Corporal
Killed in action, February 1945

~*~

Cpl. Gerald Ahearn Missing in Action
According to a message Wednesday from the war department to his mother, Mrs. Agnes Ahearn, Cpl. Gerald Ahearn, 28, serving with a tank division, has been missing in action in Holland since Oct.5th. Corp. Ahearn was born in Hanover township near Waukon, and was employed in the east when he enlisted in the army at Washington, D.C. He took part in the invasion of France on D-Day. The young man is a son of the late Joe Ahearn of Hanover township. His mother makes her home with her son Norbert of Waukon, and a sister, Mrs. Henry Martin lives in Jefferson township. It is hoped that Mrs. Ahearn may hear that her son is found and well.

~Allamakee Journal, Lansing; Wed. Nov. 11, 1944; Vol. LXV  Page 1, col. 3; contributed by Paul Moritz

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Waukon - Mrs. Agnes A'Hearn has been notified that the body of her son, Sgt. Gerald A'Hearn, will be buried in the national cemetery at Louisville, Ky., on Dec. 6. Sgt. A'Hearn, who was serving with an army tank division, was killed in action in Holland in February, 1945.

~Cedar Rapids Gazette, Nov. 23, 1950 - contributed by S. Ferrall

Ensign
Waukon, Iowa
Killed at Pearl Harbor, aboard the USS Arizona, Dec. 7, 1941
Parents, Mr. and Mrs. August R. Anderson, Waukon

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The life of Ensign Lawrence “Bud” Anderson, son of A. R. Anderson of Waukon, was given for his country last week while serving in the U.S. Navy in the area of the Hawaiian Islands.  According to the official word received by his family here Friday morning, Ensign Anderson was killed in action during the Navy’s engagement with the Japanese.  He is the first from Allamakee County to lose his life in the line of duty since the outbreak of actual conflict with our enemies.

~Lansing newspaper, December 10, 1941, contributed by Kathy Maurer

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Among the first of the bodies of the Iowa World War II dead [were] returned aboard the Army ship, Honda Knot. The ship carried 3,012 caskets and 16 urns when she returned. Some of the Iowa dead returned on the vessel with next-of-kin are: Ensign Lawrence D. Anderson, Mrs. August R. Anderson, Waukon; S/Sgt. Lavern A. Fink, Leo L. Fink, Lansing.

~Oelwein Daily Register, October 10, 1947 - contributed by S. Ferrall

Staff sergeant
Postville, Iowa
Killed in a head-on collision of the Dixie Flyer and a mail train on the Chicago and Eastern Illinois railroad near Terre Haute, Ind., Sept 14, 1944
Wife, Mrs. Viola Barnholtz, Postville

Ensign
Waukon, Iowa
Died July 18, 1941, instructor at Jacksonville, Fla.
Aunt, Ruth Bigelow, Waukon

~*~

Ensign Kenneth Bigelow of Waukon, died of injuries suffered in a plane crash at Jacksonville, Florida Thursday. Ensign Bigelow was stationed at the Jacksonville naval air base, assisting in the training of cadet pilots.

~Oelwein Daily Register, Saturday, July 19, 1941 - contributed by S. Ferrall

Staff sergeant, 20th Infantry 6th Division
Forest Mills, Iowa
Awarded the Purple Heart & Silver Star for gallantry in action
Killed in action in New Guinea, June 23, 1944
Buried at Fort William Mckinley, Manila, the Philippines
Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence A. Bloxham, RFD, Postville
Wife, Mrs. Charles Bloxham, Jefferson City, Mo.

~*~

Memorial services for Staff Sergeant Charles W. Bloxham, who was killed in action on New Guinea Island June 23 according to the War Department, were held at the U.B. church at Forest Mills Sunday. The church was unable to provide room for the many who had come to pay homage and many people had to remain outside the edifice. The Rev. Melvin L. Hall had charge of the service which included the following numbers: Prelude, "Does Jesus Care," solo, "Precious Lord Take My Hand;" Scripture reading from Psalms, Deuteronomy and John; prayer; instrumental duet, "More Love To Lee;" reading of the obituary; solo, "I Wonder Have I Done My Best For Jesus;" sermon, "The Eternal Shelter;" benediction. The soloist was Rev. Joseph Dahl, pastor of the Alliance Chapel of Waukon.

