Vanderwal Had Premonition of Death, His Letters Indicate
The second LeMars mother to learn of her son’s death on foreign soil was Mrs. Mae Vanderwal, who received a telegram from the War Department Friday night, announcing that her son, First Sergeant Robert Vanderwal, was killed in the north African war theater.
The telegram was identical to the one received by the Kempker family, with the exception of the change of name. Both young men were also killed on the same day, October 2, 1943.
A letter received from her son on October 8, six days after he was killed, indicated that Sgt. Vanderwal had some doubts of ever coming home.
In previous letters he always referred to Bobby, jr., son of Mrs. Richard McInnis, his sister. Bobby jr’s father is also in the Army, stationed at the air corps at Lincoln, Neb. Bobby jr. will be ten months of age on November 5 and was born after Sgt. Vanderwal was sent across for action. In this letter to his mother, Sgt. Vanderwal used the word “if” I don’t get back…”
All his other letters home were more on the positive side, saying “when I get back I’m going to teach Bobby, jr., how to play baseball.”
His last letter, dated Sept. 22, 1943, follows:
“Dear Mother: Circumstances prevent me from writing for some time, but will try to get back in the groove again. How about Wally? [Wally is his brother, now serving in the Pacific war theater.] Have you heard from him yet? It should be about time for you to get some word from him, if he has gone to where I think he has.
“Our mail is being held up somewhere, as nobody is getting any to speak of, but it will catch up one of these days. I hope I can take a whole day just to read mail.
“How is Bobby, jr. getting along? You had better get that ball and bat. If I don’t get there to teach him, I still would like him to be a major leaguer.
“Well, Mother, until I hear from you.—Bye, bye. Love, Bobby.”
Sgt. Robert Vanderwal was born at Remsen, on March 5, 1917, and the family came to LeMars in 1930. He attended the LeMars high school and went through the 11th grade. He then quit school and went to work. He spent three years at Whiting, Iowa, in a CCC camp, where he received an honorable discharge to enter the service.
He was quite an athlete, playing baseball in the junior league and later a member of the town team.
When K company went to Claiborne for a year’s training, he went along as corporal. He was later transferred to Fort Dix and later to Ireland with K company. He also took part in the invasion of Africa, Tunsian campaign and probably the Italian invasion. It is presumed that he was killed in the advance on the Germans near Volturno river.
Sgt. Vanderwal is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nick Vanderwal; a brother, Pvt. Wallace Vanderwal, somewhere in the Pacific war theater, and a sister, Mrs. Richard McInnis. His father is picking corn at Mapleton, Ia. (Photo included with this News article)
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FUNERAL MASS ON WEDNESDAY FOR TWO WAR VICTIMS.
A requiem mass for Cpl. Jack Kempker and 1st Sgt. Robert J. Vanderwal will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic church on Wednesday morning at 9:30, with Msgr. J. D. Fisch officiating.
A catafalque, draped with an American Flag, will symbolize the coffins of the two soldiers, in solemn requiem services.
Service men home on furlough, American Legion, American Legion auxiliary and members of D. company, Iowa state guard will attend the services.
Source: The LeMars Globe-Post, October 25, 1943
Robert John Vanderwal was born Mar. 5, 1917 to Nicholas and Mary Mae Bentz Vanderwal. He died Oct. 2, 1943 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, LeMars, IA.
1st Sgt. Vanderwal served in World War II with the U.S. Army 133rd Infantry, 34th Infantry Division and was KIA in Italy.
Source: ancestry.com
