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Source: website bigpigeon.us, webpage WW II Dead > The Roster > Roster-PQR.
​© 2021 by Robert A. "Bob" Christiansen, last update 25 Jan 2021, 55 names.

Pottawattamie County, Iowa Area WW II Dead Roster - part 8/11, P-Q-R
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​† ​Pagh, Amos Christian, SN O-1325790, US Army, Douglas Co., NE
  • b. 1 May ’20 Coulter, Franklin Co.; s/o Hans Pagh & Hilma K. Larsen; family moved to Co. Bluffs in early 1920s, to Omaha in 1936, and eventually to North Hollywood, CA; entered service 21 Mar 1942 from Omaha; bur. Epinal American Cem., Dinozé, Lorraine, France.
  • 397th Inf. Regt., 100th Inf. Div.; KIA 14 Nov 1944, Raon L’Etape, SE of Baccarat, Vosges, France; Lorraine & Alsace > Alsace Campaign.
  • Notes: posthumous Silver Star.
 
​† Parker, Arlo Berry, SN 37-195-236, USAAF, Webster Co.
  • b. 16 Jun 1909 Co. Bluffs; s/o Arlo L. Parker & Mary A Cuffe; m. Eleanor D. Reardon 1936 in Webster Co.; entered service 19 May 1942 from Ft. Dodge, Webster Co.; bur. Mem. Park Cem., Ft. Dodge. 
  • 43rd Bomb. Gp., 5th AF; DNB 7 Jun 1945, 249th General Hosp., Ft. Stotsenburg, Luzon, Philippines, cerebral hemorrhage; Philippines Liberated > Luzon.
 
​† Parks, George Harvey, SN O-751951, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • b. 19 Sep 1915 Co. Bluffs; s/o Harvey Parks & Anna B. Woodruff of Co. Bluffs; entered service from Co. Bluffs; bur. Walnut Hill Cem., Co. Bluffs.
  • 717 Bomb. Sqdn., 449 Bomb. Gp., 15th AF, based at Grottaglie, near Taranto, Apulia, Italy; Consolidated B-24H Liberator #42-52136 Superstitious Al-o-ysious bombardier; KIA 2 Apr 1944 near Windischgarsten, S of Steyr, Austria; collision with two other B-24s, Peerless Clipper and Miss Behavin; no survivors from crew of ten; The MTO > MTO Air War.
 
​† Patton, John A., SN 37-463-856, US Army, Page Co. & Los Angeles Co., CA
  • b. 10 Jul 1922 Fremont Co.; s/o George H. Patton (d. 1941) & Emma L. Kelly; raised in rural Page Co.; entered service 14 Nov 1942 from Box 205, Coin, Page Co., service credited to Los Angeles Co., CA; bur. Henri-Chapelle American Cem., Verviers, Belgium.
  • Co. F, 504th Parachute Inf. Regt., 82nd Airborne Div., attached to First Army; KIA 2 Feb 1945, Siegfried Line, near Udenbreth SE of Monshau, North Rhineland-Westphalia, Germany; Rhineland 1945 > North Rhineland 1945.
 
​† Paulsen, Laverne Henry, SN 37-445-364, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • b. 26 Dec 1921 rural Avoca, Pott Co.; s/o Alfred G. Paulsen & Minnie K. Russmann of rural Avoca; entered service 27 Nov 1942 from Hancock, Pott. Co.; bur. Graceland Cem., Avoca.
  • Recon. Co., 66th Armored Regt., 2nd Armored Div.; KIA 29 Jul 1944 S of St. Lo, Normandy, France; France Liberated > Normandy Breakout.
​
† Paulsen, Vernon Nels, SN O-1308538, US Army, Shelby Co.
  • b. 12 May 1915 Jacksonville, Shelby Co.; s/o Nels Peter Paulsen & Dora K. Christensen (d. 1940), both b. Denmark; school teacher living in Harlan, Shelby Co. in 1940; entered service Jun 1941 from Rt. 2, Harlan; bur. Harlan Cem.
  • Co. H, 324th Inf. Regt., 44th Inf. Div., Seventh Army; KIA 8 Dec 1944 approaching Maginot Line, near Siersthal, W of Bitche, NE France; Lorraine & Alsace > Alsace Campaign.
  • Note: The German Wehrmacht used French Maginot Line fortifications around Metz and near Bitche in Lorraine and Alsace to stymie the advancing US Third and Seventh Armies.

