MAY 22, 2013

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO

THE SABETHA HERALD

Harry Joseph Dandliker Jr., 23, a native of Honey Creek, Neb., was reported missing in action while serving as bombardier on a B-26 Martin Marauder bomber in the “North American area” on March 16, 1943.

While it was not definitely known at the time of his flight, it was presumed his work was in the Aleutian vicinity, where there had been considerable United States aerial activity under the most difficult flying conditions.

Harry was born March 4, 1920, in the Honey Creek area of Richardson County, Neb., the only son of Lura Belle (Smith) and Harry Dandliker Sr. His sister Ione was 11 years older.

In March 1941, his parents moved from the Honey Creek community to a farm northeast of Hiawatha, but Harry Sr. continued to serve as a member of the Sabetha Creamery board of directors.

In late March 1943, the Dandlikers received the following message from the adjutant general: “The Secretary of War expresses his deep regret that your son, Private, First Class, Harry J. Dandliker, has been reported missing in action in the North American area since March 16. Additional information will be sent you when received.”

About three months after the first message, on June 25, his parents received word that Harry was killed in action.

The telegram from the adjutant general said: “Secretary of War desires that I tender his deep sympathy to you in the loss of your son, 1st Class

Private Harry J. Dandliker, who was previously reported missing since March 16. Report now received he was killed in action in North American area. Letter may be expected later.”

The July 21, 1943, issue of The Sabetha Herald reported that the Purple Heart had been awarded posthumously to Pfc. Dandliker “for valor and devotion.”

The Purple Heart was presented to his widow, Priscilla Louise (Greenlee) Dandliker, then of Holton, whom he had married on Christmas Day of 1941.

She had received first notice of the posthumous award by letter from Henry L. Stimson, secretary of war, as follows:

“The President has requested me to inform you the Purple Heart has been awarded posthumously to your husband, Pfc. Harry J. Dandliker, Air Corps, who sacrificed his life in defense of his country. The medal, which you will receive shortly, is of slight intrinsic value, but rich with tradition for which Americans are so gallantly giving their lives. The father of our country, whose profile and coat of arms adorn the medal, speaks from across the centuries to men who fight today for the proud freedom he founded. Nothing the War Department can do or say will in any sense repair the loss of your loved one. He has gone, forever, in honor, in the goodly company of patriots. Let me, in communicating to you the country’s deep sympathy, also express to you its gratitude for his valor and devotion.”

In addition to the Purple Heart, he had been awarded the Air Medal.

A 1937 alumnus of the

Honey Creek consolidated rural high school, Harry had just completed three months of schooling at the Martin aircraft factory in Omaha and was a trained mechanic, when he volunteered for military service and enlisted in the Army Air Corps at Fort Leavenworth as a private on Jan. 19, 1942. His term of enlistment was for the duration of the war or other emergency plus six months, subject to the discretion of President Roosevelt.

In the April 29, 1942, issue, the Sabetha Herald published “a most interesting letter” from Harry to his parents when he was stationed in Buffalo, N.Y.

“We are all set up here in the Elks Club Hotel, with all of the athletic activities free to us, even a swimming pool,” he wrote. “We just took over the hotel but we eat in another hotel across the street and will go to school in buses. School starts Thursday and we are the first bunch to try this new factory school. We will study Rolls Royce and Allison engines and P-40 (Warhawk) airplanes and then be classed as specialists and will either go overseas or be instructors in the school.… We will go to school at eight and be off at five but may go seven days a week after we get started.

“We didn’t get any sleep last night, so am tired. We went to Chicago, Detroit, Kalamazoo, then under the St. Lawrence river in a tunnel and into Canada and crossed again here at Buffalo. The weather is chilly with lots of cakes of ice in the river but not much wind so it’s not bad at all. We are right down town and have it nice in the hotel with pool tables, free music boxes, free stationery and elevators and everything first

class. The public is sure nice, too, as several cars picked up fellows today on the street and took them down town to dinner and for a ride around town.

“Sure wish we could stay here longer, but we would get softer than we already are, I guess. I only weigh 175 pounds, just 25 pounds more than when I came in. Will lose it now, if we don’t sit in class all day, but climb around over a plane. We sure have two swell officers in charge and that makes it nicer for us.

“There are 490 of us and almost a picked bunch and the captain said that all of the railway and FBI detectives on the train complimented us as the best troop movement they had covered. They sure guard a troop train, too. There were 14 dicks altogether on the 36 cars and they kept interchanging with others at various stations. They sure have a system and

even Canadian Mounties got on in Canada.”

After attending military service school, Harry was sent to Alaska in May 1942 in the Army Air Corps and was assigned to the 77th Bomber Squadron, 28th Heavy Bomber Group. He had been in combat service in the Aleutian area since July, and there was every reason to believe that he had seen considerable action.

