No Sioux County Men Drafted In Call No. 13
TWO REPLACEMENTS WILL LEAVE ON MAY 27
Apparently the state draft board members are superstitious, anyway they sent call #13 to the Sioux County board but did not ask for any men. The blanks on the form were filled in with a simple neat little zero.
Call #14 is expected before the end of this week. Men included in this call must be notified at least ten days before they leave so the next group could not leave before the first week in June.
Four local boys have recently been classified 1-A and passed their physical exams, ready to go in the near future. They are: Richard Kroon, Henry Addink, Arnold van Steenwyk, and Gary Verrips. …
Source: Sioux Center News May 22, 1941, p 1
Five Men Called To Army On June 4
The following five men have been selected by the Sioux County Local Board to fill Call #14. They will leave Orange City on June 4th at 3:14 p.m. by train for the Induction Center at Fort Des Moines.
The men selected to fill the call are as follows: … V-1374 Richard J. Kroon, Sioux Center …
Source: Sioux Center News May 29, 1941, p 1
Draftees Leave On Wednesday Afternoon
Four boys who have been drafted left on Wednesday afternoon at 3:15 from Orange City. Two of the boys are from Sioux Center, namely Gary Verrips, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Verrips and Richard Kroon, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kroon.
The other two boys are from Hull and Hudson.
Source: Sioux Center News June 5, 1941, p 1
24 Local Boys Serve In Army & Navy Expect More To Be Drafted Near Future
Twenty-four boys from Sioux Center and near vicinity are now serving in the army and the navy. Some of these boys have been drafted and some have volunteered. More of our boys will be drafted into military service in the near future, and each day it appears that we are drawing nearer to an open war at the side of England.
We publish below a list of the boys with their addresses, with the thought that their friends will write them letters.
… Richard J. Kroon 98 Platoon March Field, Calif. …
Source: Sioux Center News July 31, 1941, p 3
Correction of Soldiers’ Addresses: Richard J. Kroon Richard J. Kroon 49 Pursuit Squadron F. Air Force Co. March Field, California
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 21, 9141, p 4
Bill Van Steenwyk Visits Boys in Camp
Bill Van Steenwyk, who returned from a western trip on Friday, reports that he called on several of the boys in camp located in the West. In California after visiting with his son Marion and family, who live at Alhambra, and his son, Bernie and family, at San Bernardino, he made arrangements to see some of the local boys in camp.
Bill called on Richard Kroon and Gary Verrips, who are stationed at Marsh Field and Stanley Roelofs who is living at Camp Roberts. Marty Sneller who is also at Camp Roberts, came to the city with Stanley, and due to the fact that he had made arrangements to meet a friend, they did not meet. …
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 2, 1941, p 1
Write the Boys in the Service
LIST OF SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND MARINES FROM THIS LOCALITY
The News has gathered a list of the local boys who are serving in the U. S. Army, Navy and Marines at the present time with their correct addresses. If you have any correction of the addresses published we would be glad to know about it and if any one has been omitted from the list, call our attention to it and we will publish them next week. Many people have inquired as to the correct addresses of the men in the service so that they may correspond with them. Now that you have the correct address, sit down and write a letter to your friend, or relative that is in the army, navy or with the marines. Only they can tell you how much it means to get a letter from home.
The Women’s Club has been working on plans whereby each member will “adopt” a man in the service in order to send him cookies, birthday cards, and other tokens of remembrance.
….. Richard Kroon 49th Pursuit Sq. F Air Force CC March Field, Calif. …..
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 30, 1941, p 4
Richard Kroon Released From U. S. Army
Richard Kroon arrived home last Wednesday night from March Field, Calif. where he was honorably released from the U.S. Army, as he is over the age limit. He was drafted about six months ago. According to rules which were established some time ago by the government, a soldier released from the army has 40 days in which to claim his job which he left when drafted.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 13, 1941, p 1
Richard Kroon received word that all the reserves would be called out by the 1st of February. He was released due to the age limit and so expects a call by February 1st.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 8, 1942, p 8
Richard Kroon writes that he left Des Moines and was sent to March Field. Later his new address was changed to Long Beach. The letter was received here on Wednesday and stated that he would be at Long Beach for the next 10 days only. His address in Long Beach is Pvt. Richard Kroon, 49th Pursuit Squadron, Army Air Base, Municipal Airport, Long Beach.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 22, 1942, p 8
Privates Gary Verrips and Richard Kroon have both been transferred from Long Beach, Calif. to San Bruno, Calif. where they have their cots next to each other. Both of their addresses are 49th Pursuit Sq. F., San Bruno, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 19, 1942, p 8
Richard Kroon, who was recently transferred to San Bruno, Calif. from Long Beach, Calif. has been promoted to the rank of Corporal. His latest address which we published last week is: Corporal Richard Kroon, 49th Pursuit Sq. F., San Bruno, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 26, 1942, p 8
Mrs. Richard Kroon left last Thursday for San Bruno, Calif. where her husband, Corporal Richard Kroon is stationed. She plans to live in San Francisco with another soldier’s wife so they will be near San Bruno.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 5, 1942, p 8
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: ..... Corp. Richard J. Kroon
..... 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 indicates 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
March 31, 1942 San Bruno, Calif.
