Smokes are Short at War Front

The following letter is from Norman Helgerson to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Helge Helgerson, who is serving with the U.S. Army, somewhere in Germany.

Dear Folks:
I hope you are all O.K. I am just fine. Today your letter come saying you had sent the things I asked for. Well, it happened with that just like everything else. We just lately got some heavy socks with cushion soles and I also got a pair of overshoes. I also got hold of a better pair of gloves, so I'm fixed almost except for those leather strings and wash clothes. But don't worry, I'll make use of everything especially something to eat.
I haven't received any packages from you yet but will let you know as soon as they get here. I got a packages from Wisconsin yesterday. There was a pound of chocolates, some bar candy, nuts, soap, toothpaste, etc. I sure envy one of the guys in our outfit. He got a package with nothing but candy bars. I can't understand where all the Camel cigarettes go to; we can't get any over here and you can't get any at home either. I sure miss them.
I'm closing this letter from somewhere in Germany, in a little hole about 6x10 feet with a light furnished by the battery on my vehicle. We have the top covered with dirt and logs so is just like a cellar. Last night the ground froze a little for the first time. It hasn't rained at least for a day now.
Love to you all, Norman
Taken from Corson County News January 18, 1945

Death of Two Corson County Boys Brings War Close to Home

Pfc. Joe Green killed in action in Belgium, December 26, 1944
Sgt. Kenneth Higby killed in action in Leyti December 15, 1944
Probably there were never two telegrams received in this community in such proximity that brought more sorrow and the horrors of war closer to home than the above messages received last week by parents and relatives of the deceased.
Two of western Corson County's outstanding youths have given their all in defense of their country on the battle fields of far off lands.
Pfc. Joe Green, son of Mrs. Sybilla Green and grandson of Mrs. Frances Green, made his home in McIntosh for the past few years and gave up his place at the school desk for that of a man in uniform to help fight the battles of our country. Only a mere boy, eighteen years of age when he was called to the colors, and less than a year in the armed forces, his life snuffed out on the battlefield. Joe was a fine young man, possessing a pleasing personality and of the highest morals. Quiet and unassuming with a gracious smile, he was not only popular with his school mates, but was held in the highest esteem by every adult acquaintance. Relatives and friends may find condolence in that Joe died a brave and honored soldier, but the news of his death cast a shadow of sorrow over the community and the memory of that fine youth will linger long in the minds of his host of friends.
Sgt. Kenneth, son of Mrs. Anna Higby of Morristown, similar in every respect to that of Pfc. Joe Green, a young man of sterling qualities held in the highest esteem and respected by every acquaintance. He was well known over the western part of the county and played basketball with the Morristown team for a number of years. Kenneth gave up his business with the Standard Oil Company as agent to join the colors about two years ago, and volunteered as a paratrooper. Although no particulars have been received, it was undoubtedly in this line of duty that he lost his life in the South Pacific. Kenneth not only left a host of friends when he went into the service, but left behind a saddened mother, who was always his first consideration. Kenneth was really an outstanding young man, and his friends were numbered by his acquaintances; a kind word and smile for everyone was Kenneth's gift.
As we write these few lines, our heart is heavy, both boys were personal friends of the editor and we only regret that we were not gifted with the ability to really exploit the fine qualities of these two young men of Corson county who have joined their comrades in that home, not made by man and our sincere sympathy goes to the bereaved parents and relatives, and we mourn with them, in this hour of trial.
Taken from Corson County News January 25, 1945

Son Killed in South Pacific

Tom Crownecklace was in the city, having come up from Hastings, Nebraska, where he has spent the winter, was en route to Fort Yates. He recently received word from the war department that his son, Eugene, had been killed in action in the South Pacific in January. He received two telegrams, one announcing that Eugene was seriously wounded and a few days later, he received the sad news that his son had passed away. Young Crownecklace played basketball on the McLaughlin team and was an outstanding player, and was well known to many of the McIntosh boys who played a few years ago against him. He was a fine young man held in the highest esteem by every acquaintance and his death will be mourned by many of his school chums and acquaintances.
Taken from Corson county News March 15, 1945

