PURPLE HEART TO PFC. JACK STOFFEL.
Remsen Bell-Enterprise: An official communication from the 136th station hospital overseas, and addressed to Mrs. Catherine Stoffel of Remsen, says in part that “for wounds received in action against the enemy of the United States in continental Europe on November 11, 1944, the Purple Heart is awarded to Pfc. John H. Stoffel, son of the recipient of the War Department’s letter.”
The Department’s letter was dated Dec. 2, and two days later in England the wounded soldier dated a letter also to his mother. Jack is in a hospital and wrote that he is getting along well and, “I played cards for a while today and read a few stories for that’s about all there is to do. Just received a refill of ink so will write you. This afternoon the colonel came in and presented me with the Purple Heart medal and just as soon as I get a chance I’ll send it to you. The colonel asked me where I am from and when I told him ‘Iowa’ he said, ‘ah, nice country up there, isn’t it?’
“And I’m saying he wasn’t kidding. I think I will be out of bed in a few days. There’s one thing I’d like to see again and that’s the Remsen Bell. I haven’t seen one since I left Louisiana. May God bless you all.”
Source: LeMars Globe-Post, January 8, 1945
John Henry “Jack” Stoffel was born Apr. 21, 1921 to Nick and Catherine Hoffman Stoffel. He died Apr. 10, 1993 and is buried in Saint Marys Cemetery, Remsen, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
