Histories

Born in Walton township, Harvey county, Kansas, on June 7, 1920. He was baptized in Zion Lutheran church on June 27, 1920 and confirmed April 9, 1933.

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and left Newton on the 23rd day of January, 1942. He received his boot training at San Diego, Calif. He left the states in April, 1942 for Somoa, where he stayed until October 25, 1942. He was sent into Guadalcanal as a replacement, and remained on this island until February 9, 1943. After a rest peroid spent at Wellinton, New Zealand, he returned to the New Hebrides for futher training. He took part in the initial landilng on Tarawa, being seriously wounded by shrapnel on November 20, 1943, for which he received the Purple Heart and a Presidential Citation for courage. After spending three months in the Naval hospital, he recovered and returned to his command at Hilo, Hawaii. On June 14,1944 he took part in the invation of Saipan and was killed on June 20, 1944.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl J. Meetz of Route 4, Newton, and one sister, Valeris Meetz.