For some time, Harry was aerial engineer on his airplane, but when his outfit was short of bombardiers, he volunteered for training. All physically fit men were tested, and he was one of four out of 400 who were chosen to serve as bombardiers.

From then on he was bombardier of his B-26 bomber, a type of plane that frequently flew over Sabetha at that time.

Although retaining his first

2C MEMORIAL DAY THE SABETHA HERALD · MAY 22, 2013

See DANDLIKER, Page 8C

FORMER HONEY CREEK MAN WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN ALEUTIAN AREA IN WORLD WAR IIHarry Dandliker Jr. wasbombardier on B-26

By Patty LocherStaff Writer

Harry Dandliker Jr. was possibly shot down by Japanese forces over the Aleutian Islands during World War II and was reported missing in action on March 16, 1943. In June 1943 he was declared killed in action. Photo courtesy of Cleta Rokey

3CMEMORIAL DAYTHE SABETHA HERALD · MAY 22, 2013

Fairview native Second Lieutenant Donald Franklin Irwin, 22, was fatally wounded in battle in France on Sept. 12, 1944, soon after arriving in England in July.

His parents received a telegram from the War Department on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 1944, informing them that their son was killed in action in France on Sept. 12.

H e w a s p o s t h u m o u s l y awarded the Purple Heart Award for bravery.

Donald was born on his parents’ farm on May 29, 1922, the son and youngest child of Frank L. and Edith (Van Dalsem) Irwin of the Old Fairview Community. He graduated from Old Fairview Grade School in 1936, then entered Fairview High School, from which he graduated in 1940 at the age of 17. In high school he was an outstanding student in vocational agriculture and was a star athlete.

A friendly and kind young man, Donald had a host of friends. He was ambitious and had definitely decided to farm after the war.

Donald enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 8, 1942, and served with the ROTC unit at Kansas State College, graduating from K-State on Sept. 18, 1943, before attending Officers’ Candidate School at

Fort Benning, Ga.He received his commission

on Jan. 28, 1944, and was sent to Camp Wolters, Texas, and Camp Gruber, Okla.

He was home on furlough in June, then reported to Fort George Meade, Maryland, on June 23. He went overseas

and was in England by July 4, 1944, where he was attached to the Excess Officers Division.

Soon after his arrival in England, he was attached to Company A, 28th Infantry and Excess Officers Division, and was sent to France, where he paid the supreme sacrifice on the battleground.

Besides his parents, he was survived by a sister, Mrs. Harold Middendorf of Topeka;

a brother, Leslie Irwin of Murrieta, Calif.; his fiancée, Miss Rachel Kruse; and a host of relatives and friends.

His remains were interred in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Hiawatha. His name also is included on a memorial by the Fairview Community Building.

Donald’s death brought to five the total of those from Fairview and vicinity who had given their lives in World War II up to that time. The previous four who had made the supreme sacrifice w e r e L o w e l l Rogers, Lawrence Winterscheidt, Ivan Schug and Richard Bindel.

Memorial services for Donald were held Sunday afternoon, Nov. 26, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fairview, with the Rev. Victor Haffner, pastor of the church, in charge.

Thirteen members of the American Legion Post had a small part in the service. Major Horace W. Amann spoke briefly, and the

service closed with the playing of Taps.

The 28th Infantry DivisionAfter t raining in

Southampton, England, and in Porthcawl, Wales, the 28th Infantry Division landed in Normandy, France, on July 22, 1944, and entered the hedgerow struggle north and west of Saint-Lô.

Inching their way forward against desperate opposition, the men of the 28th took Percy-en-Auge on Aug. 1,

and Gathemo on Aug. 10. Both towns are in the Lower Normandy region of France.

On Aug. 12, Brigadier General Wharton was killed a few hours after assuming command. The Division began to roll north and east on Aug. 20, meeting light resistance except at Le Neubourg on Aug. 24, and Elbeuf on Aug. 25. Both locations are in the Upper Normandy region of France.

The 28th Infantry Division marched down the Champs Élysées in Paris on Aug. 29, in the “Victory Day” parade. After parading through Paris, it continued its sustained drive through France and Luxembourg to the German border, assembling near Binsfeld, Germany, on Sept. 11.

On Sept. 12, the day Donald was killed, the division began hammering at the Siegfried Line, destroying pillboxes and other fortifications.

Editor’s Note: It is not known whether or not 2Lt. Donald Irwin participated in this particular combat action, but the date of his departure from England and the date of his death fit with the chronology.

Sources: Sabetha Herald article (from Fairview Enterprise), front page of Oct. 4 and Nov. 29, 1944, issues; Pat Weaver, in “Fairview, Kansas, 1886-2011;” Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia.

The Purple HeartThe Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration currently in use anywhere in the world and the first American award made available to enlisted soldiers. It was created by Gen. George Washington as a Badge of Military Merit, but was not used after the War of Independence. It was revived in 1932 on the 200th anniversary of Washington ’s birth.This combat decoration is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy or posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those killed in action or who die as a result of wounds received in action.

