World War II in Taylor County, Iowa
 
18 Dec 1941

Jan. 30—Three more draftees enter military training Feb. 3. To report in Omaha.   Five more to be sent to Fort Leavenworth. Irene  Tucker  to Washington, D C. as typist in Navy Department.   John Steel goes to Camp Bowie with band of 113th Cavalry,   Iowa   National Guards.

 

Third Daughter Goes To Washington, D. C.
Miss Jackie Parker of this city, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Parker, received notice the first of the week, of her appointment to a stenographic position in Washington, D. C. She leaves Saturday for Washington.
Her twin sisters, Miss Margie Parker and Miss Marvis Parker, are now employed in the nation's capital. Margie for the past nine months and Mavis  the past two  months.

 
25 Dec 1941
 

Jack R. Miller Is Called Into Service
Jack R. Miller arrived here Sunday to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Forrest W. Miller, and went to Des Moines Monday for his physical examination preliminary to his call to active duty in the army.

Miller, senior student in the law school at Columbia University, New York, has held a commission as first lieutenant in the infantry, United States army, for some time. He was recently notified to report for his physical examination and he is being assigned to active duty in Washington, D. C, in the office of the air corps, in the legal department.

 

William  Tucker,  Jr,   USN, F1c
Mr. and Mrs William Tucker of Bedford received a telegram Sunday, from Washington, D. C. stating their son, William, Jr., Fireman, first class, aboard the USS Oklahoma, is classed as "missing."
Ever since  the  news of the sinking of the Oklahoma in Pearl Harbor on Sunday, Dec. 7, by the sneak attack by the Japs, relatives and friends of "Bill" were gravely concerned over his safety. The message from the navy department confirmed those fears and blasted our hopes that he was safe.
Tucker was nineteen years of age, graduating from the Bedford high school with the class of 1939. He enlisted in the United  Slates Navy   July 10, 1940 receiving his  early training of about.three months at the Great Lakes Navy Training Station.    From there he  was assigned   to   the  Oklahoma as a fireman, working up to a first class rating in the little over a year  he  had  been   in   the service.
He had been home but once since enlisting and that was in October 1940, just before going to sea. The Oklahoma had been in Pacific waters for over a year and was believed to be at dock in Pearl Harbor when hit by a torpedo and bomb, which caused the ship to turn over and sink.
People of this community are saddened  with  the news of its first casualty of the  war,  and extend   heartfelt   sympathy to his family.
Surviving are the parents, and four sisters, Miss Irene Tucker, Washington,  D. C.. Mrs. Sam Johnson, Mrs. James Wall of' Bedford, and Miss Anna Lee Tucker of the home.
   

Lieut Norman Vogel Dies  In Hospital
Lieut. Norman Vogel, a former resident of Clearfield, died at the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D, C. Sunday, Dec. 7, after an illness of several months.
The body was brought to Bedford Wednesday and the funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home that afternoon, conducted by. Rev. E. B. Stewart of Blockton. Burial was in the Platteville cemetery.
Lieut Vogel is survived by his wife, the former Miss Louise Straight of Platteville; and by one son, Jon. Also by his parents, who reside at Clearfield.

 

United States Navy
Among those named as recent volunteers in the United States Navy from this locality are Elmer Ferneau, a former agriculture  teacher  in the Bedford schools who has been teaching in Audubon   since September, Paul Evert Wirth of New Market, Charles Elton Kent of Bedford, and Dean William Thomas of Gravity.
The four men named are reported to have made preliminary enlistments during December—Ferneau at Des Moines, Wirth at Creston, Kent at Omaha and Thomas, at Creston. Passing their final physical examinations, they will go into active training right away, probably to Great Lakes, for a few weeks, and then be assigned to regular duly.

 
08 Jan 1942

TAKE MEDICALS AT DES MOINES
14 Selectees Given Pre-Induction Tests Sunday; More Today
Fourteen Taylor county selectees left Bedford by bus Sunday morning for Fort Des Moines where they spent that night, home Monday, after their pre-induction physical examination.. Five of the fourteen were rejected because of  physical defects.
It was reported that 24 more Taylor county men went to Des Moines today for pre-induction examinations.
Among those seen leaving Sunday in the bus were Virgil McKim, Shorty Green, Ansel Connor, Hal Perkins, Dwight Terrill, Don Tribolet. Don Anderson. Charles Thompson, Giles Congdon. Wayne Caskey, Chester Phelps, Red Cummings, Tom Giliard and .................  Swaim.
Reported failing to pass are Terrill Green, Connor, Tribolet and Swaim.
Those leaving this morning by bus were:
Don Scherich, Loran Helm, Roy Corwin, Milo Murray, Kenneth Barker, Joe Radke, Don Bordner, Paul Whitmore, Francis Daugherty, Cleo Wetzel, Guy Irwin, LaVerne Book, Orville Lawrence, Lee Harland. Bill Goodale, Allie Hegwood. Hal Cheese, Glen Mills, Glen Henderson.

