Iowa
Old Press
The Sioux City Journal
Sioux City, Woodbury co. Iowa
January 2, 1945
IN UNIFORM
Pfc. Claude D. Anderson, whose mother, Mrs. Bertie M. Anderson,
lives at 621 Virginia street, has been awarded the purple heart
for wounds received in action against the Japanese on the island
of Anguar. He is a member of the infantry division, which
recently invaded the southern islands of the Japanese held Palau
group.
Cpl. Ralph A. Blumenthal of Sioux City is a mechanic engaged in
the repair of air corps vehicles at an air service command depot
in England.
S. Sgt. Gerald J. Hintz, son of Mrs. Genevieve Hintz, 507 16th
street, has been awarded the air medal for meritorious
achievement in aerial flight while participating in sustained
operational activities against the enemy. Sgt. Hintz, who is a
turret gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress with the 15th A.A.F. in
Italy, is a veteran of more than 15 combat missions over enemy
occupied Europe. He graduated from the LeMars high school and
entered the service in April, 1943. He was awarded his silver
wings at Kingman, Ariz., in March, 1944. His brother, Pvt. Robert
Hintz, is a member of an anti-aircraft outfit.
Lt. Elizabeth Margaret Huie, army nurse corps, has been named
chief nurse in charge of wards in a general hospital in England,
her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Huie, sr., 903 12th street,
have been informed.
T. Sgt. William H. Lorenzen, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Lorenzen,
107 Wirick apartments, is currently assigned to the
redistribution station of the Santa Ana army air base after
completing 30 missions as a radio operator-gunner aboard a
Liberator bomber in the European theater. He will be reclassified
according to military skills assigned to a domestic station of
the A.A. F.
Donald Dean Luce, 17, husband of Mrs. Joan Ann Luce, 301 21st
street; Wayne Clifford Collins, 17, son of Mrs. Clifford Edward
Collins, 1711 S. Clinton street; and Dale Warren Allner, 18, son
of Mr. and Mrs. William P. Allner, 800 Cecelia street are
receiving initial indoctrination at the United States naval
training center, Great Lakes, Ill. When their recruit training is
completed, they will be given a period of leave.
Sgt. Warrant A. McIntyre, whose wife lives at 409 29th street,
has been awarded the combat infantryman badge for exemplary
conduct and skill in action against the enemy. He is a member of
the 81st infantry division.
T. Sgt. Albert G. Odermatt, whose wife resides at 2622 Prospect
street, has returned to this country after seven months overseas
in the European theater of operations. He is expected home on
furlough in the near future.
[transcribed by L.Z., May 2016]
The Sioux City Journal
Sioux City, Woodbury co. Iowa
January 3, 1945
OUR NEIGHBORS in the SERVICE.
Early, Ia.—First Lt. Don Ward arrived here to visit his wife
in the Elmer Evans home. He had been expected home soon but his
wife was surprised with a telephone call from St. Paul, Minn.,
Saturday saying he had just arrived, having flown from a base in
England on December 26, stopping at the Azores and Bermuda
enroute to Washington. Lt. Ward completed his quote of 30
missions as lead bombardier in high altitude flying over France
and Germany. He has been awarded the D. F. C. and the
presidential citation. After a 30-day stay here he will go to
Miami, Fla.
Early, Ia.—M. Sgt. Homer Motter arrived home unexpectedly to
spend a 21-day visit with home folks for the first time in 37
months. Sgt. Motter was among several hundred Iowans and
Nebraskans of the Seventh bombardment group in India who were
among the first combat air groups to reach India. They left the
United States for overseas duty November 21, 1941. Most of Sgt.
Motter’s time since leaving home has been spent in India. He
left India for home December 1, by plane. From Calcutta he flew
across north Africa to South America, then up to Miami.
Early, Ia.—Pfc. Ralph Meyers arrived home to spend a 21-day
furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Meyers. He has been
overseas 29 months, stationed in the Aleutian islands. This is
his first visit home since his call to service.
