PFC. GERRIT J. VIS KILLED ON OKINAWA
Parents Received Official Word Thursday; Memorial Services Will Be Held On Friday
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Vis received the sad news through an official message last Thursday [July 19], that their son, Pfc. Gerrit J. Vis, was killed in action on Okinawa on April 28th, 1945.
Memorial services for Gerrit will be held in the First Reformed Church of Hull on Friday evening, July 27, beginning at 8:00 o'clock. Rev. A. Cammenga of the Protestant Reformed Church, the family pastor, will conduct the services.
The family is extended the sincere sympathy of the entire community in the death of their loved one, a fact which was almost a certainty to them for several weeks but which was not confirmed until the official notice arrived last Thursday.
Pfc. Gerrit J. Vis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Vis, was born at Hull, Iowa on October 15, 1924. He grew to manhood in this vicinity and received his schooling in the rural schools of the county.
He entered the Armed Services, in the U.S. Army, on November 3, 1943. He enjoyed a furlough at home during the first part of July, 1944. Pfc. Gerrit J. Vis left for overseas duty in August, 1944, going first to the Hawaiian Islands, then to New Hebrides and landed on Okinawa on April 8, 1945. He was killed in action on April 28th.
Besides his parents he is survived by four brothers and seven sisters, namely, Rev. Peter Vis of Rock Valley, Elizabeth (Mrs. Cornie Zevenbergen) of Orange City, Henrietta (Mrs. S. Cammenga) of Orange City, Edward of Orange City, and Gertrude, Kathryn, Walter, Nellie, John, Cornilia and Margaret at home.
Source: Sioux County Index (Hull), July 26, 1945.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Vis, of Hull, received official notice from the government on July 19th, reporting their son’s death on Okinawa on April 28th. The family had word from their son’s buddies of his death, but this is the first official word they have received.
Pfc. Gerrit J. Vis was killed in action on April 28th. He was an Infantryman, in a Browning Automatic Rifleman’s Unit.
Memorial services will be held in the First Reformed Church of Hull on Friday evening, July 27th, at 8 p.m. Rev. A. Cammenga of the Protestant Reformed Church will officiate.
Gerrit Vis was born Oct. 15, 1924. He entered the service Nov. 3, 1943, had a furlough July 3, 1944 and left for overseas service, August 1944. He went to Hawaii and then to New Hebrides, and went into action in April 1945.
Survivors include his parents, and the following brothers and sisters: Rev. Peter Vis, of Rock Valley; Elizabeth (Mrs. Cornie Zevenbergen); Henrietta (Mrs. S. Cammenga); and Edward, of Orange City; Gertrude, Kathryn, Walter, Nellie, John, Cornelia and Margaret, all at home.
Source: Sioux Center News, July 26, 1945
Military Rites Will Be Held For Pfc. G. J. Vis Saturday
Military rites will be held for the late Pfc. Gerrit J. Vis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Vis of Hull, at Hope cemetery Saturday afternoon, at 1:00 p.m. Pfc. Vis was killed in action on Okinawa on April 28th, 1945.
Pfc. Gerrit J. Vis was born at Hull, Iowa, on October 15, 1924. He grew to manhood in this vicinity and received his schooling in the rural schools of the county.
He entered the Armed Services in the U. S. Army on November 3, 1943. He left for overseas duty in August, 1944, going first to the Hawaiian Islands, then to New Hebrides and landed on Okinawa on April 8th, 1945. He was killed in action on April 28th.
Besides his parents he is survived by four brothers and seven sisters.
The body will arrive here Friday. The Memorial Services will be in charge of the local Wegman-Koele Post of the American Legion.
On July 27, 1945, the Memorial Services were held in the First Reformed Church of Hull, with Rev. A Cammenga conducting the services.
Notice To All Ex-Servicemen
All Ex-Servicemen, whether Legion members or not, please meet at the Hope Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon, March 18, to pay final tribute to one of our fallen comrades, Pfc. Vis.
Please come in uniform, if possible. If your uniform does not fit and you have a Legion cap, wear that. If that is impossible come in your civilian clothes.
As many veterans as possible are requested to be at the Depot when the body of the late Pfc. Vis arrives Friday. The train is due here in the forenoon. Check at the Post Office Friday morning for more definite time.
Source: Sioux County Index, Hull, Iowa, March 16, 1950