 
FLYING FOR CHINA, SMITH GETS HIS WISH

Robert   Smith,   grandson of Mrs William Smith of Sharpsburg, and son of Earl Smith, a former resident of the Sharpsburg community a number of years ago, had his wish come true Christmas Day when he was credited with shooting down four Japanese planes over Rangoon, the city located at the lower end of the famous Burma Road, in China.

After receiving his air and officer's commission a few months ago in the Army air corps, you Smith transferred to the group of American airmen assigned the job of guarding China's important highway, the Burma Road.

In a letter to his folks a few weeks ago Smith expresed the common desire of all fighting airmen--"to get some Japanese planes."

In a recent communication from him he stated that four of the Nipponese planes fell before his guns on Christmas Day in a battle in the clouds.

Young Smith's father, Earl Smith, now resides at Los Angeles, Calif., where he teaches in a college.

In a story appearing today in the Des Moines Register, Smith and his fellow pilots are reported to be drawing $600 a month and a bonus of $500 for each Jap lane shot down.

 

 
TIRE RATIONING WILL PROVE TO BE WIDESPREAD IN ITS GENERAL EFFECTS

Rationing of automobile and truck tires and tubes from new stocks will prove to be widespread in its effects on most everyone, it appears as more and more interpretations on the federal order are issued and digested.

Sheriff Ivan Wells, County Attorney Ralph Jones and Bill Jenkins, committee of three handling tire rationing for Taylor county, plan to meet today with dealers of the county, for the purpose of getting acquainted with requirements under the act.

Chairman Ivan Wells of the local county's tire rationing committee, has issued a call to all tire cealers in the county to meet with the committee on Monday, Jan 12, at 2 pm in the court room for the purpose of discussing and explaining the requrements of the new law.

Taylor county's quota for January includes a dozen casings and ten tubes (new ones) for automobiles, and 21 casings and 18 tubes for trucks.

If the buyer in need of casings or tubes or both, can prove himself eligible in a blank to be filled out before the local rationing board named above and sworn to before a notary, he gets an order or permit to make the purchase.

The firm or person filling the order must also make out a set of papers at the time of sale. The dealer must also sell his casings and tubes at a price whose maximum or "ceiling" is fixed by federal authority.

More persons and classifications of business are prohibited from buying new casings and tubes than are permitted at present to buy them. If you qualify as eligible to buy new rubber for your car or truck, you must agree to a limited use of the vehicle.

Before you buy new rubber, you must see your local rationing board. From them you will learn whether or not you are eligible.

On used or secondhand stuff in tires, and tubes there are no restrictions at present . . . and prices are skyrocketing, it is reported.

Traffic and trucking for business and pleasure, is to be greatly restricted as present rubber wears out, as the set-up stands today.

 

 
Seaburys Experience Bombing in Hawaii

Mr and Mrs Joe Seabury and daughter Joann are safe in the Hawaiian Islands, according to a letter received in Bedford this week by Mrs Seabury's parents, Mr and Mrs G.W. Hook. Mrs Seabury is the former Miss Mary Hook. The letter was written December 18, and came to the United States by express.

The Seaburys had been living on the Island of Maui, moving to the Island of Malokai the first of December. When they moved they left their twelve-year-old daughter in Maui to attend school. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Mrs Seabury went to Maui by plane for her daughter, returning home with her on December 14. On December 15 the Island of Maui was bombed.

 
Various Areas and Towns Report Reaching Quota in Red Cross Drive
County Still Not Half Over In Its Quota

Marshall township was the first group in Taylor county to reach its quota in the Red Cross War Relief Fund drive, according to Mrs Frank C. Beebe, chairman of the drive for Taylor county. Marshall's quota was $150, which amount has been turned in by the township chairman, George Rutledge. It was raised exclusive of the towns of Conway and Sharpsburg, both of which are in this area.

New Market is the first town to report with its complete quota, which was also $150. Mrs Laura Mankle is the chairman for New Market.

On account of the drive coming during the holidays, and also on account of the work having been handicapped by blocked roads and weather conditions, the time for reporting in the county chairman has been extended. This will allow time for all workers to complete their campaign.

Taylor county's quota is $2400 the amount already turned in by Wednesday afternoon amounting to $994.07.

Sunday, January 11, has been designated as "Red Cross Sunday" and will be fittingly observed by each church in Taylor county.

Bedford has gone over the top with its quota of $500, with more of the solicitors yet to report.

 
Dallas Twp., Taylor County
On New York's day Mr and Mrs Ben West received a letter from their son written in the islands of the Pacific December 8. He was all right.

Mrs Hattie Bloom received cards and a letter from her grandson, Boyd Novinger, in Arizona, San Francisco, and aboard the USS Honolulu.

THE CLARINDA HERALD-JOURNAL, Clarinda, Iowa, Jan 8, 1942

 
15 Jan 1942
Get Good News From Service Boys

Several boys from the Bedford community, who are in service in the Hawaiian Islands, have been heard from recently, which will be of interest to their many friends and others here.

