1945 . . .
LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, June 12, 1945
NEWS of the Boys in the Service.
Sgt. Elmer M. Bogh has been awarded the bronze star for his participation on the Normandy, Northern France and Germany campaigns, according to official word from the Public Relations section.
Joe M. Little, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Little of Kingsley, was awarded the bronze star and a battlefield commission of second lieutenant, during the final drive to Berlin. Lieut. Little has been with the First and Ninth armies.
Pfc. George Milbrodt of Akron, who was released from a German prison camp and came home a few months ago, was presented the Purple Heart award for some shrapnel wounds he had received before being taken a prisoner last December. Pfc. Milbrodt is a son of Herman Milbrodt, northeast of Akron.
T/Sgt. Joseph Hathaway, of the Army Air Corps, visited Wednesday and Thursday in the George Treinen home in Marcus with his brother, Harold Hathaway, S 2/c, and family. Joseph was home on furlough after completing his missions over Germany and will report to Santa Ana next month for reassignment after spending the rest of his furlough with his father, E. D. Hathaway at Beach, North Dakota.
First Sgt. Fred R. Claesson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Claesson of Akron, serving in the 310th Infantry, 78th “Lightning” Division, has been awarded the bronze star for meritorious service performed on the war front in Germany. His efficiency kept up the morale of his company throughout four months of combat.
Lt. Donald Cross, who is spending a furlough at his home in Coon Rapids, came with his wife and two sons last week for a few days visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Cross and other relatives and friends in Akron. Lt. Cross served in the Medical Corps in the South Pacific during the Tarawa and Kwajalien campaigns. He has been bothered with a knee ailment for some time.
Sgt. Wm. Huckle, stationed at Fort Snelling, Minn., arrived home Saturday and will visit in the home of his father, Al Huckle.
Edwin Wilbur Hanstein, 20, fireman, second class, USNR, of Struble, has arrived at the Naval Training Station, Norfolk, Va., to undergo training for duties aboard a new destroyer of the Atlantic Fleet. He has completed a course of instruction at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Grant Hanstein of Struble. A brother, Wendel Hanstein, 18, is a private in the Army. Before enlisting the Navy, Edwin Hanstein worked on a farm. He was graduated from Ireton high school.
S 1/c Wm. Strub and Mrs. Strube arrived Monday morning in LeMars where they will visit the latter’s mother, Mrs. Mabel Roerig, and Mr. Strub’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Strub, at Merrill. Bill is on a 14-day leave from his duties at San Pedro, Calif. Mrs. Strub will remain indefinitely in LeMars.
Capt. and Mrs. R. J. Fisch and children of Denver, Colorado, are visiting LeMars relatives and friends this week. Capt. Fisch has been stationed at Buckley Field, Denver, for quite some time and will return to his duties there upon completion of his leave.
Second Lt. Dorothy Clasen, who is stationed for the present at Schick hospital, Clinton, Iowa, is spending her week in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Clasen.
Cpl. Harold Overman, who has been stationed at Kingman, Arizona, is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Overman. Upon completion of his furlough he will report to his new air base station at Panama City, Florida.
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Weenink have received word from their son, Raymond Weenink, that he is now stationed at Camp Livingston, La. Raymond entered the service about three weeks ago.
Tech. Sgt. Howard Dugdale arrived in LeMars last week from Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and will spend a 30-day furlough with relatives and friends. Sgt. Dugdale has recently returned from overseas duty and will report back to Jefferson Barracks for reassignment when his furlough expires.
Cpl. Donald Offerman arrived Monday, privileged to spend twenty days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Offerman; his brother Clarence and family and his many Remsen friends. Cpl. Offerman served for 17 months in New Guinea, returning to his native land four months ago at which time he visited home, and since then has served at Camp Carson, Colo. On leaving here the last week in June, he will report at Miami, Fla., rest camp, there to receive a new assignment.
The Math Diederich family in Remsen were given a pleasant surprise last week with notice that their son and brother, Joe Diederich, seaman first class, was soon to arrive on leave. Shortly after this they received a phone call from Joe, asking to be met in Sioux City, Sunday. His father met the train and they arrived home in the small hours of Sunday. Seaman Joe has been serving aboard the destroyer Sigourney, principally in Philippine waters. He is home to spend 18 days, after which he will report at San Pedro, Calif.
Lt. Junior Grade Helen Mieras of the Navy Nurses Corps, arrived at the Charles Mieras home near Maurice, Monday, via Washington, D.C., from service in the European war, and will spend a 30-day leave in the parental Chas. Mieras home. Her sister, Marcia Mieras of St. Louis, Mo., also arrived home Monday with her fiancé, James C. Greer, Firecontrolman first class, of the U. S. Navy, of Birmingham, Ala., who is home on leave after serving four and a half years in the Pacific. The young couple were married Tuesday evening, May 29, at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mieras, at 8 o’clock.
Pvt. Vernon Wess of Remsen arrived Wednesday afternoon with his honorable discharge, given him after four years and four months in the army, and exactly three years overseas. Vernon won his discharge on the point merit system with 87 points to his credit, principally for overseas service. He enlisted in the army February 3, 1941, and after his preliminary training spent 33 months in the Fiji islands.
T/Sgt. Robert C. Thunhorst, 29-year-old aerial gunner from LeMars has been assigned to the Ninth air force’s “Tiger Stripe” B-29 Marauder group of the Ninth air force. Thunhorst, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis E. Thunhorst, has flow more than 45 bombing missions in the European theater of operations and has been awarded the air medal with eight clusters for aerial achievement.
Cpl. Kenneth Popken is spending a leave at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Popken, at their farm home near Craig. Cpl. Popken was seriously wounded in the right shoulder in the European fighting and will return to an army hospital for further treatment.
Pvt. Wayne Penning, who has been stationed at Camp Hood, Texas, is now on duty overseas and his new address is Pvt. Wayne Penning, Casual Co. 47, 1st Plat. A.P.O. 21099, c/o P.M. San Francisco.
Lt. Rollo Budde, who is enjoying a leave in LeMars with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Budde, after his recent release from a German prison camp, left Monday morning for Denver, Colo., where he will spend some time visiting friends.
