These people are seven of the children of Roy and Anna Seibert Gilles.
Born in Mitchell county, Iowa, they all found themselves in the U.S. military
during World War II.
The following is from the Waterloo Courier, Friday, June 2, 1944:
NOTES ABOUT
N.E. IOWANS
IN THE SERVICE
STACYVILLE - There are not many families in the nation to boast six sons
and a daughter in the armed service of the United States
That honor has come to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Gilles of Stacyville, whose sixth
son enlisted this week in the navy. He is Paul Gilles and was graduated from
Visitation High School, Stacyville, last week.
The other boys are Wilmer and Wilford (twins), who have been overseas
for over two years, the former in Africa and the latter in Italy; Reuben,
in Italy; Vernon, in South Carolina, and Daniel, in Australia. The Gilles'
daughter, Marian, is a cadet nurse at Cedar Rapids. She is a twin sister of
Vernon.
[Waterloo Courier, Friday, June 2, 1944]
Marian Gilles Johnson
Marian was born on February 26, 1917, at Stacyville, Iowa -- the twin
sister of Vernon M. Gilles. She attended
Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, for nurses training. In 1944 and 1945 Marian
served in the Cadet Nurse Corps and was stationed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
On August 20, 1946, Marian married Leo M. Johnson, the son of Mr. and Mrs.
John Johnson of Austin, Minnesota, at Visitation Church, Stacyville, Iowa.
She then worked at St. Olaf Hospital in Austin, Minnesota, for many years.
Her husband, Leo, died in 1968.
Daniel Gilles
Daniel Gilles was born on
January 11, 1923 in Stacyville, Iowa.
Daniel joined the U.S. Navy on October 2, 1942 and served during World
War II. He was discharged from the Navy in February 1946.
He married Gloria Creedy in 1944, in Brisbane, Australia. They moved
to Adams, Minnesota, where they raised their family.
Paul Gilles
Stacyville - Seaman Second Class Paul Gilles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy
Gilles, is on boot leave from Farragut, Idaho. Paul is the sixth son of
Mr. and Mrs. Gilles, to enter service.
The other boys are: Wilmer and Wilford, twins, who have been overseas
for over two years, the former in Africa and the other in Italy; Reuben,
in Italy; Vernon in South Carolina, and Daniel, in Australia. A daughter,
Marian, is a Cadet nurse at Cedar Rapids. She is a twin of Vernon.
[Waterloo Courier, August 2, 1944, page 13].
Vernon Matthew Gilles
Vernon was born on February 16, 1919, at New Haven, Iowa. He
died on April 5, 1979 at Stacyville, Iowa. He is buried at Visitation
Catholic Cemetery in Stacyville.
Vernon served in the Air Force and was stationed in South Carolina
in 1943. He is the twin sister of Marian.
Reuben Gilles
Reuben Herman Gilles was born July 18, 1917 in rural New Haven, Iowa. He was a
member of the CCC from 1937-1939, and then entered the U.S. Army in July 1941.
He was assigned to Corps II and the 19th Engineer Combat Regiment and spent the
duration as a water filter operator. Reuben spent time in Ireland, England,
North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. He was released from the army in July 1945.
He spent 30 months overseas and earned seven battle stars.
Wilmer Joseph Gilles
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(L-R) Wilmer Gilles, Wilfred Gilles |
Wilmer was born on May 5, 1916 at New Haven, Iowa, the twin brother
of Wilfred. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II, and later
married Arlis Rapp (1927-1988). Wilmer died on March 6, 1982 at Garner, Iowa.
Wilfred Joseph Gilles
Wilfred Jacob Gilles was born on May 5, 1916, at New Haven, Iowa.
He joined the CCC in 1938, and in September 1940 he joined the National
Guard. In February of 1941 he was put on active duty. In 1942 he was
sent to the European Theater of Operations, seeing active duty in
Ireland, England, Italy, France and North Africa. He served as a cook
and as a security guard. He was honorably discharged in June 1945.
Wilfred Gilles was stationed in Italy in June of 1944.
He married Chrystal Burgett on June 16, 1963. She died in June 1976.
He died on January 26, 1999.