Mr and Mrs Grover Thompson of Hopkins have had a letter from their son Ralph Thompson, who is with the marines at Pearl Harbor. He is a brother of Mrs Guy Mohler of Bedford.

Mr and Mrs Henry Neumeyer of near Blockton received a letter Wednesday from their son, Sidney Neumeyer, who is with the Coast Artillery in the Hawaiian Islands. They had also received several other letters from him recently. The Neumeyers formerly resided southwest of Bedford.

Clark L. Delaney, a grandson of Mr and Mrs J.F. Sleep of southwest of Bedford, is safe in the Hawaiian Islands, according to word received from him by his mother, Mrs Edna Delaney of St Joseph.

 
Recall Fourteen Men To Active Duty

Fourteen local men were recalled to active army duty Wednesday, leaving that morning by bus from Bedford for Fort Des Moines. Just where they will be sent from there is not known here.

These men had been relieved from active duty prior to Dec 7, when Pearl Harbor's incident plunged the United States into war with the Axis powers. They were 28 years of age or over and for that reson had ben placed on the reserve list. ames of those on the recall list were as follows:

Dale K. Fidler, Athelstan

Howard A. Lake, Bedford
Roy H. Smith, Blockton
Clarence W. Acklin, Blockton
Clyde D. Brown, Lenox
William H. Cavner, Conway
Glen I. Helm, Bedford
George F. Hillers, Blockton
Kenneth C. Peterman, New Market
Harold L. Rundlett, Lenox
Lewis B. Sexton, Gravity
Clarence Sweeten, New Market
The above named men left for Des Moines yesterday. Two other men named on the list, Harold Blane, Bedford, who is now in ???, and William E. ????, Lenox, who is in California, will be notified at their new address to report.
 
Ban is Raised On Selectees' Names

Notice has been received by the local Selective Service office that the censorship on releasing names of those taking their pre-inducation physical examinations has been raised. The office may resume giving this information.

The censorship still holds on giving out draft quotas and calls for men.

 
Rationing Board Annouces Buyers
[article tells who bought tires and tubes]
Taylor county's quota for February is 10 tires and 8 tubes for trucks and 14 tires and 24 tubes for trucks.
 
Motor Vehicles On Highways Must Have Stamp

By February1, 1942, every motor vehicle used on the highways for any purpose must bear a Federal Stamp that you buy of your postmaster at a cost of $2.09. Failure in this subjects the owner to a fine and imprisonment.

This is a federal use tax that the operator of a motor vehicle must pay. The $2.09 stamp is good until July 1 of this year when you will be required to buy another one at a cost of $5. The July 1 stamp will be good until the following July 1.

At the Bedford post office, Postmaster Eunice Hamilton reports a lively sale of the stamps. Rural carriers out of the Bedford office will carry a limited supply of the stamps for the convenience of their patrons during the remaining days of this month.

To answer some of the many questions that arise about this use tax, the following facts are noted:

Farm vehicles that are not used on the highways are not subject to the tax.

Automoiles in the hands of dealers or those in storage are not liable for the tax.

If the stamp is washed off or lost, the motorist is liable, and a new stamp is the only alternative as proof of the payment.

If the car is sold the stamp follows the car.

Those failing to buy a stamp and display it on the motor vehicle used on the highway are guilty of a misdemeanor, and may be fined up to $25 or imprisoned for 30 days or both. State and local police will not enforce the law, it is believed, as this is a federal proposition.

 
Books For Vistory Are Coming In
...gathering books to be sent to soldiers...
 
 
Call McCormick to Army
Lieut. Leighton McCormick of Columbia, Missouri, has been notified to be in St Louis on February first for duty in the US Army. Leighton is a son of Mr and Mrs Ed McCormick of Bedford, who went to Columbia this morning for a visit in their son's home. Mrs Leighton McCormick and children plan to remain in Columbia during his absence.
 
Pass Physicals for Army Service

Taylor county's Selective Service office announces the following names of registrants who have passed their pre-induction physical examinations during the current month.

Those in 1-A class, subject to call soon, are Don Anderson, Charles Thompson, Wayne Caskey, Eldrid Cummings, Hal Perkins, Virgil McKim, Thomas Gillard, Giles Congdon, Chester Phelps, Ferdinand Monroe Radke, Alvy Lee Harland, Gene E. Sickels, Donald H. Bordner, Leland A. Hagwood, Burton P. Whitmore, Dallas A. Book, Guy E. Irvin, Orval K. Lawrence.

Those passed for limited service, classed as 1-B, and subject to call soon, are John Donald Tribolet, William D. Swaim, Loren Helm, William F. Dougherty, Hal Cheese, Donald Scherich, Eugene Goodale, Kenneth Barker and Rufus G. Mills.

Of the 35 regisrants examined this month, eight have been classed 4-F, physically unfit for military service. Their names were not released for publication.

Information on the next registration to be held Feb 16, will be released for publication by the local Selective Service office next week.