Eugene was born 17th July 1922, in Sioux City, Iowa to Nathaniel and Edith M. (Winans) McArthur. Gene attended Franklin, Woodrow Wilson, and graduated with the first Leeds High School on 4th June 1941 in Sioux City, Iowa. He enjoyed football and basketball, choir and the school newspaper.
Eugene participated as a lightweight in the Tri-State Athletic Boxing Club in 1941. He attended Iowa State University after graduating, for mechanical drafting.
Eugene enlisted, and trained at Great Lakes as a Machinist. He went overseas, 9 September 1942, and was assigned to the Battleship USS Arkansas. He attained the rank of Master Machinist 3rd Class, and served with the “A” Division, at Normandy, Cherbourg, South France, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. He saw the American flag raised at Iwo Jima’s Mount Suribachi from his battleship and was initiated into the Sacred Order of the Golden Dragon on 30 January 1945.
Eugene served 3 years and 4 months on the USS Arkansas.
Eugene was selected for Boys States in 1940.
He married Dorothy M. Huber, 9 July 1947, in Sioux City, at St. Boniface Catholic Church. They recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. They are the parents of Alan Eugene (deceased) and Regena M., four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Gene was a locomotive engineer for 36 years with the Great Northern Railroad and Burlington Northern Railroad. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Engineers, retiring in 1982. He enjoyed bird watching, nature, camping, new technology, reading and current events, and especially his family.
Gene departed this world, 18 October 2002, in a Sioux City hospital. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery, Sioux City, with military rites conducted.
Gene was proud to be an American and having served his country.
Submitted by Eugene McArthur, and his wife, Dorothy.
IN UNIFORM.
William A. McArthur, fireman first class, recently spent five days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. N. McArthur, 3405 41st Street. After graduating from diesel engineering school at Gulfport, Miss., he was sent to advanced diesel school at Cleveland, O., and now will report to Little Creek, Va. for four weeks of amphibious training. His brother, Eugene, petty officer second class, is on the U.S.S. Arkansas, which took part in the invasion of Normandy. Both are graduates of Leeds High School, where they were active in athletics.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, September 12, 1944
IN UNIFORM.
Eugene McArthur, machinist’s mate third class, 3405 41st Street, is serving aboard the U.S.S. Arkansas in the Pacific, oldest battleship in the fleet, which recently observed her 33d birthday anniversary.
Source: The Sioux City Journal-Tribune, Sept. 18, 1945