Hull, Ia.—Second Lt. Donald N. Zwiep (photo included), son
of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Zwiep of Hull, is an airplane commander on a
B-24 heavy bombardment crew now in its final stage of training at
the army air field, Casper, Wyo. Following completion of his
training, he and the crew will be sent overseas to a combat area
where they will help take up the fight against the enemy.
Milford, Ia.—S. Sgt. Robert L. Donaldson, field artillery
airplane mechanic, son of Mr. and Mrs. O. W. Donaldson, Milford,
has just completed one year of duty overseas, according to a news
release from The Netherlands East Indies. A 1932 graduate of
Milford high school and a former student at U. C. L. A., Sgt.
Donaldson enlisted in the Army in October, 1939, and received his
training at Fort Snelling, Minn. Sgt. Donaldson is a veteran of
the Hollandia operation which cut off the entire Japanese 18th
army, and Biak, which again advanced Gen. Douglas
MacArthur’s forces several hundred miles nearer Tokyo.
Milford, Ia.—A news release from an American infantry
division in Germany reports that Pvt. Robert L. Nordli of Milford
recently knocked six Germans out of the war with a single shell.
It was fired from a bazooka gun during the fighting around
Lindern. According to the story, the Germans had run out of a
pillbox 300 yards in front of the Milford soldier, fleeing toward
their own lines. Nordli aimed at the pillbox. The shot missed and
traveled over the box to land squarely in the middle of the
fleeing Germans. The story further relates that Nordli, a short
time later, killed a German tank commander who “made the
mistake of sticking his head out the turret of his tank.”
Pocahontas, Ia.—Mr. and Mrs. Harm Bushman of Pocahontas have
as yet received no further word from the War Department
concerning the death of their son, Pfc. Howard J. Bushman (photo
included), who died November 19 in France of wounds received in
action. On November 16, he had written a letter to his parents in
which he stated that he was well. Before entering service in
June, 1942, he engaged in farming and in the carpenter trade. He
went overseas in August, 1944, and was serving with an engineer
battalion in the 95th division of Gen. Patton’s Third Army
and saw action in France and Belgium. Among those surviving him
are his parents and one brother, Walter Bushman, all of Lincoln
township.
Spencer, Ia.—S. Sgt. Irvin L. Clifton, son of Harry Clifton,
Spencer, has been admitted to the A. A. F. convalescent hospital,
Miami Beach, Fla., for treatment and observation. A veteran of 50
combat missions as a gunner in a 12th air force A-20 bomber, Sgt.
Clifton has been decorated with the air medal and one oakleaf
cluster. He spent 28 months in the Pacific combat zone.
IN UNIFORM.
Cpl. Bert Bergen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Max Bergen, 408
23d street, is spending a furlough from his base at Watertown, S.
D.
Charles F. Kirk (photo included), son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank R.
Kirk, 1313 Douglas street, who recently was awarded his silver
pilot’s wings at the Pampa, Tex., army air field and
commissioned a second lieutenant, is home on leave. He will
report Friday at Dodge City, Kan., for further assignment. He is
a graduate of Central high school.
Cpl. Charles Joseph Bruce has returned to Camp Ellis, Ill., where
he is a cook after spending a short leave with his wife and
children who live at 1126 Plymouth street, and his parents, Mr.
and Mrs. E. C. Bruce, 1506 Main street.
Elizabeth A. Hodges, yeoman second class, sold enough bonds in
the sixth war loan drive to be included among the prize winners
at the Naval repair base at New Orleans, La. Miss Hodges,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Hodges, 125 E. 30th street,
South Sioux City, enlisted in the Waves in January, 1944. She is
a graduate of Creighton high school.
Elmer D. Sherman, machinist’s mate third class on a
destroyer escort, is spending a seven-day leave with his wife at
4411 Laurel street, and his mother, Mrs. Ella Sherman, 1114
Division street.
George A. Gunderson, petty officer third class, naval reserve,
returned to his bas at Los Angeles after spending a 15-day leave
with his wife and son, 3716 Garretson avenue.
First Lt. George E. Funk, jr., 22-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs.
