Pvt. Royce Rossum Killed in Action on Okinawa, April 29
Is the Second of 3 Sons to Give His Life in the Service
Pvt. Royce D. Rossum, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Rossum, 1120 Pennsylvania N.E., was killed in Okinawa on April 29, according to a message received here from the war department.
This is the 2nd son of the Rossums to have given his life in the service, MM 2/c Althon Rossum was reported lost on a destroyer in the Pacific last fall. The remaining son, Gordon, is with a medical corps in Germany. The Rossums have no other children.
Royce had not been heard from since the middle part of April, but according to a story received from headquarters May 24, he was seeing action with the 27th infantry division, the "Knickerbockers" against the enemy in Ryukyuan stronghold. The division had landed on the island on April 10, it was stated.
Royce entered the service last September. He took his basic training at Camp Hood, Tex., and was home on a short furlough in February before going to Fort Ord, Cal., and from there soon after overseas. During his basic training he was awarded 2 expert medals for rifle and 57mm.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, June 8, 1945 (photo included)
Memorial services were held for 13 service men at the Woman’s Relief Corps meeting in the Legion hall Tuesday afternoon with Mrs. C. E. Sherwood presiding.
The memorial table, in charge of Miss Betty Russell, was arragned with flowers, patriotic emblems and a placard “In Memoriam to a Fallen Hero.” Miss Russell stated this was the 6th memorial held. Mrs. Frances Tatum read the names of men honored who were: Pvt. Royce D. Rossom, Lt. Hilmar Erickson, Pfc. Elmer Stricker, Pvt. Robert Maass, Pvt. Richard McMann, Willis I. Conklin, phar. Mate1/c, Lt. Arthur L. Clark Jr, Pvt. Arlo B. Parker, Sgt. Marcus J. Ryan, Pfc. James Serakos, Lt. Robert W. Lewis, Pvt. Gene Kimball, Pfc. William D. Pritchard.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, July 5, 1945
Royce Duane Rossum was born Jan. 1, 1926 to Anton and Luella Theresa Motland Rossum. He died Apr. 29, 1945 and is buried in Memorial Park, Mason City, IA.
Pvt. Rossum served in World War II with the Infantry and DOW received in action on Okinawa Island, Ryukyu, Retto Islands.
Source: ancestry.com
