37 Men Called to Arms
The following young men have been called for service in the United States Army, and will leave within the near future:
….. 1095 Louis G. Franken, Sioux Center …..
Source: Sioux Center News, May 21, 1942, p 1
Among the young men who left yesterday from the Sioux Center vicinity for army service were:
….., Louis Franken,…,. The call was for thirty seven men, some of those called have enlisted prior to this.
Source: Sioux Center News May 28, 1942, p 8
Louis Franken who was recently inducted into the U.S. army is now located at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit H. Franken and his address is: Pvt. Louis G. Franken, Btty. D 26 Bn. 6th Reg., Platoon II 3rd Sec., Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Source: Sioux Center News June 11, 1942, p 8
SOLDIER’S LETTER
6-20-42 Fort Sill, Okla. Dear Editor: Well I haven’t much to write and not much time to write: But I’ll write a little and let you know I’m getting the paper, and tell you what I’m doing. I’m feeling fine at the time of this writing.
I’m in the mule pack over here and that will make any fellow tough. I get hikes here in the mule pack of 10 to 80 miles long. Have to learn to pack out in 15 minutes and that’s no snap if I have to say so. I’m about 40 miles from the Texas line over here.
So far I don’t mind the army life a bit. It gives a fellow a lot of stuff to learn which he never knew. It teaches a fellow to keep neat and clean. One thing is sure that it builds a fellow up to good posture and health. My buddy next to me got a box of cookies from home today and did they taste good. He is from Kansas City, nice fellow too. There is one other boy in my company from Sioux Center and that is Ted Goslinga. There are also a lot from Minnesota I got to know and they all happen to know the town of Sioux Center.
Well this is all I know now so I’ll close. Yours truly, Pvt. Louis G. Franken Batty. D-26 Bn. 6 Reg. Platoon II 4th Sec. Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Source: Sioux Center News June 25, 1942, p 8
7-24-42 Friday – 9 P.M.
Dear Editor: Well another day has gone by and I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know how I’m coming along. The reason I’m writing you is that I haven’t the time to write everybody out there, so I’ll do it this way. I’m feeling fine and hope everybody in Sioux Center is the same.
First of all I want to thank the Civic Club and the American Legion for their letters which I have been receiving so far. And as I hear that my uncle is sick of a heart attack, I hope he may return home soon again.
I like the army life very well so far, but as always, there is no place like home to anybody. Lately we have been doing nothing but hikes all the time. We have a lot of fun on those hikes, but the worst part of them is the walking. The last one we made was a two-day hike of 28 miles one way. As we were coming back a lot of them fell out and rode in. About 7 of us boys in my section walked the whole way and had to drag a mule besides. And not to brag, it is the first time that I made it all the way without a ride, but was I tired when we got to the stables. Right now my feet are awful sore but they will toughen up pretty soon, and then when I come home nobody will be able to walk with me.
Well I think I’ll close for now it is about time for the light to go out. May God Bless us and keep us till we meet again.
Yours truly, Pvt. Louis G. Franken Btry. D. 26 Bn. 6th Reg. Platoon II, 4th Sec. Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Source: Sioux Center News Jul. 30, 1942, p 7
Visit Son At Fort Sill, Okla.
Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Franken returned recently from a visit with their son, Pvt. Louis G. Franken who is stationed at Fort Sill, Okla. They were accompanied there by their daughter, Louise, and Wilma Van Oort of Newkirk.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 3, 1942, p 8
Franken and Goslinga in Mule Pack
Louis Franken, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Franken wrote his parents early this week that he was being moved from Fort Sill this week. He has been rooming with Ted Goslinga and they will be moved together.
The two boys have been connected with a mule pack and according to the letter have a lot of fun and excitement training the mules.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 10, 1942, p 2
Pvt. Franken in Colorado
Pvt. Louis Franken, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit H. Franken, sent a new address at Camp Carson, Colorado. He was recently transferred from Fort Sill. The address is: Pvt. Louis G. Franken, H.Q. & H.Q. Battery, 602 D.F.A. Bn., Camp Carson, Colorado.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 17, 1942, p 8
Fort Sill, Okla. Dear Mr. Editor:
Well here my buddy Ted Goslinga and I are sitting together and we thought it would be a good idea to let you folks know that we are moving from here Tuesday the 8th of this month.
Don’t know as to where we go as it is a military secret anyway. He said I had to write and he would put it in the envelope. Our platoon is split into three companies and it happened to be that we stay together yet. Lucky for us, at least that is what we wanted.