Charles W. Bloxham was born September 13, 1919, as the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Bloxham in Franklin township, near Cherry Valley. He attended the Chery Valley school and until his enlistment in the army had been employed in the Forest Mills community. He entered the army on February 17, 1941, before this country entered the war. He was married to Dorothy Barnett July 8, 1943, and to this union a daughter was born on May 13, 1944. Charles and his brother, James, a corporal, had been together throughout their training period in camps in this country. When Charles was ordered overseas, it appeared that James would be left behind. But James had himself reduced to a private so he could remain with Charles and together they then went overseas in the same outfit. In the New Guinea action on June 23, the War Department message stated, Charles was killed in battle. He is survived by his wife, the two months old daughter, Gail Elaine, his step-daughter, April Sue, three years old, his parents, four brouthers, Pfc. James in New Guinea, Keigh, Ronald and Richard, and two sisters, Mrs. Betty May who lives in Louisiana and Lorna.

~newspaper clipping, unknown paper, annotated "Killed June 23 in S.W. Pacific"; scrapbook of Nina Harris Swenson

Private
Waukon, Iowa
Killed in action in Germany, Nov. 21, 1941.
Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd H. Burnham, Waukon

WAUKON SOLDIER'S BODY IS HOME FROM OVERSEAS FOR BURIAL
Waukon, la. -- A military funeral for T-5 William Campbell, 22, believed to be the first soldier to be returned to Allamakee county from overseas, will be held here Monday. The body of Campbell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard J. Campbell, Waukon, was brought here from France where he died Aug. 15.
 
~Waterloo Daily Courier, September 29, 1946, contributed by Cindy Bray Lovell

Ship's Cook, Petty Officer Second Class
New Albin, Iowa
Killed in action August 9, 1942, in Battle of Savo Island, aboard the USS Astoria
Father, Michael H. Casey, New Albin
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #5603 was organized in New Albin and named for Kenneth Casey.

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PARENTS OF HERO SON RECEIVE PURPLE HEART
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Casey, of New Albin, received the Purple Heart Medal awarded posthumously, to their son Kenneth Edmund Casey, S. C. 2-c who died of wounds received in action on Savo Island, Guadacanal, Aug. 9th, 1942. He was attached to the Cruiser Astoria and had enlisted in the Navy Dec. 29th, 1939. Accompanying the award was a certificate which read as follows:

The United States of America To All Who Shall See These Presents Greetings:
This is to certify the President of the United States of America Pursuant to Au­thority Vested in Him by Congress has awarded the Purple Heart, established by General George Wash­ington, at Newburg, NY, August 7, 1872, to Kenneth Edmund Casey; S. C. 2-c for military merit and wounds received in action resulting in his death August 9th, 1942.

Given under my hand in the City of Washington, D.C.
FRANK KNOX
Secretary of the Navy

~purple heart commendation & bottom photo, from an undated New Albin News clipping contributed by Errin Wilker

Private first class
Waukon, Iowa
Killed in action in France, January 9, 1945.
Mother, Mrs. James Collins, Waukon

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Waukon - Services will be held at St. Patrick's church Saturday for Pfc. Thomas Collins, 25, who was killed Jan. 9, 1945, in action in France. The body will arrive here Friday morning. Pfc. Collins was a son of Mrs. James Collins of Waukon. He entered service in June, 1943, and went overseas in December, 1944. In addition to his mother, he is survived by two brothers, James of Waukon and Robert of Anchorage, Alaska; and five sisters, Mary Elsie and Catherine of Waukon, Alice of Ida Grove, Sister Mary Redempia of Dubuque and Mrs. E.C. Wolf of Cincinnati.

~Cedar Rapids Gazette, July 26, 1949 - contributed by S. Ferrall

1st Lieutenant

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Missing After 65 Missions
Mrs. W. Barry Braheny, 543 1st S.E. had word Tuesday that her brother, Lt. John Colsch, was missing in action in the European theater of operations. Lt. Colsch had over 65 missions to his credit. He was a first pilot on a marauder and recently had been made squadron leader. He entered the service from New Albin and had frequently visited in Mason City while attending Loras college in Dubuque. Mrs. Braheny, whose husband is a seaman 2/c attending radio school at Farragut, Idaho, plans to leave Mason City to live indefinitely with her parents at New Albin. The Brahenys have 2 children, John and Dan. Lt. Colsch's 2 other sister, Mary Colsch Mackin and Mrs. Emerson Anderson, formerly lived in Mason City.

