Battle Careers Run Parallel, But They Never Met
S. Sgt. W. C. McClain of Sioux City and Pvt. Harold Pense of Bonesteel, South Dakota made an unusual discovery when they met here recently after a two-year separation.
Both soldiers were sent overseas at approximately the same time two years ago, Sgt. McClain with an air corps unit and Pvt. Pense with an armored division. Both soldiers saw service in Scotland, England, Africa and Italy and wear the European theater of operations ribbon with two battle stars. Pvt. Pense was a German prisoner of war for 18 months. They returned to the Slates on the same convoy. During all that time they never came in contact with one another.
Sgt. McClain will report to Miami Beach, Florida after spending a 21-day furlough with his mother, Mrs. F. L. Coffey and sister, Mrs. Evon Needles, 1508 Main Street, and his wife and daughter Marlene at Tacoma, Washington. Pvt. Pense, a brother of Mrs. McClain, will report to San Antonio, Texas, after completing a 21-day furlough with his parents at Bonesteel, South Dakota.
Pfc. Howard Pense was home on furlough at the same time as his brother, Pvt. Harold. He is stationed at Augusta, Georgia.
Source: The Sioux City Journal-Tribune, March 18, 1943 (photo included)
