Individual Details

Military

Monticello Boys With Sixth Army

Schneiter And Hanken Report

Boys Handle Pack Mules In Mountains

Pfc. Harold F. Schneiter, grandson of Mrs. Louise Schneiter, and Pfc. Elmer T. Hanken, son of Mr, and Mrs. Fred A. Hanken, route 2, Monticello, are members of the Sixth Army group now serving in France. The following story was received this week from the Public Relations office of the Sixth Army group and gives a graphic description of what the boys are up against. Both of the boys saw previous service in the Aleutian Islands. The story follows:

Sixth Army Group, France—
Little heard of in today's mechanized war of jeeps, trucks and tanks is one of the oldest systems of army transport—the pack mule. Picking their way through winding, treacherous mountain trails and snow-swept passes along the Franco-Italian border in the French Alps, they are bringing up materiel of war to front-line units that cannot be reached by mechanical means.
To the men of a veteran field artillery battalion of Lt. Get Jacob L. Devers' Sixth Army group, the pack mules are indispensable. Using the pack train to transport artillery pieces, ammunition and supplies over the almost impassable terrain of the French Alps, the battalion is able to supply the infantry by accurately blasting Germans from well entrenched positions.
Members of the battalion are not novices in cold-weather fighting. They made their debut the hard way by landing on Kiska Island in the Aleutians on August 15, 1943, as part of an assault wave. After three months on the island in defensive positions, they were ordered back to the United States.
In March, 1944, they arrived in Italy, where they received mules. Reformed into a pack unit and advancing into rugged Italian mountains where the infantry was fighting tenaciously for each peak and hill, the battalion became the doughboys' life-line for supplies and equipment. When the Allied armies began their crushing drive toward Rome, the battalion played a leading role by giving constant artillery support.
The battalion's present position in the French Alps is the climax of long and specialized training in mountain warfare. After its activation in April, 1944, it underwent strenuous maneuvers that were to prove invaluable during three campaigns.

Death

Elmer T. Hanken

October 19, 1914 to November 14, 2007
Elmer Tobias Hanken, age 93, passed away November 13, 2007, due to complications of old age; he was the last remaining member of his generation.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 Saturday morning, November 17, 2007 at the St. John Lutheran Church, rural Monticello with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery, with Military Honors. Pastor Reed Stockman will officiate the service. Friends may call from 4 to 7 Friday at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello. Thoughts, Memories, and Condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com 

Elmer is survived by his wife Helen Hanken of Monticello, and 2 sons Steve (Maurene) Hanken of Cedar Rapids, Phil (Angie) Hanken of Monticello, and 5 grandchildren, and a great grandchild. Preceding him in death are his parents; a daughter Sheila Flannagan, and 3 brothers Bill, Gerke, and Edward, 2 sisters; Bernice Hayen, and Emma Purcell. 

Elmer Hanken was born near Langworthy, Iowa October 19, 1914 to Fredrick A. Hanken and Anna M. Bohlken. He was raised in the Lutheran faith, baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran, the church whose early founders were members of his great grandfather's family. Elmer was educated at Wayne Number 9 and later drafted and served in "B" Battery, 601st Field Artillery Pack, as a gunner. His service took him from the Aleutian Campaign around to the other side of the world to Italy, France, Germany, and Austria. He was part of the group that relieved the infantry at Dachau concentration camp as the war drew to a close. 

Following the war he married Helen Ortgies at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Anamosa November 17, 1948. The couple rented a farm in Lovell Township prior to purchasing a farm in Scotch Grove Township, which was their home for thirty years. After retiring they purchased an acreage in Hardscrabble and lived there comfortably until a broken leg, complicated by a stroke, required Elmer to move to the Monticello and Nursing Rehab Center. He will be greatly missed by many family and friends.