Three More War Prisoners Are Reported Liberated
Red Cross Notified of Release of Nozicka, Mansmith and Martin
Three more Cerro Gordo county prisoners of war have been liberated, according to word received by the local Red Cross from national headquarters.
They are 2nd Lt. Benny J. Nozicka and Pfc. Harold E Mansmith of Mason City and Flight Officer Roy B. Martin, Jr., of Clear Lake.
Included in the same message were the names of Lt. Nozicka and Pfc. Mansmith. It requested the Red Cross notify Mrs. John Nozicka, 830 15th S.E., of the liberation of her son; also Mrs. Peter Tosevigen of the liberation of her son, Pfc. Mansmith. It asked that Mrs. Cecil Martin be notified of F/O Martin's release.
Lt. Nozicka was taken prisoner on June 9 of last year first reported missing in action in flight over Germany on that date. He had been held at Stalag Luft 3. Mrs. Nozicka reports that the last letter received from him was written last Dec. 24. The letter came here in March. He had written that he would like to be sent all kinds of eats but didn't want any clothing.
Pfc. Mansmith was imprisoned at Stalag IV B. He had been held since last Nov. 26. In March his wife, who lives at Baraboo, Wis., has had direct word from him, stating that he was at the above named camp.
F/O Martin had been held at Stalag Luft No. 1. He was captured by the Germans last Sept. 18 first reported missing in action over Holland.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, May 25, 1945 (photos included of the 3 servicemen)
WAR PRISONER SENDS GREETINGS -- Mrs. John Nozicka, 839 15th S.E., received greetings from her son, Lt. Benny J. Nozicka, from Paris saying that he would soon be on his way home. This is the first direct word received from Lt. Nozicka since he was released from Stalag Luf 3 recently. The news of his liberation had been received through the Red Cross the latter part of May. He was taken prisoner by the Germans a year ago.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, June 12, 1945
Benjamin John “Ben" Nozicka was born Dec. 15, 1922 to John and Hattie Nozicka. He died Apr 24, 2008 and is buried in Elmwood Saint Joseph Cemetery, Mason City, IA.
Lt. Nozicka served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps and was captured and held in a German POW camp for 11 months.
Sources: ancestry.com
