Dickinson County

Sgt. Alvin A. Linder

 

News Items from Milford Locality

Alvin Linder is back from maneuvers and hopes to be able to get a furlough home soon.

Source: Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, Iowa, Thursday, November 18, 1943, Page 12

BIRTHS

A daughter was born to Sgt. and Mrs. Albert Linder on April 17, 1945, at Waterloo. Sgt. Linder is on Okinawa island. The proud grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Louis Hammel of New Albin and Mrs. and Mrs. Oscar Schadt of Waterloo.

Source: The Milford Mail, Milford, Iowa, Thursday, May 17, 1945, Page 1

SGT. ALVIN LINDER KILLED IN ACTION
ON OKINAWA ISLAND

The tragic news that another Milford boy has paid with his life for the hopeful freedom of the world was received here this week in the announcement that Sgt. Alvin A. Linder has been killed while serving with the army in the Pacific area.

Mrs. Alvin Linder, his wife, now residing with her parents, received the official government telegram May 16, which informed her that her husband had been killed in action April 21, on Okinawa Island.

Sgt. Linder was born at Ocheyedan, Iowa, Sept. 14, 1921, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert W. Linder. When a small child he moved to Milford with his parents and received his education here, graduating from the Milford high school with the class of 1941.

He was inducted into the army October 19, 1942, and received his basic training at Camp Adair, Oregon. He was then transferred to Fort Lewis, Oregon, Camp White, Oregon, San Luis Obispo, Calif., and Camp Beale, Calif., respectively, before going overseas with an infantry division. He landed with the first troops at the invasion of the Philippines, before going to Okinawa.

Only last week The Mail carried the news of the birth of a new daughter to Sgt. and Mrs. Linder on April 17, just four days prior to Alvin’s death.

Alvin’s father was a veteran of World War I, and served overseas where he was gassed. He died several years ago. In addition to his wife and new daughter, Alvin is survived by his mother and foster father, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Hammil of New Albin, Iowa, and a sister, Lila Mae.

Source: The Milford Mail, Milford, Iowa, Thursday, May 24, 1945, Page 1

Memorial Service Is Held
For Sgt. Alvin Linder In Waterloo

A memorial service for Sgt. Alvin A. Linder was held Sunday, June 17, at Burton Avenue Baptist church, Waterloo.

Sgt. Linder was killed in action on April 21, 1945, while fighting with the 96th division in Okinawa. His wife, whose home is at Waterloo, has received the Purple Heart, awarded him post-humously. She also received a letter from his commanding officer, stating Alvin was instantly killed, and told where he had been buried. He also wrote of his courage and bravery in performing his duties.

Alvin was born in Ocheyedan Sept. 14, 1922. He came to Milford with his parents when a small child, attended school here and graduated from the local high school. He was inducted into the army service with a group of Dickinson county youths. Many of his former schoolmates and buddies have written their home folks expressing their sorrow when learning of his death, for he was well liked by all who knew him.

Source: The Milford Mail, Milford, Iowa, Thursday, June 28, 1945, Page 1

Sgt. Alvin A. Linder
Gets Posthumous Award

Mrs. Alvin A. Linder was presented with the Bronze Star medal which was awarded posthumously to her late husband, Sgt. Alvin A. Linder, for heroic service on Leyte Island on Nov. 11, 1944.

The award was given for the heroic service of Sgt. Linder on Nov. 11, 1944, when his company was pinned down by enemy fire. He voluntarily went three times a distance of 150 yards to help removed the wounded and thereby saved the lives of many men.

Sgt. Linder was killed on April 21, 1945, on Okinawa Island.

Mrs. Louis Hammel of New Albin, Iowa, mother of Sgt. Linder, Rev. and Mrs. Lustoff and Mrs. Oscar Schodl of Waterloo attended the presentation services with Mrs. Alvin Linder.

Source: The Milford Mail, Milford, Iowa, Thursday, October 25, 1945, Page 1

AMVET AUX. to SELL FORGET-ME-NOTS SAT.
Proceeds For Benefit Of  Disabled Veterans

The Milford Auxiliary of AmVets, formerly the United Service Women, are again sponsoring the Forget-Me-Not drive this year for the benefit of the Disabled War Veterans. Forget-me-not day is Saturday, Sept. 21, when the little blue flower will be worn all over the nation.

. . . The local Amvet Auxiliary has also “adopted” two children whom they will assist with clothing, recreation and education, one being the daughter of Alvin Linder, formerly of Milford, who was killed in Okinawa.

Source: The Milford Mail, Milford, Iowa, Thursday, September 19, 1946, Page 1

Rites Held Feb. 19 For Alvin Linder

A group of American Legion members were in Hartley Saturday afternoon, Feb. 19, to attend last rites for Sgt. Alvin Linder, whose body was returned from overseas for burial.

Sgt. Linder, a former Milford boy, was killed on Okinawa April 21, 1945. Legionnaires attending the funeral were Clyde Carpenter, Charles Wahlman, Dale Gilbert, Jack Drexler, George Wallace, Al Dagfinson, Elmer Kinkade, Loren Wahlman and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Chaffin.

Alvin Albert Linder, son of Albert and Mary Linder, was born near Ocheyedan, Iowa, on Sept. 14, 1921. When a small child he moved with his parents and sister, Lilah Mae, to Milford, where he received his education and graduated from the Milford high school with the class of 1941. On May 24, 1925, he was baptized by Rev. Charles Lang, pastor of the Evangelical church of Fostoria. On May 4, 1928, his father, Albert W. Linder, a veteran of World War I, passed away when Alvin was just six years old.

Alvin was a kind and thoughtful boy and very close to his mother and sister as he grew to manhood. He was inducted into the army Nov. 2, 1942, and received his basic training at camp Adair, Ore. He then was transferred to Ft. Lewis, Wash., and Camp Beale, Carlif. On Feb. 12, 1944, he was married to Glenola Schadt of Waterloo, Iowa, at Medford, Ore. In July, 1944, he was sent overseas with the 96th division. He was stationed at Hawaii and Leyte before going to Okinawa.

Sgt. Linder was killed on April 21, 1945, at Okinawa. Sgt. Alvin A. Linder was awarded posthumously the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star medal for heroic service on Leyte Island on Nov. 11, 1944. He went voluntarily three times under enemy fire to help remove the wounded and thereby saved the lives of many men.

He is survived by his widow and darling daughter, Julienne LaVae, four years old, of Waterloo, and his mother, Mrs. Mary Hammel, and sister, Mrs. Lilah Mae Molamphy of New Albin, Iowa.

Services were held for Sgt. Linder Saturday afternoon, Feb. 19, at 2 o’clock in the Foley funeral home of Hartley. The Rev. S. A. Kruschwitz, Chc. USNR, of the Hartley Methodist church officiated. Mrs. Paul Woodke and Ms. S. A. Kruschwitz sang “Sometime We’ll Understand,” “The Pearly City” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” Mrs. Harrison R. Pike accompanied at the piano.

Full military honors and rites were given at the funeral home and the grave in the Pleasant View cemetery by the AmVets and American Legion.

Pall bearers were Merle Albright, Robert Linder, Tom Miller, Darrel Bethke, Roy Mayer and Lawrence Bethke.

Source: The Milford Mail, Milford, Iowa, Thursday, March 03, 1949, Page 11