Private
United States Army
Joseph Charles Spiess, son of William and Mary (Ablen) Spiess, was born in Davenport on 22 September 1910.
A graduate of Saint Ambrose Academy, Joseph worked at Gimbles Drug Store in Davenport. On 13 November 1937, he married Veronica Cecelia Murphy at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church in Long Grove. From this union they had a daughter, Patricia Ann.
Joseph was drafted in the United States Army on 26 October 1943, and received his basic training at