† Paulson, Ralph Loyd, SN 428145, USMC, Story Co.
  • b. 1923 Ames, Story Co.; s/o Melvin B. Paulson & Louise C. Petersen of Ames (mother from Neola Twp.); entered service 21 Jul 1942 from Ames; bur. Nat’l Cem. of the Pacific, Honolulu, HI.
  • Co. E, 6th Marine Regt., 2nd Marine Div.; KIA 27 Nov 1943 on Buariki Is., Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Is.; Battle of Tarawa - North & Central Pacific > Gilbert & Marshall Islands.
  • Notes: nephew of my uncle Louis Petersen; died w/ Max Rommel of Pott. Co.
 
† Pedersen, Roy Marion Jr., SN O-2071822, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • b. 19 Aug 1923 Atlantic, Cass Co.; s/o Roy M. Pedersen & Zola G. McFarland of Lincoln Twp. & Avoca, Pott. Co.; entered service 16 Feb 1943 from rural Avoca; bur. Atlantic Cem.
  • 866th Bomb. Sqdn., 494th Bomb. Gp., 7th AF, based at Yontan, Okinawa; Consolidated B-24J Liberator #44-40680 Lonesome Lady navigator, pilot Thomas C. Cartwright; KIA 28 Jul 1945, over Kure Harbor, Kyushu, Japan; plane shot down by flak on mission against Battleship Haruna; Japan Overpowered > Japan under Attack.
  • Notes: of crew of ten, Roy M. Pedersen's body was found on nearby land, two survived as POWs, seven died as POWs 6 Aug 1945 from the Hiroshima atomic bomb.
 
† Pedersen, Silas Clyde, SN O-1019087, US Army, Audubon & Shelby Cos.
  • b. 20 Jan 1920 Kimballton, Audubon Co., IA; s/o Soren C. Pedersen (d. 1938) & Meta M. Gregersen; family had moved from Elk Horn, Shelby Co.; entered service 7 Jan 1942 from Kimballton; bur. Epinal American Cem., Lorraine, France..
  • 191st Tank Bn., attached to 45th Inf. Div., Seventh Army; KIA 5 Oct 1944 probably NE of Epinal near Rambervillers, Vosges, France during Seventh Army's advance eastward into the Vosges foothills; Lorraine & Alsace > Alsace Campaign.
  • Notes: Silver Star recipient.

† Penewit, Gordon R., SN 20-706-207, US Army, Mills Co.
  • b. 23 Sep 1923 Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA; came to Carson, Pott. Co. w/ mother at age 2; orphaned at an early age, raised by grandmother Phebe Wilson & aunt Carrie E. Stone at Carson; moved w/ Aunt Carrie to Glenwood, Mills Co. in early 1930s; entered service 10 Feb 1941 from Glenwood; bur. Carson Cem.
  • Co. I, 168th Inf. Regt., 34th Inf. Div.; detached to British 6th Commando Battalion; KIA 22 Nov 1942, Souk Ahras, NE Algeria, North Africa; North Africa & Sicily > Morocco & Algeria.
 
† Petersen, John Thomas Grant, SN 316-38-73, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • b. 28 May 1916 Nashville, Washington Co., NE; s/o Oswald S. Petersen & Minnie I. Shipley; moved to Co. Bluffs as a small child; married Marjorie _____; entered service 13 Apr 1942 from Co. Bluffs; released 16 Nov 1945; bur. Mt. Hope Cem., Omaha.
  • previous Navy service 1938-41; on fleet oiler USS Kankakee (AO-39) 1942 & 1943; at US Navy Advanced Base 140, Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Nov 1943; on attact transport USS Cecil (APA-96); d. 6 Jan 1946 Corona, Riverside Co., CA, auto accident.
 
† Peterson, Charles William, SN 37-651-229, USAAF, Shelby Co.
  • b. 8 Nov 1920 Woodbine, Harrison Co.; s/o Willie Peterson & Edna L. McGee; entered service 26 Dec 1942 from Woodbine; bur. Woodbine Cem.
  • 49th Bomb. Wing, 15th Air Force; based at Castelluccia,15 km S of Foggia, Italy; invalided to Bruns General Hosp., Santa Fe, NM Apr 1945; DNB in hospital 24 Sep 1945, tuberculosis.

† Peterson, Harry Earl, SN 37-138-626, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • b. 6 Nov 1908 Hazelton, Emmons Co., ND; s/o William A. Peterson & Dora C. Sergent; lived in Pott. Co.; m. Carrie I. Moore 1927 (div. 1941), three children; m. Opal M. Payne 1941 in Missouri; bur. Garner Twp. Cem., Pott. Co.
  • 357th Inf. Regt., 90th Inf. Div.; KIA 3 Aug 1944 near Avranches, Normandy, France; France Liberated > Normandy Breakout.
 
