Vets salute 2011

THE

Produced by and supplement to

November, 2011

2 | Veteran’s Salute, November 9, 2011

The Leader

Westview Care Center Honors Its Veterans Stop by and visit a Vet!

Ed Boothroyd Sr., WWII, Air Force Captain

Leroy Love, WWII, Navy

James Meurer Korean War, Air Force

Walbert Mayland, WWII, Army Air Force division

Alvin Aastrup WWII, Navy James Fosnaugh Army Air Corps, WWII

Marvin Sandry, Army

Robert Larson, Army George Alke, WWII Earl Kvamsdale, WWII, Navy

Arnold Lodin, WWII, Army

Calvin Eden, Peace Time WWII

November 9, 2011, Veteran’s Salute | 3

The Leader

Jump remembers Iwo Jima, a Purple Heart Day

Floyd Jump

By Staci Miller mapfeatures@gmail.com Floyd Jump was living in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1942.

“I didn’t have anything to do one Sunday afternoon, so I went to a movie,” Jump explained. “They showed a news reel of the Marine Paratrooper.

The jumpmaster’s pilot chute opened, released his canopy and got caught on the tail section of the plane. When I saw that, I said that’s for me.”

And he wasn’t kidding. Jump forged papers stating he was 21 so he could join the Marines when in reality, he was only 20.

It worked. He went to Camp Pendleton in California for basic training and quickly shipped out to the South Pacific.

Jump was one of the brave souls who fought at Iwo Jima and as he tightly closed his eyes, he remembered it like it was yesterday.

“The beach we landed on, the ducks were supposed to take us in about 15 – 20 yards but the with the volcanic rock, they couldn’t, so we had to crawl on our guts up that and there was all kinds of fire coming at us,” Jump remembered. “We were moving forward and…one of the guys took a slug right above his ankle. Every time his heart would pump, it would shoot blood out so I hauled him into an indentation.

“The next thing I knew I was laying on my back,” Jump continued. “I hollered for someone to come take care of the guy that got hit in the leg and I was going to take off but they said, ‘you’re hit.’ I said, ‘I’m not,’ and he said, ‘you are.’

“I’d got hit in the face,” Jump said quietly.

Still able to move, Jump got part way back to the beach before he dove into a big shell crater where the stretcher bearers go him loaded up, back to the beach and aboard the ship.

He was taken to the Okinawa field tent hospital.

“By that time, my head was so swollen I couldn’t see,” Jump said.

After plastic surgery and much healing

time, Jump went home feeling proud of his service.

“I think I’m a patriot,” Jump said with his head held high.

“I would have went again after 9/11 but they wouldn’t take me,” he joked.

Jump served from 1942 – 1945 and received a Presidential citation, three bronze campaign stars, the Purple Heart, a WWII victory medal, a rifle marksman badge and a Navy occupation service medal.

Today, Jump resides in Garner with his wife, Amy.

Jump forged papers stating he was 21 so he could join the Marines

Marines World War II

Floyd Jump lives in Garner with his wife, Amy. (Photo by Staci Miller)

State Farm Insurance

Jim Becker, Agent Britt • Garner • Kanawha • Wesley www.hancockmemhospital.com

37 Main Ave., N. Britt, Iowa (641) 843-3563

4 | Veteran’s Salute, November 9, 2011

The Leader

You never knew when there would be a sniper

By Rebecca Peter When Jim McMahon talks about his service in Vietnam, he measures his words carefully. “It’s like anything else, unless you have people who have had the same experience you have had, it’s hard to talk about it,� he Jim McMahon explained. “Even amongst people who have, it’s not brought up all that much.�

A graduate of Garner-Hayfield, Class of Army 1965, McMahon was attending Mason City Junior College (now NIACC). He was also working for the Hancock County Rural ElecVietnam tric Cooperative when he was drafted into the Army in 1967.

McMahon received basic training at Ft. Campbell, Ky., then combat engineer training at Ft.Leonard Wood, Mo. After a short leave at home, he was on the way to what was then South Vietnam. “We had a lot of different tasks. We were in direct support of the infantry,� he said. “One The 1960s was a turbulent era. The Vietof our major jobs was doing mine sweeps, demolition and small construction like for nam conflict was divisive and marked by anfire bases for the artillery and small landing tiwar protests at home. “I did not try to avoid the draft,� McMazones for the helicopters. “We all participated in guard duty. Most hon said. “I was willing to go and serve my country. We did what we mornings we would do thought was right.� a mine sweep along the After a moment, he added, road - clear the road for “I guess maybe they were the convoy or infantry doing what they thought that would be using was right.� it,� he said.

What kept him going?

Sometimes his unit “Protecting our country, our would helicopter to an families and our freedom,� outpost, clear that out he states. “My faith also kept and put up a perimeter me going.� fence.

Upon returning home, Jim did not experi“A squad would go out with the infantry ence some of abuse that some retuning vetand do different tasks whether it be mine sweep or demolition. We built a lot of bun- erans did. “I had a lot of support from my family kers for protection. That was another one of and the community,� he said. “Maybe I had our specialties.�

He continued, “We had our share of close a deaf ear to what was being said.�

He supports organizations such as the calls. You never know when there would be Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundeda sniper or a rocket into the perimeter.�

The Viet Cong built an elaborate tunnel warriorproject.org) “There probably more system, which would have to be cleared. “I didn’t have that particular job, but that’s what a combat engineer would do.�

The Tet Offensive occurred on Jan. 31, 1968. “I was there during the Tet Offensive,â€? he noted. “We actually thought we were going to take care of things then and there and the war would be over. But I think the politicians got in the way. Instead of getting the ´6HUYLQJ 2XU $FFRXQWV 6LQFH Âľ thing over with, a lot more people died after : UG 6W *DUQHU

it should have been over.�

Faith kept him going in Vietnam

wounded veterans mentally, than physically.

