Donald L. Nissen to Camp Roberts
Donald L. Nissen of Mason City has been sent to Camp Roberts, Cal., the largest army replacement center in the United States. He is a private of Battery C of the 51st battalion there.
After clerical and mechanical aptitude tests, men at Camp Roberts are placed in units to which they are found to be best suited such as radio, instruments, wires, or 155 howitzer or 75 millimeter gun outfits.
After completing this training they are graduated and sent out to different tactical units throughout the United States wherever needed.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, Monday, November 24, 1941, Page 19
S. Sgt. NISSEN, FERTILE, KILLED
Young Farmer Loses Life in German Drive
Fertile - Official notice was received by Mr. and Mrs. Amos Nissen that their son, Donald, had been killed in action somewhere in Germany on Dec. 16.
S/Sgt. Donald Luverne Nissen, 26, entered the service in October, 1941, and took his basic training at Ft. Ord, Cal. From there he was sent to Ft. Sill, Okla., then to Louisiana and then to the east coast and overseas landing in England in July.
Donald Nissen is a graduate of Fertile high school with the class of 1936 and since then assisted his father on the farm until he entered the army. He leaves his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Amos Nissen, one brother, Marlin, one sister, Shirley.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, Thursday, January 04, 1945, Page 10
PLAN MILITARY RITES FOR HERO
Will Honor Memory of S. Sgt. Donald Nissen
Fertile - Memorial services for S. Sgt. Donald L. Nissen, who was killed in action in Germany July 14 (sic), 1944, will be held at the Fertile Lutheran church Sunday at 2 p. m. The Rev. Benjamin Coltvet will officiate.
Sgt. Donald L. Nissen, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Nissen, was born in Cerro Gordo county on Feb. 16, 1918. He spent his boyhood days in the Fertile community at the home of his parents and attended the Fertile consolidated school from which he graduated with the class of 1935.
He was inducted into the army Oct. 6, 1941, and reported at Fort Des Moines. From there he was sent to Camp Roberts, Cal., where he completed his basic training in the field artillery. He was then sent to Fort Ord, Cal., where he became attached to the 7th Field Artillery battalion, and he continued in this battalion the remainder of his military life.
While at Fort Ord, he was chosen out of his battery to be sent to Fort Sill, Okla., to take 4 months' course in advanced radio work. From Fort Ord he was then sent to Camp Polk, La., and from there to the east coast, where he was shipped out and landed in England, July 14, 1944.
He went through France to Belgium and Germany. While voluntarily accompanying his battery commander on a hazardous mission he was killed in action Dec. 16, 1944, in Germany.
Major Charles Welsh, of the 76th battalion stated in a letter that Donald was extremely well liked and respected, and that his energy, initiative and devotion to duty were an inspiration to all under his command and to his superiors.
Donald is survived by his father and mother, one sister, Shirley, and one brother, Marlin.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, Thursday, February 22, 1945, Page 6