FAIRVIEW NATIVE WAS FATALLY WOUNDED IN BATTLE IN FRANCEDonald Irwin was infantry officer in World War II

By Patty LocherStaff Writer

Infantry officer Donald Irwin was fatally wounded in battle in France on September 12, 1944.

Photo courtesy of Pat Weaver

4C MEMORIAL DAY THE SABETHA HERALD · MAY 22, 2013

The story of the heroism of Father Emil Joseph Kapaun, who served and sacrificed his life for his fellow soldiers in Korea during the Korean Conflict, is epic. I had heard of him long before I adopted Kansas as my residence.

And yet, it has taken more than 60 years since his death as a prisoner of war for his heroism to be recognized and rewarded.

Perhaps the reason for the delay is that Father Kapaun didn’t just perform a one-time heroic act that saved the lives of others. He performed many smaller heroic acts over several months that saved and/or improved the lives of others, knowing that he would be tortured for his actions if caught.

On Thursday, April 11, 2013, the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award for bravery, was posthumously awarded to Captain (Father) Kapaun, and on Friday, April 12, 2013, he

was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Heroes in the Pentagon.

In a ceremony at the White House, President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor in recognition of the heroism Captain Kapaun displayed during his service in the Korean Conflict. Father Kapaun’s nephew accepted the medal.

Born at Pilsen, Kansas, on Holy Thursday, April 20, 1916, Father Kapaun was a Roman Catholic priest and U.S. Army chaplain/captain when he died in captivity on May 23, 1951, while a Chinese prisoner of war during the Korean Conflict.

According to a U.S. Army account of Father Kaupan’s Korean Conflict service, he moved fearlessly from foxhole to foxhole under direct enemy fire in order to provide comfort and reassurance to the outnumbered soldiers, repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire to recover wounded men and drag them to safety. When he was unable to drag them, he dug shallow trenches to shield them from enemy fire.

As Chinese forces closed in, Father Kapaun reportedly rejected several chances to escape, instead volunteering to stay behind and care for

the wounded. Chinese forces took him as a prisoner of war on Nov. 2, 1950.

After his capture, Father Kapaun and other prisoners were marched for several days northward toward prisoner-of-war camps. During the 87-mile march, Father Kapaun led by example in caring for injured soldiers and refusing to take a break from carrying the stretchers of the wounded, while encouraging others to do their part.

Once inside the dismal prison camps, Father Kapaun continued to risk his life by sneaking around the camp after dark, foraging for food, caring for the sick, and encouraging his fellow soldiers to sustain their faith and their humanity.

In addition to chaplain duties of ministering to the dead and dying, performing baptism, hearing first Confessions, offering Holy Communion and celebrating Mass, Father Kapaun mediated disputes, gave away his own food, pitched in to help dig latrines, and generally raised morale among the prisoners.

On at least one occasion, he was brutally punished for his disobedience and was forced to sit outside in subzero weather without any garments. He celebrated Mass and openly prayed despite the torture he would receive from his captors.

When the Chinese instituted a mandatory re-education program, Father Kapaun patiently and politely rejected every theory put forth by the instructors. Later, he openly flouted his captors by conducting a sunrise service on Easter morning, 1951.

While a POW, Father Kapaun developed a blood clot in his leg, dysentery and pneumonia, and when he began to suffer from the physical toll of his captivity, the Chinese transferred him to a filthy, unheated hospital, where he died alone, of pneumonia.

As he was being carried to the hospital, he asked God’s forgiveness for his captors, and made his fellow prisoners promise to keep their faith.

He was buried in a mass grave near the Yalu River.

The Roman Catholic Church has declared Father Kapaun a Servant of God and he currently is a candidate for sainthood.

Guests at the White House ceremony included Father Kapaun’s relatives, former POWs who knew Father Kapaun, Chase Kear (whose miraculous recovery is part of the Vatican’s investigation of potential sainthood for Father Kapaun), and bishops and other dignitaries representing the Catholic Church.

Starting in 2009, the Kansas legislative delegation introduced legislation in both the House and the Senate to waive the statutory time limitation for Father Kapaun to receive the posthumous Medal of Honor. The legislation finally became law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012.

“No one is more deserving of the Medal of Honor than Father Kapaun,” U.S. Senators Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran said in a joint statement. “His story of self-sacrifice is legendary, and he has inspired many with his unshakable faith and relentless courage. This honor is long overdue, and we are pleased that Father Kapaun’s countless acts of heroism will finally be recognized with this distinguished award.”

“…Father Kapaun ’s example of faith, self-sacrifice and commitment to his fellow man should serve as an example for all of us,” U.S. Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins said. “He was an outstanding priest, soldier and humanitarian, and this award is long overdue for a man who clearly exemplified the true meaning of heroism.”

