Sam Holtrop, Jack Moeller, Arthur Slob and Cornie Moerman will go to Omaha next Tuesday for their examination and induction into the army.
Source: Sioux Center News July 8, 1943, p 8
Holtrop To Have Auction Sale
Sam Holtrop called his wife from Omaha Wednesday that he had passed his test and had been accepted for military service in the army. He will sell his place of business at Public Auction next week Wednesday, July 31st. Listing of the sale appears on the back page of this paper. Mrs. Holtrop plans to remain here in their home.
Source: Sioux Center News July 15, 1943, p 1
Married Men Comprise Big Part Of July Draft
45 men called – 12 rejected More than half the men called to serve their country from Sioux County in the July draft are married men, as nearly as could be determined without official confirmation available.
The County Selective Service Board is not allowed to give any information for publication other than the names and addresses of those inducted. The News feels this is very unfair to those boys who are rejected because they fail to pass their physicals. The public should know they were willing to serve.
Forty-five men were included in the July call, and twelve were rejected from the group that went last Tuesday for the physicals. Some were held over a day or two, so this is not entirely a complete report. Arthur Slob and Andrew Santema of Sioux Center were among those rejected for physical disabilities.
Several Well Known Business Men Called
Sam Holtrop, well known local restaurant and locker plant operator, is among those accepted and will leave for the service August 4th. He has been married fourteen years.
Eugene Charles Mulder, manager of the REA at Orange City, is another of the business men known throughout the county who will leave for service on that date.
29 Accepted In July Call
Following is the list of men accepted for military service, this being the official news release by the Sioux County Selective Service Board. U.S. Army ….. Samuel Holtrop, Sioux Center ….. Sells Business To Enter U. S. Army (photo)
SAM HOLTROP
Sam Holtrop held an auction sale of his restaurant and locker plant Wednesday afternoon, as he has been accepted for military service and will leave for active service August 4th. Sam Holtrop has been in business here for about eight years, operating the locker plant, city ice route, and restaurant. Mrs. Holtrop plans to remain here in their home for the duration. They are leaving Sunday night for Michigan to visit friends and relatives before Sam goes into the army.
Source: Sioux Center News July 22, 1943, p 1
Sioux County Inductees To Ft. Leavenworth
The Sioux County men who were accepted for military service in July left Wednesday morning for Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, to begin their actual training in the U.S. Army. Among those who left were these three Sioux Center men: Sam Holtrop, Jack Moeller, Albert Bruin. Cornelius Moerman will leave today, Thursday.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 5, 1943, p 1
Pvt. Sam Holtrop has arrived at his station at Camp Lee, Virginia. His address is Co. M, 6th QM RTC Regt., 1st Platoon, Camp Lee, Virginia. Now Sam, when you get settled write us a letter.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 19, 1943, p 8
Here is a letter from Sam Holtrop, erstwhile Sioux Center café and locker plant operator, who is now doing his daily dozen or more for Uncle Sam.
Camp Lee, Va. Sept. 7
Dear News Force: Well, I should have written you before but they have kept me pretty busy over here. I think all the fellows will say that when they are in their basic training. It’s a lot different than frying hamburgers and setting coffee, at least for an old buck like me. Well, I used to think Virginia was a nice state, but I haven’t noticed it yet. It sure is dry here. We haven’t seen rain since we got here, and the way it looks I don’t believe it rained here all summer. They say they raise a lot of tobacco here so cut down on cigs fellows. Well, I’m getting along fine so far, and I hope the people in Sioux Center keep the home fires burning, till we get back, which I hope and pray won’t be too long.
I get the Sioux Center News every week, which brings back old memories, at least that soldier’s page, my buddies here even read that. I would like to take this means of thanking all the Sioux Center people for the many, many letters and cards I got on my birthday. That proves you are not forgotten while in the army, which means a lot.
