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Note: TIME LINE: The maiden voyage of the ship "TITANIC" sank in April 15, 1912, which is the same year Harold McNew was born.
Harold Edward McNew stood 5' 10" tall. He had dark brown hair and medium blue eyes. He wore a 9 or 9 1/2 shoe size. He was about 31 years old when he entered Military Service during WW II.
SOURCE: SS-5, dated 11 July 1947. SSN_ 483-30-3406; Issuing State: Iowa
Parents: Charles Edward McNew and Lucy Mae Mason
Date of Birth: 23 June 1912
Place of Birth: Boone, Boone County, Iowa
Address at time of application: 1418 East Court, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
SOURCE: Marriage Record, Boone County, Iowa, No. 12781, Book 24, page 181
State of Iowa, Boone County, SS.
I, Ben L. Shea and C. E. McNew, do solemnly swear that I am acquainted with Harold McNew of Boone, Iowa; that he is at least 17 years of age; and that I am acquainted with Kathryn Shea of Boone, Iowa; that she is at least 17 years of age; that both parties are legally competent to enter into the marriage contract; <Signed by Ben L. Shea Signed by C. E. McNew, Parents>Subscribed and sworn to before me this 5th day of October A.D. 1929
<Signed by John Reid, Jr. Deputy Clerk of the District Court>
LICENSE
Issued for the marriage of Harold McNew and Kathryn Shea on the testimony of Ben L. Shea and C. E. McNew as to their competent age and condition; said License being in the words and figures following, to-wit:
OFFICE OF CLERK OF THE DISTRICT COURT State of Iowa, Boone County, ss.
RETURN OF MARRIAGE TO THE CLERK OF THE DISTRICT COURT
1. By whom affidavit, if any, is made: Ben L. Shea - C. E. McNew
2. By whom consent to marriage is given: n/a
3. Full name of GROOM: Harold McNew
4. Place of residence: Boone, Iowa
5. Occupation: Mechanic 6. Groom's age next birthday: 18
7. Color: White 8. Race: Cau 9. Number of Groom's marriage: 1st
10. Groom's place of birth: Iowa
11. Groom's Father's name: C. D. McNew
12. Groom's Mother's full maiden name: May Mason
13. Full name of BRIDE: Kathryn Shea
14. Bride's maiden name if a widow: n/a
15. Bride's place of residence: Boone, Iowa
16. Bride's age next birthday: 17 17. Color: White 18. Race: Cau
19. Number of Bride's marriage: 1st
20. Bride's place of birth: Alton, Illinois
21. Bride's Father's full name: B. L. Shea
22. Bride's Mother's full maiden name: Margerite Cutler
23. Where and when married: F. O. Lockard - Oct. 5, 1929
24. Witnesses: Ben L. Shea - C. E. McNew
25. By whom married, name and office: F. O. Lockard, J. P.
Harold McNew (Groom) Kathryn L. Shea (Bride)
I hereby certify that the above is a correct return of a marriage solemnized by me. Dated at Boone, Iowa <F. O. Lockard>
this 5 day of Oct 1929 <Justice of Peace>
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE
To the Clerk of the District Court of Iowa, in and for Boone County:
This Certifies, That on the 5 day of October 1929 at Boone, Iowa [bottom cut off]
SOURCE: Kathryn Laurel McNew died 25 May 1931, Waterloo, Iowa
SOURCE: Certificate of Death, State of Iowa. No. 0081-1624
Place of Death: VA Medical Center, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
Date of Death: 31 May 1992
Date of Birth: 23 June 1912
Place of Birth: Boone, Boone County, Iowa
Education: 12 years
Informants: VA Medical Center Records, 3600 30th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50310
Method of Disposition: Cremation
Place of Disposition: Hamilton's Crematory, Des Moines, Iowa
Funeral Home: Hamilton's Funeral Home, 605 Lyon, Des Moines, Iowa 50310
Father: Charles Edward McNew Mother: Lucy May Mason
Surviving spouse: Dorothy Jean Lamb
Hour of death: 2:10 A.M.
