This community was saddened Saturday to learn of the death of Pvt. Calvin Postma who was killed in action in France, July 3. The telegram addressed to Mrs. Calvin Postma arrived Saturday at 7:40 a. m. and was the second notice within 2 weeks of a local man killed in action. Pvt. Postma was inducted into the Army on Sept. 13, 1943 and was in training with the infantry at Camp Fannin, Texas. He was sent overseas to England around Easter-time. He arrived in France on June 17. Memorial services for Pvt. Postma will be held at 2 p. m. Friday in the Sec. Chr. Ref. church with the Rev. A. Jabaay officiating. Pvt. Calvin Postma was born Feb. 8, 1911 at Roseland, Chicago, Ill. He came to Ireton with his parents when a child and received his grade school education there. The family moved to Alton and he continued his education at the Academy here. He married Miss Leona Jasper of Orange City on June 8, 1939. There are no children. Mr. Postma was employed at the Vanden Bos broiler plant and later on worked at the Silent Sioux factory until the time of his induction into the Army. He was a member of the Sec. Chr. Ref. church of Orange City. Survivors are his wife, his father John Postma and 3 brothers. Pvt. Carl Postma, who is in the Aleutians, Andrew Postma of Chicago and James at home. His mother passed away in July 1943.
Source: The Sioux County Capital, Thursday, August 3, 1944 Orange City, Iowa
Pfc. Calvin Postma was killed in action July 3rd while on duty somewhere in France, according to a message from the War department received by his family Saturday.
He was a platoon runner with the infantry, and his last letter written on July 2nd to his wife at Orange City, has just been received. He was well at that time, the day preceding that on which he is reported killed in combat.
....Pfc. Postma was 33 years old in February and was married five years ago to Leona Jasper, who survives him. He is also survived by his father, John Postma of Alton; Pfc. Carl Postma in the Aleutian Islands; James at home. His mother passed on last year. The family have the sincere sympathy of the community. Calvin, who has now made the supreme sacrifice for his country, was a young man of fine character and well liked by all who knew him."
Source: Alton Democrat, August 3, 1944
AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION
Service #
37485641
Rank
Private, U.S. Army
Unit
358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division
Entered Service From IOWA
PURPLE HEART Recipient
Date of Death
July 3, 1944
Buried
Plot E Row 28 Grave 35
Normandy American Cemetery
Colleville-sur-Mer, France
Calvin C. Postma was born Feb. 8. 1911 to John E. and Necolette Helene Huygens Postma. He died July 3, 1944 and is buried in Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-Sur-Mer, Normandy, France and has a cenotaph in West Lawn Cemetery, Orange City, IA.
Pvt. Postma served in World War II with the U.S. Army Infantry and was KIA in France. (photo included)
Source: ancestry.com
