LT. WAYNE STORTZ KINGSLEY, KILLED
Widow Learned of Brother’s Death Only Last Month
Last Thursday, May 10, word was received by Mrs. Pauline Stortz of the death of her husband, First Lieut. Wayne W. Stortz, 25. He lost his life in the battle for Germany on April 30. Lt. Stortz was the pilot of a small observation plane flying over the enemy lines and met his death in the line of duty, as a result of a plane crash.
Wayne W. Stortz was born in Kingsley on October 7, 1919. He grew to young manhood here and graduated from Kingsley high school with the Class of 1937.
Until May 27, 1942, when he entered the Army, he had been a farm employee. Wayne received his basic training at Ft. Sill, Okla., here also he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the field artillery on February 25, 1943. On May 3, Lt. Stortz received his Liaison pilot’s wings at Denton, Texas.
On July 5, 1943, Wayne was united in marriage at Ft. Sill, Okla., to Pauline Fahrenkrug of Kingsley. Rev. Father Patrick McNamee, Catholic chaplain, read the marriage ceremony.
Lt. Stortz was then transferred to camp Livingston, Louisiana, where he received his promotion on January 18, 1944, to that of first lieutenant. After serving here for eight months, the young officer was sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Here he was assigned to the 546th field artillery battalion, going overseas with them in January, 1945.
Death struck twice in less than a month for his wife, Pauline. Her brother, Harold Fahrenkrug, Water Tender First Class, lost his life in the Pacific theater of war on April 6.
Besides his wife, Pauline, he leaves to mourn his death, his mother, Mrs. Claire Stortz; a brother, Wendelin; two sisters, Bonnie and Rita, all of Kingsley. Also a host of other relatives and friends.
WAYNE STORTZ DIES IN PLANE CRASH
Was With Army On German Front
Mrs. Clare Stortz of Kingsley received the telegram from the War Department last Thursday telling that her son, Lieut. Wayne Stortz, had lost his life in the battle of Germany on April 30, says the Kingsley News-Times.
Lieut. Stortz was a pilot of a reconnaissance plane, flying over the enemy lines and met his death in a plane crash in the line of duty.
Wayne Stortz was born October 7, 1919, at Kingsley. He graduated from the Kingsley high school in 1937.
He entered the Army May 27, 1942, and took tank training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He received his commission as Second Lieutenant in Field Artillery on February 25, 1943. On May 3, 1943, he received the silver wings of liaison pilot, at Denton, Texas, and on January 18, 1944, was promoted to first lieutenant.
He was married July 5, 1943, at Fort Sill, Okla., to Pauline Faye Fahrenkrug, by Fr. Patrick McNamee. He left for overseas duty from Camp Shelby, Okla., in January 1945.
Death struck twice in less than a month for his wife, Pauline, as her brother Harold Fahrenkrug lost his life in the Pacific theatre of the war, the notification being received during the fore part of April.
Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, May 22, 1945
1st Lt. Wayne William Stortz is buried in Saint Michaels Cemetery, Kingsley, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
