Zearing, Iowa 1956 History

Elvin L. Perisho of our community had some very interesting experiences during World War II. A detachment of American troops, including Elvin, was sent on a special mission to Bizerte, Africa. Bizerte, at that time, was not a part of the firmly held recaptured territory.

British troops were scheduled to help the Americans in the special mission. However, the entire operation was cancelled leaving the Americans stranded. The Americans were captured by the Germans.

Elvin was ordered to board a German plane with other prisoners. The German pilot spoke English. The pilot had been in the United States. He was acquainted with an American girl who lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, near the home of one of the prisoners.

The first stop was at Palmero, Sicily. The residents of Palmero started to heckle and spit at the prisoners. The German pilot chased the hecklers away. The next stop was at Naples, Italy. Elvin was confined in a prison camp there for about a month. He was transferred from Naples to a camp on the Adriatic coast northeast of Rome.

Elvin remained in the camp on the Adriatic coast from January to September, 1943. In September of 1943, the prisoners staged a mass escape. There was shooting by the Italian guards but they could not prevent the escape of the prisoners.

Elvin fled with the other prisoners to the hills. He lived with Italian residents until June, 1944. He mentioned one narrow escape. An Italian woman tried to warn him of Germans in the Vicinity. He could not understand her. Luckily the Germans did not see him.

Elvin was seriously ill with yellow jaundice while hiding in the hills. An Italian doctor was smuggled in. Elvin credits the doctor with saving his life.

In June of 1944, Elvin contacted a Polish tank outfit. Later he reported to the British army. He was returned to the American forces and sent home.

Wilson

Thomas George Wilson, a veteran of World War I, died at Iowa Falls, Iowa, on June 2, 1956. Thomas was born at Zearing, Iowa, on June 24, 1893. He was the son of Timothy and Elizabeth Golly Wilson. He was the grandson of Hugh Golly of our community.

Thomas was survived by a son, Dean. Thomas was buried in the Zearing Cemetery.