STAFF SGT. BRANCH IN ‘PHONE CALL TO SURPRISE PARENTS
Staff Sgt. Nelson A. Branch, who has been missing in action since April 1, surprised his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Branch living south of this city, with a telephone call Monday noon from New York City.
The sergeant, a member of a bomber crew reportedly lost over enemy territory in Europe, stated he had just arrived back in the states and was expecting to be home shortly.
This news was the first his parents had heard from Sergeant Branch since he was reported missing although previous reports had listed him as safe.
Sergeant Branch served as a turret gunner aboard a Flying Fortress.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, (Webster City) July 24, 1944
Nelson Atlee Branch was born Oct. 31, 1918 to Alvin A. and Anna Hanson Branch. He died Apr. 6, 1990.
Sgt. Branch, a ball turret gunner aboard a Flying Fortress was listed as missing in action in April 1944. He went missing in action in the European Theatre and was later listed as a POW.
Sources:
Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA
ancestry.com