† Peterson, Jack, SN 321-78-55, US Navy, Shelby Co.
  • b. 5 Jun 1924 Harlan, Shelby Co.; s/o Harlan Peterson & Ethalyn A. Weimer of Harlan; entered service 22 Jun 1942 from Harlan.
  • Destroyer USS Brownson (DD-518); DNB 6 Apr 1943, Atlantic Ocean; lost overboard; Battle of the Atlantic; BNR.
 
† Petrus, Richard Marvin, SN 17-148-212, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • b. 14 Jul 1925 Memphis, Shelby Co., TN; s/o John B. Petrus Sr. & Lyda L. Moore; family moved to Co. Bluffs ~ 1930; entered service 3 Feb 1944 from Co. Bluffs; bur. Cedar Lawn Cem., Co. Bluffs.
  • 706th Bomb. Sqdn., 466 Bomb. Gp., 8th AF, based at Bungay/Flixton, Suffolk, England; Consolidated B-24 Liberator #42-50790 tail gunner; KIA 11 Apr 1945 SW of Bungay/Flixton; two returning bombers collided, no survivors; The ETO > ETO Air War.
 
† Pettie, Vernon Gerard, SN 648-57-95, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • b. 8 Jul 1923 Co. Bluffs; s/o Sidney R. Pettie & Blanche A. Kinney; m. Clara M. Klausmeier 1943 in Omaha, one child; entered service 19 Oct 1942 from Co. Bluffs; bur. Ft. Snelling Nat’l Cem., Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., MN.
  • Fleet Hospital #114, Samar, Philippines; DNB 8 Apr 1945, Samar, drowning; Philippines Liberated > SW Pacific Finale.
 
† Phillips, George Donald, SN 37-194-330, USAAF, Pott. & Jefferson Cos.
  • b. 11 Oct 1906 rural Oakland, Pott. Co.; s/o James E. Phillips & Kate B. Anderson, Oakland natives; raised in rural Pott. Co.; m. Eunice Williamson 1929; living in Wright Twp., Pott. Co. 1930; moved to Fairfield, Jefferson Co. early 1930s; div. 1939; m. Marcene M. Duggan 1942; entered service 6 May 1942 from Fairfield; bur. North Africa American Cem., Carthage, Tunisia.
  • 91st Fighter Sqdn., 81st Fighter Gp., 12th AF, based at Monastir Airfield, SE of Sousse, 100 miles S of Tunis, Tunisia; group flying Bell P-39 Airacobras; DNB 11 Jul 1943 in hospital, Sfax, Tunisia, North Africa from rifle bullet in head; North Africa & Sicily > Tunisia.
 
† ​Phinney, Russell Dayton Jr., SN 20-704-300, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • b. 1 Sep 1921 Fort Dodge, Webster Co.; s/o Russell D. Phinney Sr. & Lillian M. Jones; raised in Co. Bluffs; entered service 10 Feb 1941 from Co. Bluffs; bur. North Africa American Cem., Carthage, Tunisia.
  • 168th Inf. Regt. Band, 34th Inf. Div.; KIA 18 Feb 1943, Djebel Ksaira, SE of Sidi Bou Zid, Tunisia, North Africa;  Battle of Sidi Bou Zid, first phase of Battle of Kasserine Pass - North Africa & Sicily > Tunisia.
 
† ​Pierce, Robert Clark, SN 6-825-221, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • b. 14 Dec 1913 Co. Bluffs; s/o Charles Pierce & Winnie L. Rude of Co. Bluffs; entered service 14 Dec 1933 from Co. Bluffs.
  • 7th Material Sqdn., 19th Bomb. Gp., Philippines; POW Philippines 1942; DNB 22 Nov 1942, Cabanatuan POW Camp, Nueva Ecija Prov., Luzon, Philippines; beriberi; Japan Lashes Out > The Philippines Lost; BNR.
 
† ​Plagge, Harold W., SN O-1006609, US Army, Lake Co., IL
  • b. 1 Nov 1915 Barrington, Cook & Lake Cos., IL; s/o Walter B. Plagge & Anna Listhartke; entered service 6 May 1942 from Lake Co., IL, service credited to Cook Co.; m. Eloise G. Gregg of rural Oakland, Pott. Co.; bur. Normandy American Cem., Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France.
  • 746th Tank Bn.; DOW 9 Jun 1944 near Utah Beach, Normandy, France; Normandy Campaign > Normandy after D-Day.
  • Notes: posthumous Silver Star.
 