It’s a family thing. It affects the whole family and community.�

Upon reentering civilian life, Jim returned to his job at the Hancock County REC. About a year later, he married his wife, Laurel. The couple had two children both of whom live in Garner. Tom and Cathy McMahon have three children: Tori, Evan and Macy. Daughter Natalie Swartout and husband Joel, have two children: Hannah and Brennan.

McMahon became involved with the Garner Ceremonial Unit, “because our veterans need to be honored when they pass on,� he said. “We have a very faithful ceremonial unit in Garner.�. “But I’m very proud of what I did in the service,� he concluded, “I’m proud to have my name on the courthouse [veterans monument] with my grandpa and my uncle’s name.� “I think is was the right thing to do. But I do think it should have been over long before it was.�

TESENE, MAURER & MAURER, DDS, PC FAMILY DENTISTRY

Roy Tesene, DDS Amy Maurer, DDS Matt Maurer, DDS

55 State Street 641-923-3771 Garner, Iowa 50438 1-800-450-3771 www.garnerdentists.com

November 9, 2011, Veteran’s Salute | 5

The Leader

Laid miles of wire across Europe

By Rebecca Peter Maynard W. Isenberger of Garner served in the United States Army in the European Theater during World War II from1942 to 1945.

He had just turned 23 when he was inducted. “My birthday was Nov. 16 and I went in three days afterwards,� he said.

Isenberger served with the 104th Infantry Division, the 929th Field Artillery Battalion, known as the Timberwolf Division. His tour of duty took him to France, Belgium, the Netherlands and finally into Germany. “There were quite a few different organizations within the infantry,â€? he noted. “There was the survey crew‌the artillery. I happened to be in communications, which was telephones,â€?

Since cell phones weren’t invented, Isenberger and his unit strung miles upon miles of telephone wire across Europe, and ran the field switchboard. “We’d lay several miles of wire and hook it into a little switchboard and have communications back with the [artillery] guns,â€? he explained. “When we got through taking a town, we’d move forward to another objective. Sometimes we picked up the wire and sometimes we leave it and we lay miles more.â€? “We laid wire wherever we could lay it. If could, we used high lines‌climbed poles and spliced in.â€?

The challenge was to keep the lines running. “Sometime it got run over and sometimes the Germans did things to it. One thing we found later on was we never could find a cut, but they stuck pins through it - shorted it out.�

There were five men to a unit. They would take turns driving truck and running the switchboard while the others laid wire. “If we had any rest, which we had occasionally, one guy stayed awake for 2 hours,� he recalled. “We slept where we could.�

Isenberger was involved in the Battle of the Bulge. “On Dec. 25, 1944, I had Christmas dinner in Bastogne, Belgium. The snow was knee deep and it was rough. The Germans were very, very tough, but we won. We went for 2-3 days without food, water and sleep. It was job‌a big job.â€? “When we started out in the morning we had an objective,â€? he continued. “We were going to attack somebody or take a town. And we went and worked hard until we got that town. Then we moved to the next place.â€?

Maynard was awarded the Bronze Star. The Bronze Star may be awarded for bravery, act of merit or meritorious service. Isenberger and his crew had to string wire across a river in Holland to where the forward observers could call back to the guns. That night, the artillery began a “thousand gun salute� at the town for an hour.

“I remember lying on my stomach and watching,� he said. “That was the best fireworks I ever saw. When it was over with the town belonged to us.�

He noted that the day before, the Allies had dropped leaflets to warn civilians. “A lot left, but some stayed,� he said. “An awful lot of the civilians were so happy we were there. They had lived under hell for a long time.�

When the war ended in Europe in 1945, Maynard returned to the United States for a 30-day furlough. The war in the Pacific was still going. “We were supposed to go Japan,â€? he said. He was on the way to San Luis Obispo, Calif. for amphibious training for the invasion of Japan. It was en route to San Luis that Maynard and his buddies learned that Japan surrendered. “We stopped in Stockton, Calif., and we got the word it was official ‌ the war was over,â€? he recalled. “That whole trainload of soldiers ‌ it took them three or four hours to get us rounded back up again. There wasn’t a bottle of booze left in that town when we got there.â€? “But, nobody got hurt‌we were just so happy.â€?

Isenberger finished the remainder of his service in Seattle and Fort Lewis, Wash. He received his discharge papers on Dec. 9, 1945.

Isenberger considers himself very fortunate.

He wasn’t wounded, although there were close calls. Many of his Army buddies weren’t so fortunate.

He acknowledged that military service instilled some discipline into his life. “When I was first in the service, I was wild,â€? he said. “I made up my mind, I know what we’re here for‌. so If I want to be a good soldier, and go there and come back, you better straighten yourself out. So from then on, I was a soldier. I learned everything there was to learn.â€?

Upon returning to civilian life, he married his wife, June, in 1950 and the couple raised a daughter, Janice. He worked with his brother for a time in the in the egg and feed business at Clarion. He later managed an egg processing plant.

