Cedar County

Lt. Henry L. Espensen

 

 

Iowa Honor Roll

These Iowans, like those pictured here on previous Sundays, have given their lives for their country. They were fatally wounded in combat or died in prison camps. The fourth line under each name designates the war area in which the man last served.

Source: The Des Moines Register, Sunday, March 5, 1944 (photo included)

140 Have Made Supreme Sacrifice In Muscatine Area In War Against Axis Powers; Many reported wounded.
The cost of war runs high!

Word of the victory in Europe today brought a feeling of happiness and relief to thousands of families in the Muscatine area, but for others there were only sad memories.  And for those who have sons, husbands, brothers or other relatives, fighting against the Japs in the second phase of the big world-wide conflagration the period of rejoicing was less pronounced.
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The names of those who have made the supreme sacrifice in the World War No. 2, compiled from records maintained by The Journal, follow:

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First Lt. Henry L. Espensen, of West Liberty, killed in action July 11, 1943, in the Italian theater of operations.

Source:  Muscatine Journal, Victory In Europe Edition, Monday, May 7, 1945

Henry Leth Espensen was born May 5, 1918 to Peter Leth and Minnie Maria Nelson Espensen. He died July 11, 1943 and is buried in Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy.

Lt. Espensen served in World War II with the U.S. Army 376th Field Artillery Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division and was KIA in Sicily. He was awarded the Purple Heart.

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