Return Bodies of 10 S. W. Iowans
Three From Bluffs Area

USAT Cardinal O’Connell

Bodies of 59 Iowa service men, including 10 from southwest Iowa, were among the 2,792 war dead returned Tuesday aboard the army transport Cardinal O’Connell, which docked in San Francisco, Calif.

Three of the men returned aboard the Cardinal O’Connell are from the Council Bluffs area, including M. Sgt. James B. Cavanagh of Neola, Seaman 1/c John Henry Field and Tech 5/g Lyle C. Smith of Council Bluffs.

Southwest Iowans aboard the USAT Cardinal O’Connell included, with next of kin listed:

Bodies of the servicemen returned on the O’Connell were taken from many cemeteries throughout the Pacific. A large number of the bodies had been concentrated at the mausoleum in the Hawaiian islands after smaller mid-Pacific island cemeteries had been evacuated. The bulk of the others are being returned from cemeteries at Brisbane and Sydney, Australia, and Guadalcanal.

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Tuesday, February 10, 1948, Page 4

 

 

Body of Bluffs Sailor Returned

Transport Schwenk Docks In California

The body of Seaman 1/c Claude Ballentine Denton, 26, son of Mrs. Anna L. Denton, 1426 High street, and 21 other southwest Iowans arrived in San Francisco, Calif., Sunday aboard the army transport Walter W. Schwenk. Denton was killed in action off Guadalcanal on Oct. 27, 1943, when his ship, the destroyer Conny, was bombed by Japanese aircraft.

72 Iowa Dead.

Seventy-two Iowans were included in the shipment of more than 3,000 bodies of Americans who died in Pacific island fighting. This is the largest group of war dead to be returned from the Pacific.

Nine of the 12 southwest Iowans were marines, the other three navy men. They included, with next of kin:

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Sunday, March 21, 1948, page 3

2 Transports Bring Yanks Home to Rest

Two ships returning with World War II dead from Europe and the Pacific are scheduled to arrive this week.

The army transport, Lawrence Victory, carrying the bodies of 4,183 Americans was to dock at the Brooklyn army base Friday. On this ship are 59 Iowans. The dead on this ship were originally interred in temporary military cemeteries at Epinal, St. Mere Eglise, LaCambe and St. Juan, France.

The Cardinal O’Connell, making her second funeral ship voyage, is due Friday at San Francisco with the remains of 2,024 war dead from India, Guadalcanal, Australia, New Zealand, the Central Pacific and the Hawaiian Islands. On this ship are 42 Iowans.

North Iowans on the 2 ships are as follows:

Lawrence Victory:
Pfc. Lloyd W. Baber, Rudd.
Pfc. Richard W. Batt, Burt.
Pfc. Edmund O. B. Bell, West Bend.
Pvt. Edward J. Cahill, Emmetsburg.
T-4 Gordon Findlay, Mason City.
T-4 Gordon R. Lundeen, Mason City.
Pvt. Ralph W. Nicholson, Nashua.
Pvt. Donald L. Olling, Ringsted.
t-5 Howard R. Porter, Eagle Grove.
S. Sgt. Ernest P. Ruhnke, Mason City.
Pfc. Eddie J. Schneiderman, Dumont.
Pvt. Peter Schwennen, Dumont.

Cardinal O’Connell:
FC 3-c Elon G. DuShane, Osage.
S 1-c Hans H. Gerdes, Woden.
Pfc. Melvin J. Hartman, Graettinger.
Mus. 2-c Vernon L. Koelling, Waverly.
Pfc. Jerry E. Peterson, Eagle Grove.
2nd Lt. Jay A. Porter, Humboldt.

Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, May 7, 1948

 

Return Body of Ernest M. Soar

The body of Marine Pvt. Ernest M. Soar, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.  H. Soar, route 3, Council Bluffs, is being returned to the United States aboard the army transport Albert M. Boe. Pvt. Soar was killed in action on Iwo Jima, Feb. 28, 1945.