“On a perfect spring day in our nation’s capital, it was an honor and a privilege to gather with the fellow soldiers and family of Father Emil Kapaun to recognize his sacrifice and service to our nation, to his faith, and to those who served with him and were witness to his acts of grace, civility and courage under the most difficult of circumstances,” Senator Roberts said after the ceremony. “I am thankful for the veterans who fought for this recognition after all of these years. Father Kapaun’s bravery and inspiration live on in the hearts and minds of Kansans, and now he will forever have a place of honor in the history of our nation. May God bless Father Kapaun.”

“Father Emil Kapaun posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary bravery while serving with the 3d Battalion,

KANSAS NATIVE WAR HERO FINALLY RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR, HALL OF HEROES INDUCTIONFather Emil Joseph Kapaun of Pilsen gave his life for others in Korean Conflict

See KAPAUN, Page 5C

8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy at Unsan, Korea, and as a prisoner of war,” Senator Moran said. “After six decades, Father Kapaun received the recognition he deserved for helping to carry an injured American for miles as Chinese captors led them on a death march, and for risking his life to drag the wounded to safety while dodging explosions and gunfire.

“Once held captive at a POW camp, Father Kapaun cleaned others’ wounds, convinced the Chinese to share scarce food, offered them his own clothes and

provided spiritual aid and comfort. On Easter in 1951, he defied his communist captors by conducting Mass with a makeshift crucifix.

“Father Kapaun has inspired many with his unshakable faith and relentless courage. … Since 2009, my colleagues in the U.S. Congress and I have worked to see that his countless acts of heroism would be recognized with the Medal of Honor, and I’m pleased that his legendary story of self-sacrif ice was honored with this distinguished award.”

“All residents of the Big First District of Kansas are especially proud that [Father Kapaun] one of our own … earned the Congressional Medal of Honor,” U.S. Congressman

Tim Huelskamp said. “Father Kaupan’s extraordinary heroism, devotion to his Catholic faith, and selflessness are an inspiration to me and countless others. I was honored to attend the ceremony.”

Ordained a priest in June 1940, Father Kapaun served as a Catholic priest for several years before volunteering for the Army in July 1944. He was discharged in 1946, earned a master of arts degree in education at The Catholic University of America in 1948, and in September 1948, re-joined the Army.

In July 1950, he was ordered into combat in Korea, where he served as a chaplain of the 8th Cavalry Regiment of the First Army Division, which participated

in the fighting on the Pusan perimeter.

Father Kapaun was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in the Battle of Unsan, where he was taken prisoner, and fellow soldiers say he saved hundreds of lives on the battlefield and in prison camps.

He also received the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with V (for valor) device, and the Purple Heart.

As a dedicated pastor, officer and soldier, Father Kapaun provided an outstanding example that all of us would do well to emulate.

Wanting to learn more details about his life and his heroism, I recently visited the Mary Cotton library to see if they had a book about his life. They don’t, but library director Kim Priest found a DVD about him, that I was able to get on loan from another library.

5CMEMORIAL DAYTHE SABETHA HERALD · MAY 22, 2013

CEMETERY BOARD WILL FLY FLAGSOF DECEASED VETERANS

FOR MEMORIAL DAY

Flags to be flownat Sabetha and Albany cemeteries

The American Flags that were presented to the survivors of the following deceased veterans and then donated to

the Sabetha Cemetery Board will be flown at the Sabetha and Albany cemeteries over Memorial Day weekend,

48 at Sabetha and 13 at Albany:Dan R. Aul

Gerald BakerRoy Dayton Berggren

Avis BoringKenneth Dee Breeden

Melvin BreedenHarold F. Brown

Wells Eugene CombsClemens R. Edelman

Leroy Ellington Jr.Robert Evans

Norman H. FikeGeorge Fowler

Gale GakleJoe M. GakleDeryl G. Geer

Robert E. GlennNorman Graham

Keith Charles HaileyRollin Wayne Henderson

Murl HudsonIrwin “Hug” HugginsLewis L. Johnson

Jesse KellerHarold R. Kesler

Victor KeyMarvin E. Lamparter

Ruben LehmannFrances R. Long

Ray “Pat” LongbergJohn Harland Lucas

Harvey LukertLeonard Matthes

Ernest McNeilJohn Jacob MeisnerRalph Chapin Miner

Jack MockJohn R. Moser

James Calvin NewlinEverett Noble

Clarence E. NorrieRobert W. OberstOscar Pendland

Betty Jeane PetryOrsie L. Poff

Ronald L. PriestCharles W. RalstonKenneth G. RalstonJames B. Robinson

Eddie RooneyFrederick “Pinky”

SchneiderMelvin E. Schuette

John SharrahZ.P. SheldonJohn F. StoneGlen Strahm

Cecil ThompsonHarold Tomson

Martin A. WalkerGuy P. Wikle

Paul Wurzbacher

continued from page 4CKapaun

Who Folds Bandages For Your Boy(By Margie Tennal)

It is disheartening at times to the faithful few at the Red Cross how few attend the regular meetings from 2 to 5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays to fold gauze bandages for service men who are being wounded and killed for them.

