ANNOUNCE MARRIAGE OF THEIR DAUGHTER TO STOCKTON FIELD MAN
GILMORE CITY—Mr. and Mrs. Joe Davis of Gilmore City announce the marriage of their daughter Joyce Jean to Flight Officer Vanden Mecham, Tuesday evening, Feb. 8, at Stockton Field Chapel, Stockton, California.
Flight Officer Mecham is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Mecham of Gilmore City.
Source: The Humboldt Republican, February 11, 1944
Flight Officer and Mrs. Vanden Mecham of Stockton, Calif., arrived here Saturday on a fifteen day furlough in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Davis, also Mr. and Mrs. Bill Mecham.
Source: The Humboldt Republican, February 18, 1944
SERVING IN INDIA
Flight Officer W. Vanden Mecham, now serving in India as first pilot on a C-47 Troop Transport, is a son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Mecham of Rolfe. After receiving his commission at Stockton Field in California, February 8, 1944, Mecham received training at Mather Field in Sacramento, Calif., and from there was transferred to Bowman Field, Louisville, Kentucky, for overseas assignment in April.
Source: Rolfe Arrow, July 20, 1944 (photo included)
HUSBAND REPORTED MISSING OVER BURMA AREA, AUGUST 7
Mrs. Wyant Vanden Mecham, formerly Miss Joyce Davis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Davis of Gilmore City, received a telegram Tuesday night, August 22, from the government stating that her husband, F/O Wyant Vanden Mecham, was reported missing in action over the Burma area on August 7.
Mrs. Mecham, who is employed by the DeKalb Company in Humboldt, is at her parentalhome at present but will return to her work. F/O Mecham is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Mecham of Rolfe.
Source: Humboldt Republican, August 25, 1944
FORMERLY REPORTED MISSING—IS NOW REPORTED KILLED
Mrs. W. Vanden Mecham, who is employed by the DeKalb Company in Humboldt, received the following telegram recently: “The Secretary of War asks that I assure you of his deep sympathy in the loss of your husband, Flight Officer, H. Vanden Mecham, who was previously reported missing in action. Report now received states he was killed in action, seventh August, over Burma.”
F/O Mecham is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Mecham of Rolfe. Mrs. Mecham has been staying in the parental home of Joe Davis at Gilmore City since receiving the telegram, but plans to return to her work next week. Plans for the memorial services have not been made and will not be made until the message has been entirely confirmed.
Source: Humboldt Republican, September 12, 1944
W. VANDEN MECHAM WAS KILLED IN ACTION
Flight Officer W. Vanden Mecham, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Mecham, has been officially reported killed in action, his cargo ship having crashed near Warazup, Burma, August 7. He was previously reported missing in action.
Mecham enlisted in November, 1942, and reported for active duty in February, 1943. He received his primary training at Santa Ana, Calif., and after training at various fields in the west was commissioned and got his wings at Stockton Field, Calif., February 8, 1944. On the same day he was married to Joyce Davis of Gilmore City.
Mecham was graduated from Gilmore City high school in 1942 and attended Fort Dodge junior college until entering service. Surviving are his wife, his parents, and two sisters.
Plans are being made for memorial services to be held.
Source: Rolfe Arrow, September 28, 1944
WIFE OF ARMY FLIER RECEIVES LETTER FROM WAR SECRETARY
The following letter was received by Mrs. Vande Mecham in regard to her husband, Flight Officer W. Vanden Mecham, who was killed in action when he crashed in a cargo ship near Warazup, Burma, on August 7:
October 26, 1944
My Dear Mrs. Mecham:
At the request of the President, I write to inform you that the Purple Heart has been awarded posthumously to your husband, Flight Officer Wyant V. Mecham, Air Corps, who sacrificed his life in defense of his country.
Little that we can do or say will console you for the death of your loved one. We profoundly appreciate the greatness of your loss, for in a very real sense the loss suffered by any of us. When the medal, which you will shortly receive, reaches you, I want you to know that with it goes my sincerest sympathy, and the hope that time and the victory of our cause will finally lighten the burden of your grief.
Sincerely yours,
Henry L. Stimson, Secy. Of War
On October 6, Flight Officer Mecham was also awarded Citation of Honor presented by H. H. Arnold, Commanding General Army Air Forces.
Source: Humboldt Republican, November 3, 1944
