The Independent-News, Volume 121, Number 7, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 29 June 1995 — Page 9

Veterans Recall World War II 50 Years Later Victory In Europe VE Day May 8, 1945 Victory In Japan VJ Day August 14, 1945 The following are stories that eterans from the Walkerton area ave related about their experiencs in World War 11. This is a ontinuation of many stories that ill be published. Look for them 3 continue approximately every ther week. There are many vetrans who have called but as yet ave not responded with stories — lease call 586-3450. Information dll be taken over the phone. EDWARD KLOPFENSTEIN United States Navy USS Enterprise (Nicknamed The "BIG E”) Ed Klopfenstein began his militry duties as a seaman on the USS NTERPRISE in August of 1943 nd was discharged in November of )45 as a coxswain. The USS YORKTOWN and USS NTERPRISE were designed and uilt during the years of 1934 id 1938 and known as the Cadillacs’ of all ships. There ere many duplicate systems inailed for the operation of the lips and to effectively control any iflicted damage. The ENTERRISE had 800 individual waterght compartments which made it rtremely seaworthy. The BIG E as assigned to the Hawaiian Fleet id was supposed to arrive in awaii on December 6, 1941, but as delayed by stormy weather hich was fortunate as the ship issed the December 7 bombardent of Pearl Harbor. The BIG E was 827 feet long, 114 et wide and served as both a arship and an airfield. It was tmmissioned in 1938 and had 82 Heers and 1,447 enlisted men not eluding her air group of four padrons. The BIG E took part in ) of the 22 major engagements at were fought in the Pacific inuding: Wake Island, Battle of iidway, Guadacanal, Marshall Isnds, Luzon, Battle of Leyte Gulf, irmosa, Okinawa and Iwo Jima id many others whose names are >t as familiar. One of the most rrifying sounds was that of the imikaze or suicide bombers reeching — seemingly forever — as he going to hit the ship or be lot down before he reached you — was a nightmarish incident that ok place over and over again iring these battles. The Klopfensteins attended any BIG E conventions (members >oard the BIG E formed the nterprise Association) in various .5. cities such as Chicago, New jrk City, San Diego, Washington .C., Denver, New Orleans,New>rt, Norfolk, Rochester, Seattle, msacola and Honolulu. Later the Klopfensteins were strumental in starting an Indiana invention in Plymouth which now I laws members from all over the liidwest. The BIG E completed I Er wartime assignments well and jlrves her peacetime missions just ■ effectively. ■ Ed was president of the Associa■>n in 1965 to 1967 and treasurer in ■B2 when he died. His wife, ■illy, took over his duties and is 18lI Bl wg- - 25 Years 01 Professional A Personal Service H • UPHOLSTERY , WMB Il • CARPETING II • ®°* TS 4 rs* W (219) 586-2745 Call 6 00 a m. - 12:00 p.m

the only woman to ever hold office in the Enterprise Association. She says, with pride, "The USS Enterprise was the most decorated ship of World War 11, and has decorated my life for 52 years." Submitted by Polly Klopfenstien on behalf of Ed Klopfenstein (deceased 1982) LEIGH ROY HAHN 97th Infantry Division 386th Infantry Regiment Co. D I was drafted into the U.S. Army on February 23, 1943, at Camp Perry, Ohio. 1 was sent to Camp Swift, Texas, by troop train for basic training. I went to Louisiana for winter maneuvers by truck convoy. After completing those we went to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, by truck convoy for more training. From there we went by troop trail to California along the coast for amphibious training. We left there by troop train traveling across the United States to Newark, New Jersey, where we boarded a troop ship and went to LaHavre, France. By truck convoy we went to Dusseldorf on the west side of the Rhine River. We stayed in bomb-ed-out buildings. We were protecting the north flank of the Rhine River with heavy weapons. My special job was being in charge of the five jeeps hauling ammunition to the front lines. We left Dusseldorf going south to the city of Bonn, Germany. We crossed the

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Rhine River driving on a pontoon bridge. Going north we fought the Germans through the Ruhr pockets back to East Dusseldorf. We then went through the Black Forest to Czechoslovakia, fighting the German soldiers all the way. My company, with heavy machine guns and mortars followed the riflemen. We fought until we reached Plzen. Just before we met the Russian Army, our General came through with a large white flag telling us that the war was over. The German soldiers surrendered to us. We did a lot of hollering upon hearing the good news. We truck convoyed back to LaHavre, France, and boarded a troop ship heading for Boston, Massachusetts. After landing we were given a 30-day furlough. After the furlough I reported back to Boston, Mass., and boarded a troop train traveling across the U.S. to Seattle, Washington. Again we boarded a ship heading for Yokohama, Japan. While on the high seas the Atomic Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagaski. Our ship circled around 10 days on the ocean before we finally went into port at Yokohama. The ship’s captain announced on the ship’s speaker that Japan had surrendered! I saw many white flags flying from the gun barrels along the coast. We went in to occupy Japan. We stayed in big army barracks. I went by jeep and saw where the atomic bomb had hit. It was ter-

JUNE 29, 1995 - THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS -

rible mass destruction. One time while driving my jeep with medical personnel we took a wounded soldier to the hospital as he had accidently cut an electric wire and was badly injured. Afer finally getting enough months and points of service in, we boarded a troop ship and came back to the U.S. at San Francisco harbor. From there the troop train took me to Camp Atterbury, Indiana, where I was discharged. I had left for servie in February of 1943 and ended my army duty on February 5, 1946, at the same place. I was thankful to be home back in Walkerton, Indiana, with my wife and 2‘/j year old son whom 1 did not see much of while he was growing up. It was a long three years to be gone. JOSEPH WARANOWSKI United States Army 79th Infantry Division, Company D I was drafted in March of 1942. 1 Rebecca Hoyt Fischer Al PC i I 2 West SuitT 3 l O South Beno, Ljdiana 4660 I (2 I ©) 2^4-2354 i (8OO) ZOO 2 354 Ban^’ptgt BusiNEAS^LMQ^fe^ Estate

took my basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. I qualified as a rifleman and joined the 79th Infantry Division. I served two years in Germany and France and was involved in numerous campaigns and saw a lot of fellow soldiers lose their lives. I was wounded in Germany during the Battle of the Bulge. I received a shrapnel wound to the head for which 1 recieved the purple heart. I also had some hearing loss. I returned to the States, and was discharged at Fort Dix, New Jersey on December 15,1945. I lived in Chicago, Illinois at the time, where I was employed with the City of Chicago, until my retirement in 1969. My wife, Agnes, and I have owned a residence at Koontz Lake since 1952. Following my retirement, we moved here permanently, where we still reside. HESTERS CABIN BED & BREAKFAST i "YteaM Peaceful Night Or Weekend In Our 1830 Restored Log House (Reservations Only) 71880 St. Rd. 23, Walkerton

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