List of Registrants July 1, 1941
… Sioux Center … Henry J. Kroon …
Source: Sioux County Capital July 3, 1941, p 1
Sioux County 21-Year-Olds Get Draft Order Numbers
This week the Independent is happy to be able to give its readers the names and county order numbers of all young men turned 21 years of age who registered for selective service July 1st in Sioux and Union counties. This list, of course, is unofficial, as no county order number lists have yet been compiled. It is believed, however, to be quite accurate, as it was compiled by comparing the men's serial numbers with a complete list of the numbers drawn that appeared in the daily papers. In this manner all numbers 179 and under for Sioux county and 62 and under for Union County were tabulated in the order they were drawn, and then were matched with the serial numbers of the registrants.
According to an unofficial report, the proportion in which new Sioux county registrants will be drafted with the men who registered last October is 1 to 9 - that is, one new registrant will be drawn to every 9 old ones. This may have little significance on the case, however, as there are many men in the old registration who have passed their 28th birthday and thus are temporarily, at least, deferred. Also many of the older registrants - at least a greater percentage of them than among the new ones - will be deferred due to dependence.
No report of the proportion to be used in Union County has reached this paper. In the lists below, the first number listed, the ones in the column that are listed consecutively, is the county order number, compiled from the numbers drawn out of the fish bowl last Thursday. The next number, the one preceded by an S which signifies that man registered in the second national registration, is the man's serial number.
… 114 S57 Henry John Kroon, Sioux Center …
Source: Hawarden Independent July 24, 1941, p 6
Tommy Wierda and Henry John Kroon will go to Des Moines about the 15th of September for their final physical examinations before entrance into the U.S. Navy.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 4, 1941, p 5
Two Local Boys Joined The Navy
Tommy Wierda and Henry John Kroon successfully passed their final examinations for entrance into the Navy at Des Moines. They left of Tuesday night from Des Moines and will go to the Great Lakes training base for their initial training.
Henry John Kroon has been employed by the Mutt and Jeff Café for the past four years. Tommy Wierda has been painting with his father, Martin Wierda for the last few years. The boys are both of draft age and volunteered to join the navy.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 18, 1941, p 1
Addresses Of Two Sailors From Sioux Center
… Henry John Kroon Company No. 155 U.S.N.T.S. Great Lakes, Illinois
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 25, 1941, p 8
Two Local Boys Join The Navy (photo)
Seven recruits departed Monday for Great Lakes Naval Training school at Great Lakes, Ill. With them was Paul Freimark, 1610 Eighth, an apprentice seaman.
Others are left to right, front row: Freimark, Henry John Kroon of Sioux Center, Ia., Gerard Patrick Thibodeau of Sioux City, and Nicholas Joseph Stoos of Remsen, Ia., and second row, Thomas Wierda of Sioux Center, James Howard Stevens of Sioux City, Virgil Bales of Mapleton, Ia., and Philip Joseph Boland of South Sioux City, Neb. – Marshall photo. By Bierman, Engraver to The Tribune.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 25, 1941, p 1
Henry John Kroon (Navy) Co. 155-USTR Station Great Lakes, Ill.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 30, 1941, p 4
Two Local Sailors Home on Furlough
Henry John Kroon and Tommy Wierda arrived home early this week to spend a nine-day furlough with the home folks after completing six weeks of training in the Navy, statined at the Great Lakes training station in Illinois.
Henry John has completed examinations to enter a trade, which may be electrical, torpedo, or in the gunner’s mate classification. As soon as this has been decided by examinations he will be sent to a trade school which the Navy as located in various parts of the United States, some in Detroit, Pensacola, and San Diego.
Tommy Wierda is classified in the outgoing unit and he will be assigned to a ship after completing his furlough. The boys plan to leave for the Great Lakes Naval Training Station again next Sunday.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 6, 1941, p 1
Mrs. Ben Poll entertained at supper for Henry John Kroon last Thursday night. Guests included Doc. De Gooyer, Jake Boeyink, Arie Oliver and Hermie Deiters.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 13, 1941, p 5
Change & New Addresses of Service Men
Henry John Kroon O.G.V. – U.S.N.T.S. Great Lakes, Ill.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 13, 1941, p 8
Tubby Kroon is now studying in a trade school of the Navy in the electrical division. He will continue to stay at the Great Lakes station for some time.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 4, 1941, p 5
Change Soldiers address … Henry John Kroon Group I Service School U.S.N.T.S. Great Lakes, Ill.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 4, 1941, p 1
Henry John Kroon, who is stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Training station in Illinois, was successful in passing further examinations. He will be transferred in about a month to the city of Dearborn, Mich. where he will pursue a course of study to fit him as an electrician.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 18, 1941, p 2
Henry John Kroon moved to Dearborn, Mich. on Friday where he will enter a trade school of the Navy. We will publish his address.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 1, 1942, p 8
Henry J. Kroon U. S. Navy Service School Barracks “C” Lower East Ford Motor Co. Dearborn, Mich.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 8, 1942, p 8
Tubby Kroon writes home that his activities are restricted to a small area as they had just been out of quarantine when one of the boys contacted measles and so are in quarantine again.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 5, 1942, p 12
3 Brothers In The Service (photos) KROON BROTHERS
Mr. and Mrs. John Kroon of Sioux Center are the parents of three sons in the service of their country. They are pictured here, Richard (left) who is with the Air Corp in San Bruno, California; Henry John (center) who is in the Navy stationed at Dearborn, Michigan; and Bert stationed with the U. S. army at Fort Dix, N. Jersey.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 19, 1942, p 1
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: ..... Henry J. Kroon (sailor) .....
