Military Ancestors

Memorial Day always brings the reminders of what Memorial Day is all about, those who served our country in protecting our freedoms and way of life. And I think of Dad, who did his part in serving in World War II. But we have forgotten – really, we never knew – of the specific sacrifices made by our ancestors. With a bit of research, this is what I’ve discovered:

Russell Lowell Mesenbrink (b. 10 March 10, 1915 near Dow City, Iowa; d. October 29, 1967 near Graettinger, Iowa) Dad served in the Navy from July 16, 1943 to November 8, 1945 during World War II as Ship’s Cook Second Class on the USS West Virginia, a battleship (BB-48). He was drafted at age 28 and would turn 30 before his service was done. During his “war cruise”, the ship left Bremerton, Washington, where it had been repaired and refitted after the attack on Pearl Harbor, for San Diego and then Pearl Harbor. On October 18, 1944, they arrived at the Philippine Islands, bombarding the beach at Leyte Gulf, and helping sink the Japanese battleship Yamashiro in the Battle of Surigao Straits. The ship went to the Admiralty Islands, New Hebrides Islands, Ulithi, and back to Leyte Gulf where the West Virginia shot down a Kamikaze. The West Virginia was subjected to 17 Kamikaze raids and alerts on December 13 and 14, 1944. The ship was at Palua, Admiralty Islands, Mindinao Sea, Sulu Sea, Corregidor, Luzon, and then Iwo Jima where they participated in the pre-invasion bombardment. Sailors on the deck could see our flag flying on Mount Suribachi. At Okinawa, on April 1, 1945, a Kamikaze hit the West Virginia, killing 4 and wounding 23. The West Virginia was in Tokyo Bay for the official surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945, making it one of only two ships present at both the beginning (Pearl Harbor) and end of the war. Dad is buried at Oakland Cemetery in Denison, Iowa.

Henry John Mesenbrink (b. November 18, 1835 in Basse, Neustadt am Ruebenberge, Germany, d. November 4, 1923 in Charter Oak, Iowa). He was a German immigrant, coming to the United States in 1859 or 1860, living in St. Louis and Chicago before farming near Winnebago, Minnesota. There, just a few years after arriving from Germany, he was drafted into duty as a Private in Company F of the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry to fight in the Civil War. He served from May 27, 1864 to July 11, 1865. This division participated in the Atlanta campaign, including the battles of Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, and Jonesboro. They accompanied General Sherman in his pursuit of Hood northward to Galesville, Alabama, returned to Atlanta and joined in the march to Savannah. They participated in the campaign through the Carolinas, including Goldsboro, Bentonville, and Raleigh. Henry John was Dad’s great grandfather. He is buried in the Charter Oak Cemetery.

William Davis (b. February 9, 1841 near Marion, Ohio, d. January 6, 1911 near Dunlap, Iowa). He volunteered to serve with Company M of the 4th Iowa Calvary in the Civil War on October 21, 1861, but probably did not actually get to serve. No doubt it was a disappointment for him as he was an early volunteer and his family had a history of military service. William Davis was Mom’s great grandfather. He is buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Dunlap, Iowa.

Friend Davis (b. April 30, 1817 in Hampshire County, Maryland - now West Virginia, d. September 16, 1898 near Dunlap, Iowa). Friend was a member of the Iowa Graybeards during the Civil War. The Graybeards, known officially as 37th Iowa Infantry, were the only division in the country made up of men aged 45 and above. Friend served from September 20, 1862 to May 24, 1865. At age 45, he was one of the youngest members. They served primarily as guards of prisoners, bridges, and railways, although they did see some limited action. Half of the Graybeards either died while in service or were discharged early for illness or injuries. Friend was William Davis’ father. He is buried in New York, Iowa, which is near Corydon.

John B Davis (b. August 17, 1794, Maryland, d. March 29, 1852 in Marion County, Ohio). He was a soldier in the prestigious United States Rifle Regiment. He served from December 19, 1818 until 1821 when the regiment was disbanded. The regiment’s role was the protection of the frontier, which at that time included places that would in a few decades become Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. In fact, John Davis spent most of his time in what is now Nebraska – a long trip from his home in Maryland, especially in 1818. His regiment helped build the “Missouri Cantonment”, a military quarters on the western side of the Missouri River near what is now Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. That first winter was harsh and suppliers were scarce. Many became sick, including John Davis, and 160 men died. When spring came, the Missouri flooded them out, forcing them to abandon their new camp and build Fort Atkinson on higher ground at the top of nearby Council Bluff. Council Bluff was the meeting place between the Indians and Lewis and Clark just 15 years earlier. Fort Atkinson was the largest military post in all of America. Settlers wouldn’t arrive for another 20 years and it would be 30 years before the present city of Council Bluffs, Iowa would be established across the river. Perhaps the time John Davis spent there, despite the hardships of the midwest wilderness, would be what lead his son, Friend, and grandson, William, to western Iowa after he died. Fort Atkinson has been rebuilt and is a state park north of Omaha. John is buried in Mounts Cemetery near Marion, Ohio.

David Brady (b. May 1795 in New Jersey, d. July 12, 1878 near Cassopolis, Michigan). He served as a Private in Peter Cole’s Company of the New Jersey Militia in the War of 1812 from September 17 to November 30, 1812. They guarded the Jersey coast, stationed at Sandy Hook, New Jersey. David Brady was Dad’s great great grandfather. He is buried in a private burial plot on his farm near Cassopolis, Michigan.

Dad’s grandmother, Susan Brady Milliner, had at least four great-great grandfathers with service in the military, three in the American Revolution. They are Peter Van Gundy, Jacob Dippery, Johannes Kleinginne, and Johan Peter Krick.

Peter Van Gundy (b. 1746 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, d. Ross County, Ohio) served as Private in the Frontier Rangers for Pennsylvania during the American Revolution. He served in John Forster’s Company between 1778 – 1783. The Frontier Rangers did not fight British soldiers, but instead fought Iroquois Indians who were aligned with the British. The British armed and supplied the Iroquois and paid them $8.00 for white scalps. They would attack settlers on the western frontier of Pennsylvania in an effort to force them back to the east and expose Philadelphia to attack. The Frontier Rangers forced the Iroquois out and destroyed their orchards, crops and buildings, which eliminated the threat. Peter Van Gundy also served with Captain William Laird's Co, 9th Battalion of Lancaster County Militia in 1782. Peter Van Gundy is probably buried in Ross County Ohio.

Jacob Dippery (b. abt 1790 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, d. November 12, 1863 in Reading, Pennsylvania). He served as Private in Captain Mark’s Company of the First Regiment Second Brigade of the Pennsylvania Militia during the War of 1812. He is buried somewhere near Reading, Pennsylvania. John “Johannes” Kleinginne (b.abt 1750 in Pennsylvania, d. 1815, Berks County, Pennsylvania). He served in the American Revolution as a Private in the Third Battalion of the Bucks County, Pennsylvania Militia in 1777 and in the 8th Company of the 6th Battalion of the Berks County Pennsylvania Militia in 1782. He is probably buried near Reading, Pennsylvania.

John Peter Krick (b. June 27, 1756, Berks County, Pennsylvania, d. July 31 1829, Berks County, Pennsylvania). He served in the American Revolution as Ensign in the 8th Company of the 6th Battalion, Berks County Pennsylvania Militia in 1780. He is buried in Berks County Pennsylvania.