PFC William Herweyer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Herweyer, writes from Louisiana March 30, 1943 – 11 a.m.
Dear folks and everybody: - Just a line or two to let you know how I’m doing and inform you my change of address. We have completed our two months of maneuvers, and are ready to go back to Camp Barkeley for a few weeks or months. How long we do not know. We had very favorable weather all during our maneuvers, except for a few rains, but that’s expected here.
I want to thank everybody for their letters and gifts. I receive the News quite regularly and sure enjoy reading it. Well that’s all for this time. May God bless you.
~Bill PFC William Herweyer, Hq. Co. 3rd. Bn. 357th Inf. APO 00 Camp Barkeley, Texas P.S. – Say, Ed, are the rumors as thick in civilian life as they are in the army? (No answer required)
Source: Sioux Center News, April 8, 1943 p 2
PFC William Herweyer arrived here Monday from Grand Rapids, Mich. where he spent 8 days visiting with his wife and other relatives and spent the remainder of his 15-day furlough with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Jim Herweyer here. He left again Wednesday, and has to be back at Camp Barkeley, Texas Thursday night. Mrs. Herweyer is still in Michigan.
Source: Sioux Center News May 20, 1943, p 9
How To Get Duck Bumps, Goose Flesh or Chicken Skin
Just stop in at the News office and see the fine specimen of Texas Horned Toad that Bill Herweyer sent to his folks, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Herweyer, from Camp Barkeley. It is a creepy looking critter, but quite harmless they tell me. Herman De Haas, of the News force, who has lived in Missouri, says they are quite common where he hails from, and picked it up in his hands. It doesn’t jump as toads here do, but crawls like a lizard and its head is covered with bristling horns. We’ll try to keep it alive, and invite anyone interested to stop in and see it at the NEWS OFFICE.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 12, 1943, p 1
Pfc William Herweyer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Herweyer writes that he has been transferred.
Aug. 24, 1943 Dear Ed and folks at home: Thought it was about time for me to write you all once again. I’m not much of a letter writer as you notice how often I write, but I still think of all of you at home. And the News is just like a friend when you read the soldiers column. That’s the only way we catch up with the boys from home who are stationed at various places. This letter that Pvt. James Mulder from Hider, Ariz. Was interesting to me, because of the fact that we’ll be in Arizona near there somewhere on the desert within the next two weeks. I could tell you more about it, but it wouldn’t be of any interest anyway. We never know what we’ll do for sure so I’ll let it stand at this. My new address you’ll find following this letter.
I saw Ed Wesselink’s address in the News, and he is not far from where I’m staying. About three blocks, but I haven’t seen him as yet. This is about all I have to say, except that I want to thank everybody for their letters and cards. I’ll try and write more when I get to my new location. Might have more to write about.
Regards to all my friends. Love, Bill Pfc. William Herweyer, Hq. Co. 3rd Bn. 357th Inf. APO 90, c.o. Postmaster Los Angeles, Calif. P.S. – Does the horned toad still give you goose pimples? We have lots of them out here. They feed on bugs and ants.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 2, 1943, p 2
Pfc William Herweyer has been transferred from Los Angeles to Fort Dix, New Jersey. His complete new address is: Pfc William Herweyer 37190262 APO 90, c/o Postmaster Fort Dix, New Jersey
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 13, 1944, p 2
Sees Daddy For First Time
WILLIAM JAMES HERWEYER Pictured here is William James, son of William Herweyer, who has been in the service nearly two years. He is in the infantry working as radio operator.
William married a young lady of Grand Rapids after entering the service. She is at present living with her parents at Grand Rapids, Mich. William is at present stationed in Ft. Dix, N.J. Following is a letter received at the News office this past week.
Jan. 3, 1944 Dear Friends: I think it’s about time that I write and thank all my friends for the cards and gifts I’ve received the past month. And also want to thank you, Ed, for the Sioux Center News. I just finished reading it. The Dec. 23rd issue.
I have a change of address and it’s not an overseas address as it was going to be at first. It was changed again when we came down here at Fort Dix. This is really a swell place, and we live in double barracks whereas otherwise we always lived in tents, and this is my first time in barracks the two years I’ve been in the army. New Jersey weather is a lot different than Calif. weather, although I like it just as well here, as I did there.
Well, it’s almost time for lights out so I want to thank each and everyone of you for everything once again. I haven’t any more news of any interest so I’ll close.
As ever your friend, Wm. Herweyer Pfc Wm. Herweyer, Hq. Co. 3rd. Bn. 357th Inf. APO Fort Dix, N.J.
