Men & Women in Service
Sergeant Edward E. Cussen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward James Cussen, 2006 W. Second Street, has received his wings as a gunner-technician-sergeant graduating from the Harlingen army airfield, Texas. Unless held over as an instructor, Sergeant Edward will depart immediately to join a fighting combat crew, the school announced.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, July 7, 1943
Two Sioux Cityans Freed by Nazis
Homeward Bound
S. Sgt. Cussen and Pvt. Wickey Arriving on Gripsholm
S. Sgt. Edward E. Cussen, 29, son of Mrs. Edward J. Cussen, 2006 W. Second street, and Pvt. Jack M. Wickey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin A. Wickey, 2600 W. First street, are among the 12 Iowans who will arrive in the United States next week on the Gripsholm, Swedish exchange ship bringing prisoners from Germany, according to an Associated Press dispatch.
Parents of both men here have received notice from the War Department that the men are being returned to the United States.
Sgt. Cussen was reported missing after being shot down over Germany May 10, 1944, while serving as a nose gunner in a B-24 Liberator on a mission over Austria.
Enlisted in 1941.
He was born in Sioux City December 22, 1915, and attended St. Boniface grade school, West junior and Central high school. He enlisted in December 1941, prior to Pearl Harbor. He took some training at Tallahassee, Fla., and Fresno, Cal., before being graduated from the advanced twin engine school at Blytheville, Ark.
He started as an aviation cadet January 28, 1943. Prior to entering the service, he was a clerk in Sioux City and an employee of the Pacific Gas and Electric company of San Francisco.
He has a brother, Cpl. Daniel J. Cussen, who is an inspector in the army air corps at Liberal, Kan.
Prisoner Exchange.
Aboard the Gripsholm are 463 army officers and enlisted men, 665 United States civilians and 78 Canadian military personnel, the War Department said.
The soldiers were exchanged in Switzerland for German prisoners of war.
The War Department said that leave or furlough would be provided for those physically capable and hospital treatment would be continued for those needing it.
Pay accounts of the soldiers and officers will be settled, necessary clothing will be issued and awards and decorations made to those who have been designated to receive them.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, February 16, 1945 (photo included)
12 Iowans on Gripsholm
Washington, D. C.—(AP)—Twelve sick or wounded Iowans are aboard the Gripsholm, Swedish exchange ship, which is due to arrive in the United States next week, the War Department announced Thursday night.
Aboard the Gripsholm are 463 Army officers and enlisted men, 665 United States civilians and 78 Canadian military personnel, the War Department said.
The soldiers were exchanged in Switzerland for German prisoners of war.
The War Department said that leave or furlough would be provided for those physically capable and hospital treatment would be continued for those needing it.
Pay accounts of the soldiers and officers will be settled, necessary clothing will be issued and awards and decorations made to those who have been designated to receive them.
Next of kin of the following Iowans have been notified they are returning aboard the Gripsholm:
Cpl. Hollis E. Baker, Inf., Carbon, Iowa;
Pfc. George C. Barger, Inf., Laurens, Iowa;
Second Lt. Clyde V. Cassill, AC, Lenox, Iowa;
Cpl. Clifford M. Olerich, CE, Carroll, Iowa;
Staff Sgt. Edward E. Cussen, AC, Sioux City, Iowa;
Lt. Laurence B. Higgins, Inf., Clarinda, Iowa;
Staff Sgt. Sam D. Humphrey, AC, Clinton, Iowa;
Staff Sgt. Winston E. Lowe, AC, Cedar Rapids, Iowa;
Staff Sgt. Thomas R. McDonald, AC, Cedar Rapids, Iowa;
Pfc. Rufus P. E. Nanke, Inf., What Cheer, Iowa;
Second Lt. Warren L. Van Eschen, AC – Mrs. John Van Eschen, mother, Ackley, Iowa;
Pvt. Jack M. Wickey, Inf., Sioux City, Iowa.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, February 16, 1945
S. Sgt. And Mrs. Edward E. Cussen are guests in the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Cussen, 2006 W. Second Street. They recently were married at Berkeley, California, the home of the bride, and the visit here is part of their wedding trip. The bride is the former Phyllis Bateman.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, July 22, 1945
Edward Eugene Cussen was born Dec. 22, 1915 to Edward James and Mabel McDermaid Cussen. He died Nov. 2, 2000.
Sgt. Cussen served with the U.S. Army Air Corps and became a German POW.
Source: ancestry.com