~Mason City Globe-Gazette, August 30, 1944 - contributed by S. Ferrall
(note: he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Colsch of New Albin)

Private first class, USMCR
Harpers Ferry, Iowa
Killed in South Pacific November 20, 1943.
Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Amos E. Damon, Harpers Ferry

Additional info., photo & letter contributed by Jody Howard, he was her g-uncle.
- photo taken at Camp Elliott
- my g-uncle Victor was killed in action at the tender age of 20
- he is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific Territory of Hawaii

This letter was written to my great grandmother Nellie Daman (Mrs. Amos E. Daman) regarding the loss of her son Victor Daman. The name of the author has unfortunately been lost to time.  The message, however, is timeless..... bringing history alive for us all and to reflect on the kindness and compassion of neighbors. (click the letters to read)

Sergeant
New Albin, Iowa
Reported Missing in Action on March 16, 1945 in the Ruhr Valley, Germany
Four and a half years later, on Sept. 29, 1949, it was confirmed that he had been killed in action

Douglas Ray Darling was born June 22, 1925, in Jefferson, MN. He attended New Albin HS. He was first buried in the United States Military Cemetery near Liege, Belgium, then in April 1950, his remains were returned to the U.S. and he was laid to rest in the New Albin cemetery. His parents were Lysander & Clara Darling of New Albin.

Seaman first class, USNR
Postville, Iowa
Died January 7, 1945, aboard the USS California
Mother, Mrs. Olive Gulsvig, Postville.


Additional info. & the photo contributed by C. Boyers, Roland Erickson was her g-uncle:
- father was Peter Erickson
- burial is in Postville cemetery

Staff sergeant
Lansing, Iowa
Killed in action, in Pacific area, December 7, 1944.
Mother, Mrs. Lydia E. Fink, Lansing

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S/Sgt Lavern A. Fink, son of Mrs. Lydia Fink of Lansing, is listed as killed in action while serving in the Pacific regions with the U.S. Army.

~Oelwein Daily Register, April 13, 1945 - contributed by S. Ferrall

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Among the first of the bodies of the Iowa World War II dead [were] returned aboard the Army ship, Honda Knot. The ship carried 3,012 caskets and 16 urns when she returned. Some of the Iowa dead returned on the vessel with next-of-kin are: Ensign Lawrence D. Anderson, Mrs. August R. Anderson, Waukon; S/Sgt. Lavern A. Fink, Leo L. Fink, Lansing.

~Oelwein Daily Register, October 10, 1947 - contributed by S. Ferrall

Private
Postville, Iowa
Accidentally drowned September 2,1945 at Fort Worth, Texas Stationed at Camp Wolters, Texas
Son of Wallace Gordon (deceased) & Annie Gordon, Postville

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The community was shocked Monday morning to learn of the news that Private Virgil Gordon, Son of Mrs. Wallace Gordon of this city, accidentally met death by drowning Sunday (02 Sep 1945) at Fort Worth, Texas. He was stationed at Camp Wolters, Texas, having been inducted from this county in May shortly after his graduation from high school. No further particulars concerning the accident have been received up to the time we go to press. Virgil was an industrious youth, beloved by all who knew him. In addition to his school studies, he learned railway telegraphy at the Milwaukee depot from Albert Bertelson and C. C. Searls, the agents, during hours before and after school. He had become so proficient in this work that he filled numerous positions on the I. & D. division even before graduating from high school. Before leaving for the army he held positions as railway telegraph operator at Emmettsburg and Mason City. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon with the Rev. Frederick R. Ludwig officiating and Arthur F. Brandt Post of the American Legion participating. Services will be hled at two o'clock at the Schutte Funeral Home, and at 2:30 at St. Paul's Lutheran church. Interment will be in Postville Cemetery. Virgil was born in Postville March 22, 1927, the son of Wallace Gordon and Annie Haendel Gordon. He was 18 years old, and he spent his entire lifetime here until going into the service of his country May 18, 1945. He is survived by his mother, four brothers, Harley of Independence, Ralph of Inglewood, Calif., Eldo in the United States Navy, Richard of Charles City; one sister, Edna, Mrs. Ed. O'Brien, of Hollywood, Calif; one niece and three nephews. His father, two sisters, and one brother preceded him in death.

