MEN IN SERVICE.
Private Donald Wertz, son of Mrs. Faye Wertz, 2005 S. Newton Street, has been transferred from Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, to the Wisconsin State Teachers college, Milwaukee. He is a graduate of East High and was a senior at Morningside College before he was inducted into the army in February.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, (issue date between Feb 1944--16 Apr 1944)
IN UNIFORM
Lt. Donald Wertz has arrived in New Guinea, according to word received by his mother, Mrs. Faye Wertz, 3804 Fourth avenue. Lt. Wertz is a pilot in the army air forces. His wife, a recent visitor in Sioux City, resides in Escanaba, Mich.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, February 16, 1945
Walter D. Wertz, son of Mrs. Fay Wertz, 3804 Fourth avenue, has been promoted to the rank of first lieutenant while serving as a Mitchell bomber pilot with the veteran Crusaders medium bombardment group of the 13th air force stationed in the Philippines. He has been overseas six months and has seen action over the Philippines, The Netherlands East Indies and the Balikpapan oil refineries.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, July 26, 1945 (photo included)
Lt. Walter D. Wertz, son of Mrs. Faye Wertz, 2100 S. Newton street, and Lt. Joseph E. Hanna, son of Mrs. Ellie Hanna, 3421 Fourth avenue, stood side by side to receive the air medal and an oak leaf cluster at a 13th air force presentation ceremony in the Philippines. Both are bomber pilots and flight commanders with the veteran Crusaders medium bombardment group of the Jungle air force, which bombed the Japanese from Borneo. Both fliers led formations in the pre-invasion bombardment of Brunei, Tarakan and Balakpapan and flew air support missions in coordination with Australian forces engaged in mopping up operations. Lt. Hanna has been overseas eight months and has flown 37 missions.
Lt. Wertz completed his sixth month overseas and his 29th mission. Although neighbors, they were not acquainted until Army assignment brought them together overseas.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, September 11, 1945
Transcriber Note: Per the Federal Census records, it is believed that Walter D. Wertz and Donald Wertz are one in the same person. Sioux City, IA, 1930 Census he is recorded as: Donald W., age 8. In the Sioux City, IA, 1940 Census he is living in the same household as 1930, but in 1940 his name is listed as: W. Donald, age 18.