George E. Funk of Sioux Falls, S. D., and a graduate of East high
school here, has been awarded the fifth oak leaf cluster to the
air medal. The officer also attended the National Business
Training school here. The citation reads, “For meritorious
achievement while serving as fighter pilot during an extended
period of aerial combat over Germany and German occupied
continental Europe.”
Henry B. Santee (photo included), radarman third class, home
after 18 months in the South Pacific aboard a destroyer, is
spending a 28-day leave with his mother, Mrs. Eycle Santee, and
other relatives of South Sioux City. He has been in the service
26 months.
Pvt. Jack Atwood, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Atwood, 514 W. 15th
street, is spending a 21-day furlough at home after 27 months in
the Aleutians. He will report to a rest camp at Hot Springs, Ark.
Ensign Jack Smith (photo included), son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T.
Smith, who are living temporarily in Portland, Ore., was
graduated recently from the naval air training base at Corpus
Christi, Tex., and commissioned in the United States naval
reserve. He received his preliminary flight instruction at the
Olathe, Kan., naval air base. He was graduated at Leeds high
school in 1941.
Promotion of Joe I. Beedle, whose wife lives at 310 S. Martha
street, from private first class to corporal recently was
announced by the service group to which he is assigned. This
group is part of the United States troop carrier forces headed by
Maj. Gen. Paul L. Williams. After specialized military training
at the University of South Dakota, Cpl. Beedle was assigned to
overseas duty. At present he is an administrative clerk in the
headquarters squadron of his group with supplies, maintains and
repairs a fleet of C-47 troop carrier planes and gliders.
S. Sgt. John G. Neal, whose wife resides at 414 W. 24th street,
now is stationed at an Eighth air force bomber station in
England, where he is a member of a service command subdepot. Sgt.
Neal’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Porter Neal, reside at
Rosebud, Tex., where he was graduated from high school.
Lt. Loren W. Peterson, son of Gustav Peterson, 3217 Marshall
avenue, has reported to the A. A. F. pilot school at Courtland,
Ala., for specialized four-engine training.
Raymond J. Smith, 407 W. Fourth street, has been advanced to the
rank of staff sergeant, the commanding officer of a bombardment
group announced. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. John Smith. The
young flier has completed 10 bombing missions over Germany,
including the bombing of the railway marshaling yards at Hamburg.
He also was awarded the air medal.
Aviation Cadet Richard A. Hanson, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. W.
Hanson, 4927 Military road, has just completed his A. A. F.
primary flight training course at Thunderbird field, Glendale,
Ariz. His wife resides in Casper, Wyo.
Sgt. Scott M. Morris, son of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Morris, 1506
Glendale boulevard, has reported at a Third air force bomber
base, Gulfport, Miss., for an intensive training course as an
engineer on a B-17 Flying Fortress. Sgt. Morris entered the
service at Des Moines in February, 1942. His wife, Mrs. Lorraine
Morris, is living in Gulfport.
S. Sgt. Sidney Baumsten, who is a chemical warfare instructor at
Kelly field, San Antonio, Tex., is spending a furlough with his
wife and daughter in the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. M.
Baumsten, 819 18th street.
Cpl. Thurce N. Erickson, son of Herman L. Erickson, 3300 Meyers
avenue, has been serving in England for 10 months as a radio
mechanic with the 364th fighter group.
S. Sgt. Wayne Case, an East high school graduate and son of Mrs.
Doris Case, a former Sioux Cityan who now resides in Tacoma,
Wash., has been awarded an oak leaf cluster to his air medal. He
is an engineer-gunner on a Flying Fortress and his bombardment
group was cited for the historic shuttle bombing of the
Messerschmitt plant at Regensburg, Germany.
T. Sgt. William Jepson, after more than two years of services
overseas in Ireland, England, north Africa and Italy, is back in
Sioux City for a 30-day furlough. He is visiting in the home of
his sister, Mrs. Frank Erpelding, 3342 Dearborn avenue. T. Sgt.
Jepson went into service from Sioux City, having been employed
for several years in grocery stores. He has been serving overseas
in the First armored division, which has seen much action in
north Africa and Italy.
