Thirty Young Men From Central Church In Service
The following is the list of boys from Central Reformed Church who are now serving in the armed forces. Their addresses change frequently, and P. Mouw is keeping an up-to-date list of addresses. Parents are asked to give him changes of addresses as soon as they get them, so the boys may get all the mail that it is possible for them to get. ..... Pvt. Gene Jongewaard .....
Source: Sioux Center News July 9, 1942, p 4
Gene Jongewaard Promoted To Corporal
Gene Jongewaard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Neal Jongewaard of Sioux Center, who is with the U. S. Army at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., was recently promoted to the rank of corporal.
Mrs. Gene Jongewaard has been living at Lawrence, Ind. Near Fort Benjamin Harrison for the past month. There is a slight change in Gene’s address: Cpl. R. E. Jongewaard, Finance Detch. 6055 F. Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 6, 1942, p 8
In Indiana (photo) Cpl. R. E. Jongewaard R. E. Jongewaard, son of Dr. and Mrs. Neal Jongewaard is located at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. He received his basic training there at the Finance Replacement Training Center since June 17th and has been promoted to technician 5th grade. His new rate of pay corresponds to a corporal.
R. E. Jongewaard is better known as “Gene” to his friends in Sioux Center. Mrs. Gene Jongewaard has been living at Lawrence, Indiana about 2 miles from where her husband is stationed. Prior to his induction at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, June 3rd, Cpl. Jongewaard was employed in the Cleveland Ohio office of Aetna Life Insurance Company.
Cpl. Jongewaard called his parents by telephone on Tuesday night of this week. Dr. and Mrs. Neal Jongewaard left today for a visit with their son at Fort Banjamin Harrison, Indiana. They will stop for Beth Jongewaard at Cedar Falls enroute to Indiana.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 20, 1942, p 1
Cpl. R. E. Jongewaard Central Finance Office Atlantic Base Section APO 759, c.o. Postmaster New York City, N.Y.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 18, 1943, p 12
Excerpts from Gene Jongewaard’s letters home: Still someplace in North Africa. The quickest trip any letter has taken from Africa – left Africa March 16 – got here March 23. It generally takes two or three weeks – airmail of course. Sure enjoy the Sioux Center News. Was particularly interested in the article by Larry Taylor.
As to some of the detail – such as Arabs on camels – Well!!!, if they were chased by jeeps – that’s not the way my diary records it. Frankly, I have only seen two camels since I have been here, and they were not the athletic type. More of that when I read my diary to you.
The Red Cross has done a fine job here. They have three service clubs and a movie here and are doing a fine service for the boys in furnishing entertainment for them in their spare time. This one service club is very pretty. It was formerly an old Moorish tea house. Now they have a game room, writing room, music room, place to buy orange juice.
You may be interested in some of the local sidelights we have observed. Most of the French are modern and dress and live as much like we do as is possible under the present conditions. They have fewer accommodations and comforts and a greater variety of class distinctions.
But the Arabs are the most picturesque and often remind one of a Biblical picture, as they ride down the street on a donkey or small horse or in a two wheel cart. As you know they wear king robes with a hood that can be pulled up over their heads when it is cold or rainy. They are very religious and certain hours of every day are set aside for prayer. At prayer time during the day a flag is flown from the mosque tower and at night a light is displayed.
An incident the other day gave me an interesting insight of the Muslim religion. A very well dressed Arab was walking down the sidewalk. I saw him walk out into the street and pick up something which I thought looked like a small piece of bread. I inquired of an Arab who works in the office as janitor, and he told me that bread is held sacred by the Muslim faith as legend has it that Mohammed was saved from starvation for quite a length of time by a small piece of bread. To them it is symbolical of life they must not permit it to be defiled nor waste even so much as a crumb.
On the street you notice that all the small boys have their heads shaven except for one small tuft of long hair on top of their heads. They claim that is to enable Allah to reach down and pick them up by this tuft of hair and haul them to heaven if they are chosen.
Another rather common sight in the native quarter, and which will help you realize how little the customs have changes with the centuries – you still see the natives who go through the crowds selling water, which they carry in the same old style “goatskins”. The natives are natural beggars and stop you wherever you go. Their abject poverty is appealing and it is said that many cripple themselves to better ply their trade. It sickens one to see the conditions many are in. Blindness is very common, due largely to the prevalence of syphilis. Even the children are experts, they look up at you with the most appealing eyes, and from their expression you would swear they were about to die of hunger, but they are not. They say: “Shooing Gum?” “BonBon?” (candy) or “smoke”.
