Lynn
was born Sept 30, 1917 in Willow township of Monona County, Iowa
His parents were Frank D. and Dorothy Flossie (Wood) Morrow.
By 1930, the Morrow family had moved to the city of Cherokee
where Lynn attended Cherokee High School.
Lynn enlisted in the service on April 11, 1941 and was inducted
from the National Guard into the 34th Division (nickname: Red Bulls). The volunteer men
of the 34th were composed entirely of National Guard troops from the
states of North and South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. The Division was
transported by rail and truck convoys to the newly constructed Camp
Claiborne, LA, near Alexandria.
Despite an especially harsh summer climate of incessant rains, raw,
penetrating winds which caused the camp to be a sea of ankle deep mud,
the men started their rigorous training and maneuvers. Their maneuvers
included special "Louisiana Maneuvers" which allowed the men
to become a well disciplined, high spirited and well-prepared unit. Because
of its outstanding performance and advanced state of training, the 34th
Infantry Division was chosen as the first American contingent to cross
the waters and enter the European arena.
On
January 8, 1942, the 34th Division was transported by train to Fort
Dix, New Jersey to quickly prepare for overseas movement. The first
contingent made up of 4,508 men, embarked on January 14, 1942.
They stepped ashore at Dufferin Quay, Belfast, Northern
Ireland 12 days later.
Lynn Morrow Is In Great Britain
Lynn
Morrow, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Morrow who live on East Jeffries
street, has arrived in Great Britain with the American Expeditionary
Force according to word received by the family Tuesday afternoon.
A
cablegram from Lynn said: "Am
feeling fine but very busy. Would like to
see you all. Don't worry about me. More later. Love, Lynn Morrow, Great
Britain" (Source: Cherokee
Daily Times, July 22, 1942, pg. 1)
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V.F.W.
AUXILIARY TO SEND GIFTS TO 3 SERVICE MEN
Three
more Cherokee county servicemen will receive V.F.W. "buddy boxes" in
the near future, the organization announced Friday morning.
Men
selected for the next gift boxes are Harry Carlson of Meriden and Andy
Cobb and Lynn Morrow of Cherokee. The latter two boys are believed
somewhere in Great Britain.
The auxiliary has received a letter from
Corporal Willis Kintigh, who lived on a farm near here but is now
stationed in Northern Ireland, thanking the women for a box. The letter
follows:
"I received the swell
box that you sent and I enjoyed it
very much. It came through in perfect condition. A box from home or
letters mean so much to the boys in service. I wish to thank you very
much." (Source: Cherokee
Daily Times, Sept 11, 1942, pg. 1) |
The 34th Division was
reorganized into three infantry regiments, 133rd 135th and the 168th.
Lynn was a member of the 168th Infantry Regiment.
The 168th Infantry Regiment and the 175th Field
Artillery were sent to Inverary in Scotland for intensive training.
LYNN MORROW
HELPS SCOTTISH FAMILY WITH GRAIN HARVEST
Lynn
Morrow, son of Mr. ad Mrs. Frank Morrow of Cherokee, took time off from
his duties with the American Expeditionary Force in Britain to help out
with the harvest in Scotland, according to a letter received here by
Mr. and Mrs. Morrow.
The Cherokee youth spent a week or two in the
home of Mr. and Mrs. R. McKechnie in Dumbarton, Scotland and liked
the work on the Scottish farm. Mrs. McKechnie reports he is "fine."
The letter from the Scottish woman to Mr. and Mrs. Morrow follows:
Glenpart Cottages Off Stirling Road
Dumbarton, Dumbartonshire, Scotland
"Dear
Friends - Just a few lines hoping you are all well. The weather here is
very changeable just now, but of course we can't expect anything else
as it's getting on in the year. We are busy at the harvest just now. I
expect you will be at the same job; it's fine work and looks
just
grand to see it safe for the winter.
We have had
a visit from Lynn
for a week or two; he is very well and is looking fine. He spent a day
in the harvest field and enjoyed it just fine.
Now friends,
there is
not much more I can write about and as it's bed time, I will draw this
to a close. I never seem to have time to write, other than after the
others are in bed. However, better late than never. But now, goodnight,
best wishes to all from all. (Mrs) R. McKechnie" (Source: Cherokee
Daily Times, November 17, 1942, pg. 1)
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While in Northern
Ireland, an American version of British Commando was assembled from the
34th Division. The Commandos, a small group of hit and run
forces, was composed of 500 U.S. Army Rangers with 281 of them from the
34th.