† Plummer, Kenneth Frank, SN 37-680-558, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • b. 25 Jan 1925 rural Loveland, Boomer Twp., Pott. Co.; s/o Frank W. Plummer & Hazel E. Jacobsen of Boomer Twp.; family moved to Co. Bluffs in 1940 and later to Omaha; entered service 16 Nov 1943 from Co. Bluffs; bur. Henri-Chapelle American Cem., Verviers, Belgium.
  • 424 Inf. Regt., 106 Inf. Div.; KIA 28 Dec 1944 near Manhay, W of St. Vith, Belgium; The Ardennes/Battle of the Bulge.
  • Notes: When the German Ardennes Counteroffensive began on 16 Dec 1944, the 424th Inf. Regt. was at Winterspelt, Rhineland-Palatine, Germany, near the Belgian border. The other two 106th Inf. Div. regiments, the 422nd and 423rd, were in the Snee Eifel to the north and were encircled and surrendered on 19 Dec. Meanwhile, the 424th had withdrawn from Winterspelt NW across the Our River to St. Vith, Belgium, where it was attached to the 7th Armored Division and joined the defense of St. Vith. Around 21 Dec, the 424th joined the American withdrawal from St. Vith further west to Manhay.

† Pogge, George Hubert, SN O-718974, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • b. 1 Feb 1923 rural Neola, Pott. Co.; s/o Hubert J. Pogge & Violet M. Sexton of Co. Bluffs; entered service 22 Feb 1943 from Rt. 2, Co. Bluffs; bur. St. Joseph Cem., Co. Bluffs.
  • 714th Bomb. Sqdn., 448th Bomb. Gp., 8th AF, based at Seething, Norfolk, England; Consolidated B-24H Liberator #42-95134 Lady Margaret navigator w/ pilot Francis Bodkin; KIA 26 Aug 1944 en route to Ludwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany; plane brought down by flak 7 miles W of Ludwigshafen; six died, four survived; The ETO > ETO Air War.
 
† ​Points, Leslie Ronald, SN 32-300-054, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • b. 26 Dec 1919 Honey Creek, Rockford Twp., Pott. Co.; s/o John C. Points & Maude C. Spencer (d. 1942) of Honey Creek; entered service 4 May 1942 from Bergen Co., NJ; bur. Lorraine American Cem., St. Avold, Lorraine, France.
  • 313th Inf. Regt., 79th Inf. Div.; KIA 29 Sep 1944, Forêt de Parroy, E of Nancy, Lorraine, France; Lorraine & Alsace > Lorraine Campaign.
 
† ​Pokett, John Frederick "Jack", SN 37-485-635, US Army, Harrison Co.
  • b. 28 May 1925 Dunlap, Harrison Co.; s/o Donald C. Pokett Sr. & Helen Mary Shaffer; parents div., ss/o Clarence Bauer; entered service 4 Oct 1943 from Logan; bur. Pleasant Hill Cem., Dunlap.
  • Co. C, 386th Inf. Regt., 96th Inf Div.; DOW 10 Apr 1945, Okinawa, Japan; Iwo Jima & Okinawa > Battle of Okinawa.

† ​Porter, Harry Edward, SN 620-75-00, US Naval Aviation, Cass Co.
  • b. 3 Oct 1924 Lewis, Cass Co.; s/o James C. Porter & Ethel M. Livingston; entered service 22 Jul 1942 from Lewis.
  • Naval Air Patrol Bomb. Sqdn. VPB 153, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii Territory; Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon BuNo 37101 radioman; KIA 8 May 1945 Kaneohe Bay; plane crashed shortly after takeoff on antisubmarine training patrol, all six died; North & Central Pacific > Pacific Comm. Zone; BNR.
 
† Porter, John L. Jr., SN 39-125-170, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • b. 30 Nov 1924, Dallas, Dallas Co., TX; s/o John L. Porter Sr. & Nellie F. Lacy (div.); lived in Co. Bluffs w/ gf Amby Lacy, service credited to Pott. Co.; bur. Golden Gate Nat’l Cem., San Bruno, San Mateo Co., CA.
  • 187th Airborne Regt., 11th Airborne Div.; WIA New Guinea ~Jun 1944; DOW 25 Oct 1944, San Mateo Co., CA; South & SW Pacific > New Guinea.
 
† Powell, Oliver Preston Jr., SN 37-420-870, US Army, Harrison Co.
  • b. 2 Sep 1921 Mondamin, Harrison Co.; s/o Oliver P. Powell Sr. (d. 1929) & Rilla A. Holley who were born, raised & married in Indiana; entered service 5 Jun 1942 from Mondamin; bur. Oak Grove Cem., Missouri Valley, Harrison Co.
  • 38th Inf. Regt., 2nd Inf. Div.; KIA 9 Sep 1944, near Brest, Brittany, France; Battle of Brittany - France Liberated > Northern France.
 