~September 1945 Postville Herald, contributed by Phyllis Peterson

Paratrooper
Frankville, Winneshiek Co. Iowa
Killed in England
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Green, living near Postville

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Last Wednesday morning we were shocked at the report of the death of Wayne Green, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Green, until two years ago residents of Frankville twp., and now living near Postville, who was killed while in service in England. Wayne started his service career in 1942 as a paratrooper at Ft. Benning, Georgia and while making a practice jump fractured his leg. After recovery he received further training then was sent to England where he was stationed up to the time of his death. And so even before what we think of as the great invasion effort, another life of one of Winneshiek county's boys has been sacrificed for his country. We first became acquainted with Wayne as a 4-H sheep club member back 6 or 7 years ago. His ready smile and the modest way he went about his work were the qualities we remember about him most. Strong physically, he was adventurous and eager to do whatever he thought his part might be and we can easily picture him as a top-notch paratrooper. An expression of sympathy to his parents, his young wife and his six months old son are of little consolation, but we can say they will always be proud of him and his supreme sacrifice. His passing ought to cause those of us far from the battlefront to have some sobering thoughts as to the real meaning of war, and to realize that our home front effort should be "all-out" to help and appreciate those who do the real fighting.
~newspaper clipping, unknown paper, hand-dated May 1944; scrapbook of Nina Harris Swenson

2nd Lieutenant

Private first class
Waterville, Iowa
Killed in action in France, September 14, ????
Father, Jerry Hamm, Rossville, RFD, Waukon

Machinist's mate 1st class, USNR
Waukon, Iowa
Went down on the Liscombe Bay November 24, 1943,
Gilbert Islands
Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius A. Hanson,
Route 4, Waukon.

Sergeant
Harpers Ferry, Iowa
Died Ju?? 5, 1944 of wounds received in action in France
Parents Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Heim, Harpers Ferry.

Private
Monona, Clayton Co. Iowa
Killed in action in Germany, March 21, 1945
Father, Earl Henderson, RFD, Monona

Staff sergeant
Waterville, Iowa
Killed in action in Philippines, November 12, 1944
Aunt, Mrs. M.J. Kelly, Waterville

Sergeant
Postville, Iowa
Killed in action, in European area March 7, 1945
Mother Mrs. Senta A Huebner, Postville

Second lieutenant
Postville, Iowa
Killed in action over Germany March 23, 1944
Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James T. Humphrey, Postville

Lt., USNR
Wife, Mrs. Marie Elizabeth Johnson, New Albin.

Tech. sergeant, USMC
Luana, Clayton Co. Iowa
Killed in action at Saipan June 18, 1944
Mother (Anna) and step-father Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Leppert,
RFD Rt 2, Box 65, Postville

Sergeant
Harpers Ferry, Iowa
Killed in action in Sicily July 12, 1943
Father, George Jones, RFD, Harpers Ferry

Staff sergeant
Harpers Ferry, Iowa
Killed in action in Italy April 5, 1944
Mother, Mrs. Ida Kelly, postmistress, Harpers Ferry

Gunners Mate Second Class
Waukon, Iowa
Declared dead
Reported missing in action December 24, 1943 while serving aboard the destroyer Leary in the Atlantic Ocean off France
Parents Klearance E. & Esther Winifred (Laughlin) Kenney, Petaluma, Calif.

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Gunners Mate Second Class, son of Mr. and Mrs. Klearance E. Kenney of near Waukon, former Postville residents, who was reported missing in action Dec. 24, 1943, while serving aboard the destroyer Leary in the Atlantic Ocean off France. No further word has been received fro the War Department since the original message telling of the sinking of the Leary. Carleton, a graduate of Postville high school, enlisted in the Navy in May, 1938, before the start of the present war. He took his boot training at Great Lakes, Ill., and was assigned to the cruiser Louisville. After three years he was assigned to the cruiser Vincennes which was later sunk in action with the Japs in the Save Bay battle. On the Leary Carleton was on patrol duty in the North Atlantic and also made several secret missions to South Africa before going on convoy duty to the African and European area. Mr. and Mrs. Kenney received the War Department message concerning their son on January 4, 1944.