He became a meat and poultry inspector for

Went for 2-3 days without food, water or sleep in the Battle of the Bulge

Maynard Isenberger

Army World WII

the USDA in 1953. He worked for the USDA for 11 years.

Maynard then worked for Independence Produce Company at Forest City. When the plant closed, he managed one at Osage for 20 years.

In December of 1968 he retired from the egg business and went to work for Winnebago Industries for 13 years before retiring from the workforce.

Isenberger is proud of his military service and the part he played to liberate Europe.

On June 6, 1997, D-Day, a grateful French government acknowledged what the GIs had done.

Maynard and other North Iowa veterans from World War II were presented certificates at a special program at North Iowa Area Community College. “It’s quite an experience,� he said. “People don’t know what war is until they’ve been in it.�

0DW¡V 3ODFH 6WDWH 6WUHHW *DUQHU ,$

: UG 6W *DUQHU

0RQGD\ )ULGD\ DP WR SP ‡ 6DWXUGD\ DP WR SP Inconveniently located 7 blocks from downtown Garner

6 | Veteran’s Salute, November 9, 2011

The Leader

Schlawin was wounded three times

By Rebecca Peter Greetings, from Uncle Sam‌ On June 8, 1966, Monty Schlawin of Garner received his draft notice saying that he was drafted into the U.S. Army.

A 1965 graduate of Garner-Hayfield, Schalwin started working for International Harvester at Mason City out of high school. He hadn’t settled on a career at that point, but he wasn’t going to volunteer for the service. “They volunteered me,� he said.

Schlawin received eight weeks basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. followed by 8 weeks of advanced infantry training at Ft. Ord, Calif.

He left Travis Air Force Base - with stopovers at Hawaii and Philippines - he landed in the Republic of South Vietnam.

Schlawin served with Bravo Company B, 9th Infantry Division. The main base camp was located at Long Binh, Vietnam in the Mekong Delta. He started his tour of duty as a machine gunner, but later was assigned to demolition. “That was a swamp,� Monty said. “You had six months of summer and six month monsoon season. And hot - sometime it would be 120 in the shade.� “We went out on maneuvers all the time.

They’d fly us out in helicopters with 6-8 guys in a helicopter. Sometimes eight to ten helicopters would go out in one crack looking for North Vietnamese regulars and Viet Cong.�

The North Vietnamese, he recalled, would come across the border from the north and shoot or raid different areas in South Vietnam. “Then they would go back across, but you couldn’t go across their border. Also, they had to shoot at you before you could shoot at them.

That didn’t make good sense. I never understood the rationale behind that.�

Like the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, sometimes it was difficult to determine who was the enemy at a moment’s notice. “After I was over there about four or five months, I thought, ‘Well, it’s like going to a job even though I was getting shot at.’ You just go do what you have to do.�

He recalled one episode of when a reconnaissance camp was overrun one night. Monty and other members of his unit were on guard duty at the main base camp 3-4 miles away. They could

Monty Schlawin Army Vietnam War

You don’t forget what you’ve seen

hear shooting during the night.

The next morning when Schlawin and others went to investigate, they found 20-25 bodies. “I was one the elected to put these guys into body bags,� he said. “You don’t forget what you’ve seen. That’s the trouble.�

Eventually he was promoted to E5 Sergeant.

He had a squad of 16 men under his command. “My goals were not to get anybody killed in my squad,� he said. “I told the guys, I wouldn’t have you do anything that I wouldn’t do.�

Schlawin was wounded three times. He was awarded two Purple Hearts. He is working on obtaining his third.

The Vietnam Era was a turbulent time in the United States. Schlawin was honorably was discharged in June of 1968. Upon returning to the United States, he witnessed some of the abuse some returning servicemen were subjected to by protesters.

Monty and went to work for Winnebago Industries until his health forced him to retire sev-

:RRG &KLURSUDFWLF 1RW MXVW DQRWKHU SUHWW\ ODWWH 6WDWH 6WUHHW ‡ *DUQHU ‡ 2SHQ 0RQ )UL DP SP 6DW DP SP )UHH :L )L ‡ &DWHULQJ

Sports Physician Dr. Scott Wood 6WDWH 6WUHHW ‡ *DUQHU ,$ Bus. (641) 923-2059 Home (641) 923-3787

eral years ago. He married his wife Darcia, in 1971. The couple has a daughter, Shannon of Des Moines, and a granddaughter Shelby.

Today, Schlawin questions if the Vietnam war was worth the price of 58,000 American GI lives. “You got the North and the South [Vietnam] together, anyway,� he said.

The decades since his military service has brought other challenges. He was exposed to the defoliant Agent Orange� while in Vietnam.

For years, his health slowly deteriorated. He was constantly thirsty and his blood platelets were very low. “I had cirrhosis of the liver and I don’t drink or smoke,� he said.

Finally, a doctor at Mayo Clinic determined the likely cause of his problems was Agent Orange and he was placed on a transplant waiting list.

This past December, Monty underwent a successful liver and kidney transplant. He spent four months at Rochester. He is feeing much better, even though will be on a medication regime for the rest of his life. “I’m getting along pretty good,� he noted.

The positive aspect of his time in the service was being able to see a lot of the world. “I’ve been in Thailand, Australia, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Hawaii and Japan. “I’ve been to a lot places in the States, too,� he said. “In high school, you didn’t have a lot of responsibility. In the service you have more responsibility. You had to grow up quick,� he said.