The 168th Commandos were well known for their daring exploits during
their raids.
In early November 1942, that division boarded ships to move to North
Africa for an Allied invasion of North Africa, named "Operation Torch".
The
168th Combat Team, with elements of the British 1st and 6th Commandos
attached, landed on Beer Beach and advanced
inland with an initial goal of launching an assault on Algiers, North
Africa.
The 34th saw its first combat in French Algeria on November 8,
1942. They fought during numerous & bloody engagements
in Tunisia.
Notably, they captured Hill 609 on May 1, 1943 which allowed them
to drive through Chouigui Pass to Tebourba and Ferryville.That allowed
them to demand the surrender of AXIS and a Battle of Tunisia
victory.
MORROW
BROTHERS REUNITED SOMEWHERE IN AFRICA
Had Not Seen Each Other For Two Years
Two Cherokee brothers who had not seen each other for two years met
recently in North Africa.
They
are Pfc. Lynn Morrow and Seaman first-class Frank Morrow, sons of Mr.
and Mrs. Frank Morrow, who live on East Jeffries street here.
Pfc. Morrow told of the meeting briefly in a letter written August 20
and just received by his family:
"Dear
Mother and All - I'll bet you can't guess whom I ran into over here.
Well, it was Frankie. He surely looked well. I believe he has grown a
foot since I saw him last. He has put on quite a
little weight,
too. I almost "kicked the bucket" when I saw him. He said he
had
not heard from his wife in a long time and he wanted to know if I had
heard from her.
Say, you
wanted to know if I wanted you to send me a
package. You can send me a cigaret light if you want to and some
cigarets. But there is no use sending candy. I am not much of a candy
eater.
I hope you
are all well. I am in the best of health. Give my
regards to all, With love, Lynn." (Source: Cherokee Daily Times, August
31, 1943, pg. 1) |
In
the early months of 1943, the 168th and the 175th Field Artillery, as a
Combat Team, were placed under the command of the First Armored
Division. From that date forward the First Armored Division and the
34th Infantry Division remained almost constant combat companions.
The
168th was continuously thrust deep into enemy territory and were often
handicapped by the absence of one of its three battalions who were
fighting on other fronts.. But they did not waiver, staying fearless
and quick to respond to orders to advance against the enemy. On Feb 1,
1943, the 168th, despite a night of terror when troops were bombed by
the powerful German Air Force, following a heavy artillery barrage laid
down by the guns of the 175th, the 168th advanced by literally hurling
themselves at on-coming tanks with rifles and grenades. To the
amazement of all, the Germans became confused and turned their
tanks in retreat. The 168th and the 175th Field Artillery had won a
victory under the most adverse conditions.
The 34th Division skipped the invasion of Sicily and instead trained intensely for the invasion of the Italian mainland. During
the month of September 1943, the U.S. and allied units made
amphibious landings on mainland Italy. On September 28, 1943, the
34th Division engaged the enemy at the Calore River, then relentlessly
drove north to take Benevento; then assaulted Monte Patano and took one
of its four peaks.
The Division was relieved on December 8, 1943 but was back on the front line after the new year. On
January 24, 1944, during the first Battle for Rome, the 34th division
pushed across the Gari River into the hills behind and attacked
Monastery Hill which dominated the town of Monte Cassino. While they
nearly captured the objective, in the end their attacks on the
monastery and the town failed. Regardless, the performance of the 34th
Infantry
Division in the mountains has been called one of the finest feats of
arms carried out by any soldiers during the war. The unit,
however, sustained severe losses. There were only 154 combat effective
men remaining from the 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry. They
were relieved from their positions 11 - 13 February 1944 to rest and rehabilitate.
Eventually, it took the combined force of five Allied infantry
divisions to finish what the 34th nearly accomplished on its own.
