LETTER REVEALS PFC. ROBERT MUSSER AND PFC. CLARENCE CRIGER LIBERATED
Pfc. Robert Musser, 19, and Pfc. Clarence Criger, 37, have been liberated by the Seventh Army from a prisoner of war camp in Germany.
Word of the release of these two men, the first from Muscatine to be liberated in the Allied drive through Germany, came from Major John Trygg, of McGregor, Ia., stationed at headquarters of the Seventh Army in charge of prisoners liberated by the Army, in a letter received Thursday by his wife, Neva Melton, 544 Monroe street. The letter was dated April 3 and apparently Major Trygg had met the soldiers that day. Mrs. Trygg was asked to contact the parents of the men.
According to Major Trygg’s message, both Muscatine men were “a little thin but all right.”
Pfc. Musser, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Musser, 511 East Seventh street, was listed missing in action in France since Jan. 25. He had never been reported a prisoner of war. Pfc. Musser was with an air infantry division and had been on duty overseas since Oct. 1, 1944. He entered service Dec. 3, 1943.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, Friday, April 13, 1945 (photo included)
Letters Come From 2 Liberated From Nazi Camp
Pfc. Robert Musser and Pfc. Clarence Criger were liberated by the Seventh Army from a prisoner of war camp in Germany early Monday morning, April 2, according to letters written by them and received by relatives here this week.
Earlier announcement of their liberation was received in a message sent by Major John Trygg stationed at headquarters of the Seventh Army in charge of prisoners liberated by the Army.
The letter written by Pfc. Musser to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Musser, 511 East Seventh street, was dated April 5, The letter from Prfc. Criger was written to his mother, Mrs. Mary Criger, 305 Liberty street.
Both men were reported missing in action and a later message stated that Pfc. Criger was a prisoner of war. News that Pfc Musser was taken prisoner was not received until it was learned that he had been liberated.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, April 21, 1945
WAR END NEWS PROVIDES HAPPINESS FOR FAMILIES OF NAZI WAR PRISONERS
News of victory in Europe had special significance in many Muscatine home where relatives have “sweated it through” for months and, in some cases, years with their husbands, sons and brothers who were being held in prisoner of war camps in Germany.
Others Known Free
Army men from this territory known to be liberated and enroute home prior to the formal announcement of German surrender, include Pfc. Robert Musser, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Musser, 511 East Seventh street, who was expected to arrive here soon;
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, Monday, May 7, 1945
Pfc. Musser Is Back Home From Nazi POW Camp
Pfc. Robert Musser, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Musser, 511 East Seventh street, was back home today following his release on April 2 from Stalag 9B where he had been held by the German government.
He was reported missing in action in France on Jan. 25, and was not known to be a prisoner until word of his liberation was received here about the middle of April.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, May 10, 1945 (photo included)
Robert Musser was born July 31, 1925 to Harold F. and Berylena G. Tompkins Musser. He died Jan. 3, 1997 and is buried in Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