Donald Peacock Killed On Luzon

Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Peacock, residing north of Watauga, received word from the War Department, conveying the sad news that their son, Donald Peacock, had been killed in action on Luzon Island. Donald lost his life in line of duty, February 7th 1945 according to the message. He was in the medical corp, attached to the Infantry that the invasion of the Luzon Island.
Donald graduated from the McIntosh high school, and took part in basketball and other school athletics, and was very popular with his fellow students, as well as the adults of McIntosh. He grew to manhood on the farm of his parents north of Watauga, and was an ambitious and modest young man and was held in the highest esteem by every acquaintance. He celebrated his 37th birthday in January.
He leaves to mourn his death, his parents Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Peacock and a sister, Mrs. Elliott Geer residing in Washington
Taken from Corson County News March 22, 1945

Watauga Man Victim of Japs

The horrors of war were brought closer to home again and in very close proximity when word was received by Fred Blow that his brother, Lloyd Blow was killed in action on Iwo Jima February 22nd. Lloyd was serving in the Marines on Iwo Jima when he met his death.
Lloyd is a brother of Fred and Clarence Blow and made his home at Watauga for several years before entering the service of his country. His wife and three children reside at Ipswich with her parents, where they have made their home since he volunteered for the service, and had been in the South Pacific for the past couple years.
Lloyd was a fine young man and held in the highest esteem by every acquaintance.
Taken from Corson County News March 22, 1945

Lyman Boy is Killed in France

T-Sgt. James Lyman is another young man from the west part of Corson County who has given his life for his country in the European theater of war. A message conveying this information from the War Department was received by his wife the former Esther Minges, who is employed at the present time as a nurse at the Mounds Park Hospital in St. Paul, Minn.
T-Sgt. Lyman was a member of the Armored Infantry on the Italian front and was killed in action on March 16. He volunteered for duty in the Armed Forces on March 23, 1941 and received his basic training at Camp Roberts, California, where he remained until January 1942, when he was transferred to Camp Robertson, Ark., remaining there until August 1943. From Camp Robertson he went to Camp Fannin, Texas, where he was stationed until May 1944 and from there he was sent to the east coast, where he spent two months before going overseas in July 1944.
James Lyman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Lyman, who reside south of Thunder Hawk in the Grand Valley district was born in Lemmon August 13, 1913, and was 31 years of age at the time of his death. In 1933, he graduated from the State Agricultural College at Brookings and after finishing this course he came home and assisted his parents with the work on the farm until he volunteered and entered the service. On March 8, 1941 he was united in marriage to Miss Esther Minges in Lemmon.
He is survived by his wife, parents, one sister, Sara, who is a student at Huron College, Huron, S.D. and one brother Tom who is at home. Another brother Herb of the Air Force, who was stationed in England, has been missing since a flight over France June 1, 1944 according to a report received from the War Department.
Taken from Corson County News April 12, 1945

McIntosh Boy Killed in Action

Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Shear received the sad news that their son Everett Waterland, had made the supreme sacrifice on the battle field of Europe. The War Department notified the parents in a brief message, with no particulars other then that he was killed in action March 28th, and that he was with the 3rd Army.
Everett left McIntosh in June 1944 with a contingent of draftees from Corson County, and after a short period of training in the Infantry in the Unites States he left for overseas the latter part of December 1944.
Everett was born at Ismay Montana, October 29, 1919 and grew to manhood in Prairie county, Montana. He came to McIntosh with his parents in 1937, and was married to Doris Calhoun October 29, 1939, and to this union two children were born Arnold 6 years and Evelyn 2. He also leaves two brothers and two sisters to mourn his death.
He was a fine young man, quiet and unassuming and held in the highest esteem by every acquaintance.
Taken from Corson County News April 19, 1945

Expects to Drink Beer in Munich Pronto

The following letter was received by Mr. and Mrs. F.J. Scott from their son, Cpl. Willard D. Scott, who is with the 7th U.S. Army in Germany.

Dear Mother, Dad and Jean;
Well, Easter is over with and the war still going as strong as ever. I thought it would be over with by now and maybe I won't be too far off if we keep going like we are now.
I have seen some beautiful country and the Germans are not hurting as much as a lot of people think. They are really artistic when it comes to soil conservation, and they don't waste an inch of ground.
I crossed the Rhine several days ago and it reminded me a lot of Clark's Fork river near Plains and was about the same width, but the approaches to the river from the mountains are much more gradual. We've come a long ways since then though, and if we keep going like we have been, we should be drinking beer in Munich before long.
Our living conditions are a little better now since we are getting into the more densely populated county, because we just take over a town and pick the best place to live. Of course we don't stay in any place long enough to really get settled, but it really beats being outside, especially when the weather is cold and rainy.
I'm well and safe and I'll never go hungry if there is food to be had, so don't worry about me.
Lots of love, Willard
Taken from Corson County News April 26, 1945

