Time Machine: Time Machine Trip to September 1945

This trip sponsored by:

The Town of Kaukauna

Historical Society

Fall Fest Sat. Sept. 20^th

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Car Show

Kids Games and more

W780 Greiner Rd. Kaukauna

Kaukauna Times

By Lyle Hansen

September 7, 1945

Everything is in readiness for the second annual baseball game between the Kaukauna old-timers and the Kaukauna Legion juniors to be held at the Dodge Street ballpark on Sunday afternoon. The proceeds of the game will be used to promote Legion Junior baseball in the city. Business manager L. C. Smith and field manager Jack Leddy of the old-timers have assembled a strong aggregation that includes quite a number of former Fox River Valley baseball greats. The pitching corps includes such former greats as Al Bauer, Ray Gertz, Marty Lamers, Bill Hass, Frank Plechek and Wally Kilgas.

With the opening of school in the city, chief of police James E. McFadden has issued a warning to motorists that careful driving be observed, especially in school areas.

The total enrollment to date at Kaukauna High School is 590 students, according to announcement made by Paul E. Little, principal.

PFC. Ambrose Mauel, Kaukauna, is with the 393rd infantry Regiment with the third Army in Germany. He participated with General Patton's Third Army and assisted in the final grand slam drive across the Danube to the heart of Bavaria.

Pfc. James Janssen arrived home Sunday after serving two years in England and France. He is on a 36-day furlough. He served with the 1193rd engineer in the European theater of operation and wears the ETO ribbon with three battle stars.

Flight officer Robert J. Voet, Metoxen Avenue, is currently assigned to AAF at Santa Anna Army air base, California. Officer Voet is a glider pilot in the ninth Air Force. He entered service in February 1941. He has been awarded the air medal, a presidential citation and the European theater ribbon with seven battle stars.

Private Kenneth Reinholz, Main Avenue, is with the sixth division in the Philippines and was promoted to Sergeant. He spent two years overseas being wounded on January 26. He wears the Purple Heart, Asiatic-Pacific ribbon and the combat infantry badge.

M1/c USNR Robert F Wieseler, Draper Street, was on board the USS Manlove when the vessel was attacked by kamikaze planes. One man was killed and 10 were wounded, but the ship was saved.

Sgt. Leonard W. Conrad is serving with the 13th General Hospital in Manila. He has been overseas since January 1944. He's entitled to where the good conduct medal, the Asiatic Pacific theater ribbon with two service stars and the Philippine liberation ribbon.

William Melody, Fifth Street, was attacked and robbed by two men Friday night about 9 o'clock as he was walking along Seventh Street near St. Mary's Church. He received bruises from the attack and was robbed of about eight dollars.

Pfc. Lawrence Eppinger arrived back to the states on August 31 after serving 23 months in Germany.

Dr. George L. Boyd outlined the proposed plan to obtain a class A, 40 to 50 bed hospital for Kaukauna costing approximately $225,000 at a meeting of the Advancement Association recently held at the Ritz dining room. Dr. Boyd stated that there had been much talk about a hospital, but nothing has ever been done about it. He said if everyone could get behind the project and cooperate it would soon become a reality.

First Lieut. Mary S. McMahon arrived home on Tuesday to spend a 30-day leave at the home of her father Lawrence McMahon on Kenneth Avenue. She has been stationed with the 192nd General Hospital and England for the past 16 months.

Lieut. Robert Lang, Wisconsin Avenue, has been awarded the Bronze Star. Lieut. Lang served with the 100th division of the seventh Army in Germany. The division received its first rest in seven months of continuous frontline fighting until the unconditional surrender of Germany was announced.

Fifty-two boys reported to Kaukauna High School football coach Karl Schuelke and his assistant, Guy Krumm, to the first practice session held at the athletic field Monday morning, Labor Day. Both Coach Schuelke and his assistant Guy Krumm were well satisfied with the opening workouts. Included in the 52 boys reporting for the first workout were 12 Letterman.

