As that generation passes from our lives I hope we never forget that battle or that war, why it was fought, and the great men and women who fought for our freedom. My grandfather was at Iwo Jima but never spoke a word about the war. I have a set of books from my grandmother about that battle that I haven't been able to read yet. But I have seen PBS programs about both Iwo Jima and Normandy. I just can't comprehend what it took for them to take those orders and go forward into battle and death.
Steve—Thanks for sharing John Onken’s story. As I wrote this column I hoped we’d hear from readers as you have done about the heroics of their long departed family members who sacrificed for all of us.
Thanks, Bob. Check out President Reagan’s remarks at Point du Hoc in ‘84. And Biden’s the anniversary. Their speeches are how American presidents are supposed to speak and act as they represent us abroad.
I have huge respect for those who played such a pivotal role in getting the war over with! A distant cousin of my wife, very well may have been the first to die on D-day, so this is all very close to us. John Onken, my wife's relative, was in a cavalry scout outfit that was assigned to assault two islands off the coast of Normandy. Headquarters feared the German's might have command detonated mines operated from these two Islands and they wanted to make sure they were neutralized if they were there. Two boats went out, one for each island, one person from each group died stepping onto the island from mines. John was one, who the other is unknown to us. These were the first two deaths of the D-day invasion as far as we can tell. John, born of German parents in the US, along with his older brother Edward, had returned to Germany before WWI. John's father died in the trenches in France only weeks before the war ended. The two brothers returned to the US as citizens, both were at Normandy fighting with the US Army. John's brother survived and is buried in Illinois with his brother John. John had lived with his Uncle John Heyen in Langworthy, Iowa since his language skills were mainly German, the local farmers often spoke Platt, a localized German that John understood. John worked for the farmers and got along well as he learned English. He was working on Sunday, December 7th at the Henry Jacobs farm, trying to get the windmill working to get water to the stock. My fathers cousin was married to "Hank" Jacobs, so there is yet another family connection to this episode. The Jacob's had a young daughter at the time who recalled the scene when "Hanks" wife, who had been listening to the radio called out from the house, "The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor!". "Hanks" daughter, Dorothy, revealed to me this story and recalled what John said, " Well, I'll probably have to go...but I probably won't be coming back." Dorothy, later married Lavern Nagel and only a few years before her death by COVID she told me this story, it had haunted her throughout her life, she thought so well of John.
In Virginia, in the small town of Bedford is a memorial to all who died on D-Day, 6 June, 1944. Bedford lost more sons on that day than any other town in America. They have a monument to all who died that day, and still, they are missing names, looking for proof as to when they died! John's body was taken back to England and buried there. Later he was removed from the cemetery in England and returned to Illinois. We were contacted about specifics of John's death from the people at Bedford, and later they asked us for relatives as they were going to add his name to their memorial! Unfortunately, we were unavailable and many of his relatives would have been in Germany! So that is my D-Day story! Thought you might enjoy it!
Norm—You are so right. I think it’s fair to say that when Ray’s senior staff got together for a beginning or end of day huddle, Dutch was the mentor in the room.
Two extremely touching remembrances of Dutch. He was so humble and never exuded any self importance. I was thinking of him yesterday and recalling how taken I was when I first learned of his heroics. Thanks Richard and David for your moving articles.
Wow that's terrific I was just getting out of high school when Ray became governor of course being from a hard Democrat family I thought it was the end of the world but I didn't know anything and Robert Ray was one of the best things to ever happen to Iowa well imagine if he would replace that governor you have now
Thank you, Richard. As you know, I grew up with the Vermeers — Dutch and Jay were friends of my parents and I went through school with their children. One of my earliest memories is of going to the Vermeer farm and having Dutch let my brother and me feed some livestock. I still keep in touch with Dutch’s son Richard who is married to a good friend of mine. Stories like the one you just wrote need to be told and retold so that we never forget the bravery and sacrifices made by real patriots like Dutch.
Richard, Fascinating post! I didn't know that Iowa had a Vermeer, and you told us all about Dutch. I have a lot to learn obviously. Thank you.
As that generation passes from our lives I hope we never forget that battle or that war, why it was fought, and the great men and women who fought for our freedom. My grandfather was at Iwo Jima but never spoke a word about the war. I have a set of books from my grandmother about that battle that I haven't been able to read yet. But I have seen PBS programs about both Iwo Jima and Normandy. I just can't comprehend what it took for them to take those orders and go forward into battle and death.
