VISITORS HERE.
Capt. and Mrs. Lawrence Herrick arrived here from Eglen, Florida, and have been enjoying a visit with Mrs. Herrick’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Helmick, Columbus Junction, and with Mr. Herrick’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Herrick, at Letts. Capt. Herrick has completed his training at Eglen Field and is now waiting transfer orders. He will return to Florida this week while Mrs. Herrick will remain here for a longer visit.
Source: Muscatine Journal News-Tribune, June 12, 1943
Maj. L. Herrick, Letts, Fighter Pilot, Killed
Letts -- Major Lawrence Herrick, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Herrick, of Letts, who was reported as missing in action over France on Aug. 5, was killed in action on that date, his wife, the former Jeannette Helmick, now living with her parents in Columbus Junction, has been informed. Major Herrick was a pilot of an army fighter plane and was believed to be killed near Tours, France.
He had been based in England for several months and had previously been stationed in France.
According to last reports from him, he had completes 48 missions and more than 80 sorites.
Major Herrick was born on Jan. 14, 1920 and was married on Jan. 2, 1942, to Jeannette Helmick. He attended Letts high school, Muscatine Junior college and Iowa Wesleyan college where he was a student when he entered the service in December, 1940.
He was commissioned at Craig Field, Ala., on Aug. 15, 1941. His promotion to captain came in September, 1942, and he was advanced to the rank of major in February, 1944, after he had gone overseas. He had been awarded the Air Medal and Five Oak Leaf clusters for exceptionally meritorious achievement while participating in bomber combat missions over Germany and enemy occupied Europe.
He is survived by his wife and parents; two children, Larry Lanning and Richard James, the latter born shortly before Major Herrick was reported missing; two sisters, Mrs. Harriet Lewis, Muscatine, and Miss Miriam Herrick, a student nurse at Marcy Hospital in Davenport.
Source: The Muscatine Journal News-Tribune, Dec. 20, 1944 (photo included)
Army Chaplain Tells of Burial of Maj. Herrick
Columbus Junction -- Mrs. Lawrence H. Herrick, formerly Miss Jeannette Helmick, who was recently notified of the death of her husband, Major Lawrence H. Herrick in France, Aug. 5, 1944, has received a letter from the Army chaplain, commending Major Herrick and expressing his sympathy.
He wrote that Major Herrick was buried by the villagers in the village of Indre Loire, France. His grave he stated, was marked by a black wooden cross and a portion of his plane.
Mrs. Herrick received this week the Purple Heart awarded Major Herrick by the war department.
Source: The Muscatine Journal News-Tribune, January 19, 1945
140 Have Made Supreme Sacrifice In Muscatine Area In War Against Axis Powers; Many reported wounded.
The cost of war runs high!
Word of the victory in Europe today brought a feeling of happiness and relief to thousands of families in the Muscatine area, but for others there were only sad memories. And for those who have sons, husbands, brothers or other relatives, fighting against the Japs in the second phase of the big world-wide conflagration the period of rejoicing was less pronounced.
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The names of those who have made the supreme sacrifice in the World War No. 2, compiled from records maintained by The Journal, follow:
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Major Lawrence Herrick, 24, of Letts, husband of Mrs. Jeanette Herrick of Columbus Junction, killed in action Aug. 5, 1944, over France.
Source: Muscatine Journal, Victory In Europe Edition, Monday, May 7, 1945
Maj. Lawrence H. Herrick is buried in Lettsville Cemetery, Letts, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
