Lloyd Elmer Junior Powell was born 13th February 1925, to Lloyd Victor and Mabel Elizabeth (Bolte) Powell, in rural Climbing Hill, Iowa. His brothers are Lester and Richard. Lloyd went to school in both Woodbury and Monona Counties, leaving in the eighth grade. The old family called him Junior.
Lloyd’s father died in 1929, so it was very hard for his mother with three young boys. Lloyd worked for family and neighbors to help the family. He remembers the 1936 drought and grasshoppers. He was working on a farm northwest of Climbing Hill. He left a pitchfork outside, and the grasshoppers nearly ate all the wood off the handle.
Lloyd traveled all over the Midwest looking for work. He had plenty to eat in the Army.
Lloyd was drafted in 10 April 1943 from Sioux City. His first stop was Camp Dodge, Iowa; where he was accepted and sent home for leave. Next stop was basic training at Fort Custer. Lloyd went to Stoneman, California, to board a converted ocean liner, 17 September 1943; his first stop overseas was Australia. He enjoyed Australia. It was his first trip overseas as it was for many young men and women. Next, came New Guinea, and the slow trek up the islands with the last being Manila in the Philippines. Since Lloyd grew up as a scrapper, it helped him with his duties as an MP. The MP’s in this area were usually sent out in groups of two. When the next military area was set, the Army went in, the MP’s were either with them, or shortly behind. They directed the oncoming army as they advanced as well as kept the peace. On the island of New Guinea, Lloyd with a group of prisoners built a stockade. Appearing in the Stars and Stripes is a picture of Lloyd and Medardo Madla, his Filipino helper. Someone sent this picture home to his mother in Sioux City. This picture hangs in his living room today along with his discharge and medals Lloyd went on to Leyte, then on to the next hotspot, Lingsyan Gulf on Luzon.
Lloyd qualified 22 May 1943, his Rifle marksman. Lloyd received the Good Conduct medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, Bronze Arrowhead, Purple Heart, American Theater Area Asiatic Pacific Area ribbon, WWII Medal, Presidential Citation Unit citation Badge.
Lloyd came home to the states, and was mustered out, 31 December 1945. He was in the Navy reserves in Sioux City, from 1950 to 1954. Lloyd married Charlotte Sweisberger, in South Sioux City, Nebraska, on 5 May 1947. They celebrated fifty-five years this past May. They have one son, David Lee, three grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren. Lloyd worked for Swift’s Packing House after the war, as well as the Railroad. He was there, as well as many other Veterans, that day at Swift’s when an explosion ripped through the building in 1949. His next job was the United States Post Office, were he did many jobs, before retiring in 1983. He worked various second jobs in gas stations and convenience stores. Lloyd got his boiler license, and went to work for Nutra Flo. Lloyd went back to school (Western Iowa Tech) in Sioux City and received his GED in 1996, at age 71. He was top in his class, and was asked to be a speaker at the graduating ceremony. He finally retired in 2001, now gardens, does some landscaping, woodworking and is presently making birdhouses with his grandsons, Catlin and Nick.
Lloyd credits the hardships of the depression, growing up on a farm, and understanding rifles with helping him to survive the war. It was more than thirty years before he could put the war behind him. Lloyd is a self- educated man who has been able to put what he reads to work for him. He has passed his mechanical aptitude on to his son and grandson.
Taking vitamins and hard work has placed him in good health these many years. Lloyd is proud of being an American and serving his country. Lloyd is a member of the Hindman-Steele American Legion Post No. 492 at Hornick. Through his military service, his two granddaughters and five great granddaughters belong to the American Legion Auxiliary in Hornick and Moville, Iowa, and Dakota City, Nebraska.
Submitted by Lloyd Powell.