Dear Ed: The March 26th edition of the news came today, and reading it as I always do from cover to cover, I came across the column “The News Force”. I read there of a little controversy. I agree in a certain sense with Mr. Te Paske but I also agree with Mr. Chas. Hoeven. No doubt Mr. Te Paske has done a great deal for the war effort. It reminds me of the Bible story of the Publican and the Pharisee – the soldiers and servicemen don’t want people to stand on a corner and make a show but they want the public to put forth as much effort as possible. I have observed the public around here, and I think that they are half asleep – they laugh at a person who thinks that this war will be carried to our shores, but I dare bet that the West Coast will experience a genuine air raid, and hope we have one – maybe it will wake up some of these people. There are a lot of people who are trying to get as much as possible by doing as little as possible. Those people are really yellow. There are a lot of people who, though financially able, refuse to buy bonds, or if they do, just buy a few, because they seem to think that we will win this war anyway – and if that isn’t complacency I would like a better definition. These people had better think about how much their lovely dollar will be worth if we should lose. If we lose their bonds might not be worth very much but their money won’t be worth a tinkers damn either. This war is not (this is strictly my opinion) going to be won by soldiers and sailors alone. The decision rests with Mr. John Q. Public. An army, no matter how large and well trained, is absolutely useless without material that must be produced on the farms and in the factories, and without money those things cannot be produced. If the public will stand behind the men in the service and push them to the utmost of their ability we can’t help but win this war.
Source: Sioux Center News Apr. 9, 1942, p 7
Richard Kroon, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kroon of Sioux Center sends a change of address: Corp. Richard J. Kroon, 83rd Pursuit Squadron (1), San Bruno, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News May 28, 1942, p 8
CORPORAL RICHARD KROON HAS NARROW ESCAPE AT SAN BRUNO, CALIFORNIA
Corp. Richard Kroon, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kroon of Sioux Center writes in a letter home of a narrow escape from serious injury or death when a pilot lost control of an army plane.
We quote from his letter: “I had a very harrowing experience this past week. You may have heard over the radio or read in the papers that an army plane crashed into a hangar at the San Francisco airport. While here is my story: It was about 11:40 that morning and coming from the mess hall, which is hangar 5, I passed hanger 4, occupied by one of the airlines, and was going to hanger 2, which is the one that is used for our supply room and sleeping quarters. As it was nearly noon a lot of the men were lying on their bunks. As I was walking along absorbed in thought and not paying any attention to anything in particular, I heard the sirens start. I was midway between hangers 3 and 4 at the time. Thinking nothing of it as I had heard only the first blast, which means to clear the runway, I figured a truck was on the take-off runway and I looked up to see if I could see the dumb guy. Just as I looked up the siren rose again and started wailing and at the same time I saw a P-38 headed directly into hangar 2, the one used for maintenance work. I stopped short. He turned toward me. I could look directly in the guns. I thought that he was going out into the field again and started to run for the sleeping hanger when he turned right at me again. Then I ran toward the mess hall and again he came right at me. Every time I change direction the plane followed me. As I ran to the sleeping hangar and was abreast of a P-38 that was parked on the apron, I thought that he was going to crash into it but he pulled his left wing into the ground, vaulted over it on the wing and sailed through the air, tail first, and landed in the hanger. The plane burst into flames. I saw the pilot climb out of the cockpit and fall into the fire. Several of the boys who were around at the time started after him but by that time the bullets were flying in all directions and the boys had to run for their lives and take cover. The pilot was burned so that little more than half of him was left. One other enlisted man was killed; he had the back of his head sheared off by a steel beam the plane had knocked down in the crash. There were three P-40 planes in the Hangar at the time and all are a loss. A P-38 is a pretty big plane but boy, it looked like a bomber coming at me. The pilot had lost control of his ship but somehow he managed to keep it out of the sleeping hanger.”
