Everett Mahler Killed in North Africa
Former Bagley Grocer Loses Life In Last Stand Fight of Axis Army
Bagley and the surrounding community was shocked and saddened Wednesday morning when Mrs. Vera Mahler received a telegram from the War Department stating that her son, Everett L. Mahler, had been killed in action on the African front on April 30.
The telegram follows:
Washington D.C.
Mrs. Vera M. Mahler,
Bagley, Iowa
The Secretary of War desires that I tender his deep sympathy to you in the loss of your son, technician fifth grade Everett L. Mahler. Report just received states that he was killed in action on April 30 in North Africa. A letter follows.
Ulio, The Adjutant General
Everett left Bagley June 19, 1942, and after less than four months training was shipped to North Ireland. He was among the first troops sent to Africa and in a letter written several weeks ago he said he had been on the front lines for two months.
Graduated in 1937
Everett was born January 6, 1920, and attended grade and high school at Bagley, graduating with the Class of 1937. After finishing school, he worked in the Duntman and Holmes grocery stores and late in 1940 he opened a store of his own which he successfully operated until his induction into the army last summer.
At the time he left for training, Everett insisted that he was going to see action as soon as possible. He applied for work with the paratroop corps and upon being rejected, he joined the commandos. However, several months ago he wrote home saying that he had been transferred to a line company.
Mail:
Mrs. Mahler received a letter from her son Wednesday morning after she had received the telegram. The message had been written April 18 and it said that he was pressed for time but that he was feeling well. He said that he had been receiving a lot of mail including the “Gazette” but he probably wouldn’t have time to answer all of it.
Everett has a brother, Revilo, who is a private first class in the Army somewhere in the desert near Los Angeles, Calif., and a sister, Mrs. Anna Mae Miller, of Vancouver, Wash. Mrs. Miller’s husband is a lieutenant in the Army.
Source: The Bayard News (Bayard, Iowa), Thursday, May 20, 1943 (photo included)
Mrs. Vera Mahler recently received a letter from the War Department which stated that her son, Everett L. Mahler, had been awarded a Distinguished Service Cross posthumously for the bravery he showed on the day that he was killed in action in North Africa, April 30, 1943.
The award was given by command of Lieutenant General Patton and reads as follows:
“Everett L. Mahler, Technician Fifth Grade, Medical Detachment, Infantry, For extraordinary heroism in action on 30 April 1943 in the area of Tunisia. Technician Fifth Grade Mahler, under extremely heavy and prolonged enemy shell fire, left a covered position voluntarily, and with utter disregard for his own safety, rendered emergency first aid treatment to wounded soldiers. During this action Technician Fifth Grade Mahler was mortally wounded, but his heroic actions saved the lives of several fellow soldiers.”
Word was received last summer that Everett had been awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in action and had been decorated on the field of battle. Mrs. Mahler has, also, received a second Silver Star award which was given by command of Major General Eddy and which says:
For Gallantry
“For gallantry in action on * April 1943 during the attack by the
** Battalion east of Tunisia Technician Fifth Grade Mahler distinguished himself while under enemy observation, heavy and concentrated mortar and machine gun fire, treated wounded men and was responsible for saving many lives. The brave act was an inspiration to the members of the command.”
The Distinguished Service Cross is the highest medal that can be awarded an American soldier without congressional action and very few of them have been awarded in this war. The award earned by T/5 Mahler is probably the highest honor ever accorded a serviceman from Guthrie county and this should be an inspiration to all who knew him.
A Former Grocer
Everett was born and raised in Bagley and was graduated from high school in the Class of 1937. In 1940 he purchased a grocery store, which he operated until his call to service in 1942. He was first attached to a commando unit but later was transferred to a line company with which he served until his untimely death.
Source: The Bayard News (Bayard, Iowa), Thursday, March 16, 1944 (photo included)
Everett Leland Mahler was born Jan. 6, 1920 to Oliver and Vera Myrtle Taylor Mahler. He died Apr. 30, 1943 and is buried in Richland Memorial Cemetery, Herndon, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
