”
He is on a hospital ship and expects to reach the United States
in October. Enlisting in the Army in September, 1940, Pvt. Devivo
was sent to the Philippines immediately following his basic
training and was stationed there when he was captured. “I
have been in Japan the last 8 months,” he wrote. “I
received your cards and letters last year before leaving for
Japan. Last winter was very cold there.”
Pvt. Devivo attended the Holy Family school.
[transcribed by L.Z., January 2015]