Source: Sioux Center News April 1, 1943, p 9
Gene Jongewaard is with the 7th Army and has left Sicily, his whereabouts being unknown. Four cards have been received from him since he left Sicily but there was no postmark on them at all. One was dated Sept. 1, and arrived here on the 11th.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 16, 1943, p 2
Gene Jongewaard is still in Sicily according to his last letter dated Sept. 26 and received here Tuesday by his parents. He writes that the filth and beggarly condition of the people make him long for the cleanliness of the U.S.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 14, 1943, p 2
Mrs. Gene Jongewaard, who is working in the office of the hospital at Fort Benjamin Harrison at Indianapolis, Indiana recently met a Sgt. who came home after having been in foreign service and who had been with her husband in Africa and also the last year in Sicily.
The Sgt. came into the hospital for treatment for his eyes and was recognized by the 7th army insignia on his uniform, and was looking for Mrs. Jongewaard as Gene had informed him that she was working there.
Source: Sioux Center News April 6, 1944, p 8
Cpl. R. E. Jongewaard Writes From Somewhere in Sicily
April 4, 1944 Dear Ed: I usually don’t enter into political discussions, or write letters “To the Editor”, but I just finished reading your issue of Feb. 3rd, and there was one sentence in your editorial column which I thought worthy of comment, and that is, quote ”The conclusion we wish to draw is that corporations are getting into a position to run this country after the war”. Now I’ll agree with you that somebody is getting into a position to run this country, but I don’t believe it is corporations. Now I just wish that I could tell you who I think is getting into that position, but censorship doesn’t allow me to voice political opinions, so I’ll just say that if you are in doubt, ask my grandfather, he seems to touch on it quite significantly on occasion in his column. As so many other boys have so aptly stated, you have done a marvelous job in your columns regarding men and women in uniform.
We all appreciate this news regarding our friends, and to those whom I’m indebted to, for the paper, I want to say “many thanks”. Best regards, Gene
Source: Sioux Center News April 20, 1944, p 2
Sioux Center NEWS Has a Long Ride
One of the Feb. 10 issues of the Sioux Center News had a rather unusual journey. When it left Sioux Center on the morning of Feb. 10 it travelled all the way to Sicily where it reached its destination and was eagerly read from cover to cover by Gene Jongewaard who is with the U. S. Army there.
After reading it Gene carefully wrapped it around a gift which he was going to send his mother Mrs. Neal Jongewaard and then sent it on its way back to Sioux Center and it arrived here in fine shape the past week.
Source: Sioux Center News April 27, 1944, p 1
Here are recent letters from Gene Jongewaard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Neal Jongewaard. Gene has been in Africa for 9 months, in Sicily 11 months. Now in Africa again.
Dear Mother and Dad: Now that we are in Africa, we are getting more fresh potatoes to eat. Before we had only dehydrated potatoes, and they just don’t have a good taste. I think these potatoes are all grown here now, in fact I think we are getting a good many things from Africa now. They work that all on land-lease, or as they call it reverse land lease, so actually they are helping the food situation a great deal now.
Africa really grows a good many things along the coast line, the ground is very rich and capable of growing tremendous crops. The orange crop is of course harvested. Now tomatoes are coming in. I have to laugh at some of the new boys that have just come in who lament about the food. All I have to say is that it’s much better than it was when we first came to Africa.
It was a nice day yesterday, so I had everything on the line in the sunshine. Blankets, and sleeping bag, some of the boys have been complaining of bites, but they haven’t gotten in my sleeping bag as yet. Maybe they haven’t found the way in yet. But, if they find their way in, maybe they can’t find their way out.
I don’t mind sleeping in a tent too much, just so the wind doesn’t blow. We have a variety of weather here, one day it will be hot, the breeze will change and it will be very cool. Evenings are fortunately always cool, and sleeping bag always feels good. That sleeping bag is a fine bit of equipment. We even got electricity in our tents last night so we are getting quite modern. Much Love, Gene
June 11th Dear Mother and Dad: Am writing with a different typewriter today, and the print is a good deal smaller so I hope that you will be able to read this O. K. Just as I was to begin this letter the fellow with the mail came, a letter from you dated on the 31st.
Went to a fine chapel service this afternoon. It was a little French chapel, there was no organist, so I volunteered to lead the singing and got along O.K. You know without a pitch pipe, that could be difficult sometimes. I think I pitched them all low, but the boys seem to want to sing, and they had a beautiful blend. The singing was so spirited, which is exceptional. And the message was sincere, and not stilted as it is sometimes. Just a talk, not a sermon. He asked for someone to open in prayer, something which I haven’t heard done before for some time, but this soldier really had a beautiful prayer.
