Sioux Cityans Study
Three Sioux City boys, members of the American air force college training detachment, are studying at Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, as part of their preflight education. A strenuous physical training program has been incorporated with the academic studies, and a 10-hour actual flight course will be included. Left to right are Clinton A. Dewitt, 2212 S. Patterson Street, Robert P. Hasbrook, 4408 Morningside Avenue and Earl L. Cotton, Jr., 1101 Summit Street.
Source: The Sioux City Journal-Tribune, March 12, 1943 (photo included)
REPORT LT. E. COTTON KILLED
Army Informs Parents Here of Death; No Details Given
Word has been received here by Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Cotton, 1101 Summit street, that their son, First Lt. Earl L. Cotton, had been killed in service.
The tragic news was contained in a telegram which was signed by E. F. Witsell, acting adjutant general, United States army. It said the secretary of war has "asked me to express his deep regret that your son, First Lt. Cotton, Earl L., Jr., was killed, date unreported. Confirming letter follows."
Surviving besides the parents are two brothers, Clyde B. Cotton, lieutenant junior grade, and Claire E. Cotton, pharmacist's mate second class: and a sister, Phyllis Jeanne Cotton, medical social worker in St. Louis.
Lt Cotton and Lt (j.g.) Cotton met in March of this year in Honolulu after a separation of nearly two years. At that time, Lt. Cotton was a pilot in a troop carrier squadron and was stationed at Oahu. Later he was transferred to Okinawa. His brother. Lt. (j.g.) Cotton was attending radar tactical school. At that time he was an ensign. The Cotton brothers attended Trinity high school.
Source: Sioux City Journal, December 29, 1945
Earl Lyon Cotton, Jr. was born Sept. 28, 1923 to Earl Lyon (Sr.) and Marie Ann Gerst Cotton. He died Dec. 19, 1945 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Sioux City, IA.
1st Lt. Cotton served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 316th Troop Carrier Squadron.
Source: ancestry.com
