Otto C. Kruse

Serial Number 17043040; Enlisted Fort Des Moines January 28, 1942; Private

Otto enlisted in the Army Air Corps in January of 1942. After basic training Otto was sent to Hamilton Field near San Francisco for further training. After five months on the U.S. mainland he was sent to Hawaii and trained at Wheeler Field and at Hickam Field. He was trained in maintenance and ammunition loading with the 531st Division. Otto saw action on the island of Iwo Jima where fighting ceased March 26, 1945. Otto saw the raising of the United States flag by the Marines on Mount Suribachi. Sergeant Kruse was discharged in October 1945.

Manning Monitor articles ------ 1943

Writes From Honolula
Pfc. Otto Kruse, son of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Kruse who lives on the Chris Bohnsack farm west of Manning, writes from Honolula that it is a great country but that the American girls have the natives outclassed a long ways for looks. Some of Private Kruse's friends have been getting Christmas cards from him.

His address is Pfc. Otto C. Kruse, 428th Ord. Co., Avn. Bomb., A.P.O. 953 c-o postmaster, San Francisco. Calif.

Somewhere In South Pacific
The Monitor received a letter this week from Cpl. Otto C. Kruse, somewhere probably in the far' Pacific. He writes as follows: "This is one letter I should have written long ago.
Right now I, want to Thank you and the American Legion for sending me the Monitor. I look for it every time I go to the mail box and am always anxious to read what the home folks are doing and how some of the other service boys are, getting along.
I wish I could tell you the exact spot of my location but of course you know that is a military secret. I can say that I'm on an island somewhere in the South Pacific, south of the equator. I believe only God and the Army Postmaster know for sure where I really am (I hope they don't forget.)
"Life dawn here isn't really so bad, of course the weather is always hot during the day but gets rather coal at night.

"Three other fellows besides myself, two of them happen to be from good old Iowa, the other from N. Dakota, have a tent right next to the beach. It is rather pretty at times to watch the waves come in or when the moon shines across the water, and Oboy! what a moon these tropical moons are incidentally there isn't a woman in this island. "We have a fairly good library so there is always plenty to read. At night they show free picture shows, outdoor theater-makes it nice for air-conditioning.

I wish I could tell you more about my own squadron, the planes we have and such, but I guess that is out of the question. My work consists of taking care of the bombs, ammunition, etc. I am hoping to get into the engineering section same day.
"I had the best the Army could put out for Christmas and New Years dinners down here--turkey with all the trimmings. Also each person received o carton of cigarettes. "Well, I haven't much more to say for myself far now, except that I'm getting along fine and feel tops---also hope to be back with you soon.

"I want to say hello to all my friends and will try my best Pa keep 'em flying" dawn here. "Thanks again editor and Amercan Legion. A soldier somewhere in the South Pacific.
Cpt. Otto C. Kruse 17043040. 58th Bomb. Sqdn. (L), A.P.O. 914 c-o Postmaster, San Francisco, Calif.

Somewhere in Pacific
Pvt. Otto C. Kruse writes home to his parents that he is getting along fine and enjoys hearing from home. He is somewhere in the far Pacific, south of equator, but that is as close as he can come to telling of his position.
He states they had a big Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings.

Otto Kruse South of the Equator
Otto Kruse writes to the Monitor, expressing his appreciation for the home paper and thanking the Legion and his office. He receives the paper regularly and enjoys reading about the home folks and other service men. He says:
"Just lately I have taken another voyage on the so-called "calm Pacific", believe me I didn't feel so calm in the boat. Yes, I would say; rather an upset stomach, that's me darn it.
Anyway, when I arrived' I at my destination it happened to be exactly the same spot I spent time on some six months ago. A place south of the equator."
Otto doesn't know how long he will be stationed there. His work consists of aviation Ordnance and keeps them pretty busy. They have shows 6 nights a week --- late ones too. He says he has a million dollar tan. They spend a good deal of time eating salt and vitamin pills.

In closing he says: "Here's hoping your all keeping the home front spirit alive. I'll do my best here. Bye for now and I'll be looking for the Monitor as ever.
He included this poem, "Lament on a Rock" penned by a lad stationed on a censored coral atoll far to the south of Hawaii.

Somewhere on a South Sea Island where the sun is like a curse,
each long day is followed by, another slightly worse,
Where the coral dust blows thicker than the shifting desert sands,
And the white man dreams of a finer and slightly colder land.
Somewhere in the South Pacific where a woman is never seen,
Where the sky is never cloudy and the grass is never green.
Where the gooney birds fuss nightly robbing man of blessed sleep,
Where there isn't any whiskey and but two cans of beer a week.
Somewhere in the blue Pacific where the mail is always late,
Where Christmas cards in April are considered up to date,
Where we always have the payroll but never have a cent,
Though we never miss the money cause there's no place to get it spent.
Somewhere in the Southern Ocean, where the gooneys moan and cry
And the lumbering deep sea turtle come up on the beach to die,
Oh, take me back to Iowa, the place I love so well,
For this god-forsaken Island is awful close to Hell.

Otto Cord Kruse Otto C. Kruse, age 94 of Clinton, Missouri passed away Monday, October 7, 2013, at Golden Valley Hospital, Clinton, Missouri.

Otto was born May 22, 1919, in Mills County, Iowa, and was raised in Carson, Iowa. He was a veteran of World War II where he served in the Pacific Theater as an Army Air Force Sergeant in the 531st Fighter Squadron. He served 4 years without furlough. Upon the war's end he returned to Iowa to farm. In his spare time he enjoyed woodworking and a fondness for classic cars and horses.

Otto is survived by his best friend and wife of 67 years, Marcella Ann (Langel) Kruse, two daughters, Linda Gill and companion Dennis Kooker of Adrian, Missouri; Francine Hargens and spouse Tom Hargens of Martinsville, Indiana; four grandchildren and their spouses, James and Molly Hastings of Independence, Missouri; Tiffany and Robert Humphreys of Knoxville, Illinois; Beth and Chris Thompson of Kansas City, Missouri; and Amber and Justin White of Lee's Summit, Missouri. He was also the proud great-grandfather of Bryian, Brook, and Whitney.

Otto is preceded in death by his parents, 7 brothers, 1 sister, and 2 son-in-laws.

A memorial service was held Thursday, October 24, 2013 at Holy Trinity Church, Urich, Missouri, with Father Pete Savidge officiating. The musical selections were "Amazing Grace," "Only a Shadow" and "How Great Thou Art." Military honors were under the direction of the VFW Post 1894.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, RT 2, Box 221, Urich, Missouri, 64788.

Services were under the direction of Vansant Mill's Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.