The Thousand Islands on the Fox River will soon be open for hunting and trapping and action started at a meeting of the common Council Tuesday night bear fruit.

Sgt. Francis Wagner, Division Street, has received his honorable discharge under the point system. His wife, Yeoman Third Class Rita Wagner, received her honorable discharge just 10 days earlier. Sgt. Wagner enlisted in the Army in February 1940 and went overseas in May of 1942. Mrs. Wagner entered the Waves in October 1943 for the past 18 months she was stationed in Washington D.C.

September 14, 1945

John Brenzel was elected president of the Quill and Scroll at a meeting held Thursday. Other officers elected were Tom Gerend, vice president and Ramona McGinnis secretary.

Harry Knox was elected president of the senior class for 1946 at a meeting held after school Tuesday. James Heindel was elected vice president and Harvey Stegeman, secretary-treasurer.

Staff Sgt. Harry W. Dusold, Margaret Street, of the 137^th infantry Regiment was recently awarded the bronze star medal by the Commanding general of the 25th division for heroic service performed on March 28 in Germany.

Lieut. John DeGoey is home on a 20-day furlough awaiting his discharge from the Army. Lieut. DeGoey was inducted in the service and June of 1941. He served overseas in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He was awarded a Silver and Bronze Star, the ETO ribbon with two battle stars and the Purple Heart. Lieut. DeGoey was wounded December 8, 1944, while fighting and Germany.

Pfc. Roland A. Schwalenberg, and laboratory technician with the 39th station hospital on Saipan, was promoted to corporal according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Schwalenberg Seven Street.

Miss Virginia Phillips, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clark Phillips, Sarah Street, received an honorable discharge from the Spars and arrived home last Thursday. She had been working as a radio technician third class in Washington D.C. Her sister Dorothy Bauer pharmacist mate third class station in Atlantic City, New Jersey with the Spars may receive her honorable discharge within a few months.

Seaman first-class Mark M Nickels is serving aboard the USS North Carolina off Japan. The battleship is part of the powerful Pacific Fleet engaged in occupying Japan. Nichols entered the navy in September 1942 just over three years ago. He has been overseas 34 months.

Officer Harold Engerson

Two Milwaukee youths were arrested by local police Sunday morning as result of a telephone call with Milwaukee authorities. Milwaukee officers said the 1942 Buick car driven by the youths had been stolen in Milwaukee. $1500 in stolen property was found in the auto. The youths drove up to the Ideal Café Sunday morning and assistant chief of police Harold Engerson, who was across the street, noticed the reckless driving and followed them. He noticed an old license plate on the car which obviously replaced the correct one. The youths were playing the jukebox and making a lot of noise when Engerson stepped up and took them in for questioning.

June Allyson, who cuts capers in M-G-M’s “Her Highness and The Bellboy”.

Pfc. Joseph H. Lenoble, Kaukauna, has been posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal. On May 30 and Infantry Company was advancing along the narrow Humpback Bridge in the Philippines. Without warning the lead elements of the company were lashed by machine guns and rifle fire from well-fortified hostile strong point. Lenoble crawled 20 yards along the fire swept bridge to an exposed position and raked the hostile possession with accurate fire from his automatic rifle. This action enabled the forward element of the company to move forward and accomplish their mission. During the action Lenoble was fatally wounded.

Seven graduates of the class of 1945 have decided to continue on to higher learning. Dick Oudenhoven is the only boy to go on to school. He graduated after three years of high school and is attending Marquette University this year. The six girls going on to school are:

Colleen Guth – Marquette

Carol Esler – St. Agnes Hospital for nursing

Betty Kieffer – Lawrence College,

Lucille Mantei – Stevens Point teachers’ college

Carol Smith – University of Michigan

Marjorie Burdick – University of Wisconsin.

