Recently, the Nemaha County Historical Society received a copy of pages 1 and 2 of the November 11, 1946 issue of the Courier Tribune. While this copy of the paper was in poor condition, we were able to piece it back together for display in the Military Museum of Honor.
This issue of the paper was unique in that it identified those from the county who were killed during World War II, provided details about their death and often included a picture.
Since tomorrow is Memorial Day when we honor those who have died while serving their country, I thought it would be appropriate to interrupt the transcription of draft records to recognize these individual who gave their all during World War II. This week’s post contains those service men and women featured on page 1 of the paper. Next week, those featured on page two will be covered. Unfortunately, the photos in the digital copy of the newspaper are of low quality. Thus, they will not be used in this post.
The Courier-Tribune
November 11, 1946
A Memorial Issue Today
For Armistice
Today’s paper will have special interest to all of Nemaha county, for it contains as many photographs as it was possible to collect of young people from the county who gave their lives in World War II.
A short sketch taken from files of the paper and from other information at hand is given with each.
This was a global war. It will be noted some gave their lives in the far Pacific, some in Germany, some in Italy, some in France, some at almost all points where the Stars and Stripes were carried in battle — in the air, on land and on the sea.
This issue lists one young woman, 43 young men who gave their lives. It is hoped that no omissions were made. If so, the paper will feature photographs that are turned in, and the V.F.W. and Legion will make pictures to go with the group of photographs in the V.F.W.-Legion room.
The paper thanks those whose regular advertisements were moved from the second page to make way for the service section.
A number of extra papers are being printed for families who may wish to have a few additional copies.
Capt. Dorothy Swart Tatum
Dorothy L. Swart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Swart, now of Oakley, was born Dec. 25, 1917, entered the Women’s Auxiliary Corps in 1942, and was one of the first two WACs to join the European theater of operation. Served in communications in the Eigth air force. She was married to John M. Tatum of Mississippi in England. Returned to the states in 1945. Died at Mitchell Field hospital, New York, Feb. 12, 1946 from illness believed contracted in war work underground.
Lieut. Ernest Swart
Son of Mr. and Mrs. George M. Swart of Oakley, born Jun 11, 1919, near Seneca. Entered army service Feb. 19, 1941, joined air corps in 1943 and trained to pilot B-24’s. Served with the Flying Tigers in China and flew the “hump.’ Killed instantly Jan. 18, 1945 when engine trouble forced abandonment of plane.
George E. Guilford and William E. Guilford
Two sons were lost in World War II by Mr. and Mrs. Harvey D. Guilford, Centralia, now living at Sulphur Springs, Arkansas.
George E. Guilford, born July 22, 1921, was a cadet engineer in the Maritime Reserve. His death was October 14, 1942 in the Pacific area.
Private William E. Guilford, born Jun 8, 1925, served in the infantry and met his death near Aachen, Germany, on Sept. 16, 1944.
Private Adrian Rettele
Adrian Rettele, born May 5, 1922, died in a cave-in at Camp Carson, Colo., April 26, 1943 where he was serving with the 64th Medical Training Battalion. He entered service in November, 1942. Besides his mother, Mrs. Theresia Rettele, Centralia, Pvt. Rettele left his wife, the former Betty McCaig and a son eight months old. His burial was at Centralia.
Pvt. Paul Donald Boeding
Mr. and Mrs. August Boeding, Seneca, had four sons in service. Paul lost his life Oct. 3, 1944 in a truck accident near Dinant, Belgium. He was born Feb. 11, 1925, was nearing 20 years of age. He served with an infantry division.
Sgt. Roy L. Fund
Sgt. Roy L. Fund of Goff enlisted at Holton with the National Guards, which were called into camp at Little Rock in January of 1941. Sergeant Fund served with the 137th Infantry, E Company, 35th division; gave his life at Normandy, July 14, 1944. Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Fund.
Pvt. Joseph A. Enneking
Joseph A. Enneking lost his life October 13, 1944, in the European theater. He had been overseas only a few months and was believed to have gone directly to France from the United States. He had been in service two years and was in an infantry division of the army. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Enneking, Kelly.
Staff Sgt. Francis A. Kokenge
Staff Sgt. Francis A. Kokenge, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kokenge of Seneca, was killed October 15, 1942, in a flight from Sedalia airport at Warrensburg, Mo., to Chicago, the plane crashing near the Chicago municipal airport. A heavy fog and high tension wires were believed to have contributed to the accident. A snapshot of Francis was made into a nice picture and is placed in the Legion-V.F.W. room but it was not thought a newspaper plate could be made.
St. Sgt. Lawrence Winderscheidt
Lawrence Winterscheidt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Wintersheidt of Seneca, entered service in July 1942 and was radioman on a B-25 with the Fifth Air Forces under General Douglas MacArthur. He was killed in action near Jaoquinot Bay, New Britain Island on January 16, 1944. Lawrence was born Dec. 17, 1919, near Fairview.
S Sgt. Elgin Strahm
Staff Sergeant Strahm was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed B. Strahm of Sabetha. He entered service in 1042 and was in the Amphibious boat service of the U.S. army. He lost his life in action in the Southwest Pacific on July 1, 1943. He was born January 3, 1919.
Pvt. George A. Weeks
George A. Weeks, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Weeks, Sabetha, formerly of the Baileyville community, was killed in action, November 9, 1944 in France. Was in army about seven months and never had a furlough before going overseas.
Sgt. Virgil F. Brown
Sgt. Virgil F. Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Will Brown, Sabetha. He was an engineer on a B-24 Liberator Bomber. He failed to return from a bombing mission to Brunswick, Germany about 150 miles from Berlin, Feb. 20, 1944.
Sgt. Frank Schafer
Sgt. Frank Schafer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schafer of Seneca, was killed in action January 25, 1945 in southern France. He was commander of a tank. He was holder of the Purple Heart and commendations before he met death.
Pvt. Bernard Schultejans
Bernard Schultejans, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Schultejans, Kelly, died December 26th in action in Luxembourg. He was 20 or 21 years old, and had been overseas only a few months and in action one month. Bernard was with the Third Army.
Corporal Cyril P. Nolte
Corporal Cyril P. Nolte, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Nolte of Seneca, lost his life somewhere in France on Sept. 8, 1944. He was born Feb. 21, 1910. He was in service two and a half years and was in one of the first infantry divisions to enter France.
to be continued