Cause of death: Sepsis
Note: Harold was a heavy smoker for years and years. The death certificate said the cause of death was sepsis, but the death certificate didn't note the other contributing cause which was cancer. For some reason, the Funeral Home Data given to the newspaper states 'cancer' as the cause of death. It started in his lung and he had half of one lung removed. It later reappeared in the kidney and surgery was performed in Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa for that.
SOURCE: 5-13-73 Medical Records from VA Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa
5-21-73: Findings: Examination of the LEFT bronchial tree revealed blood emanating from the left upper lobe brochus. There was some redness at the origin of the left upper lobe bronchus.
5-24-73: Left Upper Lobe The pleura and lung parenchyma shows moderate anthracotic pigmentation. In addition to congestion. The anterior segment shows two large bullae. Bullous EMPHYSEMA with large subpleural blebs.
5-24-73: LEFT THORACOTOMY, LUNG RESECTION
Findings: The lung was markedly emphysematous with many emphysematous bullas. There was marked anthracosis of the lung. There was consolidation of the anterior segment of the upper lobe but no gorged neoplasm could be palpated. Because of the bleeding that was ensuing from the upper lobe and findings of consolidation of one segment a left upper LOBECTOMY was decided upon. He was discharged after a two-week stay. 5-18-73 to 6-2-73.
NOTE OF INTEREST: He was born with only ONE functioning KIDNEY.
SOURCE: Marriage Record, No. 40, dated 6 June 1931
Number of Groom's marriage: Second
Bride: Iva Mae Case
Place of residence: Waterloo, Iowa
Age next birthday: 19 years Color: White Nationality: American
Father's name: Leon Case
Mother's name: Mabel Crow
Number of Bride's marriage: First
Witness: Mrs. C. W. Gorsuck, Mrs. J. S. Decker
We hereby certify that the information above given is correct, to the best of our knowledge.
<Signed: Mr. H. E. McNew Groom><Signed: Iva Mae Case Bride >
I hereby certify that the above is a correct return of a marriage solemnized by me.
Dated at Montezuma | <Signed: J. Stanley Decker>
this 6th day of June 1931 | <Methodist Minister>
SOURCE: Divorce Record, Black Hawk County, Iowa, Page 49
In the District Court of Iowa, in and for the District Court of Iowa, to and for Black Hawk County, Iowa: No. 2117
Iva Mae McNew Plaintiff vs. Harold E. McNew Defendant DECREE OF DIVORCE: And now on this 26th day of July, 1932, this case came up for hearing, Wm. A. Cook, Attorney, appearing for the plaintiff. The Court being fully advised in the premises, finds for the plaintiff and against the defendant; It is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed by the Court that the bonds of matrimony heretofore and now existing between the plaintiff, Iva Mae McNew, and the defendant, Harold E. McNew, be and the same are hereby cancelled, set aside and hereafter held for naught, and said parties are hereby restored to all the rights, privileges and immunities of unmarried persons, except that defendant is not to remarry within one year from this date, in accordance with the laws of this state.
It is further ordered by the Court that the plaintiff be permitted to resume the use of her maiden name of Iva Mae Case, that she be permitted to remarry at any time, and that she have and recover of and from the defendant the costs of this action, taxed at $9.50.
SOURCE: Application for Marriage License. Application No. 47868
License No. 19856, Issued Aug. 9, 1943 at 9:15 A.M. I, the undersigned, do hereby make application for Marriage License as required by Chapter 91 of the Acts of 1937, for the following named parties:
Harold E. McNew, Groom and Louise M. Evans, Bride Residence of Groom: 334 W. 7th Street Age: 31 Color: W. Nativity: Iowa
City and State: Boone, Iowa
Occupation: U.S. Army and who is: Divorced Jan. 9, 1932
Waterloo, Iowa, Defendant
Residence of Bride: __________________Age: 21 Color: W Nativity: Kentucky
City and State: Mount Gay, W. VA
Occupation: Defense Work and who is: Single
MINISTER'S CERTIFICATE:
I HEREBY CERTIFY, that on this 10 day of Aug., Nineteen hundred and forty-three the above named persons were by me united in marriage at
Elkton, MD in accordance with the License issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Signature: <Rev. P. K. Lambert>
Address: Elkton, MD.