Many eyes will be following the progress of the Kaukauna High School's grid team this year, some of these eyes half a world away. The team is very much weakened by loss of seven regulars, both through graduation and injury. Among the regulars who are unable to be back this year is Co-captain Leo Eimmerman. He has traded his orange and black of the football uniform for the khaki of the Army air Corps and is stationed in Colorado. Next is the other Co-captain Dave Flanagan, rated all-conference fullback last year. Dave is somewhere in the South Pacific with the Army. William Glaff, a senior will not be seen on the field this season, as a broken neck resulted from one of last year's games will keep him on the bench. Another loss is big guard Dick Oudenhoven, who made high school in three years. Center, Hugh Nelson is currently in service. Leon Ashauer, Seaman second class, is somewhere in the Pacific. Leon was the team’s quarterback last year. James Cramer has chosen the Navy. He was named all-conference left and last year.

According to a report by police chief James E. McFadden, the police department had a total of 13 arrests during the month of August.

September 19, 1945

Joseph Kramer, the “Beast of Belson” (1) and Dr. Fritz Klein (2) who selected victims to be put into the gas chambers are shown before British military court last week. They are joined with 44 other SS henchmen.

General Hideki Togo, the mighty leader of the Japanese empire at the time of the start of the war, is shown as he lies in bed after shooting himself.

Cpl. George Landreman arrived home last week to spend a 30-day furlough with his mother on Sixth Street. Cpl. Landreman has been in service for 32 months, 18 months overseas. He served with the 391st antiaircraft battalion. Cpl. Landreman wears an ETO ribbon with three battle stars.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Meinert, Dixon Street, received word from the war Department that their dog, “Pooch” has arrived in Arizona and will soon be eligible for an honorable discharge. They enlisted the dog, a German shepherd, in the Army in May 1943.

Second, Lieut. Vernon Pete DeKeuster returned to the states to spend a 30-day leave with his wife and son on Taft Street after serving 20 months and the European theater of operation. He was the first man from Kaukauna to enlist in the Army.

After four years and two months of service in the Army Sgt. Robert Dougherty, Oviatt Street, received an honorable discharge September 3. He served overseas for 26 months as an instrument specialist with the 52nd fighter group. His decorations include the European African ribbon, Middle Eastern campaign medal with four battle stars, the good conduct medal and the American defense service ribbon.

Coach Karl Schuelke

Kaukauna's two co-captains of this year's football team are ready for another victorious season. Co-captain Francis Liethen, 200-pound left tackle, took leave of the merchant marine to come home and play another year of his favorite game. When asked what he thought about new coach, Karl Schuelke he said, “The coach really knows his stuff.” Co-captain Mark Verhagen, left half, also well-known to football fans. He says he misses Coach Paul Little but said “If we keep up the spirit we have, we will make Coach Schuelke another proud coach.”

Lieut. William T. Sullivan U.S.N.R. director on leave of Kaukauna Vocational school, has arrived at the U.S. staging center, Pearl Harbor. Lieut. Sullivan has served for 2 1/2 years in the Navy. He was granted a leave of absence from the Kaukauna Vocational school and at the last meeting the board gave notice they had received word he would return shortly and is expected to resume the administrative duties.

Technical Sgt. George J. Weyenberg, Little Chute, has been released by the 538^th Air Service Group. He entered the service in September 1940 and went overseas in December 1943.

Mark Gillen, Sarah Street, has been promoted to the rank of Cpl. he is currently stationed at Boca Raton, Florida.

Capt. William Nelson, Sarah Street, spent a 30-day furlough here with his family. Nelson is commander of company A, 20th armored division.

A request for an increase in wages was received from City Employees Local No. 30. The board of public works confirmed the following changes. Bridge tenders, Park employees, Clerk stenographer, Superintendent of public works, Relief director, Health officer and garbage truck driver will receive a $10 per month raise in pay. Garbage collectors will receive a $20 per month raise.