His theme of thought was, “Our Tremendous Obligation in the affairs of war, but also when peace comes, and it is an obligation to the boys who made that supreme sacrifice, giving up their life. As he said, people were letting democracy rot, before this war started, people took no interest in elections, candidates, etc., we were always too busy with something else, so we just let that up to the politicians. He spoke many a word of truth. Much love, Gene
Source: Sioux Center News June 22, 1944, p 8
IS HEARD IN CHRISTMAS BROADCAST FROM EUROPE (photo)
SGT. GENE JONGEWAARD
Sgt. Gene Jongewaard, son of Dr. and Mrs. Neal Jongewaard, took part in a Christmas Day Broadcast, which originated not far from the front lines in Alsace, in the Strausburg sector of France.
Many servicemen who had been in the front lines just a few hours previously, sent greetings to their families in the states via this broadcast. Gene directed the 7th Army choir for the occasion singing one verse of Silent Night as a solo as the choir hummed accompaniment.
Gordon Gammack, Des Moines Register and Tribune correspondent, interviewed the men for the broadcast. It was announced in Central Reformed Church Christmas night, that there would be a repeat recording of the same program, heard Tuesday night at 8:30 over Yankton so that those who missed it before would have a chance to hear it that night.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 28, 1944, p 9
AWARDED BRONZE MEDAL
With the Seventy Army in France— Master Sergeant Ringert E. Jongewaard, serving in the Chaplain Section of Seventh Army Headquarters, has recently been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in direct support of combat operations. Overseas twenty-eight months, he wears four stars on his campaign ribbon for participating in the Tunisian, Sicilan, Southern France and German Campaigns. Jongewaard has been in the military service since June, 1942. An enthusiastic amateur singer, he sang a solo during a short-wave Christmas radio broadcast to the United States that featured all Iowa men. Jongewaard graduated from Grinnell College, Iowa, in 1936, with a Bachelor of Arts degree. The soldier is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Neal Jongewaard, Sioux Center.
Source: Sioux Center News, April 12, 1945 (photo included)
GENE JONGEWAARD, SON OF DR. AND MRS. NEAL JONGEWAARD, DESCRIBES HIS EXPERIENCES IN GERMANY THREE DAYS BEFORE V-E DAY. (photo)
Dear Mother, Dad, Jean and Beth: To people back home, the name “Dachau” means nothing more than perhaps it’s a city situated near Munich. But to people in Europe, and particularly to Political persons in bad repute with the Hitler regime, it meant a word of terror, and has been for 12 years.
The inhabitants there ranged from slave workers of all nationalities to intellectuals and opponents of Nazis from all the countries over-run by the Germans. Since the first of the year, 9,000 men, women and children died at Dachau. Now to you reading what I have written above, and what I have read about the German concentration camps, I always took it all with a grain of salt thinking that our propaganda machine is also good, but Dachau is no longer something that I have read about, I have seen it, and what I saw there is something unbelievable, difficult for my mind to comprehend that individuals can stoop so low in the persecution of their fellow men.
I’m telling you some of these details, to settle perhaps in your mind, what has always been doubtful in mine, are the Germans as bad as they say they are? Along side of this prison camp, I saw 25 carloads of human bodies, which they had attempted to get away, but seeing the Americans coming, they just silenced forever the voices of those people in those twenty-five train cars.
Before being killed, these people had been starved for months and perhaps for years, as their bone-racked bodies testified to that fact. They had a crematorium there, that would burn 2000 bodies a day. They were system. There were bodies strewn on the grounds where some tried to get away, and didn’t. Then, too, there were bodies of the S. S. Troopers, guards, there at the camp, and the way they died was shown very plainly on their bodies, and I can assure you it was violent.
I went down with the chaplains because they were anxious to find out whether they could see any of the survivors, because a good majority of them in the camp were Jews and priests, etc. Understand that these were political prisoners, and not soldiers, but that still does not absolve them from the terrific sin of taking life, and in such extreme methods. They had torture chambers there, that would make the medieval chambers take a far seat in the background.
As I stood on the hill there, I could see in the distance the outline of the city of Munich, another historic spot of Europe. Well, to something more pleasant, this has been a busy week, with two long moves, Monday we made a 150-mile move, and then Friday we made a move of about 75 miles, we are in Bavaria now, and it’s right chilly here. We had intermittent snowstorms, all the way on the first move I was in an open jeep, but in the second move I remedied that, and drove the Packard. Part of that trip was on the auto-bahn, that four lane highway that goes through Germany, and you can really go on that highway.
As I may have said before, since coming into Germany our living conditions have been much better. Those Germans had excellent camps, this one that we are in right now is the best one that we have had, I think, since coming overseas. We have steam heated barracks, isn’t that unusual, hot water that actually comes out of the pipes when you turn it on, when I found that out I just couldn’t believe that it was true, and our working quarters are airy, plenty of light and room. So we are thankful for that.