† Pratt, Leonard Earl, SN 37-465-244, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • b. 8 Aug 1920 Crescent, Pott. Co.; s/o Clair Pratt & Maud A. Butler of Crescent & Co. Bluffs; entered service 20 Nov 1942 from Crescent;  bur. Crescent Cem.
  • 8th Inf. Regt., 4th Inf. Div.; KIA 10 Jul 1944, near Periers, NW of St. Lo, Normandy, France; Normandy Campaign > Normandy after D-Day.
 
† Profeda, Louis Anthony, SN 37-139-285, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • b. 12 Sep 1916, Co, Bluffs; s/o Anthony Profeda & Marie Triana who married in Sicily & came to Co. Bluffs ~ 1915; entered service 7 Jan 1942 from Co. Bluffs; bur. St. Joseph Cem., Co. Bluffs.
  • Co. M, 128th Inf. Regt., 32nd Inf. Div.; KIA 22 Nov 1942 near Buna, Papau, New Guinea; Buna Campaign - South & SW Pacific > New Guinea.
 
† Pryor, William Dale, US Merchant Marine, Pott. Co.
  • b. 24 Sep 1925 Altoona, Polk Co.; s/o Harry C. Pryor & Jennie M. Williams; family moved to Avoca, Pott. Co. ~1939; bur. Old Altoona Cem.
  • trainee at US Maritime Service Training Station, Brooklyn, NY in 1943; d. 12 Oct 1944 Avoca, Pott. Co., sepsis.
 
† Punteney/Puntney, Charles Edward, SN 37-699-132, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • b. 9 Jan 1913 Vermillion, Marshall Co., KS; s/o Frank M. Punteney & Clarissa I. Smith of Frankfort, Marshall Co. who lived in Co. Bluffs in the 1930s; m. Dorothy L. Bownes of Co. Bluffs 1930; lived in Co. Bluffs, six children; entered service 26 Jun 1944 from Treynor, Pott. Co.; bur. Netherlands American Cem., Margraten, Netherlands.
  • 33rd Armored Regt., 3rd Armored Div., First Army; KIA 26 Mar 1945 near Altenkirchen, E of Bonn, Germany; Central Europe > Central Germany.
  • Note: Both surnames appear in Army records; bur. using Punteney surname.
 
† Putnam/Putman, Robert Edward, SN O-1318929, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • b. 6 Oct 1921 Avoca, Pott. Co.; s/o Ernest W. Putnam & Marie W. Greve of Avoca; entered service 12 Nov 1942 at Des Moines; bur. Graceland Cem., Avoca.
  • Co. G, 359th Inf. Regt., 90th Inf. Div.; DNB 20 Nov 1945, Sulzbach, E of Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany; handgun accident; The ETO > ETO Comm. Zone.
  • Note: Evidently served using the surname Putman.
 
† Querry, Miles Junior, SN 316-85-21, US Navy, Harrison Co.
  • b. 12 Apr 1923 Missouri Valley, Harrison Co.; s/o Doc A. Querry & Margaret A. Smith (d. 1927); entered service 11 Dec 1941 from Missouri Valley. 
  • Fleet Tug USS Vireo (AM-52); KIA 15 Oct 1942 off San Cristobal, SE of Guadalcanal, Solomon Is.; Japnese air attack on Vireo and  destroyer USS Meredith (DD-434); Vireo damaged and crew transferred to Meredith; Meredith sank;, 237 crew from Meredith and Vireo died; the abandoned Vireo survived intact and was later retrieved; South & SW Pacific > Solomons Sea War; BNR.
  • Notes: A second USS Meredith (DD-726) sank off Normandy on 9 Jun 1944 from a German mine and horizontal bomber attack.

 † Rannells, Robert Vance, SN 17-065-979, USAAF, Harrison Co.
  • b. 9 Dec 1919 rural Dunlap, Boyer Twp., Crawford Co.; s/o William C. Rannells (d. 1938) & Adah P. Crow; student at Iowa State College; entered service 15 Nov 1942 from Ames, Story Co.; m. Virginia Lynch 7 Mar 1943.
  • 873 Bomb. Sqdn., 498th Bomb Gp., XXI Bomber Cmd., stationed on Tinian, Mariana Is.; B-29 #42-24614 Joltin' Josie radio operator w/ pilot Wilson C. Currier Jr.; KIA 1 Apr 1945, aircraft exploded after takeoff and crashed into Magicienne Bay on nearby Saipan, crew of 11 all died; Japan Overpowered > Japan Under Attack; BNR.

