Woodbury County

Pvt. Cecil Harbeck

 

SOLIDER FROM HERE KILLED
Pfc. Cecil Harbeck Was With Infantry in Germany

Pfc. Cecil Harbeck, 29, serving in the infantry, was killed in Germany December 20, according to a telegram from the War Department received Thursday by his wife, 2236 Fairbanks street.

The Sioux City soldier was sent overseas in May, 1944, and was stationed in England a short time before going into action.  He was wounded in the legs in Normandy, and was sent to a hospital in England.  This wound brought him the award of the Purple Heart.

He rejoined his company about the first week of December, being killed December 20.

Pfc. Harbeck entered the army December 21, 1942, taking his basic training at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Ark.  He started his infantry training at Fort Meade, Md., and continued it at Camp McCoy, Wis., before going overseas.

Survivors are his widow, Agnes; a daughter, Nettie Lou, 2 ½; a son, Wade, 3 months old, who he had never seen; his father, L. P. Harbeck of Sioux City; a sister, Truillia Harbeck of St. Joseph, Mo., and three brothers, Orville, with the marines in the South Pacific, Garnard, with the infantry in Germany, and Melvin, with the infantry in France.

Before entering the armed forces, Pfc. Harbeck was employed by the Sioux City Brick and Tile Company. He also was a former employee of T. S. Martin Co.

Source: The Sioux City Journal, January 5, 1945 (photo included)


Memorial Rites for Pfc. Harbeck Friday Evening 

Memorial services for Pfc. Cecil Harbeck, 29, will be held at 8 o’clock Friday evening in the First Christian Reformed church of which he was a member.

Pvt. Harbeck entered the army on December 21, 1942, and was killed in action in Germany on December 20, 1944.

Survivors besides the widow and two children are his father, L. P. Harbeck, a sister, and three brothers in overseas service.

Source: The Sioux City Journal, January 17, 1945

Cecil Wade Harbeck was born Nov. 28, 1915 to Louis and Helen Newsom Harbeck. He died Dec. 20, 1944 and is buried in Lorraine American Cemetery, Saint Avold, France.

Pvt. Harbeck served in World War II with the U.S. Army 313th Infantry Regiment. 79th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.

Sources: ancestry.com; abmc.gov