Filed and Recorded 8/16/1943 Test Ralph R. Cruthers, Clerk
SOURCE: Decree of Divorce, No. 22416, dated 2 February 1946
Record: XX Page: 472 IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF IOWA, IN AND FOR THE BOONE COUNTY
Harold E. McNew, Plaintiff, |
vs. | DECREE IF DIVORCE
Louise McNew, Defendant, |
Be it remembered on this 2nd day of February, 1946, the same being one of the regular days of the January 1946 term of said court, the above cause comes on for hearing, the plaintiff appearing in person and by his attorneys, Doran, Doran & Doran of Boone, Iowa.
IT IS THEREFORE HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that the plaintiff be and he is hereby granted an absolute divorce from the defendant.
Signed: H. E. Fry, Judge of the 11th Judicial District of Iowa
SOURCE: Area Newspaper, Boone, Boone County, Iowa, January 1946
T-Sgt. Harold McNew
T-Sgt. Harold E. McNew is now in Boone again after a long absence in the army, most of it in service overseas in the Pacific. Harold went into the service at Camp Dodge, Iowa on May 6, 1943. He stayed at Camp Dodge for two months and was transferred for his basic training to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. That was the last of his states side soldiering for from there he went to the Port of Embarkation at Camp Stoneman and was promptly shipped overseas.
His first stop overseas, one of many he was to make, was at Townsville, Australia. He flew from Townsville to Port Moresby, New Guinea and from there on to Lae. It was at Finchaffen he first was in an area of combat. While there he was with Headquarters, Base F. Quartermaster Section.
He next went to Tacloban Lae, and later to Luzon, where he was attached to the 29th Replacement Depot for shipment to the states.
He received his discharge from the separation center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on December 4, 1945. Before the war, Harold was a printer. He plans to change his line of work to something more in the administrative line.
SOURCE: Married to: Dorothy Jean Lamb on February 13, 1946 in Pontiac, Livingston, Illinois. They remained married until his death May 31, 1992. She was the daughter of Herschel and Lousie Lamb. (see more about them)
SOURCE: Tape recording of Harold Edward McNew in December 1979. Kirkland, Washington at his daughter Sherrett's home.
Begins with "Greeting and Salutations" from the President of the United States. You have been inducted into the United States Armed Forces. Signed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt dated November 1943.
He received the Bronze Star Medal, WW II, Issued 24 September 1945
by direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order No. 9419, 4 February 1944 (section II, Bulletin 3, WD 1944), a Bronze Star Medal is awarded by the Commanding General, Philippines Base Section, to the following officers and enlisted men: Page 4, Staff Sergeant HAROLD EDWARD McNEW, 37670089, Quartermaster Corps, United States Army. For meritorious achievement at Tacloban, Lae, and Batangas, Batangas, Philippines, from 17 February 1945 to 9 July 1945 in direct support of combat operations against the enemy.
Ribbon: Represents the Pacific Campaign
Three Stars: Represent three separate Campaigns.
He received the "Good Conduct Medal" which most servicemen also received.
Port Morseby, New Guinea: The Japanese held Port Morseby until the Americans came. The Australians were protecting their own shores. The Japanese had planned to cross the jungle from Koboda in 1942 down to Port Morseby and cross the water to Australia.
The 200 Australians were so outnumbered compared to the outrageous number of 3,000 Japanese. They fought valiantly even though their rations were down to barely "days". Many of the natives who helped transport provisions and equipment were either sick or died crossing the jungle.
