TEMPLETON NEWS.
Private John Kisgen, who enlisted in the army air corps several months ago, is now stationed at Sheppard Field, Tex.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, January 16, 1943
MEN AND WOMEN IN SERVICE.
ON WAY TO FLORIDA.
Templeton (THNS) Sgt. John Kisgen has arrived from Kingman, Ariz., to spend an 18-day furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Kisgen. He is enroute to Drew Field, Tampa, Fla., where he will be stationed.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, November 24, 1943
Sgt. John Kisgen of Templeton Reported Missing in Action
Templeton (THNS) – Word has been received here that Sgt. John A. Kisgen, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kisgen, is missing in action over the European area since Sept. 22. He was a radio technician in the air corps.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, October 10, 1944
T/Sgt. John Kisgen, Templeton Airman, Is Reported Prisoner
Templeton (THNS) – Mr. and Mrs. John Kisgen have received word through the Red Cross that their son, T/Sgt. John A. Kisgen, radio gunner, was reported a German prisoner, Oct. 31.
The Kisgens have also received cards from persons in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, New Jersey and Rhode Island, stating that they heard over the short wave from Berlin that Sgt. Kisgen’s plane was shot down over Germany.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, November 7, 1944
Decorations Presented To John Kisgen For Son, Prisoner of War
Des Moines, Ia.—By direction of the President, the Air Medal and one Oakleaf Cluster have been awarded to Technical Sergeant John A. Kisgen, Air Corps, who is now a prisoner of war. The decorations were presented to John Kisgen, Templeton, Iowa, father of Sergeant Kisgen, at a formal ceremony held at the Fort Des Moines Army Post on April 19, 1945, by Lt. Irwin E. Stauber of the AAF Servicing Detachment, Municipal Airport, Des Moines, Iowa.
T/Sgt. Kisgen, 23 years of age, entered the service Sept. 23, 1942. He was trained as a radio operator at Scott Field, Ill. He landed in England by plane about April 11, 1944. Sgt. Kisgen was reported a prisoner of war of the German government October 28, 1944.
The citation accompanying the Air Medal and Oak Leaf cluster reads:
“For exceptionally meritorious achievement while participating in sustained bomber combat operations over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by this Enlisted Man upon these occasions reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.”
Source: Carroll Times Herald, April 23, 1945
MEN AND WOMEN IN SERVICE.
John Kisgens Hear From Son, Who Was German Prisoner
Templeton (THNS) – Mr. and Mrs. John Kisgen of Templeton have received a cablegram from their son, T/Sgt. John A. Kisgen—the first word they have had from him since he was reported a prisoner of the Germans, Sept. 22, 1944.
The message reads: “Am in the hospital. Anxiety unnecessary. Will be home soon.”
Sgt. Kisgen was a radioman in the army air forces.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, May 18, 1945
***Further Research:
John Anton Kisgen was born Sept. 27, 1921 to John “Jack” and Elizabeth Pille Kisgen. He died July 30, 2003 and is buried in Venice Memorial Gardens, Venice, FL.
Source: ancestry.com