The
34th Division was put back in action and landed at the Anzio beachhead
25 March 1944. The division maintained defensive positions until the
offensive of 23 May, when a break-through from the beachhead was
launched. The plan for the break-through was called "Buffalo". The
initial assault was assigned to the 34th Division which was to
strike through toward Cisterna and thence toward Lanuvio. At
0600
hours on the 23rd of May, 1944, a tremendous barrage was laid down by
VI Corps Artillery units, heralding the attack which had been awaited
for two months by the restless men of the Red Bull. Every man
knew that breaking through the perimeter would mean death, wounds and
hardship, but all seemed to welcome the attack alternative as a relief
from the the pot-shooting
enemy who had relentlessly thrown upon them while they were situated on the beach.
The 135th in conjunction with the 168th prepared for a night
attack. The 3rd Battalion struck out
on the night of 25-26th of May, crossing over a rolling terrain against
withering machine gun fire. Contact with the enemy was close and much
grenade and shooting from the hip fighting took place. Our men fought
enemy
tanks with bazookas, knocking one out. Counter-attacks were driven off,
but the redoubtable 3rd Battalion, in a furious onslaught, drove
forward and gained its final object of capturing the hills. This would
pave the way to their assault upon Velletri. They then
took Cisterna and raced onward to Civitavechhia and the Italian
capital of Rome. Private Lynn Morrow was killed in action on May 30,
1944 while fighting in the brutal Italian campaign.
LYNN MORROW
KILLED MAY 30, BROTHER LEARNS
Died in Italian Campaign, Parents Write
Lynn
Morrow, about 28, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Morrow, who entered the
service from Cherokee in April 1941, was killed in action in Italy May
30, according to word received by this newspaper from the family.
News
of the soldier's death came from the parents who moved
from Cherokee
in the spring to enter defense work at Vancouver, Wash.
Morrow trained at Camp Claiborne, LA., before going overseas.
Five
brothers and six sisters survive. They are Meredith Morrow, Cherokee;
Mrs. Audrey Lickiss, Vancouver, Wash.; Mrs. Joyce Challberg, Council
Bluffs; Betty Skummer, Chicago; Frankie Morrow, in the U.S. Navy; Dale,
Donna, Roy, Dwight, Dorothy and Coleen at home. (Source: Cherokee Daily
Times, June 22, 1944, pg. 1)
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MISSIONARY IN
AFRICA WRITES OF PURPLE HEART SOLDIER WHO DIED IN BATTLE
Mr.
and Mrs. Frank Morrow, whose son Pfc. Lynn Morrow was killed in action
in Italy May 30, 1944, are in receipt of a letter from a missionary in
Tunisia, Paul Ferree at An Drahan, which brought them news of their son
before his death and carried comfort to them. The letter was written in
answer to one Mrs. Morrow had written to the missionary informing him
of Lynn's death, and we publish a part of the letter:
"It is with a
heavy heart that I reply to your letter conveying the sad news of our
friend Lynn. We cannot forget him for he was the first American soldier
to ever enter our house.
I had gone
to the village for bread. It was
a dark, foggy evening in late December. The English had been passing
through for several days after the invasion. I saw Lynn
leaning
against our grocer's store wall; his U.S. helmet the first we had ever
seen. He had a little U.S. flag on the shoulder; I startled him by my
Iowa dialect.
Poor lad, he
was so dejected, and he had no where to
spend the night and was looking into the cafe door across the street. I
asked him if he didn't want to come along and come up to the little
cabin where we live. He was ever so glad to and spent the night, went
back to the front the following morning.
He told us
what a commando
was. (We had never heard of such a thing.) He told us of the action at
a fort near Algiers which his company took and for which he was the
first volunteer for special detail in taking a machine gun nest.
He described
some incidents in ...(type on pg 2 of the news article is
illegible) (Source: Cherokee
Daily Times, March 13, 1946, pgs. 1 & 2) |
MILITARY
RITES THURSDAY FOR PFC MORROW
Soldier's Body Sent From Italy
Business Places To Close Thursday During Funeral Rites
Military
rites will be accorded Pfc Lynn Adolph Morrow, whose body will arrive
in Cherokee Wednesday at 11 a.m. where a military escort from Treptow
post of the American Legion will meet the train and escort the dead
soldier to the Boothby funeral home. Funeral services will be held the
following day, Thursday, Aug 26 at 2 p.m. from the St. Paul's Methodist
church, with Rev. Feller officiating, assisted by the Legion ceremonial
team.
Full military rites at Oak Hill cemetery will also be in
charge of the Legion, closing with the firing squad volley and the
sounding of taps in tribute to a fallen comrade.