Since this time Corporal Kroon has been transferred to a new address from San Bruno. His new address is: Corporal Richard J. Kroon, 83rd Fighter Squadron, Hamilton Field, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News July 2, 1942, p 6
Thirty Young Men From Central Church In Service
The following is the list of boys from Central Reformed Church who are now serving in the armed forces. Their addresses change frequently, and P. Mouw is keeping an up-to-date list of addresses. Parents are asked to give him changes of addresses as soon as they get them, so the boys may get all the mail that it is possible for them to get.
... Corp. Richard J. Kroon ...
Since the above list was published in the church bulletin, two more boys have gone into the service: ...
Source: Sioux Center News July 9, 1942, p 4
Richard Kroon Promoted To Sergeant
Richard Kroon, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kroon of Sioux Center, has been promoted to rank of Sergeant in the U. S. army. Mrs. Richard Kroon makes her home in California near her husband’s training camp. Sgt. Kroon’s latest address is: Sgt. Richard J. Kroon, 83rd Fighter Squadron, Hamilton Field, California.
Source: Sioux Center News July 23, 1942, p 10
Promoted To Staff Sergeant
Richard Kroon, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kroon of Sioux Center, was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in the U. S. army. He is located at Hamilton Field, Calif. Mrs. Richard Kroon resides with her husband in Calif. His address is: St. Sgt. Richard Kroon, 83rd Fighter Squadron, Hamilton Field, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 24, 1942, p 2
Schalekamp’s Patriotic Window Display
90 LOCAL SERVICE MEN’S PICTURES
Much interest has been created by Schalekamp’s Drug Store window display of 90 servicemen’s pictures this past week. Civilians are seen with noses pressed to the plate glass window studying the groups and poses of our men in uniform. Every man in the window display is currently connected with this community having been born and reared in the Sioux Center territory.
Several brother groups are in the exhibit, namely the three Kroon brothers, Richard, Henry and Bert, also the three Moerman brothers, Adrian, Peter and William. Other groups of two brothers are the Vander Berg boys, Theodore and Gerrit, Bierma brothers, Carl and Bill, Franken Bros., Joe and Everett, and Attema brothers of near Rock Valley, Jake and Tunis; Dieters Bros., Herman and Harold, Van Engen Bros., Gerrit and George, Van Steenwyk Bros., Herman and Cedric, Van Muyden Bros., Lester and Peter, and Schalekamp Bros., Abe and Joe. Another interesting feature of the novelty collection is the fact that every branch of the service is represented, the Army, Navy, Air Corps and Marines. As you recall where each man is now stationed, there are a good many states of America represented and many foreign lands, Ireland, England, Australia, New Caledonia, India, Iceland, Panama, Alaska, Hawaii and Canada. In fact if you stop to realize it, there will never be a time again in our lives where so many of the local boys will be so scattered in all parts of the world. Truly a travelogue of familiar faces. Sioux Center’s young men are going into battle with the rest of the nation. Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 15, 1942, p 4 Richard Kroon has been moved from Hamilton Field, Calif. to New York City. Correct address: S. Sgt. Richard J. Kroon ASN 37045587 83rd Fighter Sq. APO 3343 c.o. Postmaster, New York City, N.Y. His wife, the former Geraldine Arendsen, arrived home Sunday by train.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 19, 1942, p 2
S. Sgt. Richard J. Kroon 83rd Fighter Squadron 78th Fighter Group APO 637, c.o. Postmaster New York City, N.Y.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 7, 1943, p 6
Here is a letter from Richard Kroon who has been in the service nearly two years. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kroon. May 10
Dear Ed: Your newspaper of December 31 arrived a few days ago; It sure took a long time in getting to me. The papers have been coming quite regularly of late, and even though they are late there is always plenty of news in them for me. One thing I noticed though is the increasing number of strange names, after all I have been away from home for quite a time now and the world just won’t stand still, by the time I do get back I will have to learn a lot of new faces and the people to whom they belong. The people for the most part are friendly and ea’y to get along with but even yet are hard to understand when they speak – some have an odd accent and use expressions that are as much different from our slang as day and night. By the time I get home I will be able to rattle along with some of the English stuff like “Blinkin’, ‘bloody’, ‘bloke’ and stuff like that. I have been to London several times, there is so much there that can be written about that I can’t begin to do it justice. The site of the bombed out sections is impressive though, no matter where you go to in the town you will see vacant lots or blasted buildings or scars on the stone of the building where bomb splinters took out a chunk. There remains little to be told that can be so must close, anyway it is nearly chow time again and no matter how badly the “belly robbers” cook the stuff here is one dog face that believes that the army moves on its stomach. I wish to take this chance to thank the people who are sending me the paper, also those organizations that are sending the letters. I especially wish to thank the American Legion for the letter that the Special Service officer sent me recently. It appears that community is going all out on the bonds, it is comforting to know that the home folks are doing more than thinking of us but are behind us and giving us a push. Good luck and health to all and tell the young ladies that they won’t have to “sweat it out” very long. Rich S. Sgt. Richard J. Kroon 78th Fighter Group 83rd Fighter Squadron APO 637, c. o. Postmaster New York City, N.Y.
