12 Men Called To Service This Week
The following men have been called for army service and are to be inducted the latter part of this week. … S-2308 William Moerman, Soo Center …
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 29, 1942, p 1
Bill Moerman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Moerman of Sioux Center sends his corrected address: Pvt. William Moerman, 60th Br. Co. A., No. 2 Plat., Camp Wolters, Texas.
Source: Sioux Center News April 2, 1942, p 8
Sioux Center: Bill Moerman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Moerman Sr. of Sioux Center has been transferred from Camp Wolters, Texas to camp Murray, Wash. Both Bert Bruinsma and Bill Moerman are in this camp in Washington. Bill says that he reads the Sioux Center News every week and enjoys the paper. His address is: Pvt. William Moerman, Co. F. 2nd Batt., 58th Inf. APO 309 Camp Murray, Wash.
Source: Sioux Center News June 4, 1942, p 8
New address of PFC William Moerman, Co. F. 2nd Batt. 58th Inf. 37112367, Tacoma, Washington.
Source: Sioux Center News June 11, 1942, p 8 (photo)
CORP. WM. MOERMAN
Corporal William Mormon is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Mormon Sr. of Sioux Center. He was recently promoted to the rank of corporal. He instructs the other soldiers in the art of machine gunning as he is corporal of the machine gun squad. Corp. Moerman notified his parents this week that his address had been changed from Tacoma to Seattle on the outgoing unit. His address now is: Corp. William Moerman, Co. F. 58th Infantry 37112367, c.o. Postmaster, APO 948, Seattle, Wash.
Source: Sioux Center News June 25, 1942, p 1
January 16, 1943
Dear Ed: I guess it is time that I let you know that I am receiving the newspaper. I received the one of December 10th today. I also got eleven Christmas and New Year's greeting cards. I wish that you would thank my friends for the letters they sent. I don't have enough time to answer all of them personally. I sure am glad to get the paper. Then I can read about the rest of my friends. I enjoy getting the letters from the Sioux Center civic club, and the American Legion. I sure was thankful for the package that the town sent. It is about one year ago that I left for the army and seven months ago I left the States.
I have seen a lot since I left home. My good friend PFC Bert Bruinsma is still in the same company as I am. Our morale is still good. Even though we don't get to see a town. The last town that we saw was Seattle seven months ago. We had a nice Christmas and New Year. They sure put on a big dinner. The army gives us good meals every day. I would like to write about this country. But every letter is censored.
Well I hope that we all can come home again soon. But not before we get all that yellow meat cured which is not far from us. It is my bedtime so I will close. Keep the home fires burning. Your friend, Bill Corp. William Moerman, Co. F. Md. Bn. 58th Inf. APO 948, c.o. Postmaster Seattle, Wash.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 4, 1943, p 11
Six Boys From Moerman Family Are In The Service
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Moerman have so far established a record in this immediate vicinity for the number of sons in the service of their country. They have five sons in the service and one son-in-law. One son, Paul, aged 12, remains at home.
(photo) PVT. CORNELIUS MOERMAN Pvt. Cornelius Moerman, the sixth son to leave, left August 15, 1943. His is stationed at Camp Beale, Calif. Recently Cornelius and Adrian had a chance to meet and spent the day with each other. Cornelius is married and has one child, a baby girl, Karen Kay who was born the day before he left for the service, August 14.
(photo) PVT. ADRIAN MOERMAN Pvt. Adrian Moerman, third of the Moerman brothers to leave, left for the service August 14, 1942. Adrian has been in the same camp, which is Camp Kohler, Calif., and is in for limited service due to poor eyes. Adrian also made his home in California before entering the army.
(photo) CORP. T-5 PETER MOERMAN Corp. T-5 Peter Moerman, the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Moerman to leave for the service. He left for the service on July 17, 1942. He was first stationed at Camp Lee, Virginia. From there he was transferred to Houston, Texas and in January 1943 went overseas to Persia. He is married and has a baby daughter whom he has never seen. She was born March 2, 1943. Peter was employed in the local Coop Produce Ass’n. prior to his entrance into the army.
(photo) PVT. JACK WEAVER RODIBAUGH Pvt. Jack Rodibaugh, son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Moerman, fourth to leave, entered the service Dec. 1, 1942. He had been stationed in Camp Claiborne up until about two months ago and then transferred to Shreveport, La. The family has been receiving letters from him but are unable to find out his exact location. He has an APO address. Mrs. Jack Rodibaugh, the former Nellie Moerman is making her home with her sister, Mrs. Lane Attema at Sioux City, where she is employed in a Piggly-Wiggly store. Prior to his entrance into the army they made their home in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(photo) SGT. WILLIAM MOERMAN Sgt. William Moerman left for the army on January 30, 1942. He was stationed at Camp Walters, Texas and then transferred to Seattle, Washington. In June 1942 he was promoted to Corp. and went overseas the same month. In October he was promoted to the rank of Sgt. and also received a medal for good conduct. William was the first son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Moerman to leave for the service. He is a machine gunner.
