Sioux County

 

Cornelius C. Mol

 

 

First 220 Sioux Co. Men Drawn 

The draft list below is unofficial. It was made up by The Independent force from the list of serial numbers furnished by the Sioux county draft board and the unofficial list of numbers drawn in the national draft lottery. It includes only the first 220 Sioux county numbers drawn. 

Although we have taken every precaution to ensure the accuracy of the list, there may be mistakes in it. The Independent hopes to be able to publish a similar list from Union County soon. The serial number immediately before the name is the number given the registrant by the county draft board. The order number indicates the order in which each registrant’s serial number was drawn from the fish bowl, and also the order in which the men will be called up for service. 

Order Serial Name and Address No. No. … T-8 T-359 Cornelius C. Mol, Sioux Center … 

Source: Hawarden Independent March 19, 1942, p 6 

36 Men Leave For Service June 15 

82 MEN CALLED WITHIN THREE WEEKS 

The following men are scheduled to leave for induction on June 15, 1942. These men will leave from Orange City at 5 o’clock A.M. for Des Moines. … 

Cornelius C. Mol, S. Center - 10,008 … 

Source: Sioux Center News June 11, 1942, p 1 

Neal C. Mol was presented with a Bible during the Chr. Ed. Services in the evening having enlisted in the navy and he will leave this week. Mr. P. E. De Vries spoke on the Bible in the home, the first line of the spiritual defense. 

Source: Sioux Center News June 11, 1942, p 5 

Four Local Young Men To Leave On June 15th 

Four Sioux Center men will leave for army service on Monday, June 15th. They are: William Bierma, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Bierma, Bernard M. Ver Meer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Ver Meer, Bernard W. Koops, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Koops, and John Zommermand, son of Mr. and Mrs. Egbert Zommermand at Rock Valley. … 

Neal C. Mol, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Mol, who live east of Sioux Center, recently enlisted and left for the navy. He was scheduled to go in this group. 

Source: Sioux Center News June 11, 1942, p 8 

Cornelius “C” Mol A.S. Co. No. 458 U. S. Naval Training Station Great Lakes, Illinois Neal left her a week ago and writes his parents that he is getting along very well and would like to receive letters from his friends and relatives. 

Source: Sioux Center News June 18, 1942, p 12 

Neal C. Mol, stationed at Great Lakes, is a member of a vocal chorus of 125 voices that sings over the radio every Friday night. His new address is: Cornelius “C” Mol A.S., Co. No. 481, U. S. Naval Training, Great Lakes, Illinois. 

Source: Sioux Center News June 25, 1942, p 8 

Cornelius Mol Goes To Chicago 

Cornelius “C” Mol, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Mol, living near Sioux Center, has been transferred from the Great Lakes Naval Training Station to Chicago. The Clarence Mol family went to visit with their son and brother, leaving here a week ago Friday and arriving there Saturday noon to spend the weekend. 

Neil will attend a Navy service school for about two months in Chicago and will then be eligible for furlough after he graduates. His new address is: Cornelius “C” Mol A.S., Company 20, Section H-225, Diesel School, Navy Pier, Chicago, Ill. 

Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 6, 1942, p 8 

Hospitalized 

Cornelius Mol, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Mol living near Sioux Center, will continue in school at Chicago with the U. S. Navy for two weeks longer, as he was hospitalized with bronchitis for 2 weeks. He has a slight change in address: Cornelius C. Mol, A. S. Co. 22, Sec. D-113, Diesel School, Navy Pier, Chicago, Ill. 

Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 17, 1942, p 8 

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Mol and family returned home the latter part of the week after spending a few days with their son and brother Neal C. Mol at the Great Lakes Naval Training school as he has completed his studies and expects to leave in the near future. 

Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 15, 1942, p 8 

Cornelius C. Mol Mo. M.M. 2-c Diesel Eng. School Barracks N.O.B. Norfolk, Virginia 

Cornelius graduated from the Diesel school at Navy Pier, Chicago, last Friday the second highest in the class. On Saturday he left for the above address to attend an advanced school. He is now rated as 2nd Class Seaman. 

Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 29, 1942, p 12 (photo) 

NEAL C. MOL 

Neal C. Mol MM 2-c Deisel Eng. Sch. Barracks X.N.O.B. Norfolk, Virginia 

Neal Mol is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Mol. He has been in the service for five months, starting out at Great Lakes, then going to Chicago Pier and now for the past three weeks he has been at Norfolk, Virginia, where he expects to remain until Christmas. He is attending Diesel Engine School and getting along fine. He is Motor Machinists Mate, second class. Source: 

Sioux Center News Nov. 19, 1942, p 1 

December 17, 1942 Dear Editor: I wanted to do this sooner but putting off goes easier than doing. Thank you for putting such a large part of your paper to service men’s news, I read every bit of it, first and then also the sermonette and the rest of the local news. I would also like to thank the people of the community for making it possible for us to get our local newspaper. I usually get it during the first part of the week. 

Over here everything goes on in routine every day. We go to school from six till twelve in the forenoon and in the afternoon we study, write letters, wash clothes or whatever needs to be done. If we wish we may go on liberty but there isn't much to do in Norfolk so most of us stay quietly inside. This course lasts for eight weeks and the 23rd of this month we will be through and ready for transfer . So i wonder if you will hold next week's news till i send a new address. 

I would like to thank the American Legion and the Civic Club for their letters and hope they will continue to send us one every month. I would also like to thank the Sioux Center business women for their picture, Christmas wish and the Christmas package. I can use everything except cigarettes but I think they are all gone though already, because, well, there are lots of men who smoke here. So wishing everybody in Sioux Center and community a Merry Christmas and it sure feels good to know you have so many friends back home. 

Your friend, Neal C. Mol 

Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 31, 1942, p 7 

Cornelius “C” Mol Mo. M.M. 2-c Naval Barracks Group C Barracks 4-4 St. Helena Norfolk Navy Yards Portsmouth, Virginia 

Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 4, 1943, p 11 

Assigned to a Mine Sweeper 

Cornelius C. Mol, son of Clarence Mol, has gone back to school for another two months after which time he will go to sea on a mine sweeper. His new address is Cornelius C. Mol Mo. 2-c U.S. Navy, Savannah Machine and Foundry Co., Box 509, Savannah, Georgia. 

Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 18, 1943, p 12 

Savannah, Ga. April 17, 1943 

Dear Editor and Sioux Center friends: I should have written before but putting off is so easily done. I am in Savannah yet, though not for so long anymore cause our ship is not so far from completion now. Anyway our executive offices told us to send home our change of address today. You will find it at the end of this letter. I have been in Savannah for nearly two and a half months now and have enjoyed it here. At first I didn't like it here but after getting out and acquainted with some of its residents I started to like it a lot better. While we were here we have been stationed in Savannah itself instead of at the naval base near here. In the daytime we go to the shipyard where our officers in charge teach us many tricks to becoming a good sailor. Most of the crew including myself have never been to sea before so the information we get during these hours spent at the shipyard comes in very well. The crew consists mostly of men from the northern states and from the commanding officer down to the third class firemen are the finest bunch of fellows one can desire for shipmates. That is one of the greatest assets of a good warship. From your Service Men's section, I find that after I left Norfolk several fellows from Sioux Center have been there and left again. Almost every sailor docks in Norfolk during some part of the time he is in the navy, though it is one of the places he isn't very enthusiastic about. Mr. Roelofs, along with all other fellows, I would like to say thank you for the large part of your paper that is put to the service man's news and also for the sermonettes written by the ministers of our town. If it wasn't for that then we would not be able to keep track of all our friends and acquaintances. So do keep up the good work because we really appreciate it. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Civic Club and American Legion for all their letters. Also all my friends and relatives. I might add here that I really enjoy all the letters I receive and though I may be very slow in answering them, I try and do so sometime, sooner or later (usually it's later). I like the navy alright so far and believe I will continue to like it although I am looking forward to the time when peace will reign again, along with all the boys in the service. The navy is a great institution and one really learns a lot in it. But civilian life is a lot better though. Well friends, I haven't much on my mind anymore so hope to keep on hearing from many of you through the Sioux Center News and by letters. 

I appreciate the efforts of the people of Sioux Center and community for making it possible for all of us to receive our local newspaper. May God bless you all. Yours truly, Neil C. Mol 

Source: Sioux Center News April 22, 1943, p 10 

Address Change 

Cornelius C. Mol Mo. MM 2-c, Sec. 620-6t-26 (AM 125), U.S.S. Tide, c.o. Fleet Postmaster, New York City, N. Y. 

Source: Sioux Center News May 20, 1943, p 9 

New Address 

Cornelius C. Mol MO M.M. 2-c, Barracks 7A South Annex, USS Naval Receiving Station, Norfolk, Va. 

