RETURNS TO CAMP -- Cpl. Harvey Jeffrie, son of Mr. and Mrs. P.A. Jeffrie of Nora Springs, returned to Camp Adair at Portland, Ore., following a furlough. He was graduated from Hampton high school and attended Upper Iowa University.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, February 2, 1944
IOWAN, INJURED IN ITALY, WRITES
Sgt. Harvey Jeffrie Wounded by Shrapnel
Nora Springs -- Mr. and Mrs. P.A. Jeffrie have had word that their son, Sgt Harvey Jeffrie, was seriously wounded in action in Italy Sept. 11. The letter in part:
"I'm asking the Red Cross girl to drop you a line so you won't worry too much when you hear that I have been hurt. I was wounded on the right side of the abdomen by a pie of shrapnel. from a mortar shell. Luckily, they operated on me right away and while I'm a little sick, I'm feeling stronger all the time and they're letting me drink fluids today. Please don't worry for I"m coming along fine. Hope to be seeing you soon. I'll write more late."
The first letter was followed, on Monday of this week, by the official message from the war department. The telegram informed the Jeffries of their son's hospital address and assured them that they would "be advised as reports of his condition are received."
Sgt. Jeffrie entered the service in October, 1942. He went overseas in May, 1944, landing in north Africa. He recently wrote his parents that he had been through Rome, stating that his outfit was the first American unit in the famous Italian port of Leghorn, also the first to reach the Arno river.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, October 7, 1944
SOLDIER DIES OF WOUNDS IN ITALY
Sgt Harvey Jeffrie Struck by Shrapnel
Nora Springs -- Mr. and Mrs. Pete Jeffrie received official message informing them that their son, Sgt. Harvey H. Jeffrie, 24, died in a hospital in Italy Oct. 21 as a result of wounds received in action Sept. 11.
The Jeffries had first learned of their son's injury in a letter, written Sept. 15, dictated by Sgt. Jeffrie to a Red Cross nurse's aide, in which he cautioned his parents not to worry since he was "coming along fine." He said he had been wounded on the right side of the abdomen by a piece of shrapnel from a mortar shell, and "luckily they operated on me right away and while I'm feeling a little sick, I'm feeling stronger all the time and they're letting me drink fluids today."
Receiving no further word for several weeks, the Jeffries made inquiries through the Red Cross channels. The first reply came Nov. 2 and informed then that no information had been received concerning the condition of their son since the previous communications, but that inquiry was being made regarding his condition and they would be notified when a reply was received. That message was followed by another, a week late, containing the notice of their son's death.
Born Dec. 12, 1920 in Nora Springs, he was one of a family of 7 children. He attended the local school, completing the last 2 years of high school course in Hampton, where he received a scholarship to Upper Iowa University at Fayette.
Surviving are his parents, 4 sisters, Mrs. Russell Sheckler (Zeila) of Prairie du Chein, Wis., Mrs. Una Meeker of Mason City, Mrs. K.G. Ladwig (Opal) of New Hampton, and Marcella Jeffrie of Charles City; and 2 brothers, Leslie Jeffrie of Hampton, and Kirk, at home.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, November 17, 1944
Saw Nora Springs Man Before Death
By FRANK MILES
With the 5th Army in Italy (IDPA) - Sgt Harvey H. Jeffrie of Nora Springs, though weak form wounds, smiled cheerfully from his hospital cot when I shook hands with him last fall.
He said he "could feel worse" and was certain he soon would be all right. I saw that his condition was grave and asked him if his folks knew he had been hit by enemy steel. He replied that the Red Cross had written them at his request.
Since I am not permitted to impart information as to a casualty until next of kin officially is notified, I told him that I would write his parents urging them to write him often without mentioning what had occurred.
Since then I received a copy of a folder containing the program of memorial services held for him at the Methodist church in Nora Springs, his picture and an account of his life and death. It came from his sister-in-law, Mrs. Leslie Jeffrie, Hampton. Complying with her request, I wrote her all I could remember of my visit with him. He died Oct. 11.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, February 9, 1945
Harvey Henry Jeffrie was born Dec. 12, 1920 to Pete and Minnie Gast Jeffrie. He died Oct. 21, 1944 and is buried in Park Cemetery, Nora Springs, IA.
Sgt. Jeffrie served in World War II with the U.S. Army 363rd Infantry Regiment, 91st Division and died of wounds received in action in Italy.
Source: ancestry.com
