Video: Collections: Iowa's WWII Stories
On December 7, 1941, the United States entered World War II. By the time the war ended on August 15, 1945, almost every person on earth was affected in one way or another. Iowans who were at home had major roles to play in winning the war as well. Their sacrifice helped determine what kind of conditions, both political and social, would exist once the war was over. More than 276,000 Iowans went into military service during World War II. 8,398 never returned. Iowa Public Television's collection of veteran's oral histories is a tribute to those Iowans who put their lives on hold for more than three years to fight against the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan. This collection preserves the memories of some of those Iowans who served on the home front and the battlefront.
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World War II Veteran: Harold Lamont Schoolen
Harold Schoolen of Ottumwa, Iowa was a truck driver in the 2nd Cavalry Division. Harold shares his adventures hauling troops and ammunition in France and Italy. 09:47
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World War II Veteran: Donald R. Vaughn (Don)
Don Vaughn of Ottumwa, Iowa talks about his training after being drafted in the Army in March, 1943 and his service in Europe as Staff Sergeant in the coast artillery and field artillery. 10:25
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World War II Veteran: Richard Henneman
Richard Henneman talks about surviving a brutally cold winter in France, Germany and Belgium. 10:21
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World War II Veteran: Richard O. Keep (Dick)
Dick Keep learned to speak German from his mother and grandmother growing up on the farm. He served as interpreter for his little squadron or platoon of 20 soldiers. 10:18
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World War II Veteran: Robert A. Helgerson (Bob)
Bob Helgerson of Ottumwa, Iowa talks about his '90 day wonder' training in the Navy, and his experiences aboard the Intrepid. 10:58
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World War II and the Home Front: Ed Tubbs (#1)
To help win the fight from the home front, the U.S. government asked its citizens to increase production of everything from ammunition to food. Ed Tubbs went to work for the Jasper Country Extension... 01:14
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World War II and the Home Front: Vivian Schleihs Builds Aircraft in Des Moines (#2006)
During some of the breaks between flying missions there was time for relaxation and, of course, letter writing, the most common long distance communication device of the day. Back in Iowa, Ray... 01:00
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World War II Veteran: Thelma Kardon (#2006)
For some, joining the service was a chance to relocate. Thelma Kardon, formerly Sherman, was a 21 year-old native of Chelsea, Massachusetts who joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in November of... 01:32
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World War II and the Home Front: Rex Holmes (#1)
As the battle raged on in Tunisia, 15-year old Rex Holmes of Red Oak waited in the Western Union Telegraph office in the Red Oak Hotel. 01:50
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World War II and the Home Front: Working at Maytag in Newton | Hollys "Pat" Harrison (#1)
Maytag was one of the Iowa firms that stopped producing consumer goods and started making war supplies. 01:04
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World War II and the Home Front: Jeanne Ersland and the Des Moines Ordnance Plant (#1)
As more men were sent away to fight, women were hired to take over their positions on the assembly lines. Before World War II, women had generally been discouraged from working outside the home.... 01:59
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World War II Veteran: Russell Smith (#2006)
By mid-summer 1944, members of company "I" were attacking German troops somewhere north of Rome, Italy. "Bill" Smith was returning to the battlefield after requesting an artillery barrage when... 01:15
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World War II Veteran: Luther Smith (#1)
In the skies over Italy, 24 year-old First Lieutenant Luther Smith of Des Moines, was on his second tour of duty. 03:12
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World War II Veteran: Ray Schleihs (#1)
In April of 1944, 27-year old Second Lieutenant Ray Schleihs of Johnston, was starting his overseas tour of duty. Schleihs had joined the Army Air Corps in March of 1942 and was now piloting B-17... 02:07
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World War II Veteran: Al Rolfes (#1)
After landing on Saipan in June of 1944, First Lieutenant Al Rolfes had dug in above Tannipeg harbor. 01:16
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World War II Veteran: John Phillips (#1)
In January of 1945, 22 year-old John Phillips of Waterloo was part of a group of replacement troops sent to the 106th Infantry Division fighting the Battle of the Bulge. After taking the town of... 03:26
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World War II Veteran: Elvin Moritz (#1)
Moritz and other members of the 168th were surrounded by German troops at the Battle of Faid Pass in February of 1943. Major Robert Moore of Villisca was in command of the more than 900 men... 01:08
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World War II Veteran: Ruth Miller (#1)
After being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, Ruth Miller was assigned to the 110th Evacuation Hospital and sent to Europe in 1944. The 110th's job was to set up near the battle front, bandage... 03:01
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World War II Veteran: Glenn McDole (#1)
McDole was at the Cavite Naval Base in the Philippines when the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor began. Because the Philippines are on the other side of the international dateline, the battle began... 00:57
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World War II Veteran: Dean Lettington (#1)
As part of the 559th Field Artillery Battalion, Lettington had spent the last few months fighting across France. 01:33
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