Five North Iowans Presumed to Be Held Captive by Japanese
NAVY REVEALS LIST OF NAMES
Sailors, Marines in U. S. Outposts Thought Captured by Enemy
WASHINGTON, (AP) – The navy disclosed Thursday that 56 Iowans, including 30 enlisted naval and marine corps men and 26 civilians, are presumed to be prisoners of war of the Japanese. Five North Iowans are included on the list. They are:
ERNEST CHRISTIAN VALE, naval pharmacist’s mate third class, of Lake Mills [Winnebago Co.], taken at Wake Island;
EARL R. HANNUM, marine technical sergeant (aviation), of Floyd [Floyd Co.], taken at Wake Island;
LLOYD ELLIS JAMES, marine corporal, of Thornton, [Cerro Gordo Co.] taken at Wake Island;
GEORGE DONALD MOLLOY, marine sergeant, of Marble Rock [Floyd Co.], taken at Wake Island;
GORDON J. KRYSEN, of Calmar [Winneshiek Co.], a civilian taken at Wake Island.
The sailors and marines were stationed in United States’ outposts in the Pacific and in China at the time of the Japanese attack Dec. 7, the report said, while the civilians all were working on defense construction on Wake Island.
The navy said it is difficult to determine the exact status of all persons stationed at those locations because of the disruption of communications at the time of the attack.
“From available lists and information up to or near the time of attack, those persons not otherwise accounted for are presumed to be prisoners of the Japanese,” the statement said.
Thinks Son Not Held by Japs
THORNTON – Paul James, father of Lloyd Ellis James, said Thursday he did not believe his son is being held captive by the Japanese. Lloyd’s name appeared on the list of those presumed by U. S. officials to be Japanese prisoners.
James said he received a letter Jan. 26 which had been written by Lloyd on Johnston island and mailed from there Jan. 16. He had previously received a letter mailed about Christmas time from Pearl Harbor. James said his son had started for Wake Island several months ago, but his destination had been changed and he had been sent to another station.
Lloyd, 24, enlisted in the marine corps two years ago at Des Moines. He is married and his wife is now teaching school at Lone Rock. Lloyd is a radio operator in the marine corps.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Thursday, February 19, 1942 (photo included)
