Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 15, Number 25, DeMotte, Jasper County, 4 May 1945 — NEWS OF OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN [ARTICLE]

NEWS OF OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN

Pvt. Bill Friedlander, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Friedlander returned to Chicago Monday from where he will report back to the hospital in Jackson, Miss, where he is receiving treatment for wounds received in action. Bill has been in service four years, over two years of which were spent overseas. He saw action in the African nad Italian campaigns, and was wounded four different times, namely at Florence, Cassino, Sicily and Casa Blanca. He spent six months in a hospital in Italy before he was returned to the States about a month ago. I’vt. Friedlander wears the Purple Heart and has the Bronze and Silver star and a presidential citation. The Friedlanders have three other sons and one son-in-law in service, all serving overseas. Also a niece Mona Friedlander who is a pilot on a transport plane based in England. Pvt. Bob Stevenson, son of Mrs. Ora Stevenson was wounded in action in Germany April 10th according to a War Department message received Friday, April 27th. Pfc. Joe Meyers, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Klaas Meyers was killed in action April 6th according to a War Department' message re-, eeived by his parents. Pfc. Meyers had been overseas since January with the He attended Fair Oaks high school where he was an outstanding student, completing the four ye .r term in three years. Memoral services were held at the Fair Oaks school April 24th, after the Commencement exercises. The Meyers have another son, William also in service. April 14, 1945 Hello— I’ni out of touch with DeMotte since I have not received a paper overseas as yet—over three months now, but I think of DeMotte and all the friends I have there. I could certainly write war news if I were permitted to do so. I crossed the Rhine River at Wesel. I’m in the Ninth Army. Some German towns are completely smashed w r hile other towns are practically untouched. I've seen German prisoners by the thousands—they are a whipped, amazed and scared bunch of humans.. Hoping to get a paper soon. Stephens (T/5 Chas. Stephens). The Bronze Star Medal was awarded to Arthur F. DeKoker, Infantry, for heroic achievement in action on February 24, 1945, near Searbrucken, Germany. During a strong enemy counterattack by infantry and armor, heavily supported by concentrated artillery and mortar barrages, Sgt. DeKoker from extremely exposed and forward position adjusted effective 81mm mortar fire on enemy tanks and personnel. Despite great danger from hostile fire his courageous and untiring efforts were an inspiration to his men and were instrumental in neutralizing the counterattack. Sgt. DeKoker has been awarded the Purple Heart. His wife and daughter live in Seattle, Washington. He entered military service from DeMotte. Dear Friends, It has been several months since I wrote to the folks back home so thought it about time I said "Hello.” The KVP has been coming regularly and I appreciate it no end, of course I am especially

interested in the Service News. I have been in France about six months and although living conditions could be better we find it quite bearable. They say Paris in ' the spring is beautiful, but I’ll take Main street in DeMotte anytime. I suppose I am prejudice however. The French people w'here I am at present are very congenial, in some towms they just ignore us. I suppose that is the best way if you ar? not sure just whose side you are os. It is su- prising how many Frenchme speak English. As I don’t “Parlee vou the ding dong’’ I find it better to speak English and let them worry about understanding. The Gl’s make up their own French and when they finish with a phrase, as you can see by the above example, no decent Frenchman would claim It. There is just nothing like French with a Southern or Brooklyn accent, but just watt and see what we will do to the German language. Easter was a glorious day for we WAC’s of SHAEF. We put on our first dress and had our first ice cream in nearly vwo years. I can not describe to you the feeling it gave us. Pernaps you have seen or have read about the new off duty dress for WAC. It is beautiful, really femine. They have had them in the states for sometime but we only received ours last w’eek. We all felt strange putting on a dress after two years of only shirts and skirts. The boys w r ere as excited as we were. They were so proud of their "sisters” who looked like an American woman for a change. They stopped each of us anywhere they saw us “just to see how. you look.” They bought us corsages and treated us like ladies. The t>oys in my office had never seen me in a dress, their "My gosh she’s a girl” was true of all the boys attitude and delight over our new dresses. When I bought an Eastter outfit in civilian life I never thought one little dress with long sleeves and a high collar could make me so happy. I suppose it was silly, but many girls cried for joy at both the dress and the ice cream. It was like living again! Well I had best do some official correspondence, after all there is a war to be won. Sgt. Doris Schwanke. Lt. Tommy Abbring is now based at the Marianas. John Boezeman S 1-C is home on leave after eight months overseas.