Who is making bandages for your soldier? Are you? At times there are only five workers, one evening only three. Once a club was to go to the Red Cross instead of the club meeting; three arrived out of twelve members, who seldom miss a regular club meeting. Always the few regulars are at the Red Cross meetings and most of this little bunch have no special soldier to work for.

Whose war is this anyway? Is it just thoughtlessness, or don’t you care if your soldier or your neighbor’s is lying wounded in a jungle or on an icy mountain top? Did you see the picture of the little boy with cut finger, and a young soldier with a frightful wound, both crying “M-o-o-o-ther”?

Remember when you heard that call from the play yard and rushed terrified to the rescue? Whose son is crying “Mother” now where she cannot get to him on a bloody battlefield?

Can there not be other days than Tuesday and Thursday for parties and club meetings? Think it over, we have many years and many thousands of wounds to care for before us.

(From the Jan. 19, 1944, issue of The Sabetha Herald)

6C MEMORIAL DAY THE SABETHA HERALD · MAY 22, 2013

“…For your tomorrow, we gave our today!”

Supreme Sacrifice Honor Roll

The following military members from or with ties to Sabetha and the

surrounding communities, Nemaha County, western

Brown County and southeast Nebraska were killed or missing in action while engaged in combat

and hostilities, or died while in military service, during

the war/conflict under which their names are listed

World War IRobert W. Blair, April 21,

1918, Seaman, Co. G, 2nd Battalion

Solon T. Boomer, 1918 in France

*Charles F. Fankhauser, Pvt, WIA Sept. 12, 1918, died Oct. 2, 1918, Battle of St. Mihiel in France

Elmer McConnell, May 23, 1918, 15 Co.

*Guy F. McDaniels, Nov. 4, 1918, in Argonne Forest, France

John G. Meyer, July 27, 1918, Co. N, 30 Reg., American Expeditionary Forces

Alvan Mitchell (Fairview), no further information

*Alvin Munson, Pvt, Oct. 13, 1918, artillery in Europe

*John L. Palmer, died of wounds on Nov. 2, 1918, Argonne Forest

in FranceFrank H. Root, March 17,

1918, Aviation Corps, Camp McArthur, Waco, Texas

Frank Rostetter (Fairview), no further information

Henry Willis (Fairview), no further information

World War IIRalph M. Allen, TEC 5,

KIA Dec. 14, 1944, tank battalion in western Germany

LeRoy F. Armstrong, Lt, MIA Aug. 8, 1943, declared KIA Aug. 20, 1943, Navy torpedo plane pilot, night training flight in Pacific

Lewis L. Barrett, SSgt, KIA Aug. 12, 1944, in Europe

Bernard A. Becker, SSgt, MIA Sept. 6, 1943, declared KIA Aug. 10, 1945, bottom turret gunner on B-17 Flying Fortress shot down by German fighter aircraft after bombing industrial complex near Strasbourg, France

*George Bieri, Electrician’s Mate First Class, MIA Nov. 24, 1943, determined KIA Nov. 25, 1944, on escort carrier USS Liscome Bay when sunk by Japanese submarine near

Tarawa in Pacific (see Fred Crawford)

*Harry Bieri, Chief Fire Controlman, KIA June 6, 1942, on destroyer USS Hammann, Battle of Midway, when sunk by Japanese submarine

*Richard C. Bindel, SSgt, MIA April 5, 1944, reported KIA Aug. 9, 1944, flight engineer, top turret gunner on B-24 Liberator, shot down by flak while dropping weapons and materials to the French Resistance near Calvados, France

Paul D. Boeding, Pvt, died Oct. 3, 1944, infantry, in truck accident near Dinant, Belgium

Joseph M. Boeding, Torpedoman’s Mate 3rd Class, MIA March 27, 1945, on submarine USS Trigger, presumed sunk by Japanese air and surface craft near Okinawa

*Virgil Francis “Bud” Brown, SSgt, MIA Feb. 20, 1944, flight engineer on B-24 Liberator bomber, shot down by German fighters on bombing mission to Brunswick, Germany

Fred G. Crawford, Seaman Second Class, MIA Nov. 24, 1943, on escort carrier USS Liscome Bay when

sunk by Japanese submarine near Tarawa in Pacific (see George Bieri)

*Emerson L. Cyphers, 2Lt, MIA April 26, 1945, P-51 Mustang pilot on flight from Iwo Jima to Japan, remains found two years later on Honshu Island, Japan

John I. Dailey, Pvt, KIA Dec, 21, 1944, in infantry in Germany

*Harry J. Dandliker Jr., Pfc, KIA March 16, 1943, bombardier on B-26 Marauder, on bombing mission to Kiska, Aleutian Islands