Southwest Iowans.

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Sunday, May 09, 1948, Page 13

 

Return Bodies of Bluffs Men

Glaze, Thomas Both Killed in North Africa

Bodies of two Council Bluffs men, killed in action with the Rangers in North Africa on Nov. 22, 1942, are being returned to the United States aboard the army transport Barney Kirschbaum.

Other southwestern Iowans, all killed in North Africa action, whose bodies are included in the Kirschbaum shipments include:

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Saturday, May 14, 1948, Page 8

 

RETURN BODIES OF FOUR COUNTY MEN
110 Iowa War Dead in Pacific Shipment

Bodies of four Pottawattamie county soldiers, including Pfc. Louis A. Profeda, former Abraham Lincoln high school football captain, are being returned from the Pacific aboard the army transport Lieutenant George W. G. Boyce, the department of the army announced Monday.

Others from this county are Pfc. Francis Dale Bird of Council Bluffs, Pfc. Clarence R. King of Carson and Pfc. Herman E. Staub of Avoca.

A total of 110 Iowa bodies are on the Boyce, which is carrying remains of 4,459 Americans who lost their lives in the Pacific campaigns. The ship is enroute to San Francisco from Manila.

Other Southwest Iowans

Other southwest Iowans being returned aboard the Boyce with next of kin listed are:

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Sunday, May 30, 1948, Page 3

BODIES OF IOWA VETS RETURNED
North Iowans Among Yanks on Transport

Remains of 4,459 Americans who lost their lives during World War II are being returned to San Francisco from Manila aboard the United States Army Transport Lt. George W. G. Boyce, the department of the army announced Monday.

Armed forces dead originally interred in temporary military cemeteries in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands are among those being brought to this country.

A total of 110 remains are being returned upon instructions of next of kin residing in Iowa.

North Iowans in the list include the following:
T/4 Robert W. Allen, Ossian.
T/Sgt. Milo A. Bolsinger, Lake Mills.
Pvt. John E. Bosma, Lakota.
SM2C Harley E. Dalluge, Grafton.
Pfc. Kort Delger, jr., Kanawha.
T/Sgt. Dale A. Edge, Humboldt.
Pvt. George E. Finger, Aplington.
S/Sgt. Kenneth L. Ingebretson, Thorton.
Pfc. Marvin M. Johnson, Armstrong.
Pfc. John B. Jores, Aredale.
Pvt. Vincent D. Karsten, Swea City.
Sgt. Howard L. Kimsey, Pilot Mound.
T/5 Lowell R. Leeper, Clarksville.
Pvt. Harold W. Muller, Whittemore.
Pvt. Milton H. Schallock, Charles City.
S. Sgt. Robert E. Schinnow, Mason City.
Pfc. Harley G. Slaichert, St. Ansgar.
Sgt. Raphael Soukup, Ridgeway.
T/5 Cletus D. Wieland, Clear Lake.
SM1c Dale E. Wentworth, Mason City.
TM3 Kenneth E. Young, St. Ansgar.

Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, June 1, 1948

Return Bodies of 2 County Soldiers
Wells, Pratt Both Killed in France

Bodies of two Pottawattamie county soldiers, Pfc. Lester Wells of Route 3, Council Bluffs, and Pvt. Leonard Pratt of Crescent, both killed in action in France in July, 1944, are being returned to the United States aboard the army transport Greenville Victory. Remains of 3,734 Americans, including 51 Iowans, are being returned for burial.

Three southwest Iowans are being returned from Manila aboard the army transport Sergeant Morris E. Crain. This vessel will dock in San Francisco. Bodies aboard this vessel are:

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Sunday, June 27, 1948, Page 12

 

Return Bodies of 4 Local Soldiers
98 Iowans Aboard Lawrence Victory

Bodies of four Council Bluffs soldiers are being returned to the United States from Europe aboard the army transport, Lawrence Victory, the department of the army announced Friday. The vessel will arrive at New York.