November 9, 2011, Veteran’s Salute | 7

The Leader

LeRoy Josten

Installed the last pin in bridge he and his group built across the Rhine River Harlan Block

By Travis Fischer Harlan Block of Klemme was drafted into the Army in July of 1963 at the age of 23. During his first eight weeks after basic training, he studied communications and Morse code.

He was selected to go to Vietnam, but instead ended up in Nelligan, Germany. Because his camp had too many operators, Block became an operations clerk. “We were with the construction engineers,� says Block. “We build school houses and churches and golf courses.�

As operations clerk, Block’s job was to Army keep track of how much each project cost.

1956-1958 During his time in Germany, Block oversaw the construction of many different things, some of which may still be standing.

In one instance his group built a mile-long airstrip and helicopter pads. Block himself was picked to install the last pin in a bridge that his group had built across the Rhine

By Travis Fischer River.

In 1956, LeRoy Josten volunteered to enter Transportation and delivery was another Army the service at the age of 21. After basic trainof Block’s duties. Given a Top Secret clearVietnam Era ing, where he was awarded for accomplishance, he was assigned to pick up informaments in rifle training, Josten sailed across tion for his company at headquarters. He the Atlantic for Europe, a very unique trip also escorted his commander to deliver pay for an Iowa boy. to his fellow soldiers, bussed kids to school, “All I saw was water for ten days,� says months overseas he was able to atand hauled Josten. tend two genuine Oktoberfests. prisoners away Stationed in France and Germany, Jos“I enjoyed it over there,� says to prison. ten spent 18 months overseas as a quarterBlock, who has been considering In his free master for his camp. Among his duties was making a return visit. time, Block says preparing breakfast for 500 men. Josten had Block ended his military career six he spent his to become quite handy at preparing large days shy of two years before returnweekends skiamounts of eggs quickly. ing home on the USS Rose. ing in Austria “I could break them with one hand and “I thought I was going to loaf during the wincook them with the other� says Josten. around and do nothing,� said Block. ter and swimTo go with their breakfast, Josten says that “I got bored of that after a month ming in Stuttthe morning coffee for the troops was made gart during the summer. During his eighteen and went to work.� in 40 gallon drums.

Along with cooking for his camp, another of Josten’s responsibilities was supplying food for all the smaller camps in the area.

Because his parents came from Germany, 1RUWK he could speak both German and French. In his spare time, Josten toured the country&HQWUDO side. He met with the natives and saw the &RRSHUDWLYH destruction that had rained down on his parent’s homeland during World War II. Locations in: :KHUH 6HUYLFH LV &HQWUDO Josten left the service after his tour was over, but even today he’s still providing food Garner, Britt, Meservey, &ODULRQ +XWFKLQV for people by growing items in his garden Belmond and Ventura .DQDZKD :RGHQ and donating to the local food bank.

Could speak both German & French

Block was given Top Secret Clearance

8 | Veteran’s Salute, November 9, 2011

The Leader

Communication was key for Nedved

By Staci Miller mapfeatures@gmail.com When Lewis L. Nedved was 19 years old, World War II (WWII) was in full swing and he wanted to “get in on the action.”

“I volunteered for some time and then [the Army] finally took me,” Nedved explained. “I was young, there was plenty of help at home and I wanted to get in on the action.”

Nedved was born on the south end of Eagle Lake, an area about 30 miles west of Mason City. His father, Stanley, was a WWI veteran.

After entering the service in 1945, Nedved went to Jefferson Barracks, MO, and was trained in Alabama.

On the ship ride into South Korea, he vividly remembers the typhoon they hit on their way in.

“Our ship battled that storm for a day and a night,” Nedved said. “The ship cracked every time it came down from a wave. When they talk about the wicked sea, I venture that was it!”

The morning following the storm, Nedved said out of about 1,500 soldiers, only 100 made it to breakfast, as the others were sick from the tough trip. Although the storm died by noon, icicles hung from the mast of the ship, 90 feet overhead.

“Boy that was a rough ride,” Nedved remembers.

Finally, Nedved arrived at his destination: Seoul, South Korea. He was assigned to radio communications.

For the first few weeks, he took lessons in international Morse Code but was quickly sent to Manila, Philippines for an additional three months of schooling.

“When I got to writing 25 words a minute, that was just about the limit, so then I started typing,” Nedved said.

Once he reached the typing limit he was sent back to Seoul where he became Radio Chief, in charge of communications and running an instructional school on international Morse Code, teaching 10 to 15 soldiers.

“Whenever the Army had any maneuvers

anyplace, we kept in communication with them,” Nedved said. “When the Japanese attacked us, everyone was in it; the whole world. That was really something. As far as my part goes, I enjoyed helping and I learned a lot. No amount of money could buy that experience.”

Nedved served his country with the occupational forces from 1945 – 1947.

Considering the idea of reenlisting, Nedved decided otherwise and headed home, eventually landing property he farmed for 38 years.

Nedved served our country with the occupational forces from 1945-1947

Lewis Nedved

Army World War II

...Comtinued on page 9

Lewis L. Nedved sits with his wife, Barb. He served our country with the occupational forces from 1945 1947. (Photo by Staci Miller)

Swenson’s Hardware 641-843-3894

1040 Diagonal Street Britt 1-800-753-2687

Britt, Iowa

November 9, 2011, Veteran’s Salute | 9

The Leader ...Comtinued from page 8

“I really think it doesn’t hurt any young person to go to service,” Nedved’s wife, Barb said. “It makes a man out of the boys.

