Lt. P. Fagan Killed, Aunt Here Learns
Lieut. Phillip J. Fagan, 27, formerly of Muscatine, was killed in action in Belgium on Jan. 14, according to word received by his wife, the former Mary Shuey, at West Des Moines, Sunday.
The word of Lieut. Fagan’s death was received here by an aunt, Mrs. Julia E. Fagan, 505 West Seventh street, with whom Lieut. Fagan made his home for several years.
Lieut. Fagan was a member of the 11th armored division and had been overseas since November of last year. He entered the service at Ft. Des Moines in the fall of 1941, and took his major training at Fort Knox, Ky., and Fort Benning, Ga., before being sent overseas.
He was born in Muscatine on Aug. 23, 1917, the son of Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Fagan, and received his education here. He was graduated from St. Mathias high school with the Class of 1935. After working with his father for some time, he became associated with the National Cash Register company at Washington D. C.
Surviving are his father, at Washington D.C.; two sisters, Margaret and Dorothy Fagan, both of Washington; one brother, Seaman 1-c Thomas Fagan, in the Mariana Islands; his wife and a daughter, Mary Susan, at West Des Moines.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, January 29, 1945 (photo included)
Memorial Mass For Lieut. Fagan Is Arranged
A Memorial Mass for Lieut. Phillip J. Fagan, 27, killed in action in Belgium on Jan. 14, will be held at 7 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at St. Mathias church, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. W. L. Hannon, pastor, announces.
Pupils of the St. Mathias grade and high schools will attend and relatives and friends and members of patriotic organizations are invited.
Lieut. Fagan, who made his home with an aunt, Mrs. Julia E. Fagan, 505 West Seventh street for several years, entered the service in the fall of 1941. He was in service with the 11th armored division and had been overseas since last November.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, January 31, 1945
Tribute to Memory Of 7 Servicemen Planned
Seven Muscatine county servicemen whose deaths have been reported between Jan. 20 and Feb. 17 will be honored at the February community memorial rites at the high school auditorium at 2:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon, officials in charge have announced.
The program followed for the services will again include the memorial ritual of the American Legion with other patriotic organizations in the county participating. Leonard Plessy will be soloist and Miss Catherine Flannery, organist. Dr. Henry C. Schneider, Legion post chaplain, will offer the eulogy.
The servicemen to be honored include: Pvt. Fred Hintermeister, killed in action in Luxembourg, Dec. 23, 1944. Lt. Phillip Fagan, killed in action in Belgium, Jan. 14. Tech. Sgt. Karle E. Kolmerer, killed in action over Germany, Sept. 10, 1944. Pvt. Roy E. Bond, killed in action in Belgium, Jan. 3. Staff Sgt. Donald G. Kopf, killed in action over Germany May 27, 1944. Pfc. Wesley Samuel Hagens killed in action in France, Dec. 23, 1944. Pvt. Marvin G. Daufeldt killed in action in France, Jan. 25.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, February 21, 1945
WITH THOSE IN SERVICE
Six Servicemen Who Made Supreme Sacrifice Are Honored At Rites Here
The fourth community memorial rites in honor of Muscatine county soldiers and sailors killed in the service of their country were conducted by patriotic organizations at the high school auditorium Sunday afternoon with Dr. Henry C. Schneider, American Legion post chaplain, offering the eulogy. Six servicemen whose deaths have been reported since the January memorial were honored: Pfc. Fred Hintermeister, Lt. Phillip Fagan, Tech. Sgt. Karle E. Kolmerer, Pvt. Roy E. Bond, Pfc. Wesley Samuel Hagens and Pvt. Marvin G. Daufeldt. [in part the rest of this article reads:] “We eulogize these men,” Dr. Schneider said, “their sacrifices, their bravery, their courage. We call them our heroes—they are. But there is little comfort in eulogizing unless we know that they have not died in vain.” L. C. Flannery, Legion commander, was in charge of the rites, with music provided by Leonard Plessy, soloist, and Catherine Flannery, organist.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, February 26, 1945
140 Have Made Supreme Sacrifice In Muscatine Area In War Against Axis Powers; Many Reported Wounded
Lt. Phillip J. Fagan, 27 formerly of Muscatine, husband of Mrs. Mary Fagan of West Des Moines, killed in action Jan. 14, 1945, in Belgium.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, Victory In Europe Edition, May 7, 1945
Philip John Fagan was born Aug. 23, 1917 to Philip J. and Grace Elizabeth Fuller Fagan. He died Jan. 14, 1945 and is buried in Luxembourg American Cemetery Luxembourg. He has a cenotaph in Saint Marys Cemetery, Muscatine, IA.
1st Lt. Fagan served in World War II with the U.S. Army 55th Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division and was KIA in Belgium and was awarded the Purple Heart.
Sources: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