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
Henry John Kroon moves to Boston
Last week Henry John Kroon called the parental John Kroon home from Chicago to notify his parents that he was leaving the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. His new address is H. J. Kroon, U. S. Navy, Fargo Barracks, Summer Street, Boston, Mass. George Martin De Ruyter, Tommy Wierda and Henry John, all Sioux Center men in the service, enjoyed a get-together at the Great Lakes Training Station before Henry John left. “Tubby” also called on Evert Hoeven at the Great Lakes Station.
Henry John was graduated from the Navy Service Schools on April 1st and has completed an intensive 16-week course in the school for electricians. He will now either be assigned to the fleet for sea duty, or to a naval base for further instruction and experience in the field in which he specialized. He will be eligible for a third-class petty office rating as soon as he is able to pass the examination for the advancement.
Source: Sioux Center News April 9, 1942, p 8
Sioux Center – Henry John Kroon, who is in the U. S. Navy has been out to sea on the Atlantic for some time. A letter received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Kroon, states that “Tubby” is enjoying the life of a sailor. His address is: Henry John Kroon, U. S. S. Bancroft, c.o. Postmaster, New York City, New York.
Source: Sioux Center News June 18, 1942, p 12
Interviewed At Band Concert (photo) Henry John Kroon
In the presence of a crowd of 1350 people at the weekly band concert in Sioux Center, Henry John Kroon, a local sailor was interviewed at the Band Concert last Wednesday night.
George De Ruyter questioned Seaman Kroon who arrived home on Tuesday night from Boston. “Tubby” as his friends know him, has been out to sea for a period of five days on the destroyer Bancroft. He spoke highly of letters from friends, civic organizations, the Soo Center News and the U.S.O. (United Service Organizations) which is a home away from home, and asked everyone to keep on helping P. B. Mouw and those in charge of the bond drive. The NEWS reporter heard many favorable comments on the enlightening and inspirational discussion with the friendly sailor, “Tubby”. We think it would be interesting to hear from some more of the boys home on furlough when the opportunity presents itself.
Source: Sioux Center News July 9, 1942, p 1
Sioux Center – You may write to “Tubby” Kroon at this address: Henry John Kroon, U.S.S. Bancroft, c.o. Postmaster, New York City, N. Y. He says that this part of the country looks like a garden spit in travelling across the miles from Boston.
Source: Sioux Center News July 9, 1942, p 2 J
Joe Franken Under McArthur
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Kosters received a letter from Joe Franken this week which stated that he was under McArthur so now it is thought he must be in the Australian vicinity. More help is due to arrive there soon and Joe is anticipating that he might see Henry John Kroon and Tommy Wierda who are in the U.S. Navy and have been on the eastern coast for some time, possibly on convoy duty.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 3, 1942, p 8
Henry John Kroon
On Sea For the past nine weeks, the John Kroon family have wondered where Henry John, better known as “Tubby”, could be. He is aboard the U.S.S. Bancroft, and last Thursday they received a letter saying that he is well, that they have been steaming since the 10th of September and that they are now on food rations, which seems to indicate that their supplies may be getting short. No indication of his whereabouts could be included.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 12, 1942, p 2
Tubby Kroon Had Beautiful Full Beard – Envy of the House of David
The Kroon family received a negative of a snapshot of their son Henry John, known as “Tubby” to his many friends, and upon having Photographer Bodnar enlarge and develop it, they discovered it to be a picture of Tubby with a perfectly gorgeous wavy full beard and mustache. He looked like something out of an old painting with his eyes twinkling with good humor, a typical “Old Salt”.
The saddest part of it all is that he wrote he had been six months raising that beautiful display, and then had it shaved off after he had the picture taken. Dr. Bodnar plans to make an enlargement of it for his window display, so if you want to see a real character be on the watch for Tubby and his whiskers.