It’s tough now because so many have to go to Iraq and they don’t know if they’ll be coming back, but they’re willing to take that chance and I admire anyone that volunteers or goes to service,” Today Nedved belongs to, and is very active in, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Legion in Britt.

Left: Lewis L. Nedved brought back items from Japan and South Korea. (Photo by Staci Miller)

Veterans, thank you for your service Hancock County Co-op Oil Assn.

Garner Townmart 923-2694

Ventura Townmart 829-31

Klemme Townmart 587-2301

IMT and Oshkosh Support our Troops and Salute our Veterans We can never repay our brave military for the sacrifices they have made protecting our freedoms. They have sacrificed their time away from their families. They have served in extreme temperatures and dangerous environments. Many have had their bodies wounded, often permanently. Many have paid the ultimate price and sacrificed their lives. All of these sacrifices were made so that we can enjoy our lives and our freedoms.

We will never forget your service to your country and to all of us here at home. Let us all express to you our eternal gratitude.

Thank you from all of us at home!

IMT (Iowa Mold Tooling) Celebrating 50 years of Commitment An Oshkosh Corporation Company 500 Highway 28, Garner, Iowa 641-923-3711

10 | Veteran’s Salute, November 9, 2011

The Leader

November 9, 2011, Veteran’s Salute | 11

The Leader

Stepped on a land mine, got malaria, and after 90 days recovery was sent back to Viet Nam

By Staci Miller mapfeatures@gmail.com James Christensen was raised in Hayfield on a dairy farm where he and his four brothers worked since they could walk.

After high school Christensen started taking business classes, until one day in ’67 when he got a letter from Uncle Sam calling him to serve his country in the Vietnam War. “It was kind of a down day since I had other plans for my life, but I knew it was kind of inevitable that it would happen because I had one of the low numbers,� Christensen explained.

He started out in combat, a PFC (Private First Class).

Dealing with the heat, humidity, rain and leeches, his platoon would go into the jungle for two months at a time. They would move 7-8 miles each day and dig a foxhole to sleep in every night. “We never got a shower out there,� Christensen said. “We were re-supplied every four days. A helicopter would come and bring one hot meal, a change of clothes and other supplies necessary to keep us out there.�

Soon, Christensen was RTO, a radio operator, which put him up front with the lieutenant.

While patrolling the hills and mountains near the Cambodian border, Christensen was assisting the lieutenant on setting up camp for the night. The lieutenant asked him to go ahead of the group to check out an area, where he stepped on a small homemade mine. “It threw me up in the air and I landed on my feet, but the first thing I did was walked two feet to make sure I still had my feet.�

With shrapnel in his feet and legs, a helicopter came in and took Christensen to the hospital where they decided he should be sent to Japan, as he’d heal better there with less moisture in the air.

During his 90 days in the hospital in Japan, he got Malaria, a tropical disease causing fever, headache and sometimes comas and death. “I was lucky there because they were able to control it right away,� Christensen said.

After recovering, Christensen hoped they’d send him back to the states, but that wasn’t the case. Anyone being released that could walk well was sent back to Vietnam. This included Christensen. “Things were getting rough over there and we needed troops, especially troops with experience,�

Christensen said.

Rejoining his old unit, Christensen was getting ready to go out in the field when he heard the Company Clerk’s tour was almost over. Hoping to fill that position, Christensen quickly talked to the 1st Sargent, but was told to get ready to go out the next day.

Later, the 1st Sargent came to Christensen and asked if he could type. “I said, ‘yeah, I can type.’ I hadn’t typed in two years,� Christensen explained. “But I typed, ‘Every good boy should come to the aid of your country.’�

After that, he became Company Clerk, saving him from having to go back out in the field. “It probably saved my life,� he said.

Christensen served in the Army from 1967 – 1969. “I went in a Private and came out a Sargent.�

Returning home, Christensen went back to college and is now the Chief Financial Officer for a company in Seattle. “It’s pretty hard to explain combat to somebody,�

Christensen said. “The best way to explain the feeling of being in combat and seeing someone get killed‌

it’s kind of a fear and revenge thing. You’re always on alert when you’re out there because you never know; in the jungle, your enemy could be five feet away from you so you didn’t hesitate to fire your weapon. “You had to do what you had to do,� Christensen continued. “Staying alive was key but you had to protect your own people too.�

About 20 years after Christensen returned home from the war, he began writing down events and experiences he could remember from that time. Before he knew it, he had over 100 memorable moments on paper, which turned into a book. “I wrote the book for my family,� Christensen said. “I’ve had a lot of people read it who tell me I should publish it, but I don’t have time to do that right now.�

Although busy with work, Christensen will always have time to value those who have served this country. “Once you serve like that and you survive it, both physically and mentally, you have a greater appreciation for those who serve your country,� he said. “It forces you to grow up pretty fast and when you come back, it gives you a greater appreciation for what we have in this country.�

James Christensen Army Vietnam War 1967-1969

James in the Vietnam jungle during his first two months of service. In less than three months he went from 175 to 140 pounds.

7KDQNV

7KDQNV WR DOO RXU 9HWHUDQV

WR DOO RXU 9HWHUDQV

'HGLFDWHG WR 6SF -RVK .QRZOHV .LOOHG LQ DFWLRQ )HE LQ ,UDT DW WKH DJH RI

+HDWK¡V

*DUQHU &HUHPRQLDO 8QLW

&RPSXWHU 5HSDLU

:H DSSUHFLDWH \RXU VHUYLFH 9): 3RVW &HQWHU $YH

*DUQHU ,$

James and his wife, Julie, now live in Seattle.

