Have you tried to re-create a military record for a World War II veteran in your tree? If I’m lucky enough to locate a digitized local newspaper, I can often add lots of details about an ancestor’s or a cousin’s military record. That was the case recently when researching my Minnick line, particularly, Herbert Frink.
A brief mention in the 22 Mar 1943 issue of The Courier of Waterloo, Iowa, helps confirm his first enlistment.
Aviation Cadet Herbert W. Frink, son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren M. Frink, 303 Locust street has been advanced from preflight training at San Antonio Cadet Center to an army air force primary flying field. He enlisted June, 1941.
“Aviation Cadet Herbert W. Frink,” The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 22 March 1943, page 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 30 March 2022).
Then in May 1943, an article confirms Herbert was sent to basic flying school.
Air Cadet Herbert W. Frink, son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren M. Frink, 303 Locust street has been graduated from primary flying school at Fort Stockton, Tex., and will be sent to a basic flying school to continue his training. He was employed at the Rainbow greenhouse before entering the army air corps.
“Air Cadet Herbert W. Frink,” The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 31 May 1943, page 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 30 March 2022).
A June article announces Herbert’s arrival at Goodfellow field in Texas.
Air Cadet Herbert W. Frink, son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren M. Frink, 303 Locust street, who recently graduated from a primary flying school at Fort Stockton, Tex. has arrived at Goodfellow field, Tex., to begin an intensified aerial training course.
“Air Cadet Herbert W. Frink,” The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 3 June 1943, page; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 30 March 2022).
In October of 1943, Herbert Frink earned his pilot’s wings.
Frink Wins Pilot Wings, Commission
Graduated in ceremonies conducted by the army air forces central flying training command, Herbert W. Frink, above, son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Frink, 303 Locust street, Saturday wore the silver wings of an army pilot and held his second lieutenant’s commission.
Lieutenant Frink, who enlisted in June 1941, received pre-flight training at San Antonio, Tex.; primary training at Fort Stockton, Tex., and then advanced to Goodfellow and Moore fields, in Texas.
He was employed at the Rainbow greenhouse prior to joining the air fores.
More than 60 Iowa youths were graduated in ceremonies Friday, it was reported form Randolph Field in Tex., headquarters of the command.
“Frink Wins Pilot wings, Commission,” The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 3 October 1943, page 12; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 30 March 2022).
About a year later, Herbert Frink graduated from a course in scientific aerial gunnery.
Second Lt. Herbert W. Frink, 28, son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren M. Frink, 303 Locust street, is among those recently graduated from a post-graduate course in scientific aerial gunnery at the Matagorda Peninsula airbse, Matagorda, Tex. He is now stationed at Moore field, Tex., where he received his wings and commission in September, 1943. Lieutenant Frink is expected home on a leave Oct. 20.
“Second Lt. Herbert W. Frink,” The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 18 September 1944, page 8; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 30 March 2022).
In November 1944, Herbert Frink won the Buzz Wagner trophy.
Frink Captures Wagner Trophy
Lt. Herbert W. Frink, son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren M. Frink, 303 Locust street, gunnery instructor at Moore field, Tex., became the fourth pilot to win the coveted Buzz Wagner trophy last week at Matagorda Island, Tex., during the annual army air forces fixed gunnery competition for flying instructors and student pilots of all advanced fighter training schools in the country. The trophy, presented by the citizens of Johnstown, Pa., in honor of Lt. Col. Boyd D. Wagner, famous army air forces pilot recently killed in a plane crash, is now in the possession of the officers’ club at Moore field. Lieutenant Frink also holds a badge for being an expert pistol shot.
“Frink Captures Wagner Trophy,” The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 7 November 1944, page 8; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 30 March 2022).
In 1945, Herbert and his brother were both placed on inactive duty.
Flight Officer Maurice Frink and First Lt. Herbert W. Frink, the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Warren M. Frink, 303 Locust street, have been put on inactive status with the army air forces. Maurice, whose wife resides at 214 East Thompson avenue, was commissioned in March this year and was stationed at Selma, Ala., before being discharged. Herbert was commissioned Oct. 1, 1943, and has been stationed at Moore field, Tex. His wife is residing with his parents.
“Flight Officer Maurice Frink,” The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), 10 October 1945, page 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 30 March 2022).