Yanks salute technician on Normandy beachhead note
The letter from CPL technician Andrew L Hoksbergen describes service with an ordnance evacuation company in England and on the Normandy front. He reports handling tanks and mobile jeeps, mentions APO details, and expresses longing for home and news from fellow Pella area soldiers. He recalls Arthur Wormhoudt earning the Army Distinguished Conduct Medal in England.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Andrew L. Hoksbergen
Normandy Beachhead
Hoksbergen
Andrew
Arthur Wormhoudt
Pella
England
Wat
First Lieutenant Roger C. Thompson Pilot in Fifteenth Air Force
First Lieutenant Roger C. Thompson a 25 year old B17 pilot from 26 Jane Street Closter New Jersey recently assigned to a Flying Fortress unit of the Fifteenth Air Force Thompson entered the AAP on July 2 19 He earned his pilot wings at Columbus Mississippi on October 1 19 He left for overseas combat duty in June 1944 and flew his first mission over Parma Maryland on June 22 1944 He graduated from a New Jersey high school and later attended college in Pell ia Iowa
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ith AA
Dtaly
Roger C. Thompson
Jane Street
Closter
New Jersey
Fifteenth Air Forc
Thompson
AAP
Columbus
Mississippi
Parma, Mary
Lege
Pella
Iowa
Frank Den Besten Graduates From Great Lakes QM School
Franklin Den Besten, 27, son of Mr and Mrs Ed Den Besten of Pella Iowa, graduated from an intensive Quartermaster training course at the Great Lakes Service School. Among those completing twenty specialized courses, graduates are sent to sea or shore stations for advanced training.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
It Lakes
Franklin den Besten
Ed den Besten
North Bray
Pella
SGT JACK SIXSMITH SAYS THINGS GOING O K IN NORMANDY
Viable letter from SGT Jack Sixsmith in Normandy discusses life abroad and nostalgia for his old home town. The Chronicle can provide the full address on request. the letter dated July notes his slow return to routine while serving overseas.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sgt
Jack Sixsmith
O. K
Normandy
Jack
Hayes Moines
Pelli
Chronicle
Leslie Sadler Helped Build Saipan Airstrip In War
Mr and Mrs Walker Sadler receive a note from their son serving with the Seabees attached to the Marine Corps on Saipan. The letter says his unit built an airstrip in twenty four hours once the area was cleared.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walker
Sadler
Ansious
Anite
Saipan
Les
Marine Corps
Ders
Wounded in Action SGT Ernest E Boot June 27
SGT Ernest E Boot, from a farm north of Otley, was wounded in the European Theater on June 20. He sustained head and left leg injuries, was evacuated to England, and is convalescing in a hospital. His wife, who resides in Winchester, is notified. he holds a Purple Heart decoration.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ernest E. Boot
Anedrew Boot
Otley
England
Winchester
Soldier Addresses and Assignments to Various U.S. Bases
A long list of soldiers and their postings or transfers to multiple military locations across the United States and overseas, including Camp Hood Texas Fort Lewis Washington Fort San Luis Obispo California Camp Barkley Texas Camp Pickett Virginia Camp Pendleton California and others, with unit designations and APO addresses. The roster includes Pvt. Earl a, Reginald Blecha, Harold De Graft, Lt. Paul Van Mouwelins, and several others. The entries place individuals at bases such as Harding Field, Fort Ord, Fort Riley, Drew Field, and Camp Francis E. Warren, among others.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tino Touston
Doyen
Pete Ha
North Camp Hood
Texas
H. Kaldenberg
Yosemite National Park
Californet
Harold de Graft
Camp Pickett
Virginia
Jean C. Renaud
Cedar Falls
Towa
Pfe
Reginald F. Blecha
ASFTC
Fort Lewis
Washington
Paul A. van Mouwelins
Fichter Wing
Jilly
Harding Field
Paul Beyer
Inf. Co. A
APO
Camp San Luis Obispo
Calif
Robert F. van Vark
Amarillo
Everett van Kooten
Alabama
Marion Vander Zyl
Fort Ord
Dexter
Schakel
Asn
Fort Riley