Council Bluffs soldiers are being returned: 2nd Lt. Leland J. Evers, son of Albert F. Evers, 908 Avenue H; Sgt. Richard M. Petrus, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Petrus, sr., 219 Frank street; Pfc. Martin Renteria, son of Paul Renteria, 1922 South Fourth street; and Sgt.Kenneth H. Stockman, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Stockman, 905 Twenty-sixth avenue.

A total of 98 Iowa bodies are included in the shipment of 5,374 Americans who lost their lives in Europe. Southwest Iowans aboard the Lawrence Victory with next of kin are:

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Sunday, July 02, 1948, Page 15

 

WAR DEAD TO BE RETURNED
96 Iowans Aboard The Dalton Victory

Washington, D. C.—A total of 96 Iowans who lost their lives during World War II are being returned to the United States from the Pacific area aboard the United States Army transport Dalton Victory, the department of the army announced Saturday.

Under the program for final burial of World War II dead, the next of kin may elect to have remains returned to the United States for burial in a private or national cemetery, or may request interment in a permanent American military cemetery overseas or a private cemetery in a foreign country which is the home land of the deceased or next of kin.

Following is a list of deceased Iowans being returned to the United States and their next of kin residing in the North Iowa area:

Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, August 16, 1948

 

RETURN BODIES OF BLUFFS MEN

SOLDIER DEAD FROM EUROPE TO NEW YORK

NEW YORK, AP – The army transport Lawrence Victory, carrying the bodies of 4,183 Americans who died in World war II, is scheduled to dock at the Brooklyn army base at 8 p.m. (CST) Friday.

They are among 4,183 Americans being returned from Europe on the transport Lawrence Victory, the department of the army announced Thursday. Arrival of the vessel will be announced by the New York port of embarkation.

[NOTE: Portions of this article regarding PFC Glenn Vernon and Tec5 Harry E. Peterson have been omitted but may be found on their individual  webpages within this site.]

Southwest Iowans.

Southwest Iowans aboard the Lawrence Victory, with next-of-kin are:

Aboard Cardinal O’Connell.

Six southwest Iowa war dead are being returned aboard the army transport Cardinal O’Connell, which will dock at San Francisco port of embarkation. They include:

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Thursday, August 16, 1948, Page 8

Return Bodies of Jensen, Siddens
Bluffs Men Killed in Alaskan Theater 

Bodies of Lt. Col. Jack K. Siddens and Pvt. Arthur O. Jensen of Council Bluffs have been returned to the United States from Alaska aboard the army transport Honda Knot, the department of the army announced Friday.

Bodies of southwest Iowans aboard the Honda Knot:

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Friday, September 03, 1948, Page 9

 

Bodies Arrive From Overseas
North Iowans Among
Pacific War Heroes

San Francisco, (U.P.)—The bodies of 3,500 war dead from Manila, Saipan and Honolulu are due here Wednesday aboard the U.S. army transport Morris Crain.

They will bring to more than 30,000  returned from the Pacific since the reburial program was started last October.

North Iowans on the ship include the following with the next of kin named for each:
Pvt. Clarence Bily, Oelwein; Frank Bily.
Pfc. Glen S. Coonradt, Osage; Mrs. Glen S. Coonradt.
Pvt. William J. Knowlen, Charles City; Olive L. Bogart.
Capt. Homer L. Lund, Forest City; Nick H. Lund.
Pfc. Donald W. M. Niemoth, Estherville; Mrs. Marie C. Niemoth.
James M. Oldham, navy, Charles City; Francis Oldham.
Pvt. Arlo B. Parker, Mason City; Eleanor Parker.
Pfc. Elmer G. Stricker, Mason City; Gottfrid F. Stricker.
Pfc. Gerald E. Timm, Hawkeye; Ervin H. Timm.

Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, Thursday, September 23, 1948

 

 

RETURN BODIES OF 5 COUNTY SOLDIERS
20 Southwest Iowans on Carroll Victory

Bodies of 20 southwest Iowans, including five from Pottawattamie county, have been returned to the United States from Europe aboard the army transport Carroll Victory, the department of the army announced Wednesday.

List Southwest Iowans.

Southwest Iowans aboard the Carroll Victory, with next of kin:

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Wednesday, October 06, 1948, Page 14

 

THREE WAR DEAD BACK FOR BURIAL
All Returned From Italian War Zone

The bodies of three Pottawattamie county war dead has been returned to the United States from Italy aboard the army transport Lawrence Victory.

Southwest Iowans.

 

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Sunday, November 14, 1948, Page 12

 

Return War Dead Here for Burial

List Includes Six Pottawattamie Men

Bodies of six Pottawattamie county war dead, four from Council Bluffs and one each from Walnut and Oakland have been returned to the United States aboard the army transport Carroll Victory from Europe.

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Thursday, November 17, 1948, Page 16

Return Body of Bluffs Marine

USAT DALTON VICTORY bringing home war dead from the Pacific Theatre.

The body of marine Pfc. Harry Sluyter, 21, of Council Bluffs, killed in action in the Pacific war zone, is one of the 44 being returned to the United States aboard the army transport Dalton Victory. His body will be shipped to Cutler’s funeral home.

Other Southwest Iowans on the Dalton Victory

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Tuesday, November 30, 1948, Page 3

S.W. Iowa War Dead Returned for Burial

Three southwest Iowa war dead have been returned to the United States from the Pacific area aboard the United States Army transport, Dalton Victory, the department of the army announced Sunday.

The army said next of kin were notified in advance of the arrival of the ship and would be notified again after arrival of the remains at regional distribution centers. Thirty-four Iowans were aboard the Dalton Victory.

Southwest Iowans with their next of kin:
Sgt. Raymond E. Bartlett, marines; Mrs. Lena M. Bartlett of Denison.
2nd Lt. Richard E. Mallette, air forces; Frank G. Mallette of Atlantic.
Cpl. Oscar D. Peterson, army; Mrs. Anna M. Peterson of Shenandoah.

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, December 5, 1948

County War Dead Back for Burial
Three Pottawattamie Soldiers in Shipment

The bodies of three Pottawattamie county war dead are being returned to the United States from Europe aboard the army transport SS Barney Kirschbaum. Seventy-six Iowans are included in the 4,684 remains being returned, the department of the army announced Tuesday.

Southwest Iowans:

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Tuesday, December 28, 1948, Page 7

 

WWII DEAD DUE TO ARRIVE
North Iowans Among Bodies on Way Home

Washington—Among the bodies of 4,384 World War II dead due to arrive from Europe aboard the U. S. Army transport, Barney Kirschbaum, are 76 Iowans, according to announcement by the department of the Army.

Armed forces dead originally interred in temporary military cemeteries in France, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg are among those being brought back to this country.

North Iowans in the list include the following, together with the next of kin:

Pvt. Orval R. Alden; Milton L. Alden, Thornton.
Pvt. Wayne W. Dale; Mrs. Nettie D. Felkey, Armstrong.
Pfc. Neil L. Gilbertson; Jane Gilbertson, Burr Oak.
Pfc. Royal A. Jacobs; Hezzie R. Jacobs, Rudd.
1st Lt. Alan R. Jacobson; Chris Jacobson, Britt.
Sgt. William L. Monroe; Lloyd E. Monroe, Estherville.
1st Lt. Robert L. Sill; Nina S. Christopher, Eagle Grove.
S/Sgt. Edwin E. Sowles; Mrs. Mary F. Sowles, Mason City.
2nd Lt. Robert L. Van Horn; Carl C. Van Horn, Hampton.
1st Lt. Jens T. Weiby, Jr.; Jens T. Weiby, Sr., Armstrong.

Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, December 29, 1948