Pfc. Dean Lemke has arrived from Europe to spend a 36-day furlough with his parents on Taylor Street. Private Lemke was stationed overseas for seven months. He was awarded the EOT ribbon with two battle stars, Purple Heart for wounds received in April, combat infantry badge and good conduct medal. He served with the 86 division.

September 21, 1945

Cpl. John J. Van Wychen has returned to the states after serving 37 months in the European theater. He wears the EOT ribbon with eight battle stars and a unit citation.

Jack Winn has been promoted to technical sergeant. Sgt. Winn is somewhere in the Philippines. He entered the service three years ago and has been overseas for 30 months.

T-3 Lloyd A. Siebers, 13th Street, has arrived home for 36-day furlough. Siebers entered the Army in 1943. He served with the 106th infantry division in Germany. Tech. Sgt. Siebers wears the good conduct ribbon and the EOT ribbon with one star.

Mr. August Straus will again have charge of the evening adult commercial classes that will be offered by the Kaukauna vocational school.

Seaman Elmer J. Welhouse is at present part of the great allied naval armada now anchored in Tokyo Bay. He is aboard the U.S.S. Wedderburn, a destroyer.

Sgt. Russell Mereness, 17th St., arrived home Sunday to spend a 25-day furlough. Sgt. Mereness served as a driver in the amphibian tractors section in the South Pacific. He enlisted in 1941 and will be released from service when his four-year enlistment expires next February.

Phelon E. Femal, Island Street, has received his discharge from the Coast Guard under the naval point system.

Sgt. John H. De Groot, Seventh Street, was awarded the Bronze Star medal for meritorious service in connection with military operations in July 1944. Sgt. De Groot is expected to receive a discharge and to be coming home soon.

First Sgt. Mark A. Nagan oversees the honor guard of the 82nd Airborne Division in Berlin. Top-kick Nagan's 120 guardsmen have added a lot of color to Berlin being the best dressed as well as one of the finest outfits in the Army. The airborne honor guard is called upon daily to assist in the official greetings of every prominent personality arriving in the Allied capital in Europe.

Pfc. James M. Busse, Brothers Street, returned home after serving overseas for eight months in the European theater with the 326th glider infantry. He wears ETO ribbon with two battle stars, the good conduct ribbon and expert infantryman’s badge.

Tech Sgt. William Haupt arrived home from Europe and is spending a 30-day furlough with his wife and son. Sgt. Haupt served overseas for nine months with the 302^nd ordinance unit.

September 26, 1945

Pfc. Lawrence P. Huss received an honorable discharge from the Army Air Corps in September. His decorations include the European African–middle east campaign ribbon with six battle stars and the good conduct medal.

Seaman first-class Richard Grapentine is spending a 27-day leave with his parents on W. 3rd St. He has served 40 months of sea duty in the South Pacific as a crew gunner anti-aircraft, on the US.S. Massachusetts.

Pfc. Howard Carnot arrived home to spend a 30-day furlough with his wife and son on E. 8th St. He served 19 months in Europe with the 23^rd FAB Battalion. He wears the European theater ribbon with five battle stars and the good conduct ribbon.

Pfc. Clifford Vanevenhoven was honorably discharged from the Army September 20. He had been in service for three years and overseas with the 82nd airborne for two years. He is entitled to wear the American defense service ribbon, American theater ribbon, European African- middle eastern theater ribbon with four battle stars, bronze service arrowhead, good conduct medal, Purple Heart, combat infantry badge, glider badge and presidential unit citation.

Roy Rogers and The Sons of the Pioneers are in New York to audition for a radio program to give forth sweet music.

Staff Sgt. Paul Green has received his honorable discharge from the Army. He served as a gunner on the B-17 with the Eighth Army force. His decorations include the Air medal with three Oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, presidential unit citation, Star of France, the ETO ribbon and the good conduct medal.

