MILES VISITS MASON CITYAN
Krivohlavy, 34 Months in Italy, Is "Rookie"
With Frank Miles
(Iowa Daily Press War Correspondent)
With the 5th Army in Italy (IDPA) -- "Please don't go any further down this road. We don't want you to get shot and we don't want you to draw fire on our men dug in down there a little ways."
A sergeant was speaking to an army private and me in a jeep in front of a shell battered house on a trail in the Apennine mountains of North Italy.
"Come in and rest," invited 2 field artillery observers, who also had come out to warn us against going ahead. An observation post was on the 2nd floor and a battalion aid station on the ground floor of the structure.
"Who here is from Iowa?" I inquired upon entering and noting the offers and GI's were of the 34th division.
"I, 2nd Lt. John R Peters, of Fairfield," smiled a blonde, curly-headed youth of medium height and build.
"Private first class Leroy Crandall, Hampton," said a brawny soldier, extending his hand.
"Private first class Frank Krivohlavy, of Mason City," from a slender lad.
Pfc. Krivohlavy is the son of Mrs. M. Krivolahvy, 604 Jackson S.W.
"How long have you boys been overseas?" I asked.
"Thirty-five months" replied Peters
"Same here," from Crandall.
"Only 34 for me," grinned Krivohlavy.
"Rookie," kidded Peters.
They were in a hot spot.
"We stay under cover in day time," said the captain in command.
"This place probably is a little hard to hit by jerries from where they are now," added a GI, "but a look at all the shell holes in the valley out there across the road will show you how they have tried to blast us out."
"I hope it's safer here than the last house we were in," said a private. "We lost 23 men in one night there."
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, January 11, 1945
Brothers Honored in Italy; Bronze Star and Promotion
Frank Krivohlavy for Aiding Wounded; Rudolph Naturalized
The bronze star has have been awarded to Pfc. Frank R. Krivohlavy and a promotion granted to Pfc. Rudolph F. Krivohlavy, sons of Mrs. Krivohaly, 604 Jackson, both serving in Italy. Word from the 15th AAF headquarters there also states that Rudolph was naturalized at Naples recently.
The citation accompanying the bronze star awarded to Frank, who is serving in the medical department of the 133rd infantry regiment, reads as follows:
"For meritorious service in combat from March 15, 1944 to Nov. 23, 1944, in Italy. Throughout this period, Pfc. Krivohlavy has performed his duties as an aid man in an exceptional manner.
Always on hand when his service were needed and doing his utmost to render first aid to the wounded, regardless of the dangers to which he was constantly exposed.
"Pfc. Krivohlavy's actions have been an inspiration to his fellow comrades. The courage, determination and untiring effort displayed by Pfc. Krivohlavy in going to the aid of the wounded men while under full observation and heavy fire of the enemy reflects great on himself and the military service."
Frank left Mason City, with the national guard in 1941, and has been overseas more than 3 years.
Rudolph, who was recently promoted, was naturalized with 71 other overseas soldiers in a ceremony in Naples., according to announcement from headquarters of the 15th AAF there.
Frank H. Murrell, U.S. vice consul, administered the oath of citizenship. Brig. Gen. L.C. James, commanding general of the replacement and training command, Mediterranean theater, gave a short talk, welcoming the men as new Americans, it was stated.
Rudolph, is in the ordnance section of a B-24 Liberator heavy bomber group. He was born in Czechoslovakia and entered the United States with his parents several years ago. He was employed by J.E. Decker and Sons until he entered the army in Feb., 1943. He began overseas service in April, 1944, landing in Italy.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, March 12, 1945 (photo included)
Krivohlay Brothers Together Again After Nearly 4 Years Apart
The 3 Krivohlay brothers of Mason City who have been in the service are together this week for the first time since Frank left Mason City with the national guard in 1941.
Arrived a few days ago were Rudolph and John, both of whom are to report back to duty at the end of their visit. Frank has been out of the army since May and is now managing the Garner Produce at Garner.
Rudolph, private 1/c, is here for 30 days from the hospital at Galesburg, Ill., and will report back there. He was flown to the states from Casablanca.
John, seaman 1/c, has just returned from the southwest Pacific and will report back to his ship, the USS Charles R. Greer, at the end of his 20 day leave.
They are the sons of Mrs. Marie Krivohlavy, 604 Jackson S.W.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, November 8, 1945
Veterans Are Not Forgotten--
There’s a cookie jar in the memory of almost every adult and members of various patriotic auxiliaries work to keep that memory green for hospitalized veterans through their cookies for veterans projects. Mrs. Marie Krivohlavy, 604 Jackson, S.W. and ….Mrs. Arnold Tilton ……[excerpt]
Knowing what kind of sweets veterans confined to a hospital might like isn’t a new subject for either Mrs. Tilton or Mrs. Krivohlavy, since the menfolk of both families have been confined to veterans hospitals at some time.
All of Mrs. Krivohlavy’s sons are veterans of World War II. John Krivohlavy was in the Navy hospital at Farragut, Idaho, before serving as a baker on the USS Bottineau.
Frank Krivohlavy left with the local national guard, Company H and served 39 months overseas. He was awarded the bronze star for giving first aid to the wounded.
Rudolph Krivohlavy, who was given his naturalization papers at Naples while in the air forces of the U.S. Army had been a citizen of Czechoslovakia. He was wounded several times and was flown to the Veterans hospital at Miami, Fla., and also spent time in the Galesburg, Ill., veterans hospital and the hospital at Shepard Field, Texas.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, Saturday, July 15, 1950