:HVW UG 6W *DUQHU ,RZD

ZZZ KHDWKVFRPSUHSDLU FRP

12 | Veteran’s Salute, November 9, 2011

The Leader

The team at DandyLand Farms say Thank You to all past and present military service personnel.

We sincerely appreciate the service of all who enable Americans to enjoy our God given freedoms.

May we never forget the sacrifices you have made and the dedication that you provide for the benefit of all.

DandyLand SALUTES all who have served and continue to serve our great country!

God Bless America!

November 9, 2011, Veteran’s Salute | 13

The Leader

VMRC Display Case A display case of military artifacts and items of historical interest is in the lobby of the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center (VMRC), 365 W. 8th, Street, Garner. The VMRC was dedicated on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009. Leader photo by Rebecca Peter

3ULWFKDUG $XWR &R

. + &R RS 2LO &R &ODVVLF 6WRS )XHO ‡ +HDWLQJ 2LO ‡ %XON 2LO &RQYHQLHQFH 6WRUHV ‡ &DUG WUROV ‡ /3

50 State St. Garner 923-3659

www.pritchards.com

Hwy 18 E. Britt 843-3871

:HVOH\ &OHDU /DNH

On our cover The Hancock County Veterans Monument was dedicated on Friday, July 4, 2003. The monument is located on the Hancock County Courthouse property in Garner. Names of veterans from every community are included on the monument. Names are added at least once a year. For more information, contact John McCormick, Director of Veterans Affairs, at 641-923-3163.

Leader photo by Rebecca Peter

14 | Veteran’s Salute, November 9, 2011

The Leader

Served in the Wolf Pack

By Staci Miller mapfeatures@gmail.com When a friend of Robert McCormick’s told him, “your number is going to come up to be drafted,” he decided not to wait and enlisted with his Garner High School pal, Bill.

“Bill and I went down and enlisted together in hopes that we could stay together, but they wouldn’t let us,” McCormick explained.

“They were taking a specific amount of people for each branch…because of that, I went to the Marines and Bill went to the Navy.”

In 1943 McCormick was sent to San Diego, California for training and later went to Jacksonville, Florida for radio/radar school.

Robert McCormick

Once his schooling was complete, he was a member of the Marine Air Force in WWII as a radio and radar technician; a member of the VMF 112 Wolf Pack.

Serving in the Philippines and China, McCormick – also a backup gunner – vividly remembers the violence and shook his head in disgust.

“We were fighting Japanese from up in the air,” McCormick said. “When the planes got shot up all to hell, we were there to rebuild and replace.”

At night, the Japanese would try to come onto their base at to attack the planes, bomb them, taking them out of commission. Each

Marine Air Force WWII

night three guys would take watch to protect the planes.

With 30 planes to take care of on their base, the Wolf Pack had about 200 people total including pilots, mechanics, radio technicians, and the like.

According to The History of the VMF 112 Wolf Pack By M.J. Crowder, “by the completion of World War II, the Wolfpack was credited with the destruction of 140 Japanese aircraft in aerial combat, ranking it third among Marine Corps squadrons in terms of enemy aircraft destroyed.”

“It was a different kind of place,” McCormick explained. “They couldn’t pay me enough money to get me back and do it again, and they can’t pay me enough to forget what I did see while I was there because it was quite an experience.

“I’ve put so much in the back of my mind and I won’t talk about it,” McCormick continued. “I was so disgusted I had to have those things buried.”

Although appalled by the enemy, McCormick was glad he got to serve his country and become a Marine.

“Knowing I served my country was a plus,” he said. “I’m glad I was in the Marine Corps.”

Medals from locations they were at in the South Pacific. For kills.

November 9, 2011, Veteran’s Salute | 15

The Leader

Gray joined the Navy at the age of 17

By Rebecca Peter Bob Gray was 17 when he joined the U.S. Navy in 1943.For the teenager from Alton, Ill., the military was a way to escape a troubled family. “I lived with my dad part of the time as soon as I got him to sign me up for the service, I left.�

Gray served in the both the North Atlantic and Pacific aboard the destroyer the USS Nields 616 during World War II. The Nields had a crew of 440. By comparison, the battleship USS Iowa carried a crew of 3,000. “When I first come aboard, I was a seaman. After some time I started learning about radar and I ended up being a radarman,� he said. “We tracked surface and aircraft. It’s more sophisticated today, but at the time we had some of the most advanced radars on our ship, come to find out.� “We’d plot it and tell the bridge where it was going, its altitude, speed and if it was closing on us. If it was in the wrong position they announced general quarters [to man the guns] immediately.�

They could only tell if the ship or aircraft was friendly or an enemy if they received the correct IFF signal.

Sometimes mistakes were made. Sometimes there were close calls. “You just do your duty. A lot depends on the captain and how sharp he is,� he said.