† Ratigan, Michael Dennis Jr., SN 37-035-643, US Army, Shelby Co.
  • b. 9 Oct 1917 Panama, Shelby Co.; s/o Michael Dennis Ratigan Sr. (d. 1917) & Catherine V. Hannan (d. 1921).
  • 6th Armored Inf. Bn., 1st Armored Div.; KIA 15 Feb 1943 near Sidi Bou Zid, Tunisia, North Africa; Battle of Sidi Bou Zid, first phase of Battle of Kasserine Pass - North Africa & Sicily > Tunisia; BNR.
 
† Rauterkus, Robert Richard, SN 37-483-565, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • b. 19 Dec 1913 Co. Bluffs; s/o Joseph C. Rauterkus & Mary T. Howarth of Co. Bluffs; m. Iris B. Clark of Oakland, Pott. Co. 1938; bur. Henri-Chapelle American Cem., Verviers, Belgium.
  • 48th Armored Inf. Bn., 7th Armored Div.; KIA 21 Jan 1945 near Born, N of St. Vith, Belgium; The Ardennes/Battle of the Bulge.
 
† Reestman, Milton Herman, SN O-675002, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • b. 18 May 1918 East St. Louis, St. Clair Co., IL; s/o Herman Reestman & Elsie C. Hansen; family moved to Co. Bluffs bef. 1920; enlisted 28 Jan 1941 from Los Angeles Co., CA, service credited to Pott. Co.
  • 823th Bomb. Sqdn., 38th Bomb. Gp., 5th AF, based at Durand Air Field, Port Moresby, New Guinea; North American B-25 Mitchell #42-64810 navigator w/ pilot George R. Gable Jr.; KIA 2 Feb 1944, Coral Sea off Port Moresby, New Guinea; Gable's plane disappeared carrying seven while searching for B-25G-1 #42-64881 which had earlier disappeared carrying eleven on a flight from Townsville, Australia to Port Moresby; South & SW Pacific > New Guinea; BNR.
 
† Reinig, Walter Henry, SN 37-035-972, US Army, Shelby Co.
  • b. 13 Jan 1918 Portsmouth, Shelby Co.; s/o Mathias J. Reinig & Mary E. Nollen; entered service 12 Mar 1941 from Harlan, Shelby Co.; bur. Sicily-Rome American Cem., Nettuno, Lazio, Italy.
  • 7th Inf. Regt., 3rd Inf. Div.; KIA 31 Jan 1944 Anzio Beachhead, Lazio, Italy; Italian Mainland > Battle of Anzio.
 
† Renteria, Martin, SN 37-261-777, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • b. 8 Sep 1921 Ranger, Eastland Co., TX; s/o Paul Renteria & Benancia Reo, raised in Co. Bluffs; entered service 16 Sep 1942 from Co. Bluffs; bur. St. Joseph Cem., Co. Bluffs.
  • Co. I, 120th Inf. Regt., 30th Inf. Div.; WIA 1 Aug 1944 near St. Lo, Normandy, France; DOW 17 Aug 1944 in hospital, England; France Liberated > Normandy Breakout.
 
† Rethmeier, William F. "Jack", SN 37-663-816, US Army, Crawford Co.
  • b. 28 Feb 1912 Harlan, Shelby Co.; s/o William E. H. Rethmeier & Effie May Schlensig, both b. Shelby Co.; raised in Boyer Twp., Crawford Co.; entered service 9 Mar 1943 from Rt. 3, Dunlap; bur. Pleasant Hill Cem., Dunlap.
  • Co. H, 179th Inf. Regt., 45th Inf. Div.; DOW 30 May 1944 near Campoleone, S of Rome, Italy; Breakout from Anzio Beachhead - Italian Mainland > Battle of Anzio.

† Reynolds, Elmer Dale, SN 37-483-681, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • b. 8 Dec 1917 Co. Bluffs; s/o Harry P. Reynolds (d. 1924) & Alice P. Anderson of Co. Bluffs; ss/o John J. Carroll Sr.; entered service 13 Jul 1943 from Co. Bluffs; bur Walnut Hill Cem., Co. Bluffs.
  • Co. K, 30th Inf. Regt., 3rd Inf. Div.; KIA 16 Aug 1944 near St. Tropez, southern France; Operation Dragoon - France Liberated > Southern France.
 
† Rhoads, Guy Benjamin, SN 648-06-39, US Navy, Custer Co., NE
  • b. 4 Mar 1918 Cozad, Dawson Co., NE; s/o John C. Rhoads & Rose M. Sprague (d. 1935); lived in rural Calloway, Custer Co., NE.
  • Submarine USS Seawolf (SS 197); DNB 3 Oct 1944 off Morotai, Dutch Indies, S of the Philippines; Seawolf sunk by friendly fire, all 83 crew & 17 US Army passengers dead; North & Central Pacific > Towards the Philippines; BNR.
 
