3 BROTHERS MEET
Mrs. Lila Pelz of Blairsburg has received a letter from her son, Tech Sgt. Ronald S. Pelz, in North Africa, who visited with his two brothers, S. Sgt. Raymond L. and Tech Sgt. Darwin K. somewhere in Africa after receiving a short leave. The latter two servicemen had been overseas for 18 months. Darwin has been through the Tunisian, Sicilian and Italian campaigns and suffered several wounds. After having been hospitalized in Italy, he was reunited with his brother Raymond with whom he had been side by side for the one and one-half years of service, until an injury had forced Raymond to stay behind in Africa. Ronald is stationed on the North African coast as a member of an searchlight battalion. Another brother, Welston K. is also in the army and is stationed in Texas.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA – June 2, 1944
Raymond Luverne Pelz was born June 12, 1919 to John Edward and Lila Arlene Williams Pelz. He died Feb. 24, 1947 and is buried in Blairsburg Cemetery, Blairsburg, IA.
Raymond served with the 149th Infantry, 45th Division, Co. M as a machine gun instructor; serving in North Africa. He was seriously wounded in a mine explosion. He was awarded a Purple Heart, European theater ribbon with five battle stars, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Good Conduct Medal.
Ronald served with the coast artillery in Germany and Welston K. served with the 91st “Powder River” division, spending 10 months in Italy.
Sources: Daily Freeman Journal and ancestry.com