Harold landed in Townsville, Australia and from there they were flown into Port Morseby, New Guinea. [A note of interest in history: at one time this is where Amelia Erhardt, the renowned aviator, was reported to be alive.] The Americans were flown into Lae, New Guinea, which had been riddled by the Japanese as well as our Navy ships. The C47 planes were so loaded that the doors had to be wired shut. With the American reinforcement, the Japanese were driven back and "air drops" were made. Much of it fell into enemy territory and some was lost in the jungle. The Americans including Herald were sent out on motor launches from Port Morseby to Finchaffen, New Guinea, so they wouldn't be observed. All of the soldiers were "green horns" and the old timers already there told them " you better get busy digging foxholes." They used those small shovels and picks because a lot of it was "coral rock". If you have heard about the "Battle of the Coral Sea", that was the way Finchaffen was. It wasn't like solid rock, but you could chip it out with a little effort. They didn't think much about it, but sure enough "old Charlie" [the Japanese] would fly over every night and it would look similar to fireworks. It didn't take long after the newest soldiers saw these raids they learned to dive into the foxhole just as soon as they saw or heard them coming. "Seeing is believing." Some nights he had to sit up on "watch duty" at night. When "Charlie" was coming you ran and shouted "RED ALERT" all throughout the camp. The "foxholes"were covered to camouflage them and coconut logs were used to reinforce the foxholes. During one of the raids "Mac" [this was his nickname] jumped into his foxhole and another kid couldn't make it to his own foxhole, so he jumped in right on top of "Mac". This boy was killed and "Mac" often thought how this soldier must have saved his life.
Melbourne, Australia was the designated R&R (rest & recuperation) for the Americans, but Brisbane, Australia was true to pictures you see. He was mostly in the "loop" area as it was called and sometimes on furlough from Finchaffen, he would go into Brisbane and then on up to New Castle, Australia. Herald just loved that part of Australia.
Some soldiers were shipped to Hollinda, Philippines, but Harold was shipped to Batangas
He was later assigned to an ammunition dump and was now an ammunition technician. He didn't care for this work, so he later had a chance to go to "detached service" and ended up in QUARTERMASTER HEADQUARTERS. This was still in Finchaffen, New Guinea. From that time on he stayed with the Quartermaster Hdqtrs. He started out as a typist and graduated to "department head" of "Dept. of Health and Personnel." As new soldiers arrived, he would interview them and assign them to different battalions.
Lieutenant Blu was his buddy and he was able to get jobs through him. You couldn't date nurses over there, but Lt. Blu had two nurses that had to get back to the hospital so he said "Mac", do you want to drive with me to take these girls to the hospital? The Lt. got in the back of the jeep and when they reached the hospital they were supposed to check in before entering the premises, but they didn't know that. They went on in and came back out and actually weren't found out. Nurses were "off limits". They eventually got WACS at their headquarters and as they arrived, they were able to take over some of the duties.
They formed a Quartermaster Club. To give it a party atmosphere, they hung old parachutes which were no longer of any value. When the decorations were completed, they sent out invitations to the military personnel including the girls. Of course the girls were chaperoned by the nurses who were officers. It was like a policeman standing guard. When they were ready to leave, they were loaded onto separate buses.
Assignment to Quartermaster Headquarters gave the personnel access to special clothing such as "Eisenhauer jackets" and caps. It was FIRST CLASS for all of them, thanks to the Master Sgt. in charge.
As the war was winding down he was still in the Philippines just outside Manilla at BATANGAS [this was General Douglas MacArthur's headquarters] and he was still in "Dept. of Personnel". There was a lot of gun fire and shelling and you can see his office in the photograph and the inside was just riddled and it had been on fire. It had been a nice building and held all the Administrative Offices. They covered the roof with tarps and had to get along as best as they could. It was really bad there. He received his Bronze Star for this campaign.
The war was over by now and the black soldiers and the white soldiers started fighting amongst themselves. They were the 101st airborne division at Batangas and so they had to put the black soldiers "off limits" to stop it.
At the end of the war they had a lot of fun. Manilla had a lot of night spots and the clubs were after the dollar since there own money wasn't worth a nickel. They didn't have cars, so they used rickshaws as their means of transportation.
In New Guinea a lot of equipment was just left there. It would have been too costly to ship it all back to the states and a lot of it was worn out anyway. It probably is still there today. This was jungle area and some of their quarters had tarp for the roof and some used thatch from available materials such as coconut palm, etc. Harold would have liked to return and see it all as it is now.
He now shipped to Batangas where her received the BRONZE STAR in September of 1945. From Batangas he board a ship to Manilla.