This is a large camp of about 60,000 soldiers, which I think is a lot when you get them altogether in a parade. Well, I have no more news, so I’ll sign off. Sam
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 16, 1943, p 2
In Refrigeration Mechanics
Pvt. Sam Holtrop has a slight change of address. He called his wife Sunday to tell her he has been placed in refrigeration mechanics class for the coming 8 weeks. He finished his basic training last week and is very glad to be placed in this branch of training, for which some 400 men were given special tests. Co. F instead of M is the change in his address. The rest remains the same.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 30, 1943, p 10
Pvt. Sam Holtrop has a slight change of address at Camp Lee, Virginia as follows: Co. B, 13th Regt. QM RTC, 4th Platoon, Camp Lee, Virginia.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 2k 1943, p 3
Pvt. Sam Holtrop arrived home on Wednesday on an eleven day furlough, his first since he entered the service early last fall. He has been stationed at Camp Lee, Virginia.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 23, 1943, p 12
Pvt. Sam Holtrop, former café operator and locker plant proprietor here, arrived home last Wednesday for his first furlough since he entered the service. Sam is in a refrigeration unit, was the only soldier sent to Camp Lee, Virginia, from this part of the state, met no one whom he knew all the while he was stationed there, until he accidentally bumped into Billy Kroon while both were enroute home last week. Sam is being transferred to Camp Reynold, Penn., not far from Pittsburgh, on his return. He left this morning.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 30, 1943, p 8
Here is Sam Holtrop’s latest address: Pvt. Sam Holtrop 37483595 Co. K Brks. 1423 8th Bn., 2nd Regt. Camp Reynolds, Pa. Sam wishes to thank all his friends and relatives for the many cards, letters and packages which he received at Christmas. He also wants to thank the business girls for the Christmas package they sent him. It was all very much appreciated by him.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 13, 1944, p 2
Holtrop May Go Overseas Soon
Pvt. Sam Holtrop called his wife by phone Tuesday night to tell her he expected to be shipped overseas very soon, and that she should get on the train and come out to the east coast as soon as possible.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 13, 1944, p 8
Mrs. Sam Holtrop arrived Sunday morning from Pennsylvania where she spent a few days with her husband Sam Holtrop. Mrs. Holtrop and sister Mrs. Fred Van Engen left Monday night and arrived there Wednesday morning. Sam left Friday morning for shipping out camp. He now has an APO address at New York City. He called Mrs. Holtrop Sunday night but was unable to say where he was. Call either his wife or the News for his complete address.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 20, 1944, p 7
We have received Sam Holtrop’s final address and are able to publish it. It does not seem as though Sam will be going overseas as yet. Here is his complete new address: Pvt. Samuel Holtrop 37483595 Co. B. Hq. P E Repel Pool Camp Patrick Henry Newport News, Virginia
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 3, 1944, p 12
Mrs. Sam Holtrop received a telegram from her husband, Pvt. Sam Holtrop on Monday morning. This is the first time she has heard of him in four weeks. He stated that he is well and safe but could not tell where he was stationed.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 2, 1944, p 2
Mrs. Sam Holtrop received a letter from Sam this past week, stating he had arrived safely somewhere in North Africa.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 9, 1944, p 2
Sam Holtrop is now stationed in Italy according to word received by his wife here this week. He is with a laundry company, and has the same APO number as Peter De Stigter.
Source: Sioux Center News Apr. 27, 1944, p 8
Sam Holtrop has been promoted to Pfc. Sam is stationed somewhere in Italy and is not able to say just what he is doing. He is with a laundry unit of the army.
Source: Sioux Center News June 29, 1944, p 10
Sam Holtrop, former operator of the locker plant and café here, writes from Italy. Sam is now getting the “News” regularly. June 14, 1944
Dear News Force: Well I think its about time I’m thanking all the Sioux Center folks for the many letters they have sent me. I’m getting along fine so far and I think I got hooked up with the nicest bunch of officers and enlisted men overseas. I like my work fine. Most of these fellows have been overseas two years already. Brrr, that’s a long time. I hope that another year from now we will all be back home.
Well things are happening right now aren’t they? As you will notice that I am now a Pfc., I’ve seen a lot since I left the states both good and bad, and as they say forget the bad and remember the good – Well, all in all, although I have to be across the pond I still have a lot to be thankful for. Hoping that it won’t be long that I can be back in person, and thank you for the News – as ever, Sam.
Source: Sioux Center News July 6, 1944, p 2
Pvt. Sam Holtrop was in an army truck in Italy recently when the truck collided with another one coming from the opposite direction. Nobody hurt.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 10, 1944, p 8
Excerpt from Peter Goslinga letter: … I noticed Sam Holtrop and Peter Dykstra were here and if I had their addresses I could visit them. …
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 24, 1944, p 10
Making Ice Cream In Hospital
Pvt. Sam Holtrop is making ice cream in an army hospital according to word received from him by his wife here. They found an old ice cream machine and repaired it, and he is now keeping busy at his old trade.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 14, 1944, p 1
Sam Holtrop was recently promoted from Pfc. To Cpl.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 2, 1945, p 2
S.C. MEN MEET IN ITALY
CPL. SAM HOLTROP, PVT. PETE DE STIGTER July 29, 1945 News Force: Well I guess it is time I’m dropping you a few lines, as you know I’m still over here in Italy. Yesterday being Sunday I ran into Pete De Stigter over at the Red Cross. We sure had a real visit together. Pete looks the same and he said I looked better. Well there was a lot of room for improvement wasn’t there. I got the News yesterday which just took 10 days to get here. Good isn’t it? I want to thank all the friends that wrote me, which I didn’t have time to answer, but I’ll pay you back by coming over and have dinner with you when I get back. As you will notice my address changed just a little, now it is Cpl. instead of PFC.
May God be with us till we meet again. As ever, Sam
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 16, 1945, p 2
NEWS OF OUR MEN and WOMEN IN UNIFORM
SAM HOLTROP BACK IN STATES
Cpl. Sam Holtrop arrived in the States this week and will be home soon according to word received by his wife here. Sam has been gone for about two and a half years, overseas two years.
Source: Sioux Center News, November 15, 1945 (photo included)
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Holtrop…
Sam recently returned home from overseas and has been discharged after three years of service.
Source: Sioux County Index Dec. 5, 1945, p 7
Iowa, U.S., World War II Bonus Case Files, 1947-1954, Claim Number 98349
Samuel Holtrop, SN 37483595, was born Sept. 1, 1907, at Doon, Iowa, and was living in Sioux Center, Iowa prior to entering the army on Aug. 4, 1943, at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He served in the 487th QM Laundry Co., departed for foreign service on Feb. 1, 1944, and returned on Nov. 8, 1945. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 15, 1945. His application for bonus pay was filed on May 20, 1949, for which he received $352.50.
Source: ancestry.com