† Rhoten, Roy Edward, SN 958-10-13, US Navy, Harrison Co.
  • b. 3 Nov 1926 Modale, Harrison Co.; s/o William E. Rhoten & Olive M. Fox, Harrison Co. natives; entered service 11 Feb 1945 from Magnolia, Harrison Co.
  • Cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA-35); KIA 30 Jul 1945 in the Philippine Sea en route from Guam to Leyte; Indianapolis sunk by Japanese submarine I-58; 879 died, 316 survived; Japan Overpowered > Japan under Attack; BNR.
 
† Riddle, Carl William, SN 648-73-55, US Navy, Pott Co.
  • b. 7 Dec 1920 Bloomington, McLean Co., IL; s/o George W. Riddle of Illinois & Maude E. Gaines of Illinois & Co. Bluffs; entered service 16 Nov 1942 from Co. Bluffs.
  • Destroyer USS Cooper (DD 605); KIA 3 Dec 1944 off west coast of Leyte, Philippines; Cooper sunk by Japanese destroyer torpedo; 191 dead, 168 survivors; Battle of Ormoc Bay - Philippines Liberated > Philippines Naval Losses; BNR.
 
† Rihner, John Jerome, SN 37-422-955, US Army, Shelby Co.
  • b. 24 Dec 1915 Washington Twp., Harrison Co.; s/o John Rihner (d. 1932) & Mary Olson (d. 1928); m. Cleal N. Taylor; entered service 7 Nov 1942; bur. Shelby Cem., Shelby Co.
  • Co. G, 116th Inf. Regt., 29th Inf. Div.; KIA 3 Sep 1944 Brittany, France; Battle of Brittany - France Liberated > Northern France.

† Ring, Clinton Ross, SN 37-752-270, US Army, Harrison Co.
  • b. 16 Mar 1926 Lincoln, Lancaster Co., NE; s/o Joshua A. Ring & Carrie W. Elkins of rural Lancaster Co.; family moved to Cincinnati Twp., rural Modale, Harrison Co. in 1937; entered service 16 Sep 1944 from Rt. 1, Mondamin, Harrison Co.; bur. Cheney Cem., Lancaster Co., NE.
  • Co. C, 182nd Inf. Regt., Americal Div.; KIA 12 Apr 1945 Cebu Island, Philippines, bullet wound; Philippines Liberated > Southern Philippines.

† ​Rink, Paul Lloyd, SN O-723687, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • b. 26 Sep 1918 Co. Bluffs; s/o Ernest L. Rink & Sarah M. Barrett of Co. Bluffs (div.); ss/o Rev. Judson T. Perkins; entered service 31 Jan 1943 from Co. Bluffs; bur. Shelby Cem., Shelby Co.
  • 742th Bomb. Sqdn., 455th Bomb. Gp., 15th AF, based at San Giovanni, near Foggia, Apulia, Italy; Consolidated B-24J Liberator #42-78500 navigator w/ pilot Louis Stengl; KIA 17 Aug 1944 over Ploesti, Romania, plane fell SE of target area; crew of ten all died, body burned beyond identification; The MTO > MTO Air War.
 
† Roarty, Paul Thomas, SN 17-004-319, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • b. 3 Jul 1919 Co. Bluffs; s/o John J. “Bernard” Roarty & Mary T. Fitzgerald; entered service 9 Aug 1940 from Co. Bluffs; bur. St. Joseph Cem., Co. Bluffs.
  • 787th Tech. Sch. Sqdn., Lincoln Army Air Base, Lancaster Co., NE; DNB 8 Jul 1942 near Lincoln; auto accident.
 
† Robinson, William Brigham Haight, SN O-673901, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • b. 30 May 1916 Co. Bluffs; s/o Roland P. Robinson & Nina K. Swanson of Co. Bluffs; m. Helen Virginia Lainson of Co. Bluffs (div.), one child; m. Pauline I. Anderson 1942; entered service 18 Apr 1942 from Co. Bluffs; bur. Lorraine American Cem., St. Avold, Lorraine, France.
  • 779th Bomb. Sqdn., 464th Bomb. Gp.,15th AF, based at Pantanella, near Foggia, Apulia, Italy; Consolidated B-24J Liberator #44-41053 Black Mike bombardier w/ pilot Norman O. Overholt; KIA 10 Sep 1944 near Glinzendorf ten miles E of Vienna, Austria; plane hit by flak & exploded over target, eight (maybe six) died, two or four lived; The MTO > MTO Air War.
 
