14 IOWANS ARE ITALY’S PRISONERS
WASHINGTON, May 13 (AP)—The War Department announced today the names of 14 Iowans who are held as prisoners of war by Italy.
They were:
Pvt. Milford W. Beldt, son of Mrs. Aubona Beldt, Sheldon;
Pvt. Harley H. Applegate, son of Mrs. Josephine Applegate, Oakland;
Cpl. Arthur P. Clemitson, son of Halvor A. Clemitson, Graettinger;
Cpl. Elbert L. Cline, son of Mrs. Berdie Thompson, Clarinda;
Pvt. Lee R. Coles, son of Mrs. Lucy E. Coles, Scranton;
Pfc. Dwight H. Conklin, son of Harry E. Conklin, Audubon;
Pfc. Leo A. Cross, son of Mrs. Gertrude G. Cross, Baxter;
Pfc. Darrell DeCamp, son of Ralph V. DeCamp, Adel;
Pvt. Norman A. Ellsworth, son of Mrs. Bertha Partello, Blairsburg;
Pvt. John H. Freiberg, son of Hubert M. Freiberg, Dexter;
Pfc. Bernard E. Lynch, son of Michael T. Lynch, West Branch;
Pfc. Frederick J. Manternach, son of Phillip Manternach, Cascade;
Pfc. Martin E. Wood, jr., son of Mrs. Margaret Wood, Melcher;
Pvt. Charles E. Young, son of Ray Young, Audubon.
Source: Creston News Advertiser, May 13, 1943
Elbert Lee “Gunner” Cline was born Aug. 26, 1919 Donald W. and Bertie Jones Cline. He died Mar. 2019 and is buried in Clarinda Cemetery, Clarinda, IA.
Elbert served in World War II with the U.S. Army Anti-Tank Division, 168th Regiment, 34th Division, 5th Army. He was captured and wounded in a battle in North Africa. He escaped from a POW train in Italy in March of 1943. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart, American Defense Service Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, 3 Bronze Battle Stars and 4 Overseas Service Bars.
Source: ancestry.com