We were just talking about how much we enjoy the Sioux Center News and hope it may keep on coming. As soon as we land at our next camp we will send our address as soon as we can. We also want you to hold on to our papers till then. I just asked Ted Goslinga if he liked it here, and he said “Yes”. He didn’t even care to go home anymore – just a joke from us.
We would as you all know just as soon be home with our folks. But after all, we like it here very much. More that I thought I would. We had a nice shower of rain out here this A.M. I went out in the field with three other boys herding the mules. As you well know then we got wet.
Well, as we saw in the paper, they are taking the boys pretty fast yet. Well hope they will like it just as well as we do here. You have to put your heart and soul into it or it won’t last and you will get homesick.
After all, we all know that the Lord will be wherever we are. And hope we may all keep Him in our hearts and souls. Well, I have no more news so I think I’ll close. Ted says for me to write you all and give his best regard to you all.
Pvt. Louis G. Franken & Pvt. Ted T. Goslinga
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 17, 1942, p 2
Together In Army Service (Photo of both men)
Louis Franken and Ted Goslinga
Pvt. Louis Franken and Pvt. Ted Goslinga are together in the U.S. army located at Camp Carson, Colo. where they were recently sent from Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Pvt. Franken and Pvt. Goslinga were together in the Mule Pack at Fort Sill.
They enjoy the change of climate from Oklahoma to Colorado and like the army although the boys say that there is no place like home.
Pvt. Franken is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit H. Franken living northeast of Sioux Center.
Pvt. Goslinga is the son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Goslinga living southeast of Sioux Center. John Goslinga, a brother of Ted’s is in Newfoundland in the U.S. army.
Addresses: Pvt. Louis Franken, H.Q. & H.Q. Battery, 602 DFA Ban., Camp Carson, Colo. Pvt. Theodore Goslinga, Hq. Btry. 602nd, F. A. Bn., Camp Carson, Colo. Source:
Sioux Center News Sept. 24, 1942, p 1
October 21, 1942 Camp Carson
Dear Mr. Editor: Well I think I’ll write you all a few lines. Have a little spare time now. First of all I want to thank all who remembered me on my birthday last Friday, the 16th. It sure was grand to receive so many gifts and cards, and letters.
Well I didn’t feel so good today. Have a bad cold lately, and can’t seem to get rid of it here. Hope all is well out in Sioux Center at the time of this writing. So far I have been getting the Sioux Center News pretty regular yet and hope it may keep coming. It is a pleasure to read a home town paper if you aren’t home.
Well I hear they are going to make travelling a little harder too now. They plan to ration gas now even if there is no tires. Hear by the paper that the scrap drive is going over great in Sioux County. Keep it up as we need it. Don’t know what we could do without it.
Well how is corn picking coming along by now? Hear that it is going pretty much to the acre. Wouldn’t mind if I could pick a load or two now.
Well I had the privilege to meet a few boys from Sioux County Sunday forenoon. They are located right here near me. Don’t know their names though, but that don’t matter. I spent Sunday P. M. in the country out here. A fellow by the name of Peter De Jong from town here picked up Ted Goslinga, Virgil Menning and Corporal Hyda a friend of us, and myself out for a joy ride. We saw the place which they call the seven falls. Had to climb about 300 feet of stairway to get to the top of that. Then we saw the cave of the winds. That was all formed by running water. And it was all worth while seeing. He said he would like to take us out again sometime before they ration gas out here. He is a very nice fellow, and his folks live at Newkirk, Iowa. I worked at his cousin’s place last spring so he knew me too before I got here. He also said that he had gone to school with my uncle, Henry Franken. In the evening he took us to C.E. out at his church. It was a well spent day by the time I got to bed that night.
Well, no more news so I think I’ll sign off for now. And I want everybody who reads this not to think that I forget them in not writing them. Well I’m writing this in behalf of you all. So God Bless us and keep us till we meet again in health and strength.
Yours truly, Pvt Louis G. Franken Hq. and Hq. Battery, 602nd F.A. Bn. Camp Carson, Colorado
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 29, 1942 p 10
Dec. 3, 1942 Camp Carson
Mr. Edward Roelofs, Editor: Well I think I’ll write you a letter in behalf of all who have wrote me, and were not answered yet; and also I want to let the S.C. Business Girls know that I got their Christmas gift, and card. It was a pleasure to receive the card they sent with it as it was good to see some old faces again. I think I know most of them but they don’t all know me I think. But that don’t matter, I hope, as I’m only to have one real one anyway. The gift was swell too as I could use all they sent me and eat the rest.