Cornelius J. Van Roy has been promoted to the grade of corporal. A veteran of 15 months overseas, Corporal Van Roy is assigned to the adjutant general’s office where he aids in the administration functions. He wears Asiatic Pacific theater ribbon with one battle star.

Sgt. Paul F. Balgie has received an honorable discharge and arrived home on September 11. He had spent 41 months of duty in the South Pacific area. He served with the Military police detachment, 41^st infantry division.

Marvin Siebers obtained his honorable discharge from the Army on September 17. Siebers had been overseas for 40 months with the fifth infantry division. As a technical sergeant he wore the pre-Pearl Harbor ribbon, good conduct medal and the ETO ribbon.

First Lieut. Wilfred A. Van Abel has arrived in Texas. Lieut. Van Abel served 29 months in the European theater of operation as a pilot of a P–47 thunderbolt and has 36 missions to his credit. He wears the air medal with three Oak leaf clusters.

Kaukauna High School opened the 1945 football season Saturday night under the light at Kaukauna High School athletic field with a 6-6 tie game with Sheboygan North. Close to 1000 people were on hand to see the debut of Coach Karl Schuelke’s club. Heavy rain fell about four hours before the game resulting in muddy conditions. The team did a good accounting of themselves. Pat Flanagan played a fine defense of game as did Phil Haas who filled in fast to spill Sheboygan ball carriers. Verhagen was the Kaws chief threat and scored the only touchdown on a 31-yard run.

September 28, 1945

All tickets to the Packer–Chicago Bear game at city Stadium, Green Bay, Sunday, September 30, have been sold. It is the first time in the Packers quarter-century of National League football that all tickets have been disposed of two weeks before the kickoff. The Packer management urges those who haven't tickets to stay-at-home because there is no chance of getting into the park. No standing room will be sold.

Technician, fifth grade James F. Bricker, Seventh Street, received an honorable discharge on September 20. Bricker left for overseas in December 1942 and spent 18 months in North Africa and Europe. He was a driver of an amphibious truck. He is entitled to wear the European African-middle east ribbon, silver battle star, the overseas ribbon one stripe and good conduct medal.

Arthur H. Mongin, Jr., has been appointed deputy district governor of district 27B Lions International.

Tech Sgt. John Taylor who has been overseas since July 1944 recently sent his parents Mr. and Mrs. William Taylor, E. Third Street, a large box of German knives and foreign money which he acquired during his service overseas. The artifacts are now at the office of the Kaukauna Times and will be on display in the window.

Technical Sgt. Eugene Nagan has arrived back in the United States. Sgt. Nagan served 11 months in the EOT area and wears the European ribbon with two battle stars and the good conduct ribbon. He will report to Texas where he'll be reassigned. He entered the Army in 1942 and left for overseas duty in 1944.

Royal Clothing Company, W. Wisconsin Ave., has been sold and the new owners took possession this week. Two former Kaukauna residents Jack Conlon Jr. and Elaine Conlon Janssen, brother and sister, purchased the clothing store. “The Royal” according to Jack Conlon “will continue to offer the same type of service and the same line of first-class merchandise as in the past.”

Seaman second class Allan Johnson arrived to spend the evening with his parents and two brothers who were home on leave. Seaman second class Clifford Johnson was home for two weeks leave and technical fourth grade Donald Johnson arrived Monday for a seven day furlough the brothers had not seen each other for year and one half.

The number of grade school students able to take lessons on instruments is reduced due to the shortage of musical instruments at Kaukauna High School, according to Clarence Kriesa, music director. In the past the school had an arrangement with a music company to rent instruments to beginners. However, this plan was unavailable throughout the war because there were no instruments made.

Pfc. Clifford Vanevenhoven was honorably discharged from the Army on September 20. He is entitled to wear the American defense service ribbon, American theater ribbon, European African-middle east theater ribbon with four battle stars, bronze service arrowhead, good conduct medal, Purple Heart, combat infantry badge, glider badge and presidential unit citation.