In hunting for churches, we have been uncovering a good deal of old church history, that is old Lutheran churches, that were built in 1453, we were in a home today where Martin Luther did much of his writing and lived a good deal of the time. We talked with the Dean of the Lutheran churches in this town today, going over certain policies regarding non-fraternization, you see Germans aren’t allowed to attend our services, and we allow enough leeway between services so there will be no intermingling of civilian and military personnel. His church that he has was built in 1420, and has a good deal of history connected with it, since the Martin Luther period and influence was coming into being around the 1500’s. It was very difficult talking with the dean this morning, we have to keep in mind at all times that he is German, and still that he too is a disciple of God. I was doing the interpreting and I was getting along, that is, when things were in the general manner, but when we got down to specific details, why he had to call his daughter down who also knew some English, she had to read some paper, translating it, and she was nervous as she could be, the paper was just shaking.
We plan to have services in his church a week from tomorrow because I think that the soldiers would be interested in having a service in an old church with so much history connected with it.
You undoubtedly have heard of the “Diet of Worms”, well we were in Worms, which is on the Rhine, some weeks ago, that was a city that had really taken a beating from the air. This town isn’t too badly off. History will be so much more interesting to me, now that I have seen so many of these places.
It seems strange to see the Coca Cola signs around. Yes, they must have had it here. The sign reads, “Trink Coca Cola”. No wonder I can’t spell anymore, you see French and German is similar to our language, but still a little different which in this case is the one letter difference in the word Drink, we use a D, and they use T.
It would appear that it’s all over but the shouting now, armies giving up here and there. Understand that perhaps my birthday, which is tomorrow, may herald further victories.
People are bewildered, as they appear in the streets, and look whipped. They talk about further resistance over the German propaganda programs, but we haven’t seen a great deal of evidence of it.
We certainly have to give a good deal of credit to our administration system, it really has to move some equipment, and fast. Some fellows have really gotten the souvenirs, but the way I feel now, I want my home to be strictly American, and don’t want it cluttered up with a lot of things that will remind me of things over here.
But am enclosing a little souvenir, an arm band, that formerly threw terror into the hearts of many people and now just a harmless souvenir. Much Love, Gene
Source: Sioux Center News May 31, 1945, p 2
Gene Jongewaard wrote on June 3rd that he had just received the May 24th edition of the News, so the first-class mail service overseas is doing very well.
Source: Sioux Center News June 14, 1945, p 1
Sioux Center Soldier Honored (photo)
With the Seventh Army, Germany (Delayed) M. Sgt. Ringert E. (Gene) Jongewaard of Sioux Center, Iowa, is shown above receiving the bronze star medal from Lt. Gen. Alexander M. Patch, commanding general of the Seventh army. Sgt. Jongewaard is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Neal Jongewaard of Sioux Center. His wife, Jean, lives in Topeka, Kan. (Signal corps photo)
The Bronze Star is for Meritorious Achievement in military duty, and Gene received the Star for his activities during the crossing of the Rhine when he was in the front lines continuously. (Picture by courtesy of the Sioux City Journal)
Source: Sioux Center News July 12, 1945, p 1
Discharged From Service
M/SGT. GENE JONGEWAARD
Master Sgt. Gene Jongewaard called his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Neal Jongewaard from Kansas City on Tuesday evening telling them that he had been discharged from the service under the point system at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on Monday, August 13. He had a total of 105 points.
Gene left for the service on June 2, 1942, and was sent overseas on Oct. 30 in 19433. While overseas he first served in the finance cadre and later was transferred to the chaplain section. He was also awarded the Bronze star medal for work in the Chaplain’s section. He arrived back in the states last week Monday, having come the 4000 miles by plane and arrived at Miami, Florida. From there he was sent to Kansas City and then on to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and he is expected to arrive home here the latter part of this week. His wife, who is from Topeka, Kansas, has been working in the office of the hospital at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana, and she has given up her work there and will accompany her husband to Sioux Center.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 16, 1945, p 1
Iowa, U.S., World War II Bonus Case Files, 1947-1954, Claim Number 210204
Ringert Eugene Jongewaard, SN 37204273, was born May 6, 1945, at Sioux Center, Iowa, which was his legal residence prior to entering the Army on June 3, 1942, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He served with the “I” Armored Corps and 7th Army, left for foreign service on Nov. 2, 1942, returned on August 7, 1945, and was honorably discharged on August 13, 1945. His application for bonus pay was filed on August 26, 1949, for which he received $492.50.
Source: ancestry.com