But there is one thing I should have let you know before is that I have been promoted to a 5th grade corporal, a month ago or longer.
My battery left this noon for an overnight hike, and have to sleep on the ground tonight. Lucky for me as I had to stay in and keep watch over my job out here. It has been pretty cold out today and wouldn’t care to lay out there in it tonight. So far I haven’t made a hike out here yet, and don’t care if I ever don’t. I don’t know as to when I’ll ever be able to get a furlough. Would like to come home once.
I hear that either one or two or three of my brothers are likely to leave for the army some time soon. Well, I’ll sign off for now as I have no more news. May God Bless us till we meet again.
To save me a lot of trouble I’ll just wish you all a very merry, merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hope to spend the next one with you again.
Yours truly, Cpl. Louis Franken
Hello to Ted Goslinga. (Editor’s note: Louis and Ted were together for a long time, but apparently are separated now.) Cpl. Louis G. Franken Hq. Btry. 602nd F.A. Bn. (P.K) Camp Carson, Colo.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 10, 1942, p 7
December 20, 1942
Dear Friends of the News:
Being that it is a short time till Christmas now I thought I’d write a letter in behalf of you all. First of all wishing all of you a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. This goes to all of you who sent me cards and letters also.
You never can realize how much it means to me to get the paper. From it I can get a lot of news from other boys who are in the armed service just like myself. The soldier page is the first thing I read.
Tomorrow we go on our last hike up here so then we make a move up to the north the first of the year, and that will be up to where Virgil Menning is at now. Plenty cold up there too, the way he tells me.
Well I haven’t much new so I’ll sign off for now. I’m still in the best of health, and hope the same of you. Before I forget I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. and Mrs. Van Regenmorter up here this morning and does it feel good to see somebody from home once again.
May God bless us all till we meet again.
Your friend, Louis G. Franken
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 31, 1942, p 7
March 22, 1943 Dear Sioux Center Friends:
While sitting at my table writing letters at the moment I happen to think of you all, and will try to encourage you a little. I’m feeling fine again the last few weeks. And for the rest of the boys hope they are too. They are spending their nights sleeping out in the field tonight.
It is about nine o’clock and have 6 letters written which will make this the 7th and last one tonight. Don’t see the rest of the Sioux county boys very often here as I’m always at the stables. Get to see Ted nearly every day since he is back from Fort Sill. He and I are still together out here. Don’t seem like I can get rid of him but don’t want to either.
I enjoy the paper very much every week and hope you may keep on sending it. Also enjoy all the letters sent to me from the Civic Club and others. Got the one of the Civic Club today.
Am sorry to hear that the Sioux Center boys lost their game the other day to Davenport, but hope they will gain in the next year.
The weather is nice up here again today. Had a tough week last week. Snow most every day and night and also plenty cold. Good old March weather. Well I’ll sign off as I haven’t much news of interest. My work still consists of the same.
You folks keep up ones moral by writing to us and we’ll try and keep up yours in keeping in touch with you through either the paper or person to person writing. May God’s richest blessings rest upon us all from day to day, and may we all keep up our prayers for each other.
With love and best wishes, Louis G. Franken
Source: Sioux Center News April 1, 1943, p 9
Theodore Goslinga, son of T. J. Goslinga, and Louis Franken, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gt. H. Franken, came home together Saturday for a 12-day furlough from Camp Hale, Colo. where they are both stationed with the Pack Artillery. The two boys went into the service in May, 1941, and have been together ever since. This is their first furlough.
Source: Sioux Center News Apr. 22, 1943, p 10
Cpl. Louis G. Franken and Theodore Goslinga are at present being moved from Camp Hale, Colo. to Camp Carson. Both boys are in fine shape and send their greetings to their many friends in this vicinity. The boys are moving to their new camp on foot and expected about three more days of travel at the time Louis wrote the News a post card telling of their new address: Louis G. Franken, Cpl. Hq. Btry 602, D.F. A.B.N., Camp Carson, Colorado. Ted Goslinga’s is the same except he is PFC.
Source: Sioux Center News May 13, 1943, p 8
Cpl. Louis G. Franken writes from Camp Carson, Colo.
May 20, 1943 Dear Sioux Center News and Sioux Center Friends:
Well how is everything in Sioux Center and around at this time of the year. Guess every one of the farmers are busy with the corn crop by now or through with it. Hope every one is in good health yet when you receive this letter. I’ve been in the hospital for a week and a half and feel fine now again.
