One Killed, Five Missing in Action in European theater of operations
War casualty lists mounted Friday in Waterloo with reports that five soldiers were missing in action and another had been killed in the European theater. The news sent the toll to 12 in two days, six having been reported missing Thursday.
Friday’s reported casualties were:
KILLED.
Pfc. Harold E. Waltemeyer, 20.
MISSING.
Staff Sgt. Clinton H. McKinney, 20.
Pfc. Robert E. Sackett, 32.
Sgt. T. Wayne Black, 24.
Sgt. Elmer J. Mormann, 26.
Pfc. Clyde L. Stitt, 22.
Private Sackett, who is the son of Mrs. Mary Sackett, 171 Duryes street, was reported missing in a telegram received by his wife, Florence, who with her four children, Marie Louise, Nancy Ann, Morris David, and Robert Paul, reside at 1010 Randolph street.
He entered service in March, 1944, trained at Camp Roberts, Cal., and Camp Atterbury, Ind., and went overseas in October.
A West high school graduate, he made his home with Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morris, Martin road, from the time he was seven years old until he married in March, 1936. He was employed by the Morris Printing Co., prior to entering service.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, January 12, 1945 (photo included)
TWO IOWANS FREED FROM NAZI CAMPS
With the U. S. Army In Germany—(AP)—Two Iowans were among 500 American soldiers who were liberated Thursday when the 89th infantry overran several German prisoner of war camps.
They were Pfc’s Robert Sackett, Waterloo, and Donald Lundell, Akron.
Private Sackett, whose wife and four children reside at 1010 Randolph street, was among 500 American prisoners liberated recently by the 89th infantry division.
He was captured in the Ardennes break-through, and reported missing Dec. 16, while serving with the 106th division.
The last word received from him by his wife was on Jan. 25, when he was in a prison camp.
The report of Private Sackett’s liberation came Friday through an Associated Press dispatch.
Private Sackett entered service in March, 1944, took basic training at Camp Roberts, Cal., and joined his company at Camp Atterbury, Ind., before going overseas in October, 1944.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, April 20, 1945 (photo included)
Memorial day this year will be a solemn, but joyful occasion at the Sackett home at 1010 Randolph, because the husband and father, Pfc. Robert E. Sackett, has come home to rest after the horrors of confinement in a Nazi prison camp in Germany.
Private Sackett will spend a 60-day furlough with his wife and four children, resting from his experiences in Germany.
Serving with the 106th infantry division in Germany during December, 1944, Private Sackett was one of the hundreds of soldiers captured by the Germans and interned in prison camps.
He was liberated in March by the 89th infantry division.
Private Sackett entered service in March, 1944, took basic training at Camp Roberts, Cal., and at Camp Atterbury, Ind., and went overseas in October, 1944.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, May 27, 1945 (photo included)
FAIRBANK BAPTIST CHURCH
Pastor: H. M. Robison
Sunday School. 2 p.m.
Church. 3 p.m.
Hear Pfc. Robert Sackett, of Waterloo, Ia., who is on furlough, having been a prisoner of the Dresden, Germany, prison camps four months. He lost 35 pounds in four months and was one of the few survivors. Hear how God miraculously saved him.
Source: Oelwein Daily Register, August 10, 1945
Cpl. Robert E. Sackett, whose wife and children reside at 1010 Randolph street, was awarded the combat infantryman’s badge at Hot Springs, Ark., recently. Corporal Sackett saw action in Belgium, France and Germany during seven months overseas. He was with the 106th “Golden Lion” division and was taken German prisoner Dec. 17, 1944, being liberated April 17, 1945. He has four children, Marie, Nancy, Morris David, and Robert Paul.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, September 4, 1945
RETURNING SERVICE MEN ARRIVE FROM EUROPEAN THEATER
Cpl. Robert Sackett, who was a prisoner of the Germans five months, has received a discharge from the Army with 81 points and is now here with his wife and four children at 1010 Randolph street. His mother, Mrs. Mary Sackett, resides at 171 Duryea street. He is wearer of the Purple Heart and has three battle stars on the European theater ribbon.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, October 9, 1945
PFC. ROBERT SACKETT
Brother Sackett, entered the service March 16, 1944. On December 16, he was reported missing in action and later a prisoner of war in Germany. He is now at home with his family in Waterloo on a 60-day furlough—another answer to prayer.