AWATC
Drew Field
Samoa
Florida
Herman Stykhuis
Lg. Co
Su Sprc
Sam Houston
Navy service note from Norfolk listing names and events
Fragmentary entry notes 2/C Jak Dieke serving in the Navy at Norfolk Virginia with mention of Faken Welenist and Naof Otte. It references Le wo Nans Felstatt receiving hin by Farrawat Nil ai Teaver and Tae Pepread tes hi pet adie a Bote USN. 1 Crmnne Besadt and tevin.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jak Dieke
NAVY
Norfolk, Virginia
Otte
Guid
Farrawat
Besadt
Tevin
OPA Office Releases New Price List For Housewives
The OPA announces a fresh price list aimed at housewives with copies available at local War Price and Rationing Board offices. The release notes distribution through community centers and urge wives to obtain a copy via their organizations or a local board. Soldiers John Diekema and John Dickeuie are mentioned in passing regarding overseas service and training details.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rhine
Ae Bound
Klaie Stat
Kine
Hot Weather Shipping Tips for Livestock
Guidance to reduce deaths during heat waves while shipping cattle swine and sheep. Advice includes feeding light feed before shipping avoiding wet sand bedding, loading slowly to prevent stress and injuries, and partitioning each species to minimize crowding and overheating.
Fragmentary entry notes overseas duty and recall
A clipped note references overseas duty and a dedication, mentioning a person who returned home and continued service. The legible portion hints at a family or community record of wartime duty and reunion, with no clear dates or places available.
Navy training program at Iowa State College for midshipmen
Clifford Paltz and others enter a Navy unit at Iowa State College under a special training plan. Students gain access to approved Navy courses, regular gym and naval organization activities, and competitive sports. Upon completion, seamen are commissioned as Naval Reserve officers and assigned to patrol or training duties.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Clifford Paltz
NAVY
Iowa State College
Malter Ouyay
Turbulent City Bulletin Recites Odd Local Affairs
A crowded page recounts fragmented local notices and anecdotes about office life in a midcentury town. It mentions Mish Bulletin themed items, the water department, and staff like Gus and Frank, plus comments on a factory and Ward duties. The text blends stray names, farm reports, and a warehouse’s timber orders with unrelated quirks and rumors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Merslas
Kenneth Carter
Gus
Frank
Water Department
Valle
Radia School
Wiseman
Madi
Decephine Menieh
Phedehicken
Evers
Dose Sadler
Mint
Hid Wei
Allan Far Pree
Hayseed
Hank Gilins Hawks
Roatan
Escapees From Mount Pleasant State Hospital Found Working
Two patients who fled the Mount Pleasant state hospital were found hours later diligently engaged in farm work where they had applied for jobs and were accepted, highlighting manpower shortages.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mount. Pleasant
Also Mentioned on This Page
Mrs
Matthew Hoke
New
Cpl.Tech
Roger Thompson Tral
Frank den Besten
Great Lakes Q. M. School
France
Leslie Sadler
Holland
Pella, Iowa
Honeymoon Lodge
Ozzie Nelson
Harriet Hilliard
Cowboy Canteen
Charles Starrett
Jane Frazee
Vera Vague
Tex Ritter
Mills Bros
Jimmy Wakely
Saddle Pals
Roy Acuff
Smoky Mountain Boys and Girls
Gerrit Vander Wal
Secret Command
Carole Landis
Saturday Evening Post
Adm
Joe
Spencer Tracy
Irene Dunne
van Johnson
Ward Bond
U.S.N
John Diekema
Engine
John Dickeuie
Count Arnold
Helena of Otley
Des Moines
OPA
Picon
POS Lenin Este
Adetien
Aden
Edie
Surat
Niin
Rebereen
Fink van Vern
Fio
Amboy
War Production Board
Sud
Casement
Bella Casements
Lo, On
Cleveland
Ohio
Oneral Motors Corporation
Employers Casualty Company
Mad Wiscon
West Washington Street
William Neely
J. T. van Zante
van Maanen
WAC Womens Army Corps
Women’s Army Corps
U.S. Army
Federal Building
jPay
Faardekooper
WAC
Wacs
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!