Two Local Youths Reported Dead
War Department Name Henderson, Phinney
War struck its heavy toll into two Council Bluffs homes this week – a result of the Tunisian campaign in February, 1943, during which 50 youths of Council Bluffs were reported missing in action.
Mr. and Mrs. Russell D. Phinney, 46 Charles street, and Mrs. George H. Henderson of the Fintel apartments, whose husband is now serving with the army in the Aleutian islands, were notified this week that their sons, Tech. Sgt. Russell D. Phinney, jr., and Sgt. Robert W. Henderson, have been officially listed as dead.
Both families were notified on Feb. 1, 1943, that their sons were missing in action.
Cpl. Phinney had been in the service two years at the time he was reported missing in action.
Cpl. Phinney (sic, should be Sgt. Henderson) had been in the service two years at the time he was reported missing. He left Council Bluffs with the National guard as a member of the band and transferred to the infantry division shortly before he was listed missing.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Monday, March 27, 1944, Page 3
Reported Killed in Action
Reported missing in action after battles in Tunisia in February,1943, Sgt. Robert Henderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Henderson, Fintel apartments, and Tech. 5/g Russell D. Phinney, son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell D. Phinney,46 Charles street, have been declared presumably dead by the war department in notices received by their parents recently.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Tuesday, March 28, 1944, Page 3
NOTE: Tech Sgt. Russell D. Phinney, Jr. was listed killed in action on February 18, 1944. He was interred at the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial, Carthage, Tunisia. ~ findagrave.com
Sgt. Russell Dayton Phinney is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing in North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia and in Walnut Hill Cemetery, Council Bluffs, IA. He served in World War II with the U.S. Army 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Source: abmc.gov