Neal has been in the hospital about a week with an infection in his foot. He has now been assigned to another ship, the U.S.S. Keokuk. He has been in the Navy since June 1942 and has not yet had a furlough, nor does he expect any for some time. 

Source: Sioux Center News June 24, 1943, p 2 

SIOUX COUNTY BOYS MEET IN NORTH AFRICA 

Cornelius C. Mol and Julius Hop of Alton surprised each other in North Africa recently when they met very unexpectedly. 

Cornelius is on a mine layer and had just made his first trip across the ocean landing on the shores of North Africa. He has never had a furlough since he entered the service last year, and this meeting with Julius Hop, a former Alton boy, was the first time he had met anyone he knew since he entered the navy. 

Cornelius C. Mol Mo. M.M. 2-c Serial No. 220-41-26 USS Keokuk, c.o. Fleet Postoffice New York City, N.Y. 

Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 26, 1943, p 2 

FIRST FURLOUGH IN 17 MONTHS SERVICE 

Cornelius Mol, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Mol, arrived home Monday during the snowstorm for his first furlough since he entered the service about seventeen months ago. 

Cornelius has been to Africa and back on a mine layer. He was previously serving on a mine sweeper, and when he returns he expects to serve on the U.S.S. Keokuk. Cornelius says the navy is alright but of course prefers civilian life to any other kind. 

Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 11, 1943, p 10 

Neal Mol was a Friday evening dinner guest in the Rev. Brunsting home. 

Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 18, 1943, p 6 

Dec. 12, 1943 Editor and Friends: Just a few lines to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and to thank the American Legion, Civic Club and personal friends for all the cards, letters and the Sioux Center News I received from you during the last year. It sure is swell to hear from all of you. Also want to thank the S. C. business girls for that Christmas package. That candy and fruitcake surely hit the spot. 

It is about a month ago that I was with you on a few days leave. It sure was wonderful visiting with you. I wish I could have met all my friends but the time was short and passed by quickly. Since I got back we soon left again and am seeing a lot of ocean once more. One doesn't realize the earth is three-fourths water until you get to see a little of it. 

We also had a change of address which you will find at the end of this letter. At present it is very warm out here. Quite different from the weather you must be having over there. At night it is cool and very nice on topside. Below deck it is as warm as in the daytime which is too warm to suit most of us. 

We spent Thanksgiving Day at sea and will probably spend Christmas and New Year's Day at sea also. Holidays and Sundays are very little different from any other day except that at noon, we have a better than average dinner. On holidays it often is turkey with the trimmings. One of the few things a guy really enjoys in the navy. The rest of the day is usually spent standing watches and doing the necessary work that has to be done. 

Folks, due to military regulations, there isn't much to write about. I sure hope to keep on hearing from you during 1944 as in 43. Mr. Roelofs, we all enjoy your newspaper very much and my only regret is that it doesn't always come through as regular as I would like to get it. Your friend, Neil C Mol (Call for his complete new address) 

Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 30, 1943, p 8 

Back To Sea Again (photo) CORNELIUS C. MOL MM 

2C Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Mol received a letter from their son Neal who is in the navy telling them that he had arrived in the States on Saturday, August 5 and had spent a 48 hour leave on the beach at San Francisco, Calif. He left the States for the Central Pacific on the 1st of May and wrote that they had a good trip, although it had been rather rough at times. His short leave did not allow him to come home and he expected to leave the States very soon again. 

Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 17, 1944, p 10 

NEWS OF OUR MEN and WOMEN IN UNIFORM

Sioux Center:

Cornelius Mol, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Mol, who is in the Navy, has been on the water for the past year. He arrived at the west coast the past week, and was expected home Wednesday on a short leave.

Source: Sioux County Capital, November 30, 1944

Home From Overseas Duty (photo) CORNELIUS C. MOL MO MM 

2/c Cornelius C. Mol MO MM 2/c, son of Clarence Mol, arrived home last week from the Southwest Pacific where he has been on sea duty since last Nov. when he was home on furlough. He was on a submarine net layer, which is a converted mine layer. 

Cornelius met Eddie Jansen last January in the Hawaiian Islands but since then has not see any of the boys of this community. He has an 11-day leave including travelling time and leaves again Thursday for the West Coast to go out on sea again to the Southwest Pacific. He has been in the service 2 ½ years. 

Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 7, 1944, p 1 

May 19, 1945 Dear Sirs: Eddie’s address has changed recently – it is as follows: Pfc. Edward H. Jansen 37466790, 767th Tk. Bn., 767th Tk. Bn. Med. Det., APO 957, c/o Postmaster, Frisco, Calif. 

If this should interest you, Neal C. Mol is back in Hawaii for about six weeks and he and Eddie have been visiting together frequently. Since Eddie’s change of location recently, he is again back at Schofield Barracks, where he has spent 22 months. In all, he has been across 24 ½ months. Here’s hoping you’ll send the News to this new address, as Eddie would certainly hate missing out on a single issue of the News, he thinks it’s a great paper. Sincerely, Mrs. Gertrude J. Jansen 

Source: Sioux Center News May 24, 1945, p 2 

Cornelius C. Mol, Motor machinist’s mate, second class, USNR, Sioux Center, Iowa, had the distinction on the USS Keokuk – a ship which Navy records have disclosed had probably a more varied career and a longer one than almost any ship of the fleet. 

The Keokuk is a survivor of two world wars, with continuous service beginning in 1914 when she was built for peaceful commercial trade. During the recently ended Pacific conflict, she went back to the wars to see the capitulation of Japan after suffering her first damage due to enemy action, an aerial bomb hit at Iwo Jima. In that operation she became known affectionately as “struggle buggy” because she was the oldest auxiliary in the campaign, if not the very oldest vessel present. Changes of name, classification and theaters of operations were common for the Keokuk. Proof of her staunchness is the fact that she still retains her original engines and boilers, though the latter units have been converted from coal to oil burners. Acquired by the Navy July 28, 1941, the ex-merchantman had a career as a cruiser-mine layer, taking part in virtually all of the Atlantic and European campaigns. Then, as a net layer, she saw service in most of the Pacific “hot spots”, including Okinawa. During World War I, the ship served as a train ferry, transporting box cars to Europe. 

Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 29, 1945, p 2 

Cornelius C. Mol Mo MM 1/c arrived at the parental home on Monday, Dec. 3 and is spending a 30-day furlough here. He has been in the service for 3 ½ years and has served in the Pacific for 2 ½ years. He must report at Omaha on January 2 and he hopes to receive his discharge soon. 

Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 20, 1945, p 2 

Listed among the names of persons discharged from the naval service January 14 was Cornelius C. Mol. 

Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 24, 1946, p 10 

Draft Board 

Minutes of January 22, 1946 … Class 1-C Discharged …, Cornelius C. Mol. … 

Source: Sioux County Capital Jan. 24, 1946, p 1 

CORNELIUS C. MOL DISCHARGED AFTER 3½ YEARS IN SERVICE (photo) CORNELIUS C. MOL 

Cornelius C. Mol, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Mol, received his discharge from the Navy on January 14 and arrived here Monday, January 21 after spending a week with his sister, Mrs. Frances Medema in Chicago. He has been in service three years and seven months, two and a half years overseas. He made a trip to Africa and then spent the remainder of his overseas time in the Pacific. He has been in the Marshall Islands, Tarawa, Eniwetok, Saipan, Philippines, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Pilue, during some of the heavy fighting. He was stationed on a net layer and minesweeper, worked with diesel engines and other power machinery in the maintenance end. He met Edward Jansen in the Hawaiian Islands several times, last September being their most recent meeting. He also met Marvin Mouw there about a year ago. He saw Julius hop in Africa about the time of the invasion there. Cornelius wears four battle stars. The Keokuk was hit by a Jap suicide ship at Iwo Jima and about twenty men were killed. 

Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 31, 1946, p 4 

Servicemen Discharged 

Servicemen who have filed discharges at the County Recorder’s office at Orange City since January 23 include: … Cornelius Mol, Maurice … 

Source: Sioux Center News Jan. 31, 1946, p 12

Iowa, U.S., World War II Bonus Case Files, 1947-1954, Claim Number 98895 

Cornelius C. Mol, Service #6206126, was born September 20, 1920, at Sioux Center, Iowa, where he was residing when he enlisted in the Navy on June 12, 1942, at Des Moines, Iowa. He served at NTS Great Lakes, Ill. and on the U.S.S. Tide and the U.S.S. Keokuk, left for overseas service on May 20, 1943, returned on November 22, 1945, and was honorably discharged on January 14, 1946. His application for bonus pay was filed on May 20, 1949, for which he received $500.00. 

Source: ancestry.com