EUGENE BASHFORD AMONG WOUNDED IN ITALY ACTION
Sgt. Eugene Bashford, son of Mrs. Maggie Bashford of this city, suffered a severe leg wound in action in Italy recently, he has notified his mother by letter.
The Webster City serviceman writes that he expected an operation would have to be performed on his injured leg at the hospital where he is now receiving treatment.
Sergeant Bashford left Webster City with the Iowa National Guard in February, 1941. Shortly after the company reported for training in Louisiana he was commended for heroism in saving a Guardsman from drowning.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - July 6, 1944
Eugene Bashford Dies Suddenly
Eugene C. Bashford, 36, died at 7:40 p.m. Saturday at the Veterans Hospital in Des Moines where he had been a patient since Thursday.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Foster funeral home with the Rev. C. H. Pettersen officiating and with burial in Graceland cemetery. Military services will be held at the grave.
Eugene Carson Bashford, son of William and Maggie Bashford, was born April 10, 1919 at Webster City. He received his education in the Webster City schools and was graduated with the class of 1937 He left here with Company E, 34th division, seeing action in Africa and Italy during World War II.
He was united in marriage July 24, 1949, to Mary Jane Lanahan, and they had since made their home in Webster City. Prior to his death he had been employed at Gage’s Tavern.
He is survived by his wife; his mother, Mrs. Maggie Bashford of Webster City, five brothers and two sisters, James Bashford of Ogden, Utah, Mae Bashford of Hobbs, N. M., William Bashford of Grand Rapids, Minn., Francis Bashford of Webster City, Mrs. William (Laura) Guthrie of Belmond, Iowa and Mrs. Alfred (Naomi) Raven of Grand Rapids, Mich. There are eight nieces and eight nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father in 1941.
He was a member of the Elks lodge, and the American Legion. A friendly, generous individual, Mr. Bashford had made many close friends during his service with Company E and in the American Legion in which he was a very active worker.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - Mar. 12, 1956
NOTES:
Eugene Carson Bashford was born Apr. 10, 1919 to William Thomas and Margaret Watt Bashford. He died Mar. 10, 1956 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.
Sgt. Bashford served in the 133rd Infantry, 34th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars and the Good Conduct Medal.
Sources: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA and
ancestry.com