~newspaper clipping, unknown paper, scrapbook of Nina Harris Swenson
~notes: Carleton Kenney's mother was nee Esther Winifred Laughlin, daughter of James Riddle Laughlin & Amanda Jane Harris (Nina's aunt)

Ensign, USNR
Killed in action (presumptive date) May 8, 1943
Missing in action since May 7, 1942
Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Moritz Kerndt, Center street, Lansing

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Lansing - A posthumous award has been made in honor of Ensign Gustav Kerndt of Lansing, who lost his life on the destroyer Sims on August 2, 1942.
~Waterloo Daily Courier, August 22, 1943 - contributed by S. Ferrall

Press dispatches late in June bringing a delayed description of the Coral Sea battle, said that the Sims sank with almost all of its men still on board, and with guns blazing fiercely until the ship, nearly broken in two settled below the surface.

~La Porte City Progress Review, August 27, 1942 - contributed by S. Ferrall

Lieutenant, US Army Air Force
Postville, Iowa
Killed in action in Philippines December 2, 1944
Parents, Mr. & Mrs. William A. Kneeland, Postville

Private First Class
Waukon, Iowa
Died December 18, 1944 of wounds received in action in Germany December 17, 1944
Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Kosbau, RFD, Waukon.

Private
Postville, Iowa
Killed in action in Salerno, Italy, January 9, 1944
Father, Vern H. Koth, Postville

Private First Class
Postville, Iowa
Killed in action in New Guinea June 23, 1944
Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Lawson, RFD, Postville

Private
Waukon, Iowa
Killed in an auto accident in Arkansas, April 13, 1943
Father, Theodore Leikvold, Waukon

Ensign, USNR
Died August 1942
Mother, Mrs. Otto Fischer, Postville

Seaman 2nd class, USNR
Mother, Mrs. Elizabeth McDougal, Waukon

Private first class
Waukon, Iowa
Killed in an auto accident at Great Bend, Kansas, army air base, October 7, 1944
Uncle, John McMorrow, RFD, Waukon

Staff Sergeant
Lansing, Iowa
Killed in action in Germany March 1, 1945.
Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Manning, RFD, Lansing

Private
Harpers Ferry, Iowa
Killed in action in Mediterranean area, Italy, January 4, 1944. Mother, Mrs. Lillian Mohn, Harpers Ferry

Private First Class
Waukon, Iowa
Died September 14, 1944 of wounds received in action in Italy
Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Oelberg, Waukon

Staff Sergeant

DNB

Apprentice seaman
Monona, Clayton Co. Iowa
Killed in action August 22, 1942, aboard the USS Ingraham. Father, Alfred O. Peterson, RFD, Monona

Private, paratrooper
Waukon, Iowa
513th Parachute Infantry, part of the 17th Airborne Division
Killed in action in Belgium January 7, 1945
Buried in the American Cemetery in Luxembourg
Parents, Edward & Grace (Ronan) Quillin, Waukon

Earl E. Quillin was born Feb. 20, 1924; graduated from St. Patrick HS in Waukon & attended Loras College in Dubuque.

He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal posthumously "For heroic action against the enemy on 7 January 1945. Private Quillin aided in forestalling an enemy attack with supporting armor by attacking a tank with a light machine gun. He was severely wounded by machine gun and artillery fire from the tank, but pressed his assault, forcing the tank to withdraw. Private Quillin's courage and performance was clearly beyond the call of duty and in keeping with the highest traditions of the service."

Aviation radioman 3rd class, USNR
Mother, Mrs. Angela Kathryn Howes,
25 Sackett Street, Waukon

Tec 5
DNB

Radio Operator
Waukon, Iowa

Died Dec. 29, 1943. Stationed at Canton Island in the South Pacific region, he was a crewmember on a plane, which took off on a routine flight from Makin Island bound for Baker Island. The aircraft never arrived at its destination. A year after he was declared missing in action, the Navy had officially declared him killed in action

Born, Chicago, Illinois; moved to Waukon with his mother, Mrs. William (Angela) Howes, as a young child; graduate Waukon HS, 1940.

 

Private
Dorchester, Iowa
Drowned at San Francisco, Calif. January 2, 1942
Mother, Mrs. Florence T. Teff, Dorchester

Private first class
Dorchester, Iowa
Killed in action in Italy, February 19, 1944
Father, Henry G. Teff, Dorchester

Sergeant
Lansing, Iowa
Killed January 14, 1945, in flight between
Morrison Field, Fla., and Trinidad
Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Wilde, Lansing