Source: Sioux Center News April 15, 1943, p 8
Old Salt Henry Kroon (photo) 23 YEAR “OLD SALT HENRY KROON”
This is the genial “Tubby Kroon” (Henry John on his birth certificate) after six razorless months. Most town folk are familiar with this picture, the enlargement of which has been in Photographer Bodnar's window for some time, but for the sake of his many friends in the service who didn't get to see it, the News takes pleasure in publishing this fine picture of Henry John Kroon with his handsome beard. He had this picture taken the day before the barber cut it off and he said “no more beards - they are too much of a nuisance”.
Incidentally it will be two years ago in September that Henry left for the Navy, has been in active service since May 1942. His address is USS Bancroft, c.o. Fleet Postmaster, San Francisco, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News July 1, 1943, p 1
Henry John Kroon walked in unexpectedly Friday morning, when he returned to the States after 10 months absence. Henry is in the Navy on the Destroyer Bancroft, and has seen a good deal of the world in those ten months. He walked across the U.S.S. Tracy, the ship on which Harold Deiters is stationed, to get to shore in route homeward for his 15-day leave, but Harold was on shore leave at the time so he didn't get to see him. It is just a year ago this month that “Tubby” had his first furlough. He has been in the navy about two years.
Source: Sioux Center News July 15, 1943, p 2
Sioux Center
Among the Sioux Center boys who are home on furlough this week are Cpl. Fred Braakman form Camp Haan, Calif., Pvt. Bernard Koops from Shreveport, La., Staff Sgt. Bernard M. Vermeer of Dalugart, Tex., Pvt. Gerrit Zommermaand of Norfolk, Va., Lt. James Vermeer of New Orleans, La. and Henry John Kroon who has been on the water since the first of March.
Source: Sioux County Capital July 15, 1943, p 1
It seems Tubby, Henry John Kroon, is on land at present and may be fairly close to Joe Franken’s location, which most of our readers know. Anyway, he said he was hoping to meet him in the near future, or at least contact him by letter. His new address appears elsewhere in this issue.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 30, 1943, p 10
Four Kroon Bros. Serving Their Country (Photos) HENRY J. KROON EM 3-c, WM. J. KROON EM 2-c, SGT. BERT KROON, S. SGT RICHARD J. KROON
Pictured here are four sons of Mr. and Mrs. John Kroon who are serving their country overseas and on the sea. All of them are now outside the United States, two in the army and two in the navy.
Bert, now a Sergeant in the Infantry, was the first son to enter the service. He left in the fall of 1940 enlisting at LeMars and taking his training at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. He left the states in February, 1942 landing in Ireland where he spent the ensuing ten months. In December of that year he went to North Africa where he took part in the Tunisian Campaign. He was wounded in action in April 1943, and after five months in the hospital went back into active service Sept. 1st. He was awarded the medal of the Purple Heart for Military Merit.
Richard enlisted in the service in June, 1941, is a member of the air corps ground crew. He took all his training in California camps. He married Geraldine Arendsen in January, 1942, and in November of that year he sailed for England where he has been stationed ever since. Their daughter, Jacqueline Tana, was born May 27th of this year, and Richard eagerly looks forward to meeting her for the first time.
Henry John “Tubby” entered the Navy September 15th, 1941, and has been on sea duty for over a year, in battle action several times. At present he is in the hospital on an island where he has had an operation on the base of his spine. He is getting along very well, got a radio and enjoyed listening to the World Series.
William J. “Billy” went into the Navy December 8th, 1942, and after completing his boot training at Great Lakes, was sent to State Teachers at Kentucky where he received his rating. He has just recently been promoted to Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class. He went to Florida and then to Boston and the first week in October left the states aboard a destroyer escort for his first sea duty.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 21, 1943, p 2
Henry John Kroon arrived home Sunday morning on leave from his duties with the U.S. Navy. He will remain home until January 4th. Henry was dismissed from the hospital on November 11th, following an operation for a cyst at the base of his spine, and has been moving around so much since then, that his mail had not caught up with him. He didn't find out about his brother Bert's death nor his mother's illness until he arrived home. Henry has been serving on a destroyer until he was hospitalized in Hawaii.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 23, 1943, p 11
MEMORIAL SERVICES TO BE HELD FOR SGT. BERT KROON ON DEC. 28
Business Places To Close From 1 to 3 P.M. The community will honor the memory of Sergeant Bert Kroon, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kroon, at memorial services to be held in Central Reformed Church next Tuesday, December 28 at 1:30 o'clock. Bert was killed in action on the Italian front November 4.
