Wm. Beernink Hiked With Marines On Regimental Test
San Diego, Calif. June 11 -- During a test of the physical stamina of troops on a practice march over the trails of California, Pfc. Wm. R. Beernink, of Sioux Center, Iowa, took part in the 180 mile hike made by the Eighth Regiment of U. S. Marines. The object of the march was to acquaint the Marines with the conditions they would be required to meet under campaign conditions, and every phase of a mass movement of troops was worked out in detail. Marches of from 15 to 18 miles a day were made for a 12-day period, while armored cars screened the front and flank of troops to prevent an imaginary enemy force from interrupting the planned schedule. Airplanes, circling overhead, followed the ground troops.
Source: Sioux Center News June 12, 1941 p 1
24 Local Boys Serve In Army & Navy
Expect More To Be Drafted Near Future
Twenty-four boys from Sioux Center and near vicinity are now serving in the army and the navy. Some of these boys have been drafted and some have volunteered. More of our boys will be drafted into military service in the near future, and each day it appears that we are drawing nearer to an open war on the side of England. We publish below a list of the boys with their addresses, with the thought that their friends will write them letters.
.....
W. Beernink, 1st class
Regimental Hdq. & Service Co.
8th Marines, M.C.B.
San Diego, Calif.
.....
Source: Sioux Center News July 31, 1941 p 47
William Beernink arrived home on Tuesday morning from San Diego, where he is a member of the U. S. Marines. He will have about a week's vacation here, his first since he joined the Marines a year ago.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 28, 1941 p 8
Bill Beernink, son of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Beernink left on Wednesday for San Diego, California where he is stationed with the marines after a ten day visit with friends and relatives.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 4, 1941 p 5
Bill Beernink wrote a card to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Beernink, stating that he was on board a ship ready to sail when he dropped the card. Hi is with the marines and was stationed at San Diego, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 15, 1942 p 8
58 Soldiers From Sioux Center Vicinity
SEND OMITTED NAMES OF MEN IN SERVICE
The American Legion has been sending inspirational letters each month to the soldiers of the Sioux Center vicinity and are anxious to have a complete list of the men in the service. The NEWS has published the names of the men who left to serve their country in the "NEWS ABOUT OUR SOLDIERS" column. Please contact the NEWS if any soldier has been omitted or if the rank is not correct in the list which follows:
.....
Corp. W. R. Beernink
.....
Keep the Sioux Center News informed when your soldier has a promotion in rank, change of address, or just a line about how he is getting along. Little sidelights on the activities of the men under arms are of interest to everyone. Call us anytime and give us a news item on the man who has gone to serve his country in the time of war. The News Reporter cannot contact each one of you every week so your cooperation will be appreciated. Every letter from the soldiers indicate a great deal of pleasure is derived in reading about his fellow "Buddy" and the mutual experiences in the U.S. service.
Source: Sioux Center News March 26, 1942 p 7
Word Received From Wm. Beernink After Sailing
(photo)
William Beernink is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Beernink of Sioux Center and is a member of the U. S. Marine Corps. He sailed from the west coast about 8 weeks ago and had not been heard of until this week when two letters came at once. the letters were written about two weeks apart, Feb. 5th and 18th, and one was sent by airmail. "Bill" was unable to reveal his location but stated that the climate and food were good and he was OK. He said that he had heard no news as they are allowed no papers or radio. His address is: Corp. W. A. Beernink, Hdq. & Service Co., 8th Marines F.M.F., 2nd Marine Brigade (in the field), c.o. Postmaster, San Francisco, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Apr. 2, 1942 p 1
In a letter which arrived the early part of this week, Wm. Beernink said, "Your mail isn't censored away from the states, we got our first mail in four months. Of course I can't tell anything about us or where we are, you could never guess." He told of the completion of new barracks, so they must plan to locate for some time. It was first believed that Bill was in Australia but nothing is at all definite. In April he was promoted to Sergeant, his address now is: Sgt. William R. Beernink, Marine Corps, Unit No. 465, c.o. Postmaster, San Francisco, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News May 28, 1942 p 11
Sgt. Beernink May Be In Solomon Islands
Sgt. William Beernink, son of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Beernink of Sioux Center, may be in the fight at the Solomon Islands, northeast of Australia, where the U. S. Marines have landed and are pushing Japs back. Sgt. Beernink wrote a letter on July 29, 1942 which reached his parents on Sunday night. At that time he said that he was well taken care of and was still not able to give his location. We are anxiously awaiting word, since the Marines have gone into the Solomon Islands in the last two weeks, after this letter was written. Address: Sgt. Wm Beernink, U. S. Marine Corps, Unit 465, c/o Postmaster, San Francisco, Calif. Bill says he gets the News now and enjoys keeping up with the home folks.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 20, 1942 p 2
At Guadalcanal
Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Beernink received word from their son that he is at Guadalcanal and had been there over a year, was moved from one little island to another, but he never was allowed to write where he was until now. He wrote he didn't like the kind of a game they were playing as it was too rough.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 10, 1942 p 14
Dell And Billy Meet
A letter from Dell Te Paske written from the Solomon Islands ... has this interesting paragraph:
"Just at dusk, a few nights ago, I was going down the road when I heard someone yell 'Hey Dell'. That is a strange thing for me to hear, for the 164 knows me as 'Tep'. I hauled up, I looked around, and who should be coming up but Willie Beernink. I got to talk to him shortly and saw him briefly the next day. We did a lot of talking and exchanged some news. He is well. In case his letters don't go through, you might pass that on to his mother. But just imagine a neighbor! It was a real treat -- the first of its kind since Feb. 12."