Source: Sioux Center News May 20, 1943, p 9
A baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kroon at the Maris Maternity home on May 27th. She has been named Jacqueline Tana. The mother is the former Geraldine Arendson and the father is in the service and is overseas.
Source: Sioux Center News June 3, 1943, p 6
Arnold Van Steenwyk is enjoying his experiences in England, and writes that he and Richard Kroon have exchanged letters and expect to arrange a meeting soon in or near London. He had been to London and had seen a good many historic sites.
Source: Sioux Center News June 10, 1943, p 10
Richard Kroon and Arnold Van Steenwyk met Sunday in England according to letters received by their parents here. Arnold wrote he had talked to Richard by phone and set Sunday, June 13th for their meeting. He said he had bought two bicycles there and both had been stolen from him.
Source: Sioux Center News June 17, 1943, p 10
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.
….. 5 Staff Sgts: … Richard Kroon …..
Source: Sioux Center News July 8, 1943, p 5
S. Sgt. Richard Kroon, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kroon, is still stationed in England. He writes that recently he enjoyed a weekend pass in London. His address is: S. Sgt. Richard J. Kroon 83rd Fighter Sq. 78th Fighter Gp. APO 637, c.o. Postmaster New York City, N. Y.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 9, 1943, p 2
IOWA SOLDIERS MEET IN LONDON
Dine at Red Cross Club to Toast Native State London –
Hawkeyes of Iowa gathered at the American Red Cross Mostyn club in London the other night to toast their native state in “Coke” and to enjoy the good old fashioned home cooked dinner the club chef had prepared especially for them. Corn on the cob it’s on the menu but not on the table – perhaps it was torpedoed in route! Two men who live but six miles apart at home and have been friends all their lives sat side by side. Known as “the twins” at their station they go everywhere together. They were inducted into the army together, sailed on the same ship, have the same rank and drove into the dinner in the same Jeep. Pfc. Walton Peterson of Belmond and Pfc. Virgil W. Koenen of Meservey believe the “all for one and one for all” theory. Every time Walton is offered another stripe he refuses it until Virgil gets one and vice versa. “Guess we’ll just keep our Pfc’s after all”, smiled Walton. Said Virgil: “It’s first class with me!” Asked to state what was good about Iowa S. Sgt. Richard J. Kroon of Sioux Center replied, “tall corn and good people”. Greetings were sent to Gov. B. B. Hickenlooper. Other north Iowans at the affair were: Forest City, Cpl. Oscar N. Olson; Cresco, Cpl. Edward Vobr.
Source: Mason City Globe Gazette Sept. 27, 1943, p 12
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
S. Sgt. Richard Kroon sent an interesting clipping from the October 17th issue of YANK The Army Keely, in which is published an account of an infantry battle in New Georgia. Mentioned in the story is Cpl. Garrit Hulstein of Hospers, Iowa, who established an observation post on a Jap infested point, with a 77mm Jap gun directly in front of him about 50 yards away. The gun blazed and shot away about a foot and a half of the rim of the bomb crater in which Hulstein and his men had established their post. The details of this particular battle are too long to print here but if Garritt's parents would like to have this paper, we will keep it at the news office until it is called for. Anyone else interested is invited to stop in and read it in detail.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 4, 1043, p 10
Sgt. Bert Kroon Killed In Action On Italian Battle Front, Nov. 4 (photo) TELEGRAM THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR SON SGT. BERT KROON WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN ITALY ON NOVEMBER 4. LETTER FOLLOWS. SIGNED, THE ADJ. GENERAL
Message Received By Parents Nov. 24
Sergeant Bert Kroon, 26, one of the four sons of Mr. and Mrs. John Kroon in the service of their country, was killed in action on the Italian front on November the 4th, according to a message received from the War Department by the family last Wednesday, November 24th.
