Pfc. Bernard J. Leuchs 1932-1954

LEUCHS, GOEDKEN

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 12/31/2015 at 16:56:57

Dubuque Telegraph Herald Wednesday 29 Sep 1954 Farley

Soldier Lost Aboard Sunken Ferry

Pfc. Bernard J. Leuchs, 22, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Leuchs, Farley, was listed by U.S. Army headquarters in Tokyo Wednesday as missing aboard the capsized ocean ferry Toya Maru. The same announcement was made to the family in an official wire they received Tuesday night. Pfc. Leuchs was one of two Dubuque County soldiers aboard the ill-fated ferry when it sank in a typhoon Sunday. Pfc. Francis Goedken, Dubuque, was the only one of 57 Americans aboard believed to be saved. Some 1,500 lost their lives.

Pfc. Leuchs was stationed with Battery B, 99th Field Artillery Battalion. He had been in Japan since July, 1953, and was due to be returned to the United States soon. The young soldier was born March 31, 1932, at Asbury. He attended St. Joseph's School, Farley, and helped on his parents' farm before entering the army in January 1952. Surviving are his parents; three brothers, Joseph Leuchs, Farley, Edward Leuchs, Dubuque, and Clarence Leuchs, at home, and two sisters, Rita and Delores Leuchs, both at home.