Thank you Richard.
Steve—Thanks for sharing John Onken’s story. As I wrote this column I hoped we’d hear from readers as you have done about the heroics of their long departed family members who sacrificed for all of us.
Thanks, Bob. Check out President Reagan’s remarks at Point du Hoc in ‘84. And Biden’s the anniversary. Their speeches are how American presidents are supposed to speak and act as they represent us abroad.
I have huge respect for those who played such a pivotal role in getting the war over with! A distant cousin of my wife, very well may have been the first to die on D-day, so this is all very close to us. John Onken, my wife's relative, was in a cavalry scout outfit that was assigned to assault two islands off the coast of Normandy. Headquarters feared the German's might have command detonated mines operated from these two Islands and they wanted to make sure they were neutralized if they were there. Two boats went out, one for each island, one person from each group died stepping onto the island from mines. John was one, who the other is unknown to us. These were the first two deaths of the D-day invasion as far as we can tell. John, born of German parents in the US, along with his older brother Edward, had returned to Germany before WWI. John's father died in the trenches in France only weeks before the war ended. The two brothers returned to the US as citizens, both were at Normandy fighting with the US Army. John's brother survived and is buried in Illinois with his brother John. John had lived with his Uncle John Heyen in Langworthy, Iowa since his language skills were mainly German, the local farmers often spoke Platt, a localized German that John understood. John worked for the farmers and got along well as he learned English. He was working on Sunday, December 7th at the Henry Jacobs farm, trying to get the windmill working to get water to the stock. My fathers cousin was married to "Hank" Jacobs, so there is yet another family connection to this episode. The Jacob's had a young daughter at the time who recalled the scene when "Hanks" wife, who had been listening to the radio called out from the house, "The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor!". "Hanks" daughter, Dorothy, revealed to me this story and recalled what John said, " Well, I'll probably have to go...but I probably won't be coming back." Dorothy, later married Lavern Nagel and only a few years before her death by COVID she told me this story, it had haunted her throughout her life, she thought so well of John.
In Virginia, in the small town of Bedford is a memorial to all who died on D-Day, 6 June, 1944. Bedford lost more sons on that day than any other town in America. They have a monument to all who died that day, and still, they are missing names, looking for proof as to when they died! John's body was taken back to England and buried there. Later he was removed from the cemetery in England and returned to Illinois. We were contacted about specifics of John's death from the people at Bedford, and later they asked us for relatives as they were going to add his name to their memorial! Unfortunately, we were unavailable and many of his relatives would have been in Germany! So that is my D-Day story! Thought you might enjoy it!
Thanks so much, Richard and David. Great column. Makes me sorry about how low we have fallen.
Thanks Richard and David, and a tip of the lapel pin to Dutch. I remember him as thoroughly decent, someone whose word you could take to the bank.
Norm—You are so right. I think it’s fair to say that when Ray’s senior staff got together for a beginning or end of day huddle, Dutch was the mentor in the room.
Two extremely touching remembrances of Dutch. He was so humble and never exuded any self importance. I was thinking of him yesterday and recalling how taken I was when I first learned of his heroics. Thanks Richard and David for your moving articles.
Ken—I suspect Dutch is in your thoughts every D-Day anniversary. He is in mine and I am sure David’s as well.
Hey, Ken! We miss you on the Monday calls!
Wow that's terrific I was just getting out of high school when Ray became governor of course being from a hard Democrat family I thought it was the end of the world but I didn't know anything and Robert Ray was one of the best things to ever happen to Iowa well imagine if he would replace that governor you have now
Thanks for your comments, John. My daughter grew up thinking “Governorray” was just one word.
Wonderful stories. Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome. Thanks for reading.
Thank you, Richard. As you know, I grew up with the Vermeers — Dutch and Jay were friends of my parents and I went through school with their children. One of my earliest memories is of going to the Vermeer farm and having Dutch let my brother and me feed some livestock. I still keep in touch with Dutch’s son Richard who is married to a good friend of mine. Stories like the one you just wrote need to be told and retold so that we never forget the bravery and sacrifices made by real patriots like Dutch.
Nancy— It was an honor to know both Dutch AND Jay.
Thanks for writing this and sharing it Richard. Dutch was a true American hero. (I was always a little bit intimidated by him.)
Jerry- Truth is, so was I. I imagined that part of Ranger training was how to dispatch an enemy quietly using piano wire.