Black Hawk County

Robert Francis Manske

 

 

GOLD STAR HOMES SAY RATIONING NO HARDSHIP AT ALL

Waterloo families whose boys have been killed or reported missing in action are considering food rationing only a small gesture of patriotism. Gold Stars are numerous now and their number is steadily mounting. And these gold star families are feeling far greater emptiness in their homes than the partial emptiness in their cupboards or their refrigerators.

Lost At Pearl Harbor.

Mrs. Frank Manske, Grant highway, who lost her only son Robert Francis in the attack on Pearl Harbor said:

“I’d sooner give up a lot more things if I could have my boy back.”

“But I’m willing now to give up butter or meat or anything so that some of the other boys can come back. I have enough gas to get to church, so I’m not complaining.”

The Manskes were the first Gold Star parents here. Their boy was the first Waterloo boy to die in this war.

“The Red Cross,” said Mrs. Manske, “will have all the help I can give them. They were very nice to us. Red Cross people were the first to call and inquire about my status and health.”

Source: Waterloo Sunday Courier, March 28, 1943

Iowa Honor Roll

These Iowans have given their lives for their country. Each man pictured here has been killed in combat or has died in a prison camp. This group includes the five Sullivan brothers of Waterloo, who went down with the Juneau. The fourth line under each picture indicates the area in which the man last served. Further Honor Roll photographs will be carried here later.

Source: The Des Moines Register, Sunday, February 27, 1944 (photos included)

Robert Francis Manske was born Apr. 6, 1919 to Frank and Katherine Burger Manske. He died Dec. 7, 1941 and is memorialized at the Courts of the Missing, Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii and at the USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Petty Officer Manske served in World War II with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Arizona (BB-39) and died in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Source: ancestry.com