A. Rossum Killed in Action Somewhere in South Pacific
Had Been Overseas More than a Year; Leaves Wife and Son
Althon Leonard Rossum, machinist's mate 2/c, has been killed in action somewhere in the South Pacific, according to a telegram received by his wife from the navy department. No details as to the time or exact place were given.
Rossum had been overseas since Oct., 1943. Before entering the service on Navy day, Oct. 27, 1942, he was employed at the Independent Baking company.
He took his boot training at Great Lakes and following that attended Wentworth Institution in Boston, Mass. Later he took a course in advanced steam engineering at a school in New York city. From there he went to Treasure Island, Cal., and then overseas. He was serving on a destroyer.
Surviving are his wife, the former Fern Witham, and son Gary; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Rossum, 1120 Pennsylvania N.E.; 2 brothers in the service, Pvt. Gordon Dean Rossum, with the medical corps in Germany, and Pvt. Royce Rossum, at Camp Hood, Tex.
Rossum was graduated from the Mason City high school in 1940. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran church.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, November 4, 1944 (photo included)
Althon Leonard Rossum was born in July 18, 1919 to Anton and Luella Theresa Motland Rossum. He died Oct. 24, 1944 and is memorialized at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, IA.
Petty Officer Rossum was declared MIA/Lost at Sea . He is also memorialized at Fort William McKinley, Manila, the Philippines. He was awarded a Purple Heart.
Sources: ancestry.com
