Black Hawk County

Cpl. Richard L. Remetch

~Published Des Moines Register, Feb. 27, 1944

 

It’s ‘Funny Feeling’ in Front Lines

“I am still alive and feeling good.  We have been in the front lines and boy, it sure gives us a funny feeling,” wrote Cpl. Richard L. Remetch from north Africa.

The letter, postmarked Feb. 24, was received Tuesday morning by Miss Maxine Welch, 706 Cottage street, and was apparently written after Rommel’s last drive when a number of Iowa boys were reported missing in action.

Corporal Remetch stated he was allowed to write only one page and the boys were anxious to receive mail from home.  He is the son of Marion C. Remetch, 712 North Barclay street. Before leaving with a national guard unit in 1941, Remetch was employed by the Galloway company.

Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, March 16, 1943

REMETCH KILLED IN NORTH AFRICA

Cpl. Richard L. Remetch, 23, of Waterloo was killed in action in north Africa on April 30, the War Department Monday informed his father, Marion C. Remetch, 712 North Barclay street.

Corporal Remetch entered the army with a Waterloo national guard company in January, 1941.

He had been in north Africa since last year, and in a letter to Miss Maxine Welch, 706 Cottage street, dated Feb. 24, and received March 16, Corporal Remetch had said that he was in the front lines and “it sure gives us a funny feeling.”

Surviving besides the father are two brothers, both in the Army: Cpl. Melvin Remetch, with the air force in Hawaii, and Pvt. Alvin Remetch, in Iceland. His mother and one brother are dead.

He was born Jan. 16, 1920, in Waterloo.

Before entering the army, he was employed here by the Galloway company.

Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, May 24, 1943 (photo included)

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)