† Rockwell, Harold Ralph, SN O-782622, USAAF, Pott. Co.
  • b. 19 Mar 1922 Co. Bluffs; s/o Ralph R. Rockwell & Katherine J. Weiss of Co. Bluffs; m. Norma R. Boyer of Council Bluffs 1943; entered service 28 Mar 1943 from Co. Bluffs; bur. Cedar Lawn Cem., Co. Bluffs.
  • 360th Service Gp., Combat Replacement Training Center, based at Nadzab, New Guinea; on Douglas C-47B Skytrain/Dakota #43-16204 w/ pilot Jacob E. "Jack" Wondaal, en route from Nadzab, New Guinea to Port Moresby, New Guinea; DNB 19 Feb 1945, plane crashed near Waa, New Guinea; seven dead, radio operator survived; South & SW Pacific > New Guinea.
 
† Rogers, Bernard R., SN 37-038-953, US Army, Harrison Co.
  • b. 23 Jan 1914 Pisgah, Harrison Co.; s/o Robert F. Rogers & Ethel F. McDunn (d. 1938), Harrison Co. natives; entered service 21 Jun 1941 from Woodbine, Harrison Co.; bur. Magnolia Cem, Harrison Co.
  • Co. B, 6th Engineering Combat Bn., 6th Inf. Div.; KIA 31 Mar 1945 near Shimbu Line, Central Luzon, Philippines; Philippines Liberated > Luzon.
 
† Rohlfs, Frederick Theodore, SN O-339452, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • b. 3 Nov 1914 Avoca, Pott. Co.; s/o Hans G. Rohlfs (d. 1933) & Emmaline E. Bleich of Avoca; m. Thelma J. Lewis 1939, two children; entered service 30 Jun 1941 from Afton, Union Co.; released from active duty 16 May 1943; bur. Graceland Cem., Avoca.
  • Co. E, 27th QM Regt.; d. 24 Jun 1944 near Lorimer, Union Co.; auto accident.
 
† Rohrberg, Robert George, SN 37-490-420, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • b. 29 May 1925 Silver City, Mills Co.; s/o Henry C. Rohrberg & Emma M. Spetman (div.); ss/o Alfred Elmore; entered service 17 Feb 1944 from Co. Bluffs; bur. Mem. Park Cem., Co. Bluffs.
  • Co. F, 13th Inf. Regt., 8th Inf. Div., VII Corps, First Army; KIA 23 Feb 1945 near Düren, North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany; Rhineland 1945 > North Rhineland 1945.
 
† Rold, John Angus “Jack”, SN O-2007132, US Army, Cass Co.
  • b. 12 Nov 1924 rural Avoca, Fairview Twp., Shelby Co.; s/o William A. Rold & Lillie McKenzie; family moved to Benton Twp., Cass Co. NE of Atlantic in late 1920s; entered service 18 Mar 1943 from Rt. 3, Atlantic; bur. Atlantic Cem.
  • Co. K, 276th Inf. Regt., 70th Inf. Div., XXI Corps, Seventh Army; DOW 8 Mar 1945 Forbach, near Saar River, Lorraine, France; Rhineland 1945 > South Rhineland 1945.
 
† Rommel, Max C., SN 510622, USMC, Pott. & Fremont Cos.
  • b. 1 Sep 1923 Co. Bluffs; s/o Frank C. Rommel & Flora E. Van Doren; family moved to rural Tabor, Fremont Co. ~ 1935; entered service 8 Dec 1942 from Tabor; bur. Nat’l Cem. of the Pacific, Honolulu, Oahu, HI.
  • Co. E, 6th Marine Regt., 2nd Marine Div.; KIA 27 Nov 1943 Buariki Islet, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Is.; Battle of Tarawa - North & Central Pacific > Gilbert & Marshall Islands.
  • Notes: brother of Margaret (Rommel) Bertelsen Winkler, former Big Pigeon area schoolteacher; died w/ my uncle's nephew Ralph Paulson of Ames, Story Co.
 
† Ronnfeldt/Ronnefeldt, Roy Robert, SN 37-189-109, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • b. 4 Jun 1919 Pleasant Twp., Pott. Co.; s/o Charles W. Ronnfeldt (d. 1937) & Louise Heesch (d. 1943) of rural Avoca, Pott. Co.; m. Nora _____; entered service 23 Mar 1942; bur Graceland Cem., Avoca.
  • Co. G, 358 Inf. Regt., 90th Inf. Div.; KIA 6 Dec 1944 Pachten, near Dillingen, on Saar River, N of Saarlouis, Saarland, Germany; Lorraine & Alsace > Lorraine Campaign.
  • Notes: Appears to have used surname Ronnefeldt during military service. The 358th Inf. Regt. crossed the Saar River on 6 December 1944 against heavy enemy fire and continued advancing through the Siegfried Line until 21 December.  On 5 January 1945, the 90th Div. was relieved by the 94th Div. and transferred to the Ardennes.