Gray served the majority of World II in the North Atlantic patrol and the in the Mediterranean. “My first watch [in the North Atlantic] was on the starboard wing of the bridge. I can remember I didn’t have any foul weather gear. I had my peacoat, dungarees, stocking cap and gloves. Starting out was really nice, but then we started getting spray. The water was running from my top down into my shoes.� “When you’re in the North Atlantic you chip ice all the time,� he recalled. “If you get too much ice topside, you’re in trouble, so you’re constantly chipping ice off the ship.�

Gray’s ship was part of the detail that escorted President Franklin Roosevelt to the Island Malta in 1945 for a conference with Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

The president was aboard the cruiser the

Bob Gray

Bob Gray WW II and Korean Conflict USS Augusta. Although Gray initially didn’t know who they were escorting, once underway, the crew learned it was the president. “There were ten destroyers around him,� he said. “Can you imagine it - ten!�

When the war in Europe started winding down, Gray’s ship was deployed to the Pacific. “We were neutralizing islands,� he said. We would go to these islands take the ammunition and the guns put them on a LST (Landing Ship, Tank). Take it out and push [the ammunition] into the ocean.�

He doesn’t recall exactly where he was when news came that Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945 - somewhere off the coast of Okinawa. When he returned to the States in December, he decommissioned ships until his discharge from the Navy on May 20, 1946.

Bob and his wife Frances were very active in VFW

Gatchel-Jaspersen Insurance & Real Estate 7KH /LWWOH 6KRS ZLWK WKH %LJ 6HUYLFH

6WDWH 6WUHHW ‡ *DUQHU ,$

In the interim, Bob married and started a family. Thanks to the GI Bill, he went to Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. He graduated with a degree in physics and math.

He planned to go to graduate school when the Korean Conflict started and Uncle Sam called again.

Gray served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict from 1950-1952 aboard the attack transport APA 215 Navarro. Once again he was a radar man. This time, however, he trained new recruits. “I never was in Korea,â€? he explained. “I was all over, everyplace else ‌ Africa‌the East Coast. I spent almost all my time during Korea teaching aboard the ship.â€?

Upon discharge from the service, Gray worked for the Great Lake Pipeline Company for 16 years. He later bought a hardware store in Ventura and owned an operated Gray’s Hardware for seven years. During this period his first marriage ended. Bob worked at various other jobs in the area until his retirement in 1988 He married his second wife, Frances, in 1976. “She was quite a person. Treated me like a king,� he said.

Bob and Frances were very active members of the VFW Post 5515 in Garner. Bob has held many positions within the organization over the years.

Friends report that the couple was integral in keeping the kitchen open at the VFW for several years. They also supported various charitable causes pertaining to veterans.

Frances passed away in 2002. Bob donated the flagpole and flag in front of the VFW in memory of Frances. The Frances Wrede Goll Gray Scholarship was established to benefit graduates of Garner-Hayfield. The scholarships are given with an emphasis on need and the veteran status of the applicant or their immediate family.

Gray drives local veterans to their appointments in Des Moines. He continues to collect clothes for homeless veterans in the Des Moines and Marshalltown area.

16 | Veteran’s Salute, November 9, 2011

The Leader

We thank our veterans for protecting our freedoms!

Laurie McBride’s father Norman McBride served in the Canadian Army in the 1960’s and the Royal Canadian Regiment of Canada.

Jeanne Reiter’s husband Warren Reiter served in the Vietnam War. Her father R.W. Alexander served in the army in WWII.

THE

Ana Olsthoorn’s son Simon Smith (left) is currently serving in the Army and her step-son Donny Olsthoorn (right) is serving in the Army Reserves.

Sandy Evans’ father Don McCulloch served in the navy in WWII.

Jennifer Roberts’ father Elmer Harnden served in the Army in Vietnam 1968-1971 and 19741979 and in the Army National Guard in 1979-1991 serving during Desert Storm.

November 9, 2011, Veteran’s Salute | 17

The Leader

Hunget and three brothers served

By Ryan Harvey Publisher ryanharvey.map@gmail.com Phil Hunget, a former teacher and restaurant owner in Corwith, explained that his three older brothers served in the military during World War II. The three brothers were more of a parent image to him since they were eight to 12 years older than he in a family of seven children.

The brothers were all in different branches of the service, those being the Marines, Air Force, and Army. He recalled how proud he was of them when each returned after their basic training, and how difficult it was for his parents to see them go back to active duty.

It was in 1944 in the invasion of Saipan Island, that Marine brother Robert was killed. Phil recalled how he and his sister were playing in the yard when a Red Cross Nurse delivered the telegram to their farm home south of Norwalk and how his mother collapsed on their porch when handed the telegram.

Neither of the other brothers were in warfare. James was a Military Policeman in Hawaii and Roscoe Jr., was a constructional engineer on the on the island of Okinawa.

Phil related that when Robert was enroute to Saipan, he spent several hours with James before sailing for Saipan.

After his brother’s death, Phil’s parents had communication with Robert’s closest friend. This continued through the years following, and it continues yet today with Phil.

Even though the family has never met him personally, Robert Johnston (who resides in Masachuesetts) continues to be in touch with the Hunget family.

Joining the Military: Following Phil’s college graduation, he entered the U.S. Army. He had been deferred during his four years in college, so was prepared to serve his country. After taking basic training at Camp Chaffee, Ark., he was assigned to a Battalion Headquarters in Germany and was a Company Clerk during the remainder of his tour of duty. He commented that the German civilians were, for the most part, acceptable to the U.S. Military being there. He admitted that although he hadn’t looked forward to his time in the military, he

felt proud that he had served and appreciated his time in Germany and traveling to a number of other countries in Europe.

After leaving the military in 1956, Phil married his college sweetheart, Connie Lembke. After teaching and coaching in Chelsea for five years, the family moved to Corwith where Phil taught for 17 years in the Corwith-Wesley Schools. Also, Connie was an elementary teacher in Britt. Phil owned and operated Friends & Neighbors Restaurant in Corwith for 17 years, and retired in 2000.

