PFC. OLMSTEAD IS CASUALTY
Webster City Soldier Was Killed in Italy on June 17.
Pfc. Howard F. Olmstead, son of Mrs. Emma Olmstead of this city, was killed in action June 17 somewhere in Italy, his mother, has been notified by the war department.
No further details on the manner of the Webster City serviceman’s death are available, but a letter is expected to follow, the department message, received Saturday, said.
Private Olmstead entered the service in September in 1943 and received much of his early training in Florida.
In January he spent a short furlough in this city, visiting friends and relatives prior to being transferred overseas with an infantry unit in February.
The last word received from him was a letter dated May 14.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - July 10, 1944 (picture included)
MILITARY RITES HERE MONDAY
Military services for Pfc. Howard Olmstead will be held Monday at 3:30 p.m. at the Foster funeral home with Rev. Dewey Kooy officiating and with burial in Graceland cemetery.
Howard Franklin Olmsted, son of Fred and Emma Olmstead, was born July 28, 1924, at Webster City. He was educated in the schools of Webster City and enlisted in the armed services Sept. 14, 1943, at Des Moines.
He received his military training at Orlando, Fla., with the 141st infantry 36th division. He received additional training at Fort Meade, Md., and from there was sent overseas, landing at Salerno, Italy.
Pfc. Olmstead was killed in action during the Italian campaign, June 17, 1944. He had received the purple heart and several campaign stars and ribbons for action in which he took part.
He was preceded in death by his father, who died in 1941, also a brother, Lyle, and a brother, Ernest. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Emma Olmstead of Webster City; four brothers and three sisters. Mrs. Walter Raner, Mrs Ray Van Ohlen, Mrs. Judell Roe, Raymond, Harvey, Roy and Harold all of Webster City. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
Howard Franklin Olmstead was born July 28, 1924 to Fred D. and Emma W. Duden Olmstead. He died June 17, 1944 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.
Sources: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA
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