William K. Naughton, petty officer third class, is spending a
20-day leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Naughton, 3004
McDonald street. He has been stationed on a destroyer in the
Pacific for the last 17 months, and has taken part in seven major
engagements.
[transcribed by L.Z., June 2015]
The Sioux City Journal, January 7, 1945
FIVE LE MARS BROTHERS SERVE COUNTRY
LeMars, IA.—Special: Mr. and Mrs. Emil Hansen of LeMars have four sons in the Army, two of whom are overseas, and a fifth son who received an honorable discharge in July, 1943.
Two of their sons are in the infantry, one serving in France and the other in Italy, while the other two sons are in the air corps.
Cpl. Cletus Hansen, 27, who received an honorable discharge, is the oldest of the five boys, and served in the coast artillery at Staten Island, N. Y. He entered the Army September 4, 1942, being discharged in July, 1943.
The second son, Pfc. Lawrence P. Hansen, 25, has been in the Army the longest of the five boys. He was a member of a national guard unit and left February 27, 1941, from Sheldon, Ia., for Camp Claiborne, La. He went overseas in February, 1942, and has been serving as a first cook in an infantry division in Italy. He is expected to arrive home on furlough some time this month.
Pvt. Ambrose J. Hansen, 24, who entered service May 31, 1944, is serving with an infantry division in France. Stationed at Camp Fannin, Tex., for nearly five months, he returned home for a short furlough before being transferred to Fort Meade, Md. Shortly after that he left for overseas service.
A member of the medical corps attached to the air corps, Cpl. Alfred N. Hansen, 23, is stationed at Hamilton field, Cal. He entered service November 9, 1942.
The youngest of the brothers, Cpl. Leonard J. Hansen, 21, enlisted in the Army January 23, 1943, and is serving with a signal corps unit in the air corps. He is stationed at Camp Pinedale, Fresno, Cal.
[transcribed by L.Z., Aug 2020]
Sioux City Journal
Sioux City, Woodbury co. Iowa
January 21, 1945
Sioux City Officer and Sister Have Reunion in Paris
Lt. Gerald P. Pill, stationed at Dale Mabry field,
Florida paid a surprise visit to his sister, Miss Gisela Pill, a
member of the staff of the United States embassy in Paris, while
on a special mission to London recently. News of their reunion
came in a cablegram from Miss Pill to her mother, Mrs. Rosa Pill,
1710 Douglas Street. Miss Pill said she also had seen another
Sioux Cityan, Henry Shulkin, who is with the army in France. She
went to Paris from the state department at Washington, D.C.
[transcribed by C.S., March 2015]
Sioux City Journal
Sioux City, Woodbury co. Iowa
January 23, 1945
STAR MEDAL TO SIOUX CITYAN
Lt. William Langford Decorated For Heroic Service
First Lt. William D. Langford, a son of W. M. Langford, 2401 Wall street, was awarded a bronze star medal in recognition for “heroic service” in connection with military operations against the enemy at Tabontabon, Leyte, October 26, 1944.
When members of First Lt. (then second lieutenant) Langford’s platoon were forced to fall back at a critical moment during the attack on the enemy stronghold, he remained in a forward position and directed a steady stream of fire on the enemy until his platoon could reorganize and resume the attack.
“Later,” the citation continued, “the same day, with exemplary coolness in the face of intense fire, he directed removal of vital parts from one of our howitzers which was in danger of falling into enemy hands.
“The high courage and leadership displayed by First Lt. Langford reflect great credit on himself and on the military service.”
He entered the service in October of 1942 at Fort Des Moines. He received his basic training at Camp White, Ore. He became a staff sergeant at Fort Ranning in June of 1943, and was commissioned September 11, 19453. He went overseas in August of 1944.
The address of his wife, Anna Mae, is listed as 2008 Iowa street. The award was made by the commanding general of an infantry division.