Because of Mrs. Kroon’s illness and the difficulty in locating the two boys who are in the navy the plans for the services were not completed until this week when both Henry John and Billy came home. Richard Kroon will not be able to come home as he is stationed in England, with the Army Air Corps. Stores will be closed from 1:00 until 3 o’clock during the services. The American Legion will attend services in a body with the color guard in attendance. Rev. Meengs will officiate. All Legion members and men in the service home on furlough are asked to meet in the basement of Central Ref. Church at 1:15 P.M. Tuesday.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 23, 1943, p 1
Billy Kroon left the first of this week to return to his duties with the Navy after spending his two week leave here. Henry John Kroon received an extension on his twenty-day convalescent leave and can stay home until next week.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 6, 1944, p 2
Henry John Kroon left again for his service in the Navy Sunday afternoon after being home for several days in connection with the death of his mother Mrs. John Kroon.
Source: Sioux County Capital Jan. 20, 1944, p 7
Henry John Kroon EM 3/c and Kenneth A. Moeller SOM 3/c who both have been stationed at San Pedro, California have new outgoing addresses. Call either their parents or the News for their addresses.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 2, 1944, p 2
Henry John Kroon, EM 3/c has this new address: USS Silverbell, AN-51, c/o Fleet Post Office, San Francisco, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 2, 1944, p 10
MAY BE IN MARIANAS
After eight weeks of silence a letter was received from Henry John “Tubby” Kroon last week who said he had arrived at his destination after a non-stop cruise of fifty-one days. Among other things the water distiller broke while at sea and materials for fixing it were not available. Therefore they had their drinking water rationed, and it was salt water, made palatable through some makeshift method that did little to improve its original taste, according to Tubby. He said it was dreadfully hot, but he could not name his present location though some of his family believe it may be in the vicinity of the Marianas. Incidentally he was promoted to Electricians Mate 2/c.
Source: Sioux Center News July 13, 1944, p 2
Henry John (Tubby) Kroon was at Manilla in the Philippines last time his family heard from him. He was at the Iwo Jima fray, also. He said Manilla was in dreadful ruin when he visited there.
Source: Sioux Center News April 19, 1945, p 12
Henry John Kroon was promoted to 1st Class Electrician’s Mate on June 1.
Source: Sioux Center News June 28, 1945, p 2
Henry John Kroon is in the Philippines at present awaiting transportation home after serving for over three years with the U. S. Navy all over the South W. Pacific War Zone.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 25, 1945, p 2
AT GT. LAKES HOSPITAL (photo) HENRY JOHN KROON
Henry John Kroon EM 1/c arrived in the states Nov. 13 and is now at U. S. Naval Hospital Ward 83, South Great Lakes, Ill. for medical care before accepting his discharge. He and the folks here as well are hoping he can be home for Christmas.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 29, 1945, p 10
Henry John Kroon arrived home this past week for a visit after having been hospitalized for several weeks recently. He will be discharged as soon as his present course of medical treatment has been completed. He recently had an operation for the removal of a cyst. It is about two years since Tubby was last home.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 27, 1945, p 10
Henry Kroon Received Discharge (photo) HENRY JOHN KROON
Henry John “Tubby” Kroon has been discharged and came home recently, after spending six months at the Naval Hospital in Great Lakes, following his active service on sea. He has no definite plans and wants to be free to come and go as he likes for at least a few weeks. Tubby is the third in the Kroon family to receive his discharge, Richard and William having been out for several months now. Bert was killed during the invasion of Italy. Bernard is still in the navy.
Source: Sioux Center News June 20, 1946, p 1
Draft Board … Class 1-C Discharged: …, Henry John Kroon, …
Source: Sioux Center News June 20, 1946, p 9
HONORABLY DISCHARGED
Navy men continue to constitute the bulk of the list now filing discharge papers with the County Recorder. The number of army discharges diminished to only one. Listed are: Henry John Kroon, Navy, Sioux Center. …
Source: Alton Democrat June 20, 1946, p 1
Iowa, U. S., World War II Bonus Case Files, 1947-1954, Claim Number 224504
Henry John Kroon was born October 25, 1919, at Sioux Center, Iowa, which was where he was residing prior to entering the Navy on September 16, 1941, at the Naval Recruiting Station in Sioux City, Iowa. He served with the Naval Trg. Center, Great Lakes; the Naval Training Station, Dearborn, Mich.; The U.S.S. Bancroft; the U.S.S. Silverbell; and at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital. He left for foreign service on March 1, 1942, returned on December 4, 1943, left again on February 1, 1944, returned on November 15, 1945, and was honorably discharged on June 4, 1946. His application for bonus pay was filed on Sept. 20, 1949, for which he received $500.00.
Source: ancestry.com
Henry John “Tubby” Kroon was born Oct. 25, 1919 to John and Wilhelmina “Minnie” Scholten Kroon. He died Dec. 1, 2020. Tubby served with the U.S. Navy in World War II.
Source: ancestry.com
