George Bernard Stahl (1916-1944)
- The Ray Stahls have recently received letters from both their sons, who are with Uncle Sam's forces.
- Cpl. Bernard Stahl has just landed in North Africa with his ourfit. He is in the armored division and is kept busy at present.
Sgt. Bernard Stahl is stationed at the Billings General hospital at Ft. Harrison, where he is taking three months' training in the medical corps.
This January 20, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
- The Ray Stahls have just received a letter from their son, T/5 Leonard Stahl, who has been transferred from North Africa to the Italian war zone, in which he told of the great surprise he had just before writing when he accidently met his brother, Cpl. Bernard Stahl, who has been stationed in Italy for some time. Leonard said both he and Bernard were well.
The following July 6, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was foiund on page 1, column 6:
CPL. BERNARD STAHL KILLED ON ITALIAN FRONT
VETERAN OF FIGHTING IN NORTH AFRICA, SICILY AND ITALY MEETS DEATH JUNE 3
Cpl. George Bernard Stahl, son of the Ray Stahls, east of Lowell, was killed in action on the Italian front on June 3rd, according to a telegram to his parents from the war department Monday morning. He is the second Lowell boy killed on the Italian front, the first being Cpl. Wilfred G. Curtis, infantryman, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Curtis, who died October 14, 1943, of wounds received in battle.The telegram stated that a letter, giving further particulars, would follow.
Cpl. Stahl, 27, entered the service on Jan. 28, 1941, receiving his training on Jan. 28, 1941, receiving his training at Ft. Knox, Ky., and in New York, from where the embarked for overseas in May, 1942. Following a short time in Ireland, he was shipped to North Africa where he saw action all through the campaign there. After the Sicilian campaign was successfully concluded, he was sent into Italy with the Fifth army, where he was killed in action. During the fighting in North Africa Cpl. Stahl once wrote home that he had not been out of a tank for three days except to change to another tank when the first became so battered in battle that it was rendered useless.
Born Dec. 8, 1916, in Eagle Creek township, he attended Lowell grade school and Lowell high, where he went two years, following which he engaged in farming with his father for a short time, later working in the Gary steel mills.
A brother, Sgt. Leonard Stahl, who also has been in the service nearly three years, is stationed at present at Ft. Knox, Ky. While serving in Italy a few months ago, Sgt. Leonard had an accidental meeting with his brother, neither of them knowing where the other was until they met.
Surviving in addition to his parents and brother, Sgt. Leonard, are another brother, Robert, at home; three sisters, Mrs.August Wietbrock, Mrs. Charles Curtis and Margaret, at home.
This July 13, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 4:
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR CPL. BERNARD STAHL, SUNDAY
Relatives and friends will gather at the Range Line church next Sunday at 1 p.m., when services will be held in memory of Cpl. Bernard Stahl, son of the Ray Stahls, who was killed in action in Italy, June 3rd.The following August 3, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 7, columns 3-4:
Parents Receive Purple Heart
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Stahl last Friday received the Purple Heart awarded posthumously to their son, Cpl. Bernard, who lost his life in the Italian campaign on June 3rd. The letter from the war department said that the award was made for bravery displayed during the engagement in which he received the fatal wounds.:
Parents Receive Purple Heart
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Stahl last Friday received the Purple Heart awarded posthumously to their son, Cpl. Bernard, who lot his life in the Italian campaign on June 3rd. The letter from the war department said that the award was made for bravery displayed during the engagement in which he received the fatal wounds.This May 31, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 6:
IN MEMORIAM
- In memory of our dearly beloved son and brother, George Bernard Stahl, killed in the line of duty, one year ago, June 3rd, 1944.
- The blow was hard, the shock severe,
We never thought his death so near.
Every memory brings a tear,
Thoughts of one we love so dear.
- Loving Parents, Brothers and Sisters
This July 20, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 8, column 3:
MEMORIAL SERVICES HELD FOR CPL. BERNARD STAHL
Memorial services for Cpl. Bernard Stahl, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Stahl, who was killed in action in Italy, June 3rd, were held at the Range Line Presbyterian church last Sunday afternoon.Following prayer by the pastor, Rev. W.D. Williams, the young peoples' chorus, with Mrs. Elmer Childress at the piano, rendered one number, followed by a solo by Mrs. Eleanor Little. Taking as his text, "Greater Love Hath No Man Than He Who Lays Down His Life for a Friend," Rev. Williams gave the memorial discourse with many comforting words for the family members and friends.
Members of both Hebron and Lowell American Legion Posts attended the services.
Obituary
Cpl. George Bernard Stahl, son of Ray and Laura (Miller) Stahl, was born Dec. 8, 1916, in Eagle Creek township, Lake county. He received the Sacrament of Baptism in childhood at the Range Line Presbyterian church by Rev. Van Fossen.Bernard attended Center grade school and also Lowell high school for two years, after which he engaged in farming with his father, and later worked in the Gary steel mills.
On January 28, 1941, he entered the service of our country, receiving his training at Ft. Knox, Ky. On May 14, 1942, he left for overseas, and was stationed in northern Ireland and England before being shipped to North Africa in December, 1942, where he saw action all during the Tunisian campaign. He stayed there until Dec.1943, when he was transferred to Italy with the 13th armored regiment of the 5th army, where he was killed on June 3rd, 1944 at the age of 27 years, 5 months and 25 days.
Surviving him are his beloved parents, two brothers, Sgt. Leonard of Ft. Knox, Ky., and Robert, at home; three sisters, Mrs. Ethel Wietbrock, Lowell, Mrs.Ruth Curtis, Valparaiso, and Margaret at home; also five nephews and many other relatives and friends.
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