Three More War Prisoners Are Reported Liberated
Red Cross Notified of Release of Nozicka, Mansmith and Martin
Three more Cerro Gordo county prisoners of war have been liberated, according to word received by the local Red Cross from national headquarters.
They are 2nd Lt. Benny J. Nozicka and Pfc. Harold E Mansmith of Mason City and Flight Officer Roy B. Martin, Jr., of Clear Lake.
Included in the same message were the names of Lt. Nozicka and Pfc. Mansmith. It requested the Red Cross notify Mrs. John Nozicka, 830 15th S.E., of the liberation of her son; also Mrs. Peter Tosevigen of the liberation of her son, Pfc. Mansmith. It asked that Mrs. Cecil Martin be notified of F/O Martin's release.
Lt. Nozicka was taken prisoner on June 9 of last year first reported missing in action in flight over Germany on that date. He had been held at Stalag Luft 3. Mrs. Nozicka reports that the last letter received from him was written last Dec. 24. The letter came here in March. He had written that he would like to be sent all kinds of eats but didn't want any clothing.
Pfc. Mansmith was imprisoned at Stalag IV B. He had been held since last Nov. 26. In March his wife, who lives at Baraboo, Wis., has had direct word from him, stating that he was at the above named camp.
F/O Martin had been held at Stalag Luft No. 1. He was captured by the Germans last Sept. 18 first reported missing in action over Holland.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, May 25, 1945 (photos of the servicemen included)
Harold E. Mansmith was born July 11, 1916 to William L. and Ora May Beddow Mansmith. He died Dec. 10, 2001 in Mason City, IA.
Pvt. Mansmith served in World War II with the U.S. Army 3rd Battalion Headquarters, 71st Infantry Regiment, 44th Division. He was a POW in Stalag 4B in Germany.
Sources: ancestry.com
