DRAFT BOARD MINUTES OF APRIL 18
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Elmer J. Altena 1A to 1C Ind.
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Source: Sioux Center News April 20, 1944 p 1
CALLS TO SERVICE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED PENDING NEW RULING
Men Over 26 Effected By New Regulations
Men over 26 from Sioux County who were ready to leave Tuesday of this week for their respective military duties in army and navy, were notified Monday by the draft board, and informed that their calls had been suspended until the National Draft Board shall determine their status further. The Sioux County Draft Board called the local men telling them that this order would be temporary, and until further orders came in writing from National headquarters, they may remain at home. No indication of the length of time it would take could be given at present. Local men affected by this ruling are....Elmer Altena who had completed all arrangements for leaving(other newspaper issues reveal he had vacated his home, his wife and children had moved in with her parents and another family had moved into their home) and asked to be sent on through and therefore left according to schedule....
The following men left Tuesday, April 11th, for the Induction Station at Camp Dodge, Iowa, where they will report for active duty:
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Elmer J. Altena, Sioux Center
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Source: Sioux Center News April 13, 1944 p 1
Pvt. and Mrs. Elmer Altena became the parents of a 5 1/2 lb. daughter born to them at the Hull hospital last Friday afternoon. She has been named Betty Lou and Pvt. Altena is in the service at Camp Bowie, Texas.
Source: Sioux Center News June 29, 1944 p 9
Pvt. Elmer Altena, who left for the service five months ago, came home Monday to spend his first furlough with his family. They have a new three months old daughter whom he had never seen. Elmer has been stationed at Camp Bowie, Texas.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 14, 1944 p 8
Pvt. and Mrs. Elmer Altena and children were entertained for dinner at the John Vander Stelt home on Sunday evening.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 21, 1944 p 4
Pvt. Elmer Altena left here by bus on Saturday afternoon to return to Camp Bowie, Texas, after spending a 15 day furlough with his family here. This was his first furlough at home since he entered the service about six months ago.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 28, 1944 p 10
Mrs. Peter Schouten...received several letters the past week some of which were written while on the ship and he (Pvt. Peter Schouten) told of meeting Pvt. Elmer Altena while on ship. Mrs. Altena also received word from her husband the past week that he had arrived in England, but they were not together anymore.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 16, 1944 p 8
OVERSEAS
(photo included)
Pictured here is Pvt. Elmer Altena who left the states recently arriving safely in England. He and Peter Schouten travelled on the same boat. Elmer's wife and family are living in Sioux Center with her parents.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 23, 1944 p 1
....Elmer Altena's APO is now changed to 562 also.
Source: Sioux Center News Jan 25, 1945 p 2
Pvt. Elmer Altena has moved from France to Belgium and has a new APO number which should read 231. The rest of his address remains the same.
Source: Sioux Center News March 22, 1945 p 2
Elmer Altena has been promoted from Pfc. to Cpl. His address remains the same.
Source: Sioux Center News July 12, 1945 p 2
Cpl. Elmer J. Altena has this new address: Co. C, 297th Engrs. (C) Bn., APO 758, c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept 27, 1945 p 10
Mrs. Elmer Altena had word Sunday from her husband who is in Europe, that he expects to come home and no more mail should be sent to his overseas address.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 4, 1945 p 10
Mrs. Elmer Altena received word that her husband had arrived in the states on Wednesday morning.
Source: Sioux Center News October 25, 1945 p 10
Cpl. Elmer Altena arrived home early Wednesday morning and has been given a discharge from the army after serving for a year and a half. The past year was spent overseas. Elmer was in Engineers in the European theater, wears three battle stars. He has no definite plans for his immediate future. (Photo in another column, page 8)
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 1, 1944 pgs 1 & 8
DRAFT BOARD
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Minutes of Nov. 5, 1945
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Discharges were granted to ..., Elmer J. Altena,...
Source: Sioux County Capital Nov. 8, 1945 p 1