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 10, 1942 p 14
William Beernink, son of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Beernink, writes that he was greatly relieved to be able to wear starched shirts and have his shoes shined again apparently after a long period of doing without either. He is not permitted to say where he is, of course, but since he is with the Marines he no doubt has seen plenty of activity.
Source: Sioux Center News Apr. 8, 1943 p 2
Sgt. William R. Beernink has a change of address. He has left Guadalcanal and seems as if he is off duty at present, as he wrote he was at liberty. His address is now in care of Fleet Post Office, San Francisco. For the complete address call the News office.
Source: Sioux Center News Apr. 29, 1943 p 10
Mrs. Reuben Beernink Dies Suddenly
Mrs. Reuben Beernink passed away very suddenly at her home on Tuesday morning, Jan. 4, 1944.... She is survived by her husband and two sons, Harold of Holland, Mich. and William who is in the service..... The funeral will be held Saturday at the house....unless word is heard from William whom the Red Cross is trying to locate. He was last heard from in the region of the battle of Tarawa and was among the survivors picked up by an American L.S.T. boat after the battle.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 6, 1944 p 1
Receive Presidents Citation
The Marine Corps division of which William Beernink is a member, has recently recieved the Presidential Unit Citation for their combat activities at Tarawa and Guadalcanal. Bill Beernink is the son of Reuben Beernink, and has been with the U. S. Marines for the past three years. He has seen action in major battles against the Japs and had many interesting experiences in the service.
Source: Sioux Center News June 15, 1944 p 1
William Beernink, who is with the marines and has been overseas for three years, wired his father Mr. Reuben Beernink Saturday that he had arrived in the states and after spending a short time on Treasure Island, Calif. he would be coming home. Billy enlisted four years ago in August and was home on furlough for the last time in August of 1941. He has seen action in many of the major battles.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 14, 1944 p 8
De Boer - Beernink
Miss Esther De Boer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John T. De Boer, and Sgt. William Beernink, son of Mr. Reuben Beernink, were united in marriage at Kansas City, Kansas on Monday, Sept. 18. The double ring ceremony took place at the First Methodist Church. The bride wore a navy blue suit with white accessories, and the groom wore his dress uniform. Both the bride and groom were born and raised in this community, and are well-known here. The bride has been working at Long Beach, Calif. for the last year and a half, and will accompany him again when he leaves for the west coast after spending his leave here.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 29, 1944 p 1
Sgt. and Mrs. William Beernink left again Wednesday for San Francisco, Calif. where he will report for further orders.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 12, 1944 p 2
Plt. Sgt. William R. Beernink and his wife are now stationed at Quantico, Va., having been transferred from the west coast. They made the trip by car and said it was a great temptation when they reached Freemont, Nebr. to turn to the familiar route that would bring them to Sioux Center, but they were pressed for time so went on to their destination. Their new address is: Plt. Sgt. William R. Beernink, Ordinance School, Quantico, Va.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 1, 1945 p 10
Plt. Sgt. and Mrs. William Beernink recently spent a short leave with his father and other relatives here and are now stationed at Oceanside, Calif. from where he expects to be sent overseas in the very near future. Billy has been attending Machine ordnance school at Quantico, Va. for some time and was enroute to Oceanside, Calif. when they stopped here for a short visit and they also visited with Mr. and Mrs. Harold Beernink at Holland, Mich. for a few days. Mrs. Beernink is at the present time employed at Long Beach, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 6, 1945 p 1
Mrs. Wm R. Beernink and infant daughter Vicki Lee were dismissed from the Maris Maternity home on Monday afternoon and were taken to the home of her sister Mr. and Mrs. Herman De Vries. Mrs. Beernink has been staying at the De Vries home for some time, as her husband is in the service and has been overseas for many months.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 14, 1946 p 8
Mrs. Wm. R. Beernink ..... is expecting her husband home on a 15-day furlough from Boise, Idaho the early part of next week. He hopes to receive his discharge in October.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 5, 1946 p 8
