NEWS OF THE BOYS IN THE SERVICE
Twenty-one months at sea and aboard the same ship with less than a half dozen times ashore for brief periods, and with five invasions and two severe air attacks in the record, has been part of the experience of Paul Hatz, son of Mr. and Mrs. N. H. Hatz of Remsen, home on leave until September 29. Seaman Hatz is ship’s cook second class on the USS President Jackson. Paul reports having been in Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, the Fijis, Samoa, Guadalcanal, Saipan, Bougainville, New Georgia and other places.
Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, Tuesday, September 19, 1944
Hats Off To Hatz!
(Remsen Bell-Enterprise)
Mr. and Mrs. N. H. Hatz are justly proud over receipt of a copy of a citation recently awarded their son, Paul M. Hatz, ship’s cook, first class and who has been in the U. S. Navy for three years with much overseas duty to his credit. The citation, coming from the commanding officer of the USS President Jackson, the first ship to land combat troops in an amphibious operation in this war, is as follows: “As a member of the ship’s company during the grueling and extended Iwo Jima campaign in which this vessel was frequently under fire, was required to be in a constant state of readiness for air attack and was charged with the responsibility of landing troops and cargo through heavy seas and surf over an insecure beach consistently under fire, calling for the utmost in effort and loyalty from the members of this command, he performed his duties in gallant and outstanding manner. In recognition of which and for excellent performance of duty during the Lingayen Gulf campaign, 11 to 12 January 1945, this citation is presented.”
Source: LeMars Globe-Post, April 23, 1945
***Further Research:
Paul Martin Hatz was born Feb. 11, 1922 to Nicholas H. and Mary D. Lauter Hatz. He died July 17, 1999 and is buried in Saint Marys Cemetery, Remsen, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