WAS WOUNDED IN ACTION LAST MAY – RECEIVED PURPLE HEART MEDAL
This message, except for its tragic finality, is much like one received by the family last may when Bert was wounded in action during the Tunisian campaign. It was about two weeks after the notice of his injury that word was received from him personally, assuring the family that he was getting along splendidly and they shouldn't worry. He received the Purple Heart Medal for meritorious action shortly after his injury, and sent the medal to his mother. He did not go back into combat until September, and then it was to join his buddies right up to the front again, this time in Italy. The last letter received from him was written on October 28th when he and Gary Vander Berg, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. G. Vander Berg, had had a brief respite from frontline activity, and were able to go and see Teddy Vander Berg who works in the company office. Teddy has been the official scribe for himself, his brother Gary, and also for Bert, since the latter two were always too busy at the front to have much time to write. Bert usually managed to relay his important information to his parents in this manner, although his mother did have a letter he wrote in a foxhole where he had spent three grueling hours. It is obvious that he was engaged in considerable close-range fighting for Teddy mentions their individual records of fighting more than once in giving an account of their activities.
MOTHER HOME FROM HOSPITAL
Mrs. John Kroon arrived home from Rochester, Minn. where she had submitted to surgery and treatment, on the day the message arrived here. Mrs. Kroon has been suffering from a liver ailment and has spent a great deal of time right down in bed since the latter part of October, and will be there for some time.
FOUR SONS IN SERVICE
Four sons from the Kroon family have been in the service during this war, and the three remaining are Richard who is in the Air Corps in England, Henry John and Billy who are in the Navy. Henry John has been in the hospital but is at present being moved and Billy is on the sea aboard a destroyer.
OBITUARY Bert Kroon was born August 12, 1917, in Sioux Center. He attended grade and high school here graduating from the local high school. Following his graduation he worked around here most of the time, just previous to his enlistment being employed at Koolbeck’s Meat Market. He enlisted early in the fall of 1940 and trained at LeMars with Ted and Gary Vander Berg, Bud Bodnar and Carl Bierma, in the LeMars company of the National Guard. They were inducted into the U.S. Army on February 10th, 1941, and went to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana for their real army training on February 25th, 1941. February of the following year found the boys in North Ireland where they were stationed for several months, then in England and from there they journeyed to North Africa where they took part in the Tunisian Campaign. After a few months lull, they moved with their company into Italy where the going is really tough even in the best spots. The community joins the Kroon family in mourning the loss of a native son who saw his duty and chose to perform it commendably and honorably in the service of his country. Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Kroon, five brothers, Richard, Henry John, William, Bernard and Stanton, and three sisters, Eda, Trudy and Norma all of whom are at home, except the three boys in the service. One brother, also named Bert, died in infancy.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 2, 1943, p 1
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 on 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 Pictures From England Richard Kroon and Arnold van Steenwyk, both stationed in England, spent a 24-hour pass together and took several pictures which Mr. Van Steenwyk received this week. They are typical likenesses of the boys - they are both looking very fit.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 27, 1944, p 1
Richard Kroon writes he was to have a brief furlough about March 1st which he expected to spend with the English family who have opened their home to him.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 2, 1944, p 10
Daddy is in England (photo of mother and daughter) Jacqueline Tana Kroon was born at Sioux Center, Iowam Nay 27, 1943, and has never see her father Staff Sergeant Richard Kroon who has been overseas more than a year and a half. He is stationed in England. Mrs. Kroon is the former Geraldine Arendsen and is making her home with her mother here for the duration.
