Weekly News From Milford Locality
Dennis Burger, who left last Wednesday to enlist in the U. S. Navy, is now stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. He mother, Mrs. Ruby Burger, assisted by Mrs. Lee Eckhart and Mrs. L. L. Gilmore, entertained at a farewell party in his honor. Sixteen guests were present. The evening was spent at cards.
Source: The Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, Iowa, Thursday, April 03, 1941, Page 3
MILFORD YOUTH MISSING
AFTER CORAL SEA BATTLE
Dennis Burger, about 20, of Milford, was reported missing in action by the Navy department in a telegram received by his mother, Mrs. Ruby Burger of Milford Sunday.
He is believed to have gone down on an oil tanker in the battle of the Coral Sea. Burger had been in the navy about a year. He is a graduate of the Milford high school and is the son of Mrs. Ruby Burger of Milford and Rex Burger of Arnolds park. There are two sisters and a brother.
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Items from East Milford Correspondent
The community of Milford was again saddened Monday when the word came that Dennis Burger, U. S. Navy, was among the missing after the sinking of a tanker. Dennis Burger is the son of Mrs. Ruby Burger of Milford and Rex Burger of Arnolds Park. This is the second casualty of Milford boys, the other being Everette Titterington at Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7.
Source: The Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, Iowa, Thursday, June 18, 1942, Pages 1 & 8
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR DENNIS BURGER
AT MILFORD, SUNDAY
Milford Post 384 of the American Legion and Auxiliary sponsored a memorial service for Dennis Burger at the high school auditorium in Milford Sunday afternoon, June 27, 1943, at 2:30 o’clock. The Rev. J. O. Smith, pastor of the Milford Federated church, delivered the main address.
Dennis Burger was the second Milford youth to give his life in the service of his country. He was reported “missing in action” over a year ago, following the sinking of the Neosho, on which he was serving as carpenter’s mate. The other young man was Cecil Everett Titterington, son of Mrs. Pearl Titterington, formerly of Milford, but now of Marion, Iowa. Everett was on the Oklahoma at the time of the fatal attack on Pearl Harbor.
Dennis was reported “missing in action” over a year ago, but it had been hoped that he might be among the survivors who had been able to land on some small island and would be saved. However, on June 7, 1943, Mrs. Burger received a letter from Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox that Dennis was officially reported as dead, following a year of absence.
Dennis was a bright, energetic young fellow with many friends in whatever community he was working. He enlisted in the navy because he felt it was his duty and the place where he could best serve his country. He was always enthusiastic about his work and thoroughly enjoyed his service. He was a husky chap, eager to learn of and see foreign lands. He was a gallant sailor and gave his life in the line of duty for his country.
His survived by his mother, Mrs. Ruby Burger, of Milford, his father, Rex Burger of Spencer, sister and brother, Ione and Eldo of Milford, and a sister, Mrs. Lowell George of Spencer. He also leaves a host of friends who mourn his untimely passing.
Source: The Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, Iowa, Thursday, July 01, 1942, Page 6
Iowa’s Honor Roll
Here are more Iowans who have been killed in action. The final line beneath each picture gives the geographical location in which the man was serving. Additional Honor Roll pictures will be carried on future Sundays.
Source: The Des Moines Register, Sunday, December 19, 1943 (photo included)
Top Photograph on this Tribute Page: The Milford Mail, Milford, Iowa, Thursday, September 28, 1944, Page 6, Veteran’s Tribute Page
Dennis Daniel Burger was born Dec. 16, 1921 to Rex Charles and Ruby Evelyn Landreth Burger. He died May 8, 1943. Petty Officer Burger is memorialized at the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines and was awarded the Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