WAYNE PHILLIPS WAR CASUALITY - INFANTRY PRIVATE FIRST
CLASS SUFFERS WOUNDS IN LUXEMBOURG
Pfc. Wayne G. Phillips, 25, serving in the 101st
infantry, was wounded in January 3, 1944, in Luxembourg,
according to war department notification to his wife Mrs. Eileen
Phillips, 3520 Macomb Avenue. The telegram stated that a letter
would follow describing the nature of the wounds. Pfc. Phillips,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Phillips, 2519 Court Street, entered
the service May 20, 1944, and took his basic training at Camp
Roberts, Cal. He was home on furlough October 10, 1944 and sailed
for overseas that month. The last word received from him was on
November 29, written somewhere in France.
A brother, Burdette L. Phillips, coxswain, is stationed aboard a
destroyer escort in the south Pacific.
Another brother, Derold D. Phillips, gunner’s mate, also on
a destroyer for the last 17 months in the South Pacific, returned
to the States on December 31, 1944, and is spending a 21-day
leave with his parents and sister, Mrs. James Cordell, who
arrived January 21 from San Antonio, Texas. Gunner’s Mate
Derold Phillips participated in five campaigns, the Gilberts,
Marshall Islands, Kwajalein, Saipan and the Philippines. After
his leave he will return to his ship for further sea duty.
[transcribed by C.S., March 2015]
The Sioux City Journal, January 25, 1945
TO BE FIRE CAPTAIN AGAIN
D. S. Lawton Returns After 2 ½ Years with Naval Forces
After two and one-half years with the naval forces, most of which were spent overseas, D. S. Lawton, specialist fireman, 2116 W. 14th street, a Sioux City fire department captain, will return to work on the force probably within the next few weeks.
For the last 13 months, he was in waters adjacent to Scotland and England, and he participated in the invasion of Normandy with an amphibious force. Later he was attached to a salvage unit in the clearing of harbors.
Previously he was in a navy gun crew aboard a merchant ship carrying ammunition for about 14 months. The assignment took him into the Pacific, into waters near north and west Africa.
He joined the fire department here in November, 1918. He was appointed a lieutenant March 21, 1929, and a captain October 1, 1937. He left the department to enter the service September 8, 1942. At that time he was captain of engine 1, headquarters company of the downtown fire station.
Capt. Lawton said at his home Thursday morning that he was glad to be home and was well outside of “being a little nervous.” He expects to rest awhile before resuming his duties as a fire official.
Sioux City Journal
Sioux City, Woodbury co. Iowa
January 27, 1945
IN UNIFORM
Cpl. Lloyd Brunssen, stationed at Geiger field, Wash., is
spending a 15-day furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John
Brunssen, and other relatives.
T. Sgt. Sigmund Christensen, son of Siegfried Christensen, 1817
Fifth street, recently was promoted from staff sergeant. He is
with an infantry company of the Seventh Army in France.
Richard L. Cox, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Cox, route 2,
Morningside, has been advanced to the rating of first class petty
officer. He is stationed at San Pedro, Cal. His wife resides in
Glendale, Cal.
T. Sgt. Neal E. Erickson, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Erickson, 1922
W. Horne street, is spending a 30-day furlough here, for the last
28 months, Sgt. Erickson has served in India, Africa and China.
Lester Holtzen, whose wife and daughter reside at 2112 Rebecca
street, recently was promoted from water tender first class to
chief water tender. He has been in the Navy seven years.
Madeline Maklebust, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Maklebust, 609
S. Alice street, is home on a 15-day leave. Seaman Maklebust, a
WAVE, is stationed at the Cavalier hotel, Virginia Beach, Va. She
has been in service for two years. Entering Hunter college in
June, 1943, she subsequently served in Georgia and Virginia.
W. Maycock, hospital assistant second class, will return to
Oceanside, Cal., after spending a 21-day emergency leave with his
wife and children at 2017 Grand avenue. Mr. Maycock is a first
aid instructor at Camp Pendleton.
Sgt. Harold R. Miller is spending a 22-day furlough in the home
of his mother, Mrs. Lula Miller, 2722 Morgan street. He is with
the Fourth air force engineers stationed at Geiger field,
Spokane, Wash.
Pfc. John W. Rathbun, son of Mrs. Pauline A. Rathbun, 409 14th
street, has completed the 12-week water purification course at
the engineer school, Fort Belvoir, Va. Pfc. Rathbun attended
Trinity high school and the University of Washington, Seattle. He
entered the army April 20, 1943, at Fort Lewis, Wash., and now is
attached to the combat engineers at the Fort Pierce amphibious
naval training station at Fort Pierce, Fla.