Have had a bad case of the grip they said. Just had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Peter De Jong formerly from Newkirk. He told me his father was selling out his stuff now, and wish him luck and a good sale.
So far my address has been changed and me transferred to another outfit. It now is Cpl. Louis G. Franken Hq. & Hq. Ser. Btry. 609th F.A. Bn. Camp Carson, Colo.
So now you know that Ted Goslinga and I finally got split up, and are in different outfits. We finally made this hike from Camp Hale to Camp Carson on foot and with our mules. They said we made 170 miles in all. Nice little walk. Wouldn’t you all liked to have walked with us boys? Seen a lot of pretty nice country to my idea. Others may not think so.
Well my news is run out so I’ll sign off. My best regards to all at Sioux Center, and grandpa and grandma Franken. Hello Bros. Dries and Everett how is trucks up where you are at by now. And now may God bless us all abundantly from day to day. With love, Cpl. Louis G. Franken
Source: Sioux Center News May 27, 1943, p 6
SIOUX COUNTY SERVICEMEN HAVE GOOD MILITARY RECORDS 29 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OUT OF 325
The News recently made a survey of the Soldier Mailing list and discovered there were a good many officers in the U.S. Fighting Forces representing Sioux Center all over the world. While some of these men are not from Sioux Center proper, they all have some connections here and most of them are known in this territory. This is only a small percentage of Sioux County men, but is a fair cross section of the County. There may be others who are from this territory whose names do not appear on this list, but we are using our mailing list to go by, so those who do not get the News would naturally not appear on this list. However it is interesting to note, the percentage of officers (commissioned or non-commissioned) in a list of over 325 servicemen.
36 Corporals ….. Louis Franken …..
Source: Sioux Center News July 8, 1943, p 5
Camp Carson, 8-2-‘43
Dear Editor: Here it is the second day of the 8th month, and will try to write you a few lines from up here in the shadow of Pikes Peak. But first of all I want to let you all know that my address is changed slightly the past week.
Our outfit joined up with the 71st division some time ago and now it is as follows: Cpl. Louis G. Franken APO 360 H.S. Btry 609 F.A. Bn. ASN 37126107 Camp Carson, Colo.
I suppose by now that the threshing is getting pretty well underway, and hope you farmers all have good luck with it. Read in the paper tonight that Mr. Lewis Redeker is coming up here to Denver in the future. So if I can I’ll try to look him up some time when I’m up there for a weekend. You see I’ve been going up there every other week from Saturday till Monday morning. Have a very good time there every time. I stay at Jake Van Zanten’s who used to live in South Dakota. Maybe some of you people know them as he said he had picked a lot of corn in Sioux County. They take me around, and introduced me to several people there after church. The are real swell people, and like to go there. Congratulations brother Everett on your recent promotion. Think I’ll have to watch out or you’ll pass me up yet, but if so more luck to you. How is it in Detroit, now? Better than in Ia. I suppose? And by the way Ted Goslinga I don’t get any letters from you at all. Write to you twice, and hope you got them. How is the weather up in Calif.? Here it rains now days every night at about time for retreat. Just like a year ago, and the time of the year for it. Well my dear folks, and Sioux County friends it is time for me to turn in. Lost a great deal of sleep this weekend, and it is nearly 10 o’clock now. Here’s hoping and praying that we boys across and on this side may soon return and be with you once again. With love, your friend and son, Cpl. Louis G. Franken
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 12, 1943, p 2
In Mule Pack (photo)
CPL. LOUIS G. FRANKEN Cpl. Louis G. Franken entered the service in May 1942. He is in the mule pack stationed at Camp Carson, Colorado. He has had one furlough in Dec. 1943. His address is: H.S. Btry. 609 F.A. Bn. Camp Carson, Colorado
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 20, 1944, p 1
Address change: Cpl. Louis Franken Hq. and Service Btry. 609 F.A. Bn. APO 360 ASN 37126107 Camp Roberts, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 10, 1944, p 10
Dear Sirs: Am dropping you a card to let you know that my address is slightly changed. Have been up here for a week now, and still plenty busy. Don’t get much time to write but will do the best I can. The only change in my address is that it is Camp Roberts, Calif. instead of Camp Carson, Colorado. Haven’t seen much of the state yet but what I have seen of it I don’t like too well. Would like to spend just about a month in Los Angeles and then home I would go again.