Indian Boy Loses Life at Luzon

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Flyinghorse of Bullhead, received the sad news that their son, Wm. Flyinghorse had been killed on Luzon March 19th, according to a message that they received from the War Department. Wm. Jr., had not written his parents since last November and at that time said he was well and getting along fine, and the news of his death came as a great shock to his parents and many friends. Billy enlisted in August, 1940 and went to the South Pacific last September as a member of the Infantry. He was born June 11, 1924 at Bullhead. His brother George is serving somewhere in Germany.
Taken from Corson County News May 3, 1945

Germany Accepts Unconditional Surrender

The people of this community accepted the report of the unconditional surrender of Germany to the Allies with little emotion and instead of giving vent to a joyous feeling, tears and a prayer for the final victory in the East was in evidence. It was a happy realization that the war in Germany had come to a victorious end, but with parents, sweethearts and friends knowing that their loved ones who on the conquered fields of Germany would soon be transferred to the South Pacific to fight a foe, more desperate than Germany, if that is possible, their hearts were lighter by the good news, but it was no time for jubilant celebration.
Following is the report, as given to the daily papers by the Associated Press;
LONDON, May 7-The greatest war in history ended today with the unconditional surrender of Germany.
The surrender of the Reich to the western allies and Russia was made at Gen. Eisenhower's headquarter at Reims France by Col. Gen. Gustaf Jodl, Chief of Staff for the German Army.
This was announced officially after German broadcasts told the German people that Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz had ordered the capitulation of all fighting forces and called off the U-boat war.
Joy at the news was tempered only by their realization that the war against Japan remains to be resolved, with many casualties still ahead.
The end of the European warfare, greatest, bloodies and costliest war in human history-it has claimed at least 40,000,000 casualties on both sides in killed, wounded, and captured-came after five years, eight months and six days of strife that overspread the globe.
Hitler's arrogant armies invaded Poland on Sept. 1, 1939, beginning the agency that convulsed the world for 2,076 days.
Unconditional surrender of the beaten remnants of his legions first was announced by the Germans.
The historic news began breaking with a Danish broadcast that Norway had been surrendered unconditional by its conquers.
Then the new German Foreign Minister, Ludwig Schwerin Von Krosigk, announced to the German people, shortly after 2 p.m. that "after almost six years struggle we have succumbed."
Von Krosigk announced Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz had "ordered the unconditional surrender of all fighting German troops."
The world waited tensely. Then at 9:35 a.m. came the Associated Press flash from Reims, France, telling of the signing at Gen. Eisenhower's headquarters of the unconditional surrender at 2:41 a.m.. Germany had given up to the western allies and to Russia.
Taken from Corson County News May 10, 1945

Ring Side Seat at Okinawa Battle

Aboard a U.S. battleship off Okinawa (Delayed)
Robert E. Nehl, 26, machinist's mate, first class whose mother Mrs. Art. E. Nehl, lives in Watauga S.D. had a grandstand seat from which to view the invasion of Okinawa.
This hard-hitting ship, while under threat of air attack, moved up within 3,000 yards of the shore, cruising slowly back and forth and pulverizing the beach targets at point-blank range. The crew could clearly see the explosions from the ships shells as her guns smashed pill boxes, gun emplacements, warehouses and trench fortifications.
The ship's anti-aircraft gunners fought off deadly air assaults during the bombardment period, and on one occasion only skillful maneuvering of the vessel by her commanding officer saved her from a torpedo which had been dropped.
At one time a Jap "Zeke" bomber, pursued by two U.S. Navy planes, came within range of the ship's 20 mm. and 40 mm. guns, and crew members of this ship and those of another close-by had the satisfaction of seeing the enemy crash into the sea. Another time, bombs from a Jap plane fell only 200 yards off the port bow.
By early afternoon of invasion day, the big ship's primary target area had been captured and she was free to lend her powerful support against other enemy held areas.
Taken from Corson County News May 24, 1945

