The War Department also announced the names of 11 Iowa soldiers who are prisoners of war interned by Italy. They are:
Pvt. Melvin Brue, Lake Mills;
Corp. Merle Cripe, Rockwell City;
Pvt. Alvin C. Crouse, Storm Lake;
Staff Sergeant Charles R. Gillespie, Red Oak;
Pvt. Eldon D. Patterson, Rockwell City;
Pvt. (f.c.) Merlene H. Rold, Avoca;
Corp. Earl F. Schenck, Villisca;
Pvt. Michael M. Stern, Sioux City;
Sergt. John W. Wagner, Council Bluffs;
Staff Sergeant Sam L. Willoughby, Cumberland;
Pvt. (f.c.) Francis X. Zembsch, Cherokee.
Source: The Des Moines Register, Tuesday, July 20, 1943
Samuel Luther “Sam” Willoughby was born Aug. 7, 1919 to Burwell and Lelah Smith Willoughby. He died June 13, 1968 and is buried in Waterloo Cemetery, Waterloo, IA.
Sam served in World War II with the U.S. Army 168th Infantry, 34th Division and became a German POW.
Source: ancestry.com