Sgt. Floyd F. Renshaw, son of Mrs. Katherine Renshaw, 601 W. 17th
street, South Sioux City, recently was promoted from the grade of
corporal. He is serving with an antiaircraft unit in the European
theater, and has participated in the battles at Salerno, Cassino,
Anzio and in the invasion of southern France. He was commended
for designing an insignia for antiaircraft personnel in his
theater of operations.
Pvt. Raymond A. Schultz, whose wife lives at 901 Virginia street,
has been awarded the combat infantryman badge for participation
in combat against the enemy with the Fifth Army in Italy.
T. Sgt. Archie A. Skaggs, 1113 Ninth street, son of Mrs. Maie
McCollough of Lafayette, Colo., recently was awarded the bronze
star for meritorious service in combat on the Fifth army front in
Italy. He serves in an ordnance maintenance battalion.
Three Sioux City soldiers have won the right to wear the boots
and wings of the army paratroops by completing four weeks of jump
training at Fort Benning, Ga. They are Pvt. Dubel H. Winters,
whose wife lives at 406 Omaha street; Pvt. Robert P. Chappelle,
whose wife lives at 1705 W. Highland avenue; and Pvt. Roland W.
Goetsch, whose wife lives at 1503 W. 17th street.
[transcribed by L.Z., October 2016]
Sioux City Journal
Sioux City, Woodbury co. Iowa
January 30, 1945
OUR NEIGHBORS in the SERVICE.
Armstrong, Ia.—Mr. and Mrs. Jens Weiby of Armstrong received
the first definite information as to the fate of their son, Lt.
Jens (“Ted”) Weiby, who was reported missing over
Germany on December 13, 1943. The information came from the army
effects bureau, Kansas City, Mo., and stated that Lt. Weiby is a
prisoner of war in enemy territory, since identification cards,
personal papers, and a check have been received from him. Lt.
Weiby was a pilot on a B-17 in England and had been on a mission
near Cologne when he was reported missing.
Ashton, Ia.—Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Harbers of Ashton received
word through the International Red Cross that their son, Second
Lt. James D. Harbers, was killed in action August 7, over France.
Pilot of a Mustang P-51 fighter plane, he was previously reported
missing in action. He was with a squadron that had received the
presidential citation. He has been in the service since
September, 1942, and received his training at various fields in
the United States before being sent to England. Surviving, in
addition to the parents, are a sister, Pauline, a cadet nurse at
Fullerton, Cal., and a brother, Lawrence, at home.
Battle Creek, Ia.—The 980th field artillery battalion of
which Cpl. Raymond Hall is a member was the first American heavy
artillery to come ashore on Utah beach in the Normandy invasion.
In a letter he states the guns of the 980th were the first to
fire into Germany. Their sights were trained on a target at
Bildchen, he reveals, a suburb of Aachen. The unit is still on
combat status, has been in Germany, and was in Belgium at the
time the letter was written.
Estherville, Ia.—Pfc. Francis Everett Lane of the Marines is
spending a leave here at the home of his father-in-law, Vincent
Maloney, after over two years’ service in the South Pacific,
during which time he was wounded on Tarawa on November 20, 1943.
He was later hospitalized at Hawaii, then transferred to Mare
Island Naval base hospital, where he finally was released on
August 14, 1944. Pfc. Lane now is back in service and stationed
at a west coast city.
Salix, Ia.—Pfc. Francis Small, after 33 months overseas, is
back in the United States and will soon be home, according to a
telegram received by his sister, Cherry Small. With the 135th
infantry of the 34th Division, he saw combat service in Africa
and Italy.
Sibley, Ia.—Joseph Feltz, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Feltz
of Sibley, has been reported missing as of January 9, 1945, in
the European area. He was serving with the 79th division of the
Seventh Army, and had been overseas since June, 1944. He was
wounded in August and later returned to duty.
[transcribed by L.Z., April 2015]