Source: Sioux Center News July 27, 1944, p 2
S. Sgt. Richard Kroon has a new APO number, 637.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 23, 1944, p 10
BROTHER-IN-LAWS MEET IN ENGLAND
Richard Kroon and Aldred Bruins recently met in England and had a very nice visit together. Aldred left the states in the latter part of November, so he could give Richard a lot of news concerning the folks back home. They are brothers-in-law.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 22, 1945, p 1
Attends Army “University” in England – Staff Sergeant Richard J Kroon, of Sioux Center, Iowa, is one of more than 200 Eighth Air Force soldiers studying in their spare time at the 78th Fighter Group’s “University” in preparation for their return to civilian life. S. Sgt. Kroon is taking courses in advertising and photography, attending classes two nights a week. He is a squadron supply clerk, keeping records of clothing and equipment, in a P-51 Mustang unit commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Olin E. Gilbert, of Collinsville Ill. The school, one of a number to be set up under the Army Education Program, offers 12 subjects, and students have signed up for 15 weeks study. Their instructors are fellow soldiers doubling as teachers in subjects which were their professions before joining the army. After Germany’s defeat the school will expand into a full-time educational system for soldiers waiting for transfer back home or to other theaters. The sergeant attended Sioux Center High School and worked for the Brommer Transfer Company before entering the army.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 8, 1945, p 8
Richard Kroon is still in England with no change in his present circumstances.
Source: Sioux Center News April 19, 1945, p 8
Gen’l Dolittle Commends 8th Air Force (photos) England,
VE Day – Among the 185,000 men and women of the Eighth Air Force congratulated today by Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle, who assumed command of the Eighth in January, 1944, is S/Sgt. Richard J. Kroon, 32, a supply clerk in the 78th Fighter Group, whose wife, Mrs. Geraldine M. Kroon, and father, John Kroon, live in Sioux Center, Iowa; 2nd Lt. Bernard L. Brunsting, son of Rev. and Mrs. L. A. Brunsting, and Cpl. Albert Tamminga, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jake Tamminga. “I wish to extend my personal congratulations and my heartfelt appreciation to every one of you for the magnificent job you have done,” Gen. Doolittle said in a message to all personnel. “Each of you,” he continued, “may be proud of your part in the defeat of Germany. I am proud of you. The world is proud of you.” The Eighth Air Force was the world's mightiest strategic bombing force. Its personnel of 185,000 was the equivalent of 12 infantry divisions, and it could send 21,000 airmen in 2000 four-engine bombers and 1000 fighters over Germany at one time, a combat effort possible only through the support of tens of thousands of non-flying specialists.
Source: Sioux Center News May 31, 1945, p 1
RICH KROON DISCHARGED (photo) S/SGT. RICHARD KROON
S/Sgt. Richard Kroon, son of Mr. John Kroon of Sioux Center, arrived home last week, a civilian once more after more than three years overseas. He was stationed in England. Some important events took place in his immediate family during his absence. His mother died during his first year overseas. His little daughter Jacqueline Tana was born and is now going on three years old. His brother Bert was killed in action in Italy, early in the Italian campaign. Richard is one of five in the family now in the military service, and first to receive his discharge. Henry John, Bernard and Billy are all in the Navy somewhere in the Pacific. Their sister Trudy joined the WAVES a few months ago and is stationed in the Bronx, N.Y. Richard’s wife is the former Geraldine Arendson and she and daughter Jacqueline have been making their home here since Richard left the states.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 20, 1945, p 2
Sioux County Servicemen Officially Discharged
Servicemen who filed discharge papers in the County Recorder’s Office at Orange City since September 12 include the following: … Richard J. Kroon, Sioux Center …
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 20, 1945, p 1
Draft Board Minutes of September 18, 1945
… The following men have been discharged: …, Richard J. Kroon, … …
Source: Sioux County Capital Sept. 27, 1945, p 8
Iowa, U.S., World War II Bonus Case Files, Claim Number 98404
Richard J. Kroon was born on Sept. 1, 1912, at Sioux Center, Iowa, which was where he was residing prior to entering the army on June 5, 1941. He was released on Oct. 31, 1941, and then recalled again on Jan. 12, 1942. He served with the 49th Pursuit Sqd., 14th Pursuit Group, 4th Air Force, and then the 83rd Fighter Sqd., 78th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force. He left for foreign service on November 24, 1942, returned on August 28, 1945, and was honorably discharged on Sept. 11, 1945. His application for bonus pay was filed on May 20, 1949, for which he received $500.00.
Source: ancestry.com
Richard J. Kroon was born Sept. 1, 1912 to John and Wilhelmina “Minnie” Scholten Kroon. He died Oct. 5, 1992 and is buried in Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, NE.
Source: ancestry.com