Arthur A. Davis, Pfc, died Jan. 25, 1945, artillery, in combat area, France, military vehicle accident

*Carol Domer, Sgt, KIA Jan. 1, 1943, B-24 Liberator tail gunner, ditched at sea near Kawa Island east of New Guinea after bombing Rabaul, New Britain, in Southwest Pacific

Joseph A. Enneking, Pfc, KIA Oct. 13, 1944, infantry in Europe

*Roy L. Fund, Sgt, KIA July 15, 1944, infantry near St. Lo, France

Richard L. Gaston, SSgt, KIA July 28, 1943, tail gunner on B-17 Flying Fortress, shot down

by German fighter aircraft after bombing aircraft factory at Oschersleben, Germany

*Robert G. Griffith, Pfc, died June 6, 1942 in Japanese prison camp after surviving the Bataan Death March in the Philippines, which started April 9, 1942

George E. Guilford, Merchant Marine Engine Cadet, KIA Nov. 7, 1942, on ammunition ship, S.S. LaSalle, when sunk by German submarine south of Cape Good Hope, Africa

William E. Guilford, Pvt, KIA Sept. 16, 1944, infantry near Aachen, Germany (brother of George)

Donald K. Hall, Motor Machinist’s Mate, Second Class, MIA Nov. 16, 1943, on submarine USS Corvina, presumed sunk by Japanese submarine south of Truk in Pacific

*Robert A. Haynes, Lt, MIA July 30, 1945, Kingfisher float plane pilot on cruiser USS Indianapolis, en route from Guam to Philippines, sunk by Japanese submarine

7CMEMORIAL DAYTHE SABETHA HERALD · MAY 22, 2013

Arlie W. Higgins, Major, died Oct. 24, 1944, on Japanese merchant ship Arisan Maru bearing Allied prisoners, sunk by American submarine USS Snook near Formosa in South China Sea

Henry J. Hunninghake, SSgt, died of wounds June 10, 1944, Normandy Invasion

*Donald F. Irwin, 2Lt, KIA Sept. 12, 1944, infantry in France

Robert H. Isely, Commander, KIA June 12, 1944, Navy torpedo plane pilot on aircraft carrier USS Lexington, shot down leading raid on Saipan Island in Pacific

*Galen A. Kellenberger, Pfc, WIA April 21, 1945, died April 23, 1945, radio man/runner near Vettelschoss, Germany

*Harold E. Key, TSgt, MIA Oct. 24, 1943, radio operator/aerial gunner on B-24 Liberator, missing on return to North African base after bombing aircraft factory near Vienna, Austria

Donald L. Kistner, Pvt, KIA April 3, 1945, Luzon Island in the Philippines

George E. Kohake, Seaman Second Class, KIA May 4, 1945, in Pacific

Francis R. Kokenge, Sgt, Oct. 15, 1942, died in flight from Missouri to Chicago, aircraft hit high tension wires in heavy fog

*Francis R. Long, Pvt, KIA March 2, 1945, infantry, Lubang Island in the Philippines

*Floyd E. Longberg, Sgt, KIA April 9, 1945, infantry near Brisdorf, Germany

Warren Mayer, MIA Oct. 21, 1944, no further information

Wayne McKinnie, TEC 5, KIA Oct. 25, 1944, engineer combat battalion, Japanese aerial bombing attack, Leyte Island, Philippines

*Earl Meyer, SSgt, KIA July 23, 1944, infantry in St. Lo area near Gonfreville, France

George S. Moore, SSgt., KIA Nov. 10, 1944, infantry taking Delme Ridge near Nancy, France

*Cyril Nolte, Sgt, KIA Sept. 8, 1944, infantry in France

Adrian Rettele, Pvt, died April 26, 1943, medical battalion, cave-in at Camp Carson, Colorado

*Lowell Rogers, Pvt, died Aug. 8, 1943, military driver, drowned in Mediterranean Sea, Morocco, North Africa

*Raymond R. Rokey, Capt, WIA Nov. 5, 1944, died Nov. 6, 1944, infantry, Ardennes Forest area in France

Burton R. Ross, Lt., MIA Feb. 1944, declared KIA July 18, 1945, B-17 Flying Fortress pilot, shot down by German fighters near Brunswick, Germany

Frank M. Schafer, Sgt, KIA Jan. 25, 1945, tank commander in southern France

Ivan C. Schug, Ensign, MIA June 25, 1944, F6F Hellcat pilot, missed aircraft carrier USS Yorktown in forced landing southeast of Iwo Jima in Pacific

Bernard O. Schultejans, Pfc, KIA Dec. 26, 1944, in Luxembourg

Robert M. Shaw, 2Lt, MIA Sept. 18, 1944, army air corps flier on flight over Germany

*Haley W. Skinner, 2Lt, MIA Feb. 27, 1942, presumed dead Dec. 18, 1945, P-40 Warhawk pilot being transported to Dutch East Indies with his

aircraft on seaplane tender USS Langley when it was attacked by Japanese aircraft in Indian Ocean south of Java. Survivors were picked up by two of Langley’s escort destroyers, USS Edsall and USS Whipple, and most were transferred on March 1 to the U.S. Navy’s oiler Pecos, which was sunk by Japanese aircraft later that day. The USS Edsall also was sunk March 1.

