Cadet. T. K. Kohlhaas to Avon Park, Florida
Aviation Cadet Thomas K. Kohlhaas, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kohlhaas, 309 N. Dodge St., Algona, is stationed for his primary flight training in the United States Army Air Forces at Lodwick Aviation Military Academy, Avon Park, Fla. The official designation of the school is the 61st US AF Training Detachment, operating under Army Air Forces Eastern Training Command, Maxwell Field, Ala.
Source: Algona Upper Des Moines, February 22, 1944
Thomas K. Kohlhaas Passes Flying Test
Avon Park, Fla.—Aviation Cadet Thomas K. Kohlhaas of Algona this week trades the slow-but-sure primary training plane of the Army Air Forces for a more speedy basic trainer. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kohlhaas, 309 N. Dodge street. Passing his first test in his training to become a flying officer for Uncle Sam, he graduated from the 61st Flying Training Detachment, AAFCPS (P), Lodwick Aviation Military Academy, a primary flying school at Avon Park. In these past weeks, he, like scores of his classmates, has developed from a novice to a flier qualified to do elementary flying and acrobatics. From Avon Park he has been transferred to a basic school for training in the faster and more powerful basic trainers.
Source: Algona Upper Des Moines, April 4, 1944
MISSING ALGONA YANK NOW DECLARED KILLED.
Algona: Mr. and Mrs. John Kohlhaas received notice from the War Department that their son, 2nd Lt. Thomas K. Kohlhaas, 20, co-pilot on a Flying Fortress missing in action since Nov. 30, 1944, is officially listed as killed in action in Germany as of Feb. 1, 1945.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, June 1, 1945
MEMORIAL HELD FOR PILOT HERO
Lt. Thomas Kohlhaas Gave Life in Service.
Algona—Mr. and Mrs. John Kohlhaas Tuesday received official notice that their son, Lt. Thomas Kohlhaas, 20, had been killed in action in Germany Feb. 1, 1945. They had been notified early in December that he was missing over Germany as of Nov. 30, 1944, and since then had no word. The message stated as soon as knowledge was obtained as to 2 months which are unaccounted for the parents would be informed.
Memorial services were held here Monday at St. Cecelia’s Catholic church with solemn requiem high mass, the clergymen being the Rev. J. M. Mallinger, the Rev. R. V. Sweeney and the Rev. George Theobald. St. Joe's Mass servers were Gordon Winkel, Robert Holtbauer, Guy Reynolds and Richard Sholtes.
Patriotic organizations represented were American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Legion Auxiliary and United Service Women.
Thomas K. Kohlhaas was born in Algona, March 15, 1924, was graduated from the Algona high school in 1941, and attended Creighton University. He entered service, May 3, 1943, was graduated in twin engine bombers from Moody Field, Valdasta, Ga., in August, 1944. He had 5 days at home and was alerted for overseas, arriving in England in September, where he was based with the 8th Air Forces. His missions were made from there over Germany. He was a co-pilot on a Flying Fortress.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, June 5, 1945 (photo included)
80 Kossuth Men Officially Listed As Casualties In War
FIRST RELEASE OF STATE HISTORICAL DEATH SUMMARIES
Eighty men from Kossuth county lost their lives while in the service of their country in World War II.
KOSSUTH'S WAR DEAD.
Kohlhass, Thomas K., Lt.
Missing in action over Germany officially declared dead.
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. John Kohlhass, 309 N. Dodge, Algona, Ia.
Source: The Algona Upper DesMoines, Tuesday, January 22, 1946 – page 7.
BODIES OF WAR DEAD RETURNED
Eighty-five Iowans are among the remains of 2,918 Americans who lost their lives during World War II and were due to arrive from Europe aboard the U.S. Army transport, Haiti Victory, Thursday.
Armed forces dead originally interred in temporary military cemeteries in northern France, Holland, and Luxembourg are among those being brought to their homes in this country.
North Iowans in the list include the following, the next of kin being indicated with each:
2nd Lt. Thomas K. Kohlhaas; John Kohlhaas, Algona.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, March 18, 1949
Thomas Knapp Kohlhaas was born Mar. 15, 1924 to John and Maude Ellen Knapp Kohlhaas. He died Nov. 30, 1944 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Algona, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