Business places
will close by order of Mayor George Hicks for two hours Thursday from
1:30 until 3:30 p.m. Flags will be flown in memory of the war hero.
Pfc. Morrow, who was 27 at the time of his death, was killed in action
May 30, 1944 during the "Battle
for Rome".
Born at Moorhead, Ia., Sept. 30, 1917, he attended Cherokee high
school. He enlisted in the army April 11, 1942 and trained at Camp
Claiborne, La., and Ft. Dix, N. J. He served with the 34th "Red Bull"
division.
Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Morrow,
Cherokee; five brothers, Meredith, Frankie, Roy, Dale and Dwight, all
of Cherokee; six sisters, Mrs. Ralph Lickiss, Cherokee; Mrs. Jake
Sergent, Quimby; Mrs. Harold Wright, Joyce, Dorothy and Coleen, all of
Cherokee. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Commander
Julius Vetter of the Legion post urges Legion members and other service
groups to join in paying homage to the heroism of Pfc. Lynn Morrow, who
made the supreme sacrifice on a battlefield of World War II. (Source: Cherokee Daily Times and
Cherokee Chief, Aug 23, 1948, pg. 1)
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Military
Rites Thursday Honor Pfc. Morrow
Full
military rites were accorded Pfc. Lyn A. Morrow yesterday, who was
killed May 30, 1944 during the "Battle for Rome." His body arrived in
Cherokee Wednesday morning and was escorted to the Boothby Funeral home
by an honor guard from the Treptow post of the American Legion.
Don Guest, Annuel Byerly, Clyde Trimble, Paul Mansfield and Julius
Vetter composed the Legion honor guard.
Services
were conducted yesterday afternoon by Rev. J. E. Feller from St. Paul's
Methodist church. Rev. Feller's topic was "Greater Love." Mrs. Ben
Abels, accompanied by Wanda Lowry, sang "Rock of Ages" and "The Old
Rugged Cross". Julius Vetter, commander of the Legion post, spoke
briefly.
The eight pall bearers, Jens Neilson, Darrell Leonard,
Jimmy Stewart, Bob Curran, Ellsworth Groves, Tim Patterson, Wayne
Mahoney and Andy Cobb were from the 3 4th division. Pfc. Morrow was
serving with that division at the time he was killed.
Services at
the grave in Oak Hill cemetery wee conducted by the Treptow post. The
ceremonial team was composed of Commander Vetter, Clyde Trimble, past
commander, Rev. J. E. Feller, chaplain, Harold Grigg, Lester Whitehouse
and Larry Ehrich.
Colors were carried by Annuel Byerly and Boyd
Sinkey and the color guard was made up of Karl Hall and Henry
Everhardt. The service was closed with the firing squad's volley and
the sounding of taps. Sgt. John Specht was in charge of the firing
squad.
Other members were Paul Mansfield, Robert Monger,
William McAlpine, Sam Mangold, Don Guest, Clifford Lindlief, Francis
Toner and Fred Duven. Buglers were Merlin Ballantyne and Jim Whitehouse.
Cherokee's business houses were closed from 1:30 to 3:30 out of respect
to Pfc. Morrow. (Source: Cherokee
Daily Times and Cherokee Chief, August 27, 1948, pg. 1) |
Some sources say
Lynn died in the city of Rome. Others are less
specific and report that his death occurred in Italy. Regardless,
we know that he died as a true hero. We know that Lynn was
fearless and bravely persevered and pushed through continuous front
line combat for nearly two years.
The 34th
Division is credited with being the first American division deployed to
Europe where it fouoght with great distinction in in the Italian
Campaign. The Division is also credited for amassing 517 days of
continuous front line
combat, more than any other division in the European theater. Some of
the the 34th Division are credited with over 600 days of front line
combat. They suffered 21, 362 casualties of which 3,737
were killed.
(Sources other than those listed above include Wikipedia, and The
Story of the
Famous 34th Infantry Division by Lt. Col John H. Hougen and The Price
of our Heritage, In Memory of the Heroic Dead of the 168 Infantry by
Winifred E. Robb)
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Lynn's draft registration card
(click on image to enlarge)
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34th Infantry Division
Red Bull Insignia & Motto
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Red Bull Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
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168th Infantry Insignia
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