He was shipped along with the WACS back to the States and as they came through the Golden Gates, a boat with Marine Police escorted them into the harbor at San Francisco. They were then bussed to Camp Stoneman in California and then on to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he was discharged from the service of his country.
NOTE FROM: Sherrett Rae, his daughter.
General Douglas MacArthur had his office in the same building as Tch. Sgt. McNew. See the photo of the office building bombed by the Japanese.
SOURCE: One of many letters from Harold and Jean to Sherrie and Jim, dated May 5, 1981
Dear Sherrie & Jim:
Just a few lines this morning as it is a dreary day and the temp is only 55 degrees. But I guess we shouldn't complain, at least it's not a darned old storm.
Received your nice Easter card. It is pretty and has a wonderful verse which expresses much in a few words. 'Twas truly a nice one. We also received nice Easter cards from Sharon and Tom. Also a nice one from Linda and Al. We appreciated all of them more than I can think of words to express. When you see them or talk to them, express our thank you's to them.
Your note states that you are fine and as far as you know everyone else is too. So you see right there we have a lot to be thankful for. As for us we can say the same except your Aunt Leota. You see, they had a birthday party for Uncle Cliff at Atlantic in Anna Mae & Bill's home. All of their children were in attendance. Leota was going to the garage (which is attached) where she missed a step and fell. She couldn't get up and later found out sprained her legs and ankles. Took her to hospital where she stayed for a week and is now home, but gets around on a walker. Don't think she will be mobile again. Too bad.
Our garden is doing fine. We have 12 tomato plants out plus peppers, lettuce, onions and beans. Right now we are eating green onions and radishes. They are sure good. Wish it was so we could give you some. God knows that you would be more than welcome.
I found a poem that express how we feel about life. In fact it hits the nail on the head for us. Hope you like and enjoy it. Also have pictures taken by Judy and ourselves. The picture of Jerry is very good. The 3 pictures taken in Dallas are by Judy and her husband. Also a nice picture of their son Ronnie at the ranch where the TV program "Dallas" is filmed.
Guess that will be it for this time. Am going to try and catch the mail-person before mail is delivered on our street this morning.
Much, much love to you and all of yours. We are fine and hope you're the same.
Bye for now, <signed Harold & Jean, Daddy and Mom>
NOTE: The poem below is the one he mentions. At the top of the page in his own handwriting, he wrote, "From Daddy 4-23-81"
BETTER NOW THAN THEN I would rather have one little rose
From the garden of a friend
Than to have the choicest flowers
When my stay on earth must end.
I would rather have the kindest words
And a smile that I can see
Than flattery when my heart is still
And this life has ceased to be.
I would rather have a loving smile
From friends I know are true
Than tears shed round my casket
When this world I bid adieu.
Bring me all the flowers today
Whether pink, or white or red
I'd rather have one blossom now
Than a truckload when I'm dead.
__R. E. Bradbury 1875-1969 SOURCE: Cemetery Deed
THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
That Trustees of Madison Township in consideration of Ten dollars $10.00 in hand paid, conveys and Warrants to Harold E. McNew of 701 19th Street, Des Moines in the County of Polk and State of Iowa, and his heirs, the following Lot of Land in Polk City Cemetery situated in the County of Polk, in the State of Iowa, to-wit: Lot No. S 1/2 62, in Block H containing 150 square feet, be the same more or less.
STATE OF IOWA, POLK COUNTY. On this 6th day of November, A.D. 1961, before me<R. T. Williams, Guy Gemricher, J R. Peterson>in and for Said County, personally appeared personally to me known, who being by me duly sworn did say that they are respectively Trustees of Madison Township duly organized and existing; that the seal affixed to the foregoing instrument Grantor by authority of its Title and the said <R. T. Williams, Guy Gremacher, J. R. Peterson> acknowledged said instrument to be the voluntary act and deed of said Grantor.
WITNESS my hand and 9 Nov. 1961<seal> the day and year last above written.
<Mirlyn P. Allen [Arlen?]> Polk County, State of Iowa.
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