Marine Pfc. Steuerwald Killed On Okinawa May 10
Clear Lake Marine Had Been Overseas Since Last December
Marine Pfc. Eldon Kenneth Steuerwald, 19, son of C.R. Steuerwald, Clear Lake, was killed in action on Okinawa on May 10, according to a message received from the war department stating that he had died in the "performance of his duty and service of his country".
Marine Pfc. Steuerwald went overseas last December. He joined the marines on April 16, 1944, and was last home of furlough in July. He had last written home on April 28.
Beside his father, he is survived by 3 brothers and one sister at home and 3 married sisters, Mrs.Laverne Smith and Mrs. Wilbur Smith of Mason City, and Mrs. Donald Kiefer, Clear Lake. His mother died last Feb 24.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, May 26, 1945 (photo included)
Eldon Kenneth Steuerwald was born Jan. 17, 1926 to Chester R. and Letha Steuerwald. He died May 10, 1945, and is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, IA.
Pvt. Steuerwald served with the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II as a Demolition Specialist in HQ Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division and participated in combat operations in the invasion of Okinawa until KIA. He was initially buried in the 1st Marine Div. Cemetery on Okinawa and returned to the U.S. for permanent burial in 1948.
Sources: ancestry.com
