Iowa Old Press
The Daily Times
Davenport, Iowa
5 July 1944
Pfc. Jack Kademan Reported Missing In Italian Action
Record Includes Combat Service in North Africa and Sicily Pfc.
Jack B. Kademan, 25, has been missing in action in Italy since June 2, according to information released by the war department
His wife Mrs. Marie Klipstein Kademan, lives at 322 1/2 Harrison Street, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred E. Kademan, at 931 State Street. Bettendorf.
As an infantry- man, Pfc. Kademan was a veteran in combat service, having seen action in North Africa, Sicily and then Italy. His last letter, his mother said today, revealed that he was at Anzio.
In Army Three Years
After having been employed at Rock Island arsenal following his graduation from Davenport high school, he entered the army April 14, 1941. He received his training at Camp Claiborne, La., and then was transferred to Fort Dix, N. J., preparatory to going overseas in February 1942, first to northern Ireland and then to England.
Pfc. Kademan participated in the invasion of North Africa and took part in the battles for Tunis and Bizerte.
Married on Furlough
He was born in Savanna, Ill., Jan. 1, 1919, but the Kademan family has lived in Davenport and Bettendorf for the last 18 years. He married Miss Marie Klipstein Oct. 18, 1941, when he was home on his first furlough.
A brother, Tech. Sgt. Robert Kademan, is in service in France, and a sister, Dorothy, is with her husband, Lt. Charles Stiteley, who is on duty with the navy at Portland, Me.
[transcribed by C.S., Jun 2022]
The Daily Times
Davenport, Iowa
13 July 1944
Bettendorf Boy Participates in Taking Cherbourg
A Bettendorf boy, Tech. Sgt. Robert Kademan, took part in the final assault on Cherbourg with his regiment, according to a letter received by his wife, the former Janet Money, 323 East Seventh Street.
"We have been able to bathe and shave for the first time in ten days, have a roof over our head and straw upon which to sleep -- what more could a man wish?" his letter said in part.
Sgt. Kademan left the United States in March with his outfit and spent the intervening time in England, training for "D" day. He did not enter France until a few days after the invasion started, but once there, made up for lost time, the letter indicates.
Included in his letter was a quantity of French money in various denominations, sent to his wife as a souvenir.
"I am sending another souvenir -- a dagger which a captured German colonel gave me," he said.
"This German officer told me the dagger had been given him by 'the big boy' himself, so if he is telling the truth, it should make an interesting keepsake."
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kademan, 831 State Street, Bettendorf, the sergeant has a brother, Jack Kademan, who has been reported missing in action in Italy.
[transcribed by C.S., Jun 2022]
The Daily Times
Davenport, Iowa
24 July 1944
3 Davenport Men Reported Hurt in Overseas Service
Sgt. Kademan. Lt. Tenenbom, Pfc. Rockwell Are Listed as Casualties
Three Davenport men have been wounded or injured over-seas, one comparatively seriously was reported today.
Tech. Sgt. Robert Kademan, whose wife, Mrs. Janet Money Kademan, lives at 325 East Seventh Street, received a sniper's bullet that penetrated both legs while he was advancing with his regiment in Normandy. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kademan, 931 State Street, Bettendorf, and a brother of Pfc. Jack Kademan, recently reported missing in Italy.
The other two injured were First Lt. Harold N. Tenenbom, son of Mr. and Mrs. I. M. Tenenbom, of 1914 Bridge Avenue, who was said to have been "slightly injured" in action in Italy June 30, and Pfc. Charles W. Rockwell, reported "slightly wounded" in action in France July 3.
Lt. Tenenbom is a cousin of First Lt. Harold Tenenbom, Little, Rock, Ark., who was reported July 13 to have been killed in a plane crash off Myrtle Beach, S. C. Because their names where the same many persons here gained a first impression that it was the Davenport flier who had died.
According to a letter received by Sgt. Kademan's wife, the bullet passed through the fleshy part of his left leg without serious consequences, but almost severed the sciatic nerve of his right leg.
Long Treatment
He is now receiving treatment in a base hospital in England and expects to be returned to the states as soon as his condition permits. When the wound heals, he wrote, an operation will be necessary to restore the almost severed nerve, following which a long period of treatment will be required before he will be able to regain use of the leg.
Sgt. Kademan was with the first contingent of troops taking part in the assault and capture of Cherbourg by the Americans.
While in a field hospital in Normandy he received the "thrill of a lifetime," he wrote his wife. A package of cigarets was given him by a Red Cross worker, and he was delighted to note a tag appended to the wrapper stating that it was distributed through the courtesy of Petersen-Harned-Von Maur, Davenport.
"The first 'smokes' given to me since I landed overseas and they came from home," he wrote.
Promoted Since Injury
Apparently substantiating the report that Lt. Tenenbom was only slightly injured is the fact that mail has been received from him since the date of his being hurt, as well as word that he was promoted from a second to first lieutenant.
Lt. Tenenbom is a navigator on a heavy bomber. A graduate of Davenport high school, he received his silver wings and commission as a navigator Oct. 7, 1943, at San Marcos, Tex.
War department notification regarding Pfc. Rockwell's being wounded came to his sister, Mrs. Mary E. Gary, 1311 Elm Street, who said he had also been slightly wounded in Sicily in September 1943. Formerly of Maquoketa, he was employed by the Zimmerman Steel Casting Co. before he entered the army July 3, 1942. He went overseas in January 1943, as a Ranger, first seeing service in North Africa.
[transcribed by C.S., Jun 2022]