GENE KEIHN WAR VICTIM
Killed in Action February 16, 1944, At Carrocetto, Italy
After months of patient waiting to hear about a son who was reported missing in action in Italy, a telegram arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Keihn, 209 Third avenue S.E., Wednesday, announcing that he had been killed. The mother was prostrated with grief after receiving the announcement and was ordered to bed by her doctor.
The telegram came from the war department and stated that the Pvt. Eugene Keihn was killed in action on February 16, the same date he was reported missing. He met death in a battle around Carrocetto, Italy.
Pvt. Keihn enlisted in the army in September, 1942 and was called to service on March 18, 1943. He was in the infantry and received his training in Mississippi, California and Maryland. He was shipped overseas from Fort Mead in November, 1943, and landed in Africa with a contingent of replacement troops.
Sgt. Lowell Betsworth, who returned from the war front in Italy sometime in January, reported that he met Pvt. Keihn on the way up to the Italian front as a replacement.
Mr. and Mrs. Keihn were notified on March 30 of this year that their son was missing in action on February 16. The telegram was addressed to the victim’s wife, for former Betty Papenhausen, who is now in the WAVES. She made her home with the Keihn family until signing up for service. She decided to enter the WAVES after receiving the report that her husband was missing. Mrs. Keihn is expected home some time this week for a furlough and so far has not been notified of her husband’s death.
Pvt. Keihn was born in LeMars on April 22, 1922, and was graduated from the LeMars high school. He also attended Western Union college and during his school years was very outstanding in athletic events.
Surviving besides his wife and parents are four brothers, all of whom are in the service. The brothers are: Edward and LeRoy, members of the Navy, now somewhere in the Pacific; Raymond, Navy, at Corpus Christie, and Bill, a seaman first class, in the Pacific.
~source: LeMars newspaper, unknown date & publication
