Franklin County

 
Lt. Robert L. VanHorn

WWII DEAD DUE TO ARRIVE
North Iowans Among Bodies on Way Home


Washington—Among the bodies of 4,384 World War II dead due to arrive from Europe aboard the U. S. Army transport, Barney Kirschbaum, are 76 Iowans, according to announcement by the department of the Army.

Armed forces dead originally interred in temporary military cemeteries in France, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg are among those being brought back to this country.

North Iowans in the list include the following, together with the next of kin:

Pvt. Orval R. Alden; Milton L. Alden, Thornton.
Pvt. Wayne W. Dale; Mrs. Nettie D. Felkey, Armstrong.
Pfc. Neil L. Gilbertson; Jane Gilbertson, Burr Oak.
Pfc. Royal A. Jacobs; Hezzie R. Jacobs, Rudd.
1st Lt. Alan R. Jacobson; Chris Jacobson, Britt.
Sgt. William L. Monroe; Lloyd E. Monroe, Estherville.
1st Lt. Robert L. Sill; Nina S. Christopher, Eagle Grove.
S/Sgt. Edwin E. Sowles; Mrs. Mary F. Sowles, Mason City.
2nd Lt. Robert L. Van Horn; Carl C. Van Horn, Hampton.
1st Lt. Jens T. Weiby, Jr.; Jens T. Weiby, Sr., Armstrong.

Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, December 29, 1948

Robert Leslie VanHorn was born Feb. 23, 1918 to Carl Carlson and Edith May Baird VanHorn. He died Mar. 18, 1945 and is buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.

2nd Lt. VanHorn served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 55th Air Force Fighter Group and was KIA in Germany.

Source: ancestry.com