VOLUNTEERS WENT TO FORT SNELLING
Selective service board No. 1 reports that Robert L. Thomas, Mason City, and Clare J. Gagnon, Clear Lake, left as special volunteers for Fort Snelling, Wednesday morning on the 7:35 bus to report for induction into the armed forces at Fort Snelling, Minn.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, August 30, 1944
WHEREABOUTS
Pvt. Robert L. Thomas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leon C. Thomas, 812 3rd S.W., who went overseas in January, is now in Holland. He had been in Ireland, Scotland and England since getting across. Before going overseas Pvt. Thomas had spent a 7-day furlough here. He was graduated from high school last spring and entered the service in August. He took his 14 weeks of training at Camp Hood, Tex.
Sgt. Ralph Thomas, another son of the Thomases, has gone to Columbia, S. Car., for reassignment following a 30-day leave here after returning to the states from 27 months of service overseas.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, March 9, 1945
Thomas Memorial Service at Major Chapel Sunday
At 3 O’clock in Afternoon
Rev. Johnston in Charge
Memorial services for Pvt. Robert L. Thomas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leon C. Thomas, 812 3rd S.W., who was killed in Germany on March 5, will be held at the Major Memorial chapel Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock with the Rev. Roy I. Johnston in charge. Mrs. Roy Servison will play an organ prelude preceding the service.
Pvt. Thomas was born in Mason City on Aug. 12, 1926. He was graduated from Mason City high school in 1944. He entered the service on Sept. 16, and after 14 weeks of basic training was given a furlough, then sent directly overseas, arriving there on Feb. 2. In his 31 days overseas he was in 7 countries: France, Belgium, England, Ireland, Scotland, Holland, and Germany. He was buried in Holland, according to word received from his chaplain.
Besides his parents, he is survived by a brother, S/Sgt. Ralph R. Thomas, recently returned from 27 months overseas. Sgt. Thomas has arrived from his base at Myrtle Beach, S. Car., to be here for the services. He is also survived by 2 sisters, Leona, a student at Milwaukee Downer College, Milwaukee, who will also be present for the services, and Mrs. Merlin L. McGowan of this city.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, April 20, 1945 (photo included)
Pvt. Robert L. Thomas served in World War II with the U.S. Army 49th Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division and is buried in Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Source: abmc.gov