Here is his testimony:
“Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord and He shall give three the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:35
More wonderful and precious are the promises that God gives us in His Word than we can comprehend. We read the Bible day by day and know what God promises, but hardly ever do we “prove God” or test Him out, unless at our extremity.
Surely Romans 8:28 is true, but so many times Christians question it in their minds. God gives us trials and puts us in positions where we are utterly helpless in order to convince us of His saving and keeping power.
I know now that I can never praise God or glorify Him enough for all that He has done for me in the past seven months. It has been a wonderful school for both my wife and I. We have learned to rely on the Lord, “from whom cometh our help,” for we know that we cannot look to man to do the impossible.
Of course, I prayed, that if it be possible, I might be spared from going into combat, but the Lord had a school He wanted me to go through, and He was with me through it all. He knew the way and led me safely through. He even allowed me to have a pair of shoes a half size too large so that I could put inner soles in to help keep my feet from freezing after the Germans took my overshoes.
When in combat, the Lord was merciful and permitted me to be spared even a wound, and I praise Him for it. The prayers of my wife and Christian friends were heard and answered in my behalf, for which I am very grateful.
Aside from serving the Lord, my greatest desire was to get back home, through the grace of God, and be allowed to help my dear wife rear our four children—two girls and two boys—which the Lord has given us.
One lesson which I learned so vividly in combat was the worthlessness of material things. We stripped ourselves of all superfluous equipment, anything that would weight us down, in order to be better able to move about and surprise the enemy. Nothing mattered in comparison to our lives. We Christians are often so occupied with things of this world that we forget about the welfare of our souls and its needs of daily spiritual food. “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36
After we were surrendered to the Germans and were being marched back of the lines, the Lord allowed me to pick up a blanket from wreckage and equipment over which we walked, so that I would have a “good friend” to keep me warm and protect my body from the cold and snow. I was also privileged to have an overcoat and canteen, which were the most important items I could have. I was also forewarned enough of the treatment by the Germans to have a few chocolate D-bars and a few large carrots, which came in handy, as it was the evening of third day before we were given anything to eat, and then it was boiled potatoes in the jackets and coffee, both of which were most unpalatable after being used to good food, but still welcomed.
While being searched soon after our surrender, the Lord allowed me to keep all my cherished possessions, which were taken away from many of the soldiers. Each one had a sentimental value, my wristwatch—a farewell gift from the Christian Business Men’s Committee, a ring from my wife, and a pen and pencil set from my family.
The Lord led and cared for me continually. I was spared from sickness, which so many had, and was able to witness for my Lord and encourage others to read their Testaments daily.
The day before Christmas and Christmas Day we were bombed by our own air force with incendiaries coming through the roof of the building, but none of the American prisoners were injured or killed.
Best of all, 250 privates were sent out to a work camp where a Christian buddy, who had attended Moody (Bible Institute), and I were permitted to hold church services on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. We were able to teach and preach the Word of God even in the center of dark, misled Germany, in prison. Praise His Name! Many were sick and glad to have the Word read to them, and prayer. Some professed conversion, while others were helped and turned back to the Lord.
My heart overflows when I think of how well the Lord took care of my family who were well and happy on my return. I had not received any mail from them for five months. I have learned again that Philippians 4:19 means what it says, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.”
Isn’t it wonderful that God has written these verses and promises for each one of us! He loves one as well as the other, “not willing that any should perish.” Are you relying on these promises with your whole heart? ~Pfc. Robert Sackett
Source: IOWA Rural Bible Crusade, Vol. I. May and June 1945, No. 5 and 6
Robert Ennis Sackett was born Oct. 11, 1912 to Clarence Alden and Mary Louise Tritten Sackett. He died Jan. 15, 2001 and is buried in Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery, Waterloo, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