Well I’m fine except for a bad cold but it will be alright in time. Hope to get my paper here as I can’t do without it anymore. Love, Louis Cpl. Louis G. Franken H.S. Btry. 609 F.A. Bn. APO 360 Camp Roberts, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 24. 1944, p 2
Louis Franken has been promoted to the rank of Sgt.
Mrs. Franken has returned from Ga. where she stayed with her husband. Sgt. Franken will move to a camp in Oklahoma.
Source: Sioux County Capital Sept. 28, 1944, p 2
Sgt. Louis G. Franken has moved from Fort Benning, Georgia and is now stationed at Ft. Sill, Okla. His complete address is: Sgt. Louis G. Franken 37126107, 1st Bn. F.A.S. Det., E.M.C. No. 100-376, Ft. Sill, Okla.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 12, 1944, p 2
The following is a letter from Sgt. Louis G. Franken who is stationed at Fort Sill, Okla. He is one of the three sons of Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Franken in the service.
October 8, 1944 Sunday 12:30 Dear Sir: I think it is about time that I send you my change of address as I’ve been out here in Fort Sill already for a week. We will be here for 3 months or more, and am going to Motor School up here. Good old school days again. The weather is fine up here although we had a lot of rain here this past week. But that doesn’t hurt us because we are in a building all day anyway. Had to study every night this week for two hours each night. Things sure have changed up here since I was here two years ago. It looks so much cleaner in town now than it did at that time. Had a nice trip on our way up here but it took too long to make it. Will have to write some more letters yet today so will enclose my address, and send my best regards to you all.
As ever, Franken Louis’ address is as follows: Sgt. Louis G. Franken 37126107, Let. Bn. F.A.S. Det., E.M.C. No. 100 Bldg. No. 376, Fort Sill, Okla.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 12, 1944, p 8
Sgt. Louis G. Franken has moved from Fort Sill, Okla. to Fort Benning, Georgia. His address is: Sgt. Louis G. Franken, Ser. Battery, 609th F.A. Bn. APO 360, Fort Benning, Georgia.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 7, 1944, p 8
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 25, 1945, p 4
Source: Sioux County Capital Mar. 29, 1945, p 7
Sgt. and Mrs. Louis Franken are the happy parents of a baby girl born on Wednesday, April 4th at the Orange City hospital. She has been named Judith Ann. The mother is the former Wilma Duistermars. Louis is with the U.S. Army somewhere in Germany.
Source: Sioux Center News Apr. 5, 1945, p 4
HOME FROM SOUTH AMERICA (photo) M/SGT. EVERETT G. FRANKEN M/Sgt. Everett G. Franken arrived in Miami, Florida last week from South America where he has been stationed since shortly after V-E Day. Everett is crew chief on a B-34. His is expected home this week. SGT. DRIES FRANKEN Sgt. Dries Franken arrived home on Monday after two years in Europe. Monday was his 29th birthday anniversary also. His wife the former Dorothy Marra, and three year old daughter Donna met him in Sioux City. GT. HENRY FRANKEN Gt. Henry Franken is at Okinawa and writes that he will be sent to Korea soon so all mail should be held until he sends his new address. Gerrit is in the Navy; entered last April. SGT. LOUIS FRANKEN Sgt. Louis Franken is still in Germany where he has been stationed since last February. He has been in the service three years. These four brothers are sons of Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit H. Franken.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 27, 1945, p 2
T/4 Louis Franken landed in New York Christmas Day after service in Germany.
Source: Sioux County Capital Dec. 27, 1945, p 4
Louis Franken called his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Gr. H. Franken, Christmas Day to announce his arrival in the good old U.S.A. He expects to be discharged soon.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 27, 1945, p 1
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 3, 1946, p 2
Draft Board Minutes of January 3, 1946 ….. Discharged: ….. Louis G. Franken, Sioux Center
Source: Sioux County Capital Jan. 10, 1946, p 1
Louis G. Franken, service #37126107, was born Oct. 16, 1917, and was residing at Sioux Center prior to entering the army on May 28, 1942, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He served with the 609th Field Artillery Battalion, left for foreign service on Jan. 26, 1945, and returned on Dec. 25, 1945. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 30, 1945. His application for bonus pay was filed on May 27, 1949, for which he received $487.50.
Source: Ancestry -- Iowa, US, WWII Bonus Case Files, 1947-1954, Claim # 139904
Louis G. Franken was born Oct. 16, 1917 to Gerrit Henry and Gertie Bosch Franken. He died Apr. 18, 1991 and is buried in Carmel Reformed Church Cemetery, Carmel, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
