Cerro Gordo County Iowa
Part of the IAGenWeb Project
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The Globe-Gazette
By David Mayberry
“We were proud to tell those stories about Vietnam, and we felt there were more to tell,” said Editor David Mayberry. “Similar to Vietnam, we hope to let our neighbors
learn about the Korean conflict and what role North Iowa played in it. "As evidenced by comments of the Vietnam veterans we profiled, many hadn’t widely shared their stories before we talked to them, and that’s unfortunate.
But if we can facilitate those stories and help people learn from those experiences, I think it will be another success that North Iowans can enjoy and reflect on for a long time,” Mayberry said.
The Globe Gazette is searching for North Iowans to profile for the project. The series will begin on Veterans Day — Friday, Nov. 11 — and run through May. The weekly stories will be printed on Tuesday and
also available at
www.globegazette.com. More than 85,000 Iowans were in the armed forces during the 37-month conflict. More than 500 Iowans died, including 35 from North Iowa.
by John Skipper
MASON CITY — A plaque in the lobby of the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse honors the men and women from the county who have given their lives in military service.
Eighteen names are enshrined from the Korean War — 13 from Mason City, three from Plymouth, one from Rockwell and one from Clear Lake.
Nearly 34,000 troops died in battle. Almost 20,000 died of other causes. More than 100,000 were wounded and 8,000 were declared missing in action.
And yet, it has often been called “the forgotten war,” the one that occurred between World War II and Vietnam.
One of the names on the courthouse plaque is that of Albert Chavez of Mason City. He had served in World War II and chose to serve his country again in Korea.
His mother learned in 1951 that her son had been captured by the enemy. She heard nothing more for three years and then received word from the Army he had died of malnutrition not long after he was captured.
That is just one of the stories from North Iowa.
Wayne Oswood of Mason City remembers being a 19-year-old kid on his way to Korea on a battered Merchant Marine ship.
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On the heels of a successful series on North Iowa veterans of the Vietnam War, the Globe Gazette is planning another slate of profiles on veterans.
This one will focus on area veterans of the Korean War.