This week William is having his first furlough since the baby was born and is visiting with his wife and baby in Grand Rapids. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Herweyer will leave Friday for Michigan to visit with their son and his family while he is enjoying his furlough.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 13, 1944, p 1
Here is the new address of Cpl. William Herweyer 3719062 Hq. Co. 3rd Bn. 357 Inf. APO 90 Fort Dix, New Jersey
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 3, 1944, p 3
Pvt. Gerrit J. Teunissen, William Herweyer, and Andrew K. Vermeer have all been transferred from Fort Dix, New Jersey to New York City, and now have overseas addresses. Call either their parents or the News for their new address.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 23, 1944, p 2
VISITS RELATIVES HERE
Mrs. Wm. Herweyer and son William James of Grand Rapids arrived here the past week for an indefinite visit with friends and relatives. Bill is in the infantry stationed in England since the early part of April, undoubtedly engaged in invasion activities.
Source: Sioux Center News June 15, 1944, p 2
Brothers Are In France Now
CPL. T/5 WILLIAM HERWEYER MEETS O.C. BOY IN FRANCE
Cpl. T/5 William Herweyer is also in France now with the 357th Infantry. It would be a rare coincidence if the two brothers should meet while they are there. Chances are they are not many miles apart right now.
FRED HERWEYER, Boatswain Fred Herweyer, Boatswain, in the Marine Task Force, is now in France and had the delightful experience of meeting Gene Grotenhuis, son of Gerrit Grotenhuis in France recently. Fred joined the navy with Gene’s brother Mike, so when they met they spent considerable time together. It seems Freddie is stationed on shore for the present and is very busy hauling materials by truck. He has a slight change in address which may be secured from the News or his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Herweyer.
Source: Sioux Center News July 6, 1944, p 1
Poem sent in by T/5 Wm. Herweyer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Herweyer, who is now in France
I SEE YOU KNEEL, I HEAR YOU PRAY
Through clouds of war and miles of space I hear your voice and see your face I see you kneel at close of day I hear you softly, sweetly pray. “Oh God please keep him from all harm, Please let him rest upon your arm Protect his footsteps all the while And give him strength to conquer trial.” Yes my love I hear your prayer And though my heart aches to be there It’s God’s wish that it be this way I know he’s listening as I pray. “Dear God in Heaven up above Look down upon the one I love Tell her, Lord, she should not fear Though far away, through prayer I’m near. “When clouds of war that dim the sun Have passed away, and victory’s won Protect us all from future strife And give us faith throughout our life.”
(This poem was written by a soldier on the Italian front just before he died. His buddies who sent it to the Army Times want to dedicate it “to his mother and the mothers of all the men in the service) P.S. I found this copy so I thought it was pretty nice and wrote it down. ~T/5 “Bill” Herweyer
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 24, 1944, p 2
CORP. WILLIAM HERWEYER
Mrs. William Herweyer, who lives in Michigan, received a telegram from the War Department stating that her husband, Cpl. T/5 Wm. Herweyer was wounded in Germany and was now in a hospital in England and was showing normal improvement. He received penetrating shoulder wounds and his wife received the purple heart this week.
Bill is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Herweyer. His new address is: Cpl. T/5 William Herweyer, D.E.T. of Pat. 4140, Ward 6, U. S. Army Hosp. Plant, APO 205, c/o Postmaster, New York, New York.
Source: Sioux Center News Apr. 12, 1945, p 8
Pvt. Wm. Herweyer Writes From Overseas Hospital
Dear Friends: I think I owe all of you a letter of some kind. I’m sorry I didn’t write before so here goes. I’m getting along fine and expect to be back in the good ole U.S.A. in the very near future. That’s going to be the best day since I came over here. I’ve been at this hospital almost fifty days and they treat us swell. The weather here has been wonderful lately. I’ve visited some very nice places while here at the hospital. Well folks, my page is getting full, so this is all for now.
I want to thank you for the cards and letters and also for the News I’m getting quite regular. Here’s hoping the rest of this war will soon be over and we all can come home to our loved ones. May God be with us, Your friend, Bill
Pvt. Wm. Herweyer Det. of Pnts. 4140 U.S. Army Hosp. Plant APO 205, co Postmaster New York City, New York
Source: Sioux Center News May 24, 1945, p 8
Service Men Home On Furloughs Name, Address and Expiration Date of Furlough
….. William Herweyer Orange City – 7-31-45 …..
Source: Sioux County Capital July 26, 1945, p 1
BILL HERWEYER DISCHARGED
BILL HERWEYER Sept. 25, 1945
Dear Friends: Now that I’m a civilian again and home with my family I’ll send you my address. I received my discharge on points at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. last night and got home this noon. For the present I’m making my home here in Grand Rapids and will start work in a week or two.
I haven’t much to say except that I’m very glad to be home again. There are many who won’t be back who gave their lives for our country. This war will bring back memories which we’ll never forget. I must close now, and I want to thank every one for their letters, and may God bless you all.
Love, Bill William Herweyer 640 High St. S. W. Grand Rapids, 9, Mich.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 4, 1945, p 2
***Further Research:
William “Bill” Herweyer was born Feb. 10, 1918 to Jim and Henrietta Herweyer. He died June 19, 2004 and is buried in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Cascade Township, Kent County, Michigan.
Source: ancestry.com
