C. D. WEILAND DIES IN MANILA
Lake Man Makes Supreme Sacrifice
Clear Lake—Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Weiland, 418 Winnie street, received word from the War Department Thursday that her son, Cletus D. Weiland, technician 5/g, had been killed in action in Manila, P.I., Feb. 26. The message stated that a letter would follow.
Tech. 5/g Weiland entered service March 31, 1942, and was sent to Fort Riley, Kans., for training in a cavalry unit. From there he went to Fort Bliss, Texas, and in November visited home. He spent 2 months on maneuvers in Louisiana and in July, 1943, was sent to San Francisco, Cal., after having had a furlough in June.
He was sent to Brisbane, Australia, and in January, 1944, to New Guinea. In March he went to the Admiralty Islands and was in the drive on Leyte last October. Early in January of this year he landed on Luzon. His last letter was written Feb. 21.
Tech. 5/g Weiland was born near Britt, Iowa, July 26, 1918. He attended Clear Lake high school and was employed by the Clear Lake Sand and Gravel Company before entering the service.
Besides his parents, he is survived by 2 sisters, Mrs. Kenneth Lincicum and Miss LaVonne Weiland, at home; a brother, Pvt. Norman Weiland, Camp Robinson, Ark., and his grandmother, Mrs. J. C. Greenwalt, Britt.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, March 23, 1945
PURPLE HEART SENT PARENTS
Decoration Awarded T-5 Cletus D. Weiland
Clear Lake - Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Weiland, 418 Winnie street, received the Purple Heart decoration awarded their son, T/5 Cletus D. Weiland, posthumously by the war department.
T/5 Weiland was killed in action in Manila, P. I., Feb. 26, 1945.
Mr. and Mrs. Weiland have also received a letter from Capt. John Barr, service troop 12th cavalry, formed in October, 1942, of which their son was an original member. He spoke of T/5 Weiland as a man dependable, thorough, willing and capable of performing any duty asked of him, a man of pleasing personality and strong character.
With reference to the death of their son, Capt. Barr said: "During the battle for Manila, on Feb. 26, it was reported to the commanding officer of the regiment near echelon that a party of Japs had infiltrated our lines and was nearing our installation. The CO asked for volunteers to patrol the area in which the Japs were reported. The volunteer patrol, of which Cletus was a member, contacted the Japs and in the ensuing fight he was hit in the heart. He died instantly, experiencing no pain or suffering. His body was taken to a United States army cemetery on Luzon where proper religious and military burial rites were performed.
"I fully realize that there is little anyone can say which will to any extent alleviate the great loss of your son but I am writing in the hope that this information will be of some comfort to you."
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, May 2, 1945
MEMORIAL SERVICE SUNDAY TO HONOR FIGHTING MEN
Joint public memorial service honoring 6 men of the armed forces who have given their lives in combat will be held Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock at Music Hall. The Rev. Ernest A. Bergeson, pastor of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, will give the eulogy. Mrs. T. J. Kiesselbach will be soloist.
Burial flags from the U. S. government will be present to the next of kin of the following: Clair B. Edel, Gordon Findlay, Edwin E. Sowles, Donald G. Stubbs, William F. Wahrer, Jr., and Cletus D. Weiland.
Gold star citation scrolls from the national department of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and flowe4rs from the 2 organizations will also be presented to the relatives of the men honored.
The service will open with a 5 minute piano prelude, played by Mrs. Harry Wolf. Honor guard and firing squad for the service will be furnished by Company E of the Iowa State Guard, under the command of Capt. Leslie Whipple.
A letter of condolence from the city government will be read by Mrs. Clifford Dehnert, president of the American Legion Auxiliary. Buglers of the day are Bill Nicholas and John Reuber. The services, sponsored by the American Legion and the V. F. W., will be under the direction of the Legion, with Comdr. Elias Kelroy presiding.
All veterans’ organizations will attend in a body with their colors and are requested to be a Music Hall at 3:45.
Tyler Stewart is in charge of arrangements.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, September 28, 1945 (photos included)
BODIES OF IOWA VETS RETURNED
North Iowans Among Yanks on Transport
Remains of 4,459 Americans who lost their lives during World War II are being returned to San Francisco from Manila aboard the United States Army Transport Lt. George W. G. Boyce, the department of the army announced Monday.
Armed forces dead originally interred in temporary military cemeteries in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands are among those being brought to this country.
A total of 110 remains are being returned upon instructions of next of kin residing in Iowa.
North Iowans in the list include the following:
T/5 Cletus D. Weiland, Clear Lake.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, June 1, 1948
TO BE BURIED AT LAKE—
The body of Cletus D. Weiland, technician 5th grade, who was killed in Manila, P.I., Feb. 26, 1945, is expected to arrive in San Francisco, Cal., about June 3, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Weiland, 418 Winnie street, Clear Lake, have been informed. After about 10 days the body will arrive at Kansas City, Mo., and from there will be sent to Clear Lake. The Wilcox funeral home will be in charge of arrangements.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, June 3, 1948 (photo included)
ATTEND FUNERAL.
Britt—Mrs. Catherine Weiland Greenwalt was in Clear Lake to attend military funeral rites for her grandson, T/5 Cletus Weiland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Weiland, who was killed in action in Iwo Jima in 1945. Cletus was born near Britt but entered service from Cerro Gordo county. Burial took place in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, July 23, 1948