Jonas E. Smith, TEC 4, KIA Jan. 24, 1945, infantry in Battle of the Bulge in Belgium

George H. Springer III, 2Lt, KIA Oct. 17, 1944, P-47 Thunderbolt pilot shot down by German fighters in France

*Elgin A. Strahm, SSgt, KIA July 1, 1943, Army amphibious boat service during invasion of Nassau Bay, New Guinea

Ernest G. Swart, 1Lt, KIA Jan. 18, 1945, with Flying Tigers in China, engine trouble forced abandonment of plane

Moses M. Tate, SSgt, KIA Aug. 1, 1943, gunner on B-24 Liberator, bombing mission to Ploesti oil fields in Romania, in Europe

Dorothy Swart Tatum, Captain, died Feb. 12, 1946, at Mitchell Field Hospital, N.Y., from illness believed to have been contracted in war work underground while serving in communications in 8th Air Force in Europe; (sister of Ernest Swart)

George A. Weeks, Pvt, KIA Nov. 9, 1944, in France

Eldon Welliever, Sgt, died Sept. 27, 1944, radioman, crashed on flight ferrying gasoline over “Hump” to air base in China

*Allen E. Wenger, SSgt, died of exhaustion/

heart attack Oct. 26, 1944, Leyte Island in Philippines

James Williams, KIA late March-early April 1945, invasion of Philippines

*Morell Windrum, Pfc, KIA March 24, 1945, paratrooper with glider infantry regiment assault near Wesel, Germany, east of the Rhine River

Lawrence L. Winterscheidt, SSgt, KIA Jan. 16, 1944, radioman on B-25 Mitchell, shot down by flak near Jacquinot Bay, New Britain, in Southwest Pacific

*Victor D. Wittwer, TSgt, WIA July 18, 1944, died July 19, 1944, infantry near St. Lo, France

Raymond B. Woltkamp, Flight Officer, KIA Jan. 16, 1944, B-24 Liberator pilot, shot down by German fighters in northeastern Italy

George O. Young, 1Lt, died March 3, 1943, from cerebral hemorrhage, at Camp Davis, N.C.

Korea *Pat Reid, Capt, KIA July

14, 1953, Chinese small arms fire just north of 38th parallel in Korea (also saw combat in Europe during World War II)

Vietnam*Edward R. Lukert, Sgt,

KIA May 11, 1967, firefight with hostile forces, weapons platoon (mechanic) in 4th Infantry Division, approx. 40 miles northwest of Saigon, Republic of Vietnam

*James “J.C.” Strube, SP4, KIA June 11, 1969, Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery, Kansas National Guard, based at Chu Lai, Republic of

Vietnam*Cecil T. Thompson,

SSgt, KIA Jan. 9, 1967, 4th Air Commando Squadron crew chief on AC-47 gunship downed by ground fire while providing close air support to troops in contact in Republic of Vietnam

Ronald Ward, KIA May 23, 1969, 199th Light Infantry Brigade, at Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam

Persian Gulf*Jeremiah “Scott” Cole,

Corporal, KIA Aug. 16, 2006, vehicle struck explosive device during routine patrol, Afghanistan

*Matthew M. Murchison, Specialist, KIA Aug. 4, 2007, gunner/driver, explosively formed penetrator, Baghdad, Iraq

In all of America’s wars, from the American Revolution to the present, approximately 42 million have served, and approximately 655,000 have

died in battle

*Featured in a Sabetha Herald article since early 2002.

Editor’s Note: Compiled from various sources by

Patty Locher, The Sabetha Herald, for Memorial

Day 2010, and updated as notified. Information on these war casualties was augmented and updated in 2013 with information

available through Internet and other research sources. If you know of other area

military members who were killed or missing in action,

or that anyone named above returned, please contact The Herald staff at 785-284-3300; P.O. Box 208, Sabetha 66534;

or email sabethaherald@sbcglobal.net, to make our list more accurate and complete

for future years’ issues.

8C MEMORIAL DAY THE SABETHA HERALD · MAY 22, 2013

continued from page 2CDandliker

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Harry Dandliker Jr. of the Hiawatha community and formerly of the Honey Creek community was a bombardier in a B-26 Martin Marauder when, on March 16, 1943, he was reported missing in action during a mission over the Aleutian Islands during World War II. In June 1943 he was declared killed in action.

Photo from Sabetha Herald Archives

class private’s rank, Harry received lieutenant’s pay as a bombardier, it was reported.