The Hungets now have two sons, two granddaughters, and one great-grandchild. For 10 years, both Connie and Phil have held security jobs for the University of Iowa during the sports seasons and Phil continues a part-time job at K-Mart in Algona.

Phil’s hobby in life has been in barbershop singing. He is in his 54th year in belonging to the Barbershop Harmony Society. He belonged to the Cedar Rapids Chapter for five years, the Mason City Chapter for 47 years, and is now in his second year with the Algona Cornbelt Chorus.

The Hungets have traveled to Europe seven times in the past years and are glad they took advantage of this when they could fully appreciate it. They are both active in their community and church activities, and appreciate the close friends they have had in Corwith the past 50 years.

Brother Robert was killed in 1944 during the invasion of Saipan Island

Phil Hunget

Army 1954-1956

(OP 6WUHHW &RUZLWK ,RZD

Other veterans who were nominated for this publication were: Elwood Geary, Corwith, Navy, WWII Greg Greiman, Garner, Air Force, Vietnam, 1967-1971 David Fosnaugh, Klemme, Navy, 19681989 James Fosnaugh, Klemme, Army Air Corp, World War II Eugene Brugman, U.S. Army, Korea and Vietman

Gene Dankbar, Garner, Korea Howard Rutledge, Britt, World War II Bernard Pannkuk, Britt, World War II Dave Hubbard, Garner, DMZ, Korea.

Daniel Liska, Garner, Vietnam Michael Cooperman, Kanawha, Vietnam Joan Gouge, Garner, Army National Guard

We thank you for your service to our country.

18 | Veteran’s Salute, November 9, 2011

The Leader

Don May is one of the lucky ones

By Ryan Harvey Publisher ryanharvey.map@gmail.com Don May is one of the lucky ones. May, now 86, had moved to Buffalo, New York following his education and enlisted in the Army while living in New York. May admits there were times he probably shouldn’t have come home from serving his country. He did however suffer a couple of wounds during the war. He has vivid memories of many of his fellow soldiers not being so lucky. He witnessed many deaths during the war.

May served in the Phillipines and Italy during his years of service. May said once he had served three 30-day increments with the infantry he went on to Italy and wound up working with the engineers building bridges, etc. During his later time in the Army, May said he assisted the occupational forces in building an airport in Trieste, located near the Yogoslav border.

Not all of May’s war experiences were bad. While in the service, he put his name in for a new car. In 1948, he was the first name on the list and got a new Ford at the cost of $1,200. He also went on a skiing trip to Cortine, Italy, where he ended up meeting a very famous poet. “I thought I knew how to ski,� he said. “But I found out I didn’t. In the lodge, I met a man and we ended up visiting. It was Ernest Hemmingway.� May didn’t know at that time it was Hemmingway. “Hemmingway said something to me and one of the people with him said something, but Hemmingway said, referring to me, he’s a typical American, he doesn’t have to know everyone’s business.�

May said he wound up spending the day with him. “I remember he made his Popeye stance like Hemmingway always did,� he said. By day’s end, May said Hemmingway had offered to take him duck

Don May Army World War II 1944-1949

U.S. Army World War II, 1944-1949

hunting in another country but May had to turn down the offer, as he couldn’t leave his platoon behind. “He was a really nice person,� May said. He said he also had the opportunity to meet Ambassador Dunn.

Once he had served his time May returned to Corwith where he farmed until his retirement. “I loved it,“ he said. “I farmed for years.� May and his wife Betty of reside in Corwith.

They are the parents of Tom and his wife, Peggy of Arvada, Colo., Mike and his wife Becky of Britt, and Susie and her husband Doug Gayken of Britt.

Don May was awarded the Purple Heart.

May meets Ernest Hemmingway and movie star Irene Dunn

Corwith Farm Service 708 1st St., Corwith 515-583-2262 Pete and Bonnie Wilhite

*ROG (DJOH &RRSHUDWLYH &RUZLWK :HVOH\ 7LWRQND

*UDLQ ‡ )HHG 6HHG ‡ )HUWLOL]HU &KHPLFDOV ‡ &XVWRP $SSOLFDWLRQ

Veterans

We are eternally grateful for your service

November 9, 2011, Veteran’s Salute | 19

Artwork# 14IA0802 B

The Leader

Children & Youth Programs

Scholarship & Financial Aid

Veterans Legislation & Benefits

National Security & Protection of Our Flag

created by and reproduced with the permission of The American Legion National Headquarters

Do You Qualify to be a Legion Family member To Learn More, Contact:

The American Legion Enter Local Information Post 229 304 First Street Corwith, Iowa 50430 or call Richard Fish 515-341-0095

Eligibility Dates Gulf War/War on Terrorism Aug. 2, 1990 – present*

Korean War June 25, 1950 – Jan. 31, 1955

Panama Dec. 20, 1989 – Jan. 31, 1990

WWII Dec. 7, 1941 – Dec. 31, 1946

Lebanon/Grenada Aug. 24, 1982 – July 31, 1984

WWI April 6, 1917 – Nov. 11, 1918

Vietnam War Feb. 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975

* if currently serving on active duty today, you are eligible.

Be part of the world's largest veterans organization!

20 | Veteran’s Salute, November 9, 2011

The Leader

We salute those who have so valiently served our great country.

Veterans Honor Checking for Veterans and their Spouses We will be closed Friday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veteran’s Day

www.ftsbbank.com