(photo) PVT. ARIE MOERMAN Pvt. Arie Moerman, better known as Harry, fifth to leave, entered the army June 1943. He has been stationed at the Lincoln Army Air Base, Lincoln, Nebr. up until this week, when he was transferred to Camp Buckley Field, Colorado, where he will attend school. His complete mew address is Pvt. Arie Moerman 37481860, 766 T.S.S., Buckley Field, Colorado. Harry was employed in a defense factory at Grand Rapids, Michigan before entering the army.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 11, 1943, p 2
Bill Moerman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Moerman, writes from Aleutian Islands
Dear Ed: Jan. 3, 1944
It is time that I drop you a few lines. I am still getting the paper and sure enjoy reading every part of it. I would like to thank my friends and the Civic Club and the American Legion for their letters and cards, and also the business girls for their packages. We are still in these Islands. Burt Bruinsma and I are still together. It sure can get plenty rough up here. It feels good to sit inside by the fire. We are starting on another year. I hope that this will be our last year up here. I would like to see some other part of the world, of course we shouldn't kick. We can get most of what we need. We get in to see a couple of shows a week. We have church service every Wednesday. That is if the chaplain can get here. There is a radio in our hut, so we get to listen to the news and some good programs. There is a big shower room here with plenty of hot and cold water. We still haven't seen a town since we left the States. Sometimes we get a half day off so we can play softball or football. But most of the time we are busy working or hiking. Well Ed, you are doing a great job by keeping the press rolling. So keep up the good work. We are in tip top shape and our morale is still high. It is time to call it a day, so I will hit the hay. Your friend, Bill Moerman P.S. My rank is now Staff Sgt.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 27, 1944, p 2
3 MOERMANS OVERSEAS 2 MORE GOING SOON
Mrs. Jack Rodibaugh has arrived home from Fort Sill, Okla., where she has been living with her husband Pfc. Jack Rodibaugh. Jack will quite likely be transferred back to Texas and thinks he will leave the states in a month or two. Mrs. Rodibaugh is the former Nellie Moerman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Moerman. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Moerman now have 3 sons overseas. Peter in Iran, Persia, S/Sgt. William Moerman is in the Aleutian Islands, and Cpl. Harry who has arrived in England. Pvt. Cornelius is somewhere on the East Coast and expects to leave the states anytime. Pvt. Adrian left the latter part of last week for Camp Kohler, Calif. after spending a furlough with his parents here, and also expects to leave the states soon after his return.
Source: Sioux Center News July 20, 1944, p 2
S/Sgt. William Moerman has a change of address which can be had by calleing either his parents or the News.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 24, 1944, p 10
HOME FROM ALEUTIANS
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Moerman received a telegram Sunday afternoon from their son, Staff Sgt. William telling them that he had arrived in Camp Swift, Texas, and would be coming home on a furlough after about two weeks. Bill has been in the service 3 ½ years and has been serving in the Aleutian Islands for the past 27 months.
Source: Sioux Center News, October 5, 1944
William Moerman, Bert Bruinsma, and Henry Addink, who have been serving in the Aleutian Islands for 27 months, all came home last Wednesday evening to spend a 21-day furlough at their respective homes here.
Source: Sioux County Index Oct. 19, 1944, p 7
SOLDIERS RECEPTION AT TOWN HALL TONIGHT FOR 4 VETERANS THURSDAY EVENING, TOWN HALL, OCTOBER 19 – 8 P.M.
Four servicemen who have returned from overseas areas will be community guests of honor at the town hall this week Thursday evening when the public will gather to welcome them home and hear their experiences. The four now home are William Moerman, army; Bert Bruinsma, army; Henry Addink, army, and Jesse Wells, navy. William Moerman, Bert Bruinsma, and Henry Addink have been stationed in the Aleutians. Jess Wells has been in North Africa, South America, Egypt, Trinidad, and other foreign parts. Between the four of them they will have a good deal of information to tell covering both army and navy activities in this war. The evening should be one that everyone will come out and enjoy. The business girls will serve lunch in the basement after the program.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 19, 1944, p 1
Staff Sgt. William Moerman, who recently returned to camp following a three week furlough which was spent with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Moerman, sends the following new address. S/Sgt. William Moerman Co. K. 159 Inf. Regt. Camp Swift, Texas
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 16, 1944, p 10
S/Sgt. Bill Moerman writes from his new station in California. Dear Friends: Dec. 20. ‘44 It is time that I drop you a few lines. I am now in sunny California. We left Texas last Saturday morning and rode on the train three days and nights. We are now stationed close to the Pacific Ocean. Our camp is on top of a hill. I can see the ocean when I look out of the window. This is the nicest camp I have been in since I got into the army. I don't know how long we are going to stay here or in the States. I know I will spend my Christmas up here. But that is better than being across. We are 13 miles from San Diego. I hope to go there this weekend, if we can get a pass. We are plenty busy now getting everything in order. I would like to thank everybody for their cards and letters and also the business girls for their swell gift.
I wish everybody a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Your friend, Bill P.S. Here is my new address: S/Sgt. William Moerman, 37112367, Co. K. 159th Inf. Regt., Camp Callan, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 28, 1944, p 9
S/Sgt. William Moerman also has an overseas address which is on file at the News.
Source: Sioux Center News March 1, 1945, p 2
Bill Moerman and Bert Bruinsma had a nice visit with Bernie Koops recently. Bill and Bert Bruinsma have been buddies since they entered the service, having joined the armed forces about three and a half years ago. Bert and bill are now living in a house with six other boys in a town named Bad Godesberg. Bernie is stationed about twenty miles away.
Source: Sioux Center News June 14, 1945, p 1
S/Sgt. William Moerman, Co. K. 159th Inf. Regt. APO 758, c/o Postmaster New York, New York
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 9, 1945, p 8
Enroute Home
Mr. and Mrs. Bert Bruinsma have received word from their son Pfc. Bert saying that they should not send him any more mail as he was leaving Germany and would be sailing for home the latter part of September. Henry Addink and Bill Moerman are in this same outfit.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 27, 1945, p 1
William Moerman was born Mar. 22, 1920 to Peter and Trintje Schelling Moerman. He died Aug. 22, 1981 and is buried in Memory Gardens Sioux Center Cemetery, Sioux Center, IA.
Sgt. Moerman served in World War II with the U.S. Army 159th Infantry.
Source: ancestry.com