“Flying conditions in the area in which Pfc. Dandliker has undoubtedly been operating are so difficult as to be impossible for long periods,” said an article in the March 31, 1943, issue of The Sabetha Herald. “When flying is possible, it is hazardous. Fogs are almost continual. When there is a break, it is often only for short periods. Ceilings are often low, and frequent islands jut out of the water.”

This information had been contained in new dispatches concerning U.S. aerial operations in the area, the article continued.

“It brings with it many surmises that might hold hope for the missing bombardier,” the article said. “Many circumstances might leave a bomber’s crew alive and reasonably safe, yet unable to communicate with their base.”

Lawrence Sorg, an uncle of Harry’s wife Priscilla, said that news dispatches told of aerial raids by U.S. bombers on Kiska on March 16.

Harry’s name is included on a World War II Memorial in the Hiawatha Cemetery, with the inscription that reads as follows: They Sought No Glory But Their Country’s Good. In Memory of Those Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice

in Defense of Their Country. Graves Unknown We Honor: H. J. Dandliker Jr. (and others).

His tor ical Mil i tary Background

In early June 1942, the Japanese simultaneously attacked Midway in the Pacific and the Aleutian Islands in Alaska.

In the Aleutians, they attacked Dutch Harbor with carrier-based aircraft on June 3, 1942, then invaded and occupied Kiska Island on June 6 and Attu Island on June 7.

The Japanese and the United States wanted to control these northern islands because of the close proximity to both countries. The difficulty for both forces was the extreme weather conditions. The frozen rugged terrain, the fog, snow and ice made it difficult to supply. The Japanese felt that if they controlled the Aleutians, they would be able to prevent a near U.S. attack. On the other hand, the U.S. felt that bases could be established by the Japanese and would put the U.S. west coast in jeopardy.

On June 6, 1942, the Japanese captured 10 U.S. Navy men and their dog who were manning a weather station on Kiska Island. Two were killed and eight were sent to Japan as prisoners. Having a U.S. territory captured by the Japanese seemed to have an emotional effect on our troops.

It would take months for the Allied Forces to establish airfields capable of providing

support while also being within range of the occupied islands, to give our land-based bombers the capability to repel the Japanese.

During the remainder of 1942 and into 1943, the Japanese entrenched themselves, preparing to protect the Japanese Kuril Islands. They established a seaplane base and

a submarine base enabling them to keep a number of mini-subs there. Gun ramparts were put into place for defense.

In early 1943, Harry’s squadron, the 77th Bomber Squadron of the 28th Bomber Group, was operating out of Adak airfield in the Aleutians, flying both B-26 and B-25 bombers.

His squadron was bombing Japanese positions on Kiska and Attu as well as bombing and torpedoing Japanese shipping.

Harry’s B-26 Martin Marauder was missing on a mission to the Kiska Island area on March 16, 1943. Including Harry, five crew members were on board: pilot, First Lieutenant Bertheau McCurdy of California; copilot, Second Lieutenant William Paulett of Ohio; Staff Sergeant Lloyd L. Acord of Washington; Staff Sergeant William T. Holbrook of Massachusetts; and Pfc. Harry Dandliker of Nebraska-Kansas. Although Harry’s body was not recovered, he was declared dead.

Allied Forces would invade Attu on May 11, 1943, and after fierce fighting, liberated Attu on May 29, 1943.

Unknown to Allied Forces, the Japanese withdrew their forces from Kiska by July 28, 1943, under cover of dense fog and bad weather.

The Years at Honey CreekHarry was raised on the

Kansas-Nebraska border, where the Dandlikers had settled when Harry’s grandfather emigrated

from Switzerland in 1878. While growing up in the

Honey Creek community, Harry Jr. for 10 years was an outstanding 4-H club worker and exhibitor of prize-winning livestock in 4-H club events, both locally and at large shows. He had earned more than 250 ribbons, which his mother had been saving for his return.

In his younger days, Harry kept the neighborhood buzzing. He and two friends were coming home from a dance, and Harry was driving. The car hit loose gravel and they flew into the ditch. Harry got out of the car. He was so scared that he ran all the way home yelling, “My Dad will kill me.” True, his Dad was pretty mad.

Even with that incident, after graduation, Harry drove the Honey Creek school bus and helped his dad, who raised livestock. In addition to helping his parents raise prize Angus beef cattle, he worked as an automotive serviceman. He became friendly with Priscilla Louise Greenlee, who was from Holton and taught at the Honey Creek School. They soon married and moved with Harry’s parents to Hiawatha in Brown County, Kansas.

Sources: Sabetha Herald articles in April 29, 1942, and March 31, June 9, June 30, July 7 and July 21, 1943, issues; Mary Deaver Maduska, daughter of Harry Dandliker Jr.’s first cousin Margaret Dandliker Deaver; and various internet sources.