This January 7, 1943, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Pvt. Alfred Koonce writes that he is still in California on desert maneuvers and that he spent Christmas in Los Angeles.
The following February 11, 1943, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2 column 2:
Pvt. Alfred Koonce writes that as far as he is concerned there is no branch of the army like the Mechanized Cavalry of which he is a member. He states you get to ride at night during blackouts, and in the daytime trips you get to see the country. Alfred is now in the "Land of Sunshine" -- California.
A March 11, 1943, Lowell Tribune article (page 6, column 3) about the Koonce brothers mentioned "Alfred writes that he has been on desert maneuvers and has been a radio tender. He says the temperature averages 85 degrees in the day time and 35 at night."
The following April 22, 1943, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Pfc. Alfred Koonce Returns to Camp
Pfc. Alfred Koonce left Tuesday for Camp Cooke, Calif., after spending a week's furlough at home with his mother and brothers and sisters. He is a machine gunner.
Another article in the same issue of the paper, on page 3, column 4, gives this additional information:
Pvt. Alfred Koonce, of Camp Cooke, Calif., who has been on desert maneuvers for several months, is visiting his mother, Mrs. Frank Koonce, Sr., and family.
This January 6, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 5, column 3:
Pvt. Robert Koonce of Fletcher General hospital, Cambridge, Ohio, and Pvt. Alfred Koonce of Camp Cooke, Calif., attended funeral services for their brother, Frank, here last Thursday.
This February 24, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Pfc. Alfred Koonce, who had been stationed in California for many months, is now in New York City awaiting his call to go across. A few days ago he telephoned relatives here that he expected to leave soon.
The following March 23, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Mrs. Frank Koonce, Sr., has received word from her son, Alfred, that he had arrived safely "somewhere in England." He is well and getting along fine.
The following Sept. 14, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 4 column 1:
Now in France
Word has been received from Pfc. Alfred Koonce, stating that he is now in France with the U.S. forces helping to whip the Nazis. He was O.K. when he wrote.
This Lowell Tribune article was found in the February 22, 1945, issue (page 2, column 1):
Pfc. Alfred Koonce, who is now stationed at Atterbury, is home for 15 days visiting his mother, Mrs. Tillie Koonce, and his brothers and sisters.
This July 5, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Pfc. Alfred Koonce has received a medical discharge from army duty and is now at home. He has been in the service about three years and recently returned from overseas.
The following article from an unidentified newspaper was found in Town
Historian Richard Schmal's obituary collection:
Alfred J. Koonce, age 91, of Lowell, passed away Thursday, October 29,
1998. He is survived by: one nephew, Alfred Cottingham of Lowell; three
sisters, Velva (Mack) Post and Pearl Ellsworth, both of Crown Point, and
Laura (Clebern) Leach of Lowell; numerous nieces and nephews; and his
faithful companion, his dog "Superstar." He was preceded in death by
his parents, Frank and Matilda Koonce, eight brothers and six sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 2, at Sheets
Funeral Home in Lowell, with Pastor Charles Hochmuth officiating.
Burial will follow at Lowell Memorial Cemetery in Lowell. Visitation
was held from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. November 2 at the funeral home.
Alfred Koonce was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