Plenty of Action Against Germans

T-4 Edmund Erz returned form the European battle fronts, and will spend a thirty day furlough with his mother Mrs. Mary Erz.
Edmund has been in the army for two and one half years, and landed in France last February and went right to the front, and saw much action in the short time he was there. Edmund wears three battle stars and the Infantry badge, indicating front line duty. He was with the 86th Division and was with that outfit when they went into the Ruhr basin and it was a fight that Ed said he will never forget. In speaking of his reaction to seeing dead soldiers, Edmund said a soldier doesn't mind seeing enemy dead, and boys from other outfits don't give you the feeling one would think, but when you see boys from your own outfit, that is when it comes mighty close to home. After you have lived with them for over two years, then to see their lives snuffed out on the battle field, it brings sorrow to the most hardened soldier.
Edmond's outfit was present at the liberation of soldiers and slave labor from a German concentration camp, and he said one could not believe that any sane person could treat human beings like the Germans had done to their captives. The cruelty was beyond all conception, and no penalty could be too severe for those guilty of such treatment to their fellow men.
Taken from Corson County News July 5, 1945

Boys in the Service

Corporal Barney Bald Head is home, having received his honorable discharge from the army. He has been serving in the south Pacific since the beginning of hostilities against the Japs, and served under former Governor of South Dakota, Leslie Jensen, as member of the old 147th Field Artillery, and was with them in all their actions. He is very glad to get back home among his own people, and says there is no place like good old South Dakota and it beats anything he has ever seen in all his travels. Barney's ancestors were some of Sitting Bull's fighting Indians, but he don't believe they were as tough as the Japs.
Corporal Ambrose R. Antelope a veteran of the World War 11, is home on a thirty day furlough from Gunple, Texas, where he is receiving a medical discharge. He was with the famous 95th division that took part in the liberation of France, and lost his left leg in one of the battles. Ambrose was awarded a medal for his bravery in action, and also the purple heart. After he had been severely wounded, he ordered his men to take cover while he manned the field gun against the Germans until reinforcements could be brought to relieve them. After the battle he was taken to the hospital for treatment and it was necessary to amputate his leg, and he has been in a hospital in the United States for several months. Ambrose is being fitted with an artificial limb, and says he will be as good as ever when he learns to use the new leg.
Ambrose and Barney are nephews of Corporal Barney Brought, who lost his life in the first World War, and in whose honor the Legion Post at Bullhead was named, and the only all American Sioux Indian Legion Post.
Joseph Little Crow is home on thirty day furlough, having recently arrived from Europe where he served with the 95th Division, and expects to go to the South Pacific to help whip the Japs after a little more training in the States. Joe is one of the Indian boys that had an uphill fight to get through high school, his parents having died when he was a small boy, and now he is applying the same fighting spirit with Uncle Sam's Army. When the war with the Japs is ended, Joe says he will join the Barney Brought Post No. 92 at Bullhead and wants to take and active part in its work and keep the Indian boys as an organization for their welfare. Joe hopes that the government will see the light of day when the war is over and grant full citizenship to the Indian boys who have offered their services and life if necessary to the country they love.
Taken from Corson County News August 9, 1945

Japan Accepts the Unconditional Surrender Ultimatum
The People of the Land of the Rising Sun Set to Rise no More in Arms.

Relief came to a public tense with hopes and anticipation Tuesday afternoon at five o'clock when President Truman announced, officially that the demand for unconditional surrender of Japan had been received at the white House. A report was broadcast last Friday evening that Japan had surrendered unconditionally set the world in an uprising that was only quieted after the radios announced the report as false and for the past few days people have been in a tense mood of jitters. Knowing that peace was not far off, radios were kept on night and day, to hear the first glad tidings, and it was little less than nerve wrecking. When the official news did come late Wednesday afternoon, horns were sounded and bells tolled out the glad tidings, but little celebrating was manifest in the smaller communities, and a prayer was on the lips of many for the successful ending of the terrible conflict.
General Douglas MacArthur was named the man to take over the occupation of Japan, and the American fleet will undoubtedly sail in the Tokyo harbor before many days with American soldiers to occupy the land of the rising sun.
Taken from Corson County News August 16, 1945

