Draft Board Makes More Classifications Of Men
Minutes of December 30, 1942
Appeals received from Appeal Board ....
Frederick William Braakman, Sioux Center, Iowa. Appeal denied. Registrant retained in Class 1-A.
Source: Sioux County Index Jan. 7, 1943 p 4
Another Large Group Will Take Army Examinations
91 Sioux County Men To Take Exams On Jan. 12; Will Be Granted A Seven Day Furlough
The following named registrants have been ordered to report for Army examinations on January 12th, 1943. If they are found to be qualified for army service, they will return for a week's furlough before being called for active duty:
....
10,325: Frederick William Braakman, Sioux Center
Source: Sioux County Index Jan. 7, 1943 p 1 & 4
Minutes of Sioux Co. Local Board Meeting
Class 1-C (Inductions): ...; Fred Wm. Braakman, Sioux Center; ...
Source: Alton Democrat Feb. 5, 1943 p 6
Fred Braakman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Braakman is now in California.
Pvt. Fred Braakman
Battery D, 546th C.A. (A.A.)
Camp Haan, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 25, 1943 p 10
Fred Braakman has been promoted to Private First Class.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 11, 1943 p 10
2nd Promotion in Six Weeks
Fred Braakman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Braakman has again been promoted, this time from Private First Class to Corporal. His address remains the same. This is his second promotion in six weeks.
***
Camp Haan, Calif.
March 23, 1943
Dear Ed:
I'd just finished writing a few letters, and decided it was time I drop you a line or two. I had been putting it off, because Sunday, the 28th, we leave this camp to continue our training on the desert. I thought my address was going to be changed, so I was going to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. I was going to wait till we got out there, so you could publish the new address, but we were told yesterday to use the same address.
I imagine most of the fellows tell you how busy they are. Well, it's no lie. If they are all as much on the go, as we are here, I don't mind saying that it's just plenty busy. It hard to find time to get around to doing everything we have to do. Weekends, of course, give us a little free time. Sundays, we have to ourselves, unless we are unlucky enough to be up for guard duty.
There's one thing most of the fellows gripe about. It's that they have to learn too many things at the same time. Just to give you an idea, I'll mention a few of them. We have to: Be able to identify friendly and enemy planes, and also tanks. Have to know all about the anti-aircraft gun with which we work, the rifle, map reading, field sanitation, gasses used in warfare, camouflaging, machine gun and some others. It takes a good deal of our extra time to digest it all.
As to California's weather, I can't say it's been living up to its reputation. We've had quite a bit of damp weather lately. The first week we were here, the temperature was up to 80 degrees for a few days, but it hasn't been that warm since.
It's time to hit the hay again, Ed. In closing, I want to thank you for the News. No fooling, I've never read it as carefully at home as I do here. It's swell to know what goes on back home, when you're a long ways away from it.
Just another soldier, Fred Braakman
Cpl. Fred Braakman
Battery D--546th CA (AA)
Camp Haan, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Apr. 1, 1943 p 9
Cpl. Fred Braakman has a slight change of address as follows: Btry. D, 546th A.A.A. (A.W.) Bn., Camp Haan, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News June 10, 1943 p 10
Cpl. Fred Braakman surprised his family by coming home on furlough early Sunday morning, and will remain home until Monday morning when he goes back to Camp Haan, Calif. Fred is with the anti-aircraft, and has spent a great deal of the time out in the desert and recently went to San Diego on maneuvers. He expects to be moved as soon as he gets back to camp, but does not know where he will be sent.
Source: Sioux Center News July 15, 1943 p 8
The Henry Hulstien, John R. Vander Berg, John H. Rozeboom and John H. Klein families and Miss Clazina Bomgaars were entertained at the Henry Braakman home on Friday evening in honor of Cpl. Fred Braakman who left again on Sunday morning from Sioux City after spending a week's furlough at home. Fred went back to Camp Haan, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News July 22, 1943 p 2
Fred Braakman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Braakman has been promoted to Sergeant recently. His complete address is: Sgt. Fred Braakman, Btry. D. 546 A.A.A. (AW) Bn., Camp Haan, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 12, 1943 p 10
Sgt. Fred W. Braakman has a slight change in address. Hi is still on desert training and not overseas as thought. Here is his complete address:
Sgt. Fred W. Braakman 37470158
Brty. D. 546th A.A.A. (A.W.) Bn.
(M61)
APO 185 c/o Postmaster
Los Angeles, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 11, 1943 p 10
Mechanic
(photo)
SGT. FRED W. BRAAKMAN
Sgt. Fred W. Braakman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Braakman, entered the service on Jan. 20, 1943. He has had one furlough in July. His parents have not heard from him recently and do not know his exact whereabouts. He has been on maneuvers. Fred is a mechanic. His address is:
Sgt. Fred W. Braakman 37470158
Brty. D. 546th A.A.A. (A.W.) Bn.
(M61)
APO 182 c/o Postmaster
Los Angeles, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 23, 1943 p 1
Sgt. Fred Braakman has a slight change in address. His complete address is:
Sgt. Fred W. Braakman 37470158
Brty. D. 546th A.A.A. (A.W.) Bn.
(MBL)
Apo 185, c.o. Postmaster
Los Angeles, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 30, 1943 p 8
Sgt. Fred Braakman returned to Los Angeles, Calif. on Friday afternoon after spending a week's furlough with his parents here.
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 23, 1944 p 2
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Braakman received work on Wednesday that their son, T/4 Fred Braakman has arrived safely in England. His new APO number is 654.
Source: Sioux Center News May 11, 1944 p 8
WITHIN SMELL OF BATTLE
Sgt. Fred Braakman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Braakman of Sioux Center is stationed in England with an anti-aircraft battalion, and has been kept very busy in recent weeks. He recently wrote and received answers from Marion Vande Brake and Warren Van Roekel, who are also stationed in England. He says they hardly have a chance to get situated in one location before they are ordered to move to a new place. Frequently, he sleeps on the ground without shelter of any kind and finds it pretty damp, and much colder than June temperatures in Iowa. A letter dated June 23rd stated that the previous two days they had smelled nothing but gun smoke and had their ears ringing so they couldn't have been far from the invasion activities.
Source: Sioux Center News July 13, 1944 p 8
Was Wounded In France
(photo)
SGT. FRED BRAAKMAN
Sgt. Fred Braakman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Braakman of Sioux Center, was wounded by what he calls a "potato masher", says he is alright now but still carrying the lead in his leg. He's back in action again. He has been in France since the first week in July.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 14, 1944 p 1
Sgt. Fred Braakman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Braakman is still stationed in Germany but has this new address: 37470158, Btry. D. 599th AAA (AW) Bn. (MBL). APO 403, c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y.
Source: Sioux Center News July 26, 1945 p 8
DISCHARGED
(photo)
FRED BRAAKMAN
Fred Braakman returned home on Saturday afternoon and is once more in civilian life after three years of army life. He received his official discharge Friday at Camp Grant, Chicago, and has served overseas as an artillery mechanic for the past 19 months. He was wounded once, has five battle stars. Fred has no definite plans as to what he will be doing and is at present taking a well earned vacation.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 20, 1945 p 10
Serviceman Discharged
Servicemen who have filed discharges in the County Recorder's office at Orange City since December 12 include:
...
Fred W. Braakman, Sioux Center
...
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 20, 1945 p 1