Guests of Japs for Long Time

Mark Nehl, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jess Nehl of Morristown, arrived last Saturday night and will spend a few weeks with his parents and many friends, and then return to the hospital for further treatment.
Mark recently returned from Japan where he was held a prisoner since the fall of Corrigador, and spent three and one half years in a Jap prison camp. He has been in the States for the past few weeks, returning soon after the surrender of Japan and has practically recovered from the ordeal as a prisoner of the Japs. He has regained most of his weight, and after a few more weeks of hospitalization expects to get his discharge.
In telling of his experiences, Mark said he was just among a few of the lucky boys. His stout heart and fine physical condition when he was taken prisoner is probably responsible for his survival of the ordeal. He was never sick while in prison, and it was the boys who were ill and compelled to work who died. They were kept under very strict surveillance and their food rations were very limited. They were not allowed any privileges and what really was the worst part of it, they were not allowed any pencils or calendars and could not keep track of the days or months. Mark did not dwell on the cruel treatment given the prisoners and that is undoubtedly one part of his ordeal that he would like to forget.
His parents and many friends are mighty pleased to have him return after such a long fearsome wait, and Mark is a very happy boy.
Taken from Corson County News October 25, 1945

Elmer Halverson Declared Lost

The following is a letter from the Navy department verifying the loss of Elmer Charles Halverson.
Your brother, Elmer Charles Halverson, Seaman first class, United States Navy, has been carried on the official records of the Navy Department in the status of missing in action as of March 1942 when the EDSALL, the ship aboard which he served was reported lost as a result of an enemy action.
According to information, which has now been received the EDSALL participated in rescue of survivors from the U.S.S. Langley which had been sunk as a result of enemy actions south of Java on 27 February 1942. On March 1, 1942 the EDSALL transferred the survivors to another ship and then proceeded from her position south of Christmas Island, toward Tjilatjap, Java. Enroute to Tjilatjap the EDSALL requested instructions regarding landing at Java and was advised to keep well off the coast and to plan on making port at dawn on the following day. This action was necessary because a strong enemy force composed of battleships, cruisers and destroyers was known to be headed for Java. In addition an enemy carrier was reported operating in the same vicinity. No further word was heard from the EDSALL and she failed to make port. To date, no further information has been received concerning the EDSALL or any member of her crew.
In view of the length of time that has elapsed since your brother was determined to be missing in action because of the strong probability that the EDSALL was sunk by fire from enemy ships known to be in the general vicinity as a result of which your brother lost his life, because no official nor unconfirmed reports have been received that he survived and because his name has not appeared on any lists or reports of personnel liberated from Japanese prisoner of war camps, I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that he is deceased. I know what little solace the formal and written word can be to help the burden of your loss, but in spite of that knowledge, I cannot refrain from saying very simply that I am sorry. It is hoped that you may find comfort in the thought that your brother gave his life for his country, upholding the highest traditions of the Navy. Sincerely Jams Forrestall.
Taken from Corson County News December 13,1945

More Men Join Legion

According to Marian Bruce, Post Commander of the Ralph T. Ankerson Post of the American Legion, the membership of the legion now numbers 88, over a hundred percent larger membership than last year. At the annual Legion party held at Thunder Hawk last week, 14 new members were enrolled, and a large crowd was in attendance, and a good time is reported. 50 percent of the Legion members are now World War II men. The legion is planning on a V-J celebration to be held in McIntosh in 1946 and they are going to put on a real celebration. They plan on only one day celebration, but will make it worth while.
Taken from Corson County News December 20, 1945

Hold Memorial Services

Memorial services were held at the redeemer's Lutheran church in McLaughlin at two o'clock Saturday for Sgt. Oral V. Paul, who was officially declared dead by the War Department in a letter dated December 5, 1945, three years, six months and one day after he had been reported "Missing in Action".
Sgt. Paul was serving as radio operator on a bombing plane with a squadron located at Kodiak in Alaska. The day the Jap fleet struck Dutch Harbor his squadron was apparently called into action to bomb the Jap vessels as they approached.
There is probably no one who knows just what happened. Reports from the War Department have indicated three different sets of circumstances, but it appears that when the squadron was taking off on this mission, a motor on their ship faulted as they were taking off and were compelled to wait for repairs. They apparently took off alone, in a different ship from that which they had been flying.
One report indicated that the last word received from their plane was a radio message sent by Sgt. Paul indicating that they had dropped their bombs and were going down to see what damage they had done. Another report indicated that they were flying in heavy clouds and apparently were flying low over their target, which presumably was a Jap carrier, and that possibly the concussion from their own bombs may have caught them.
What actually happened, possibly no one will ever know, but the possibility of his having been rescued or taken prisoner seemed so likely that the War Department carried him and his crew for three and one half years as "missing". One of the members of the crew was even granted a promotion in rank, by the War Department about a year ago. Sgt. Paul was awarded the honor of the Purple Heart postumously, shortly after having been reported missing in action.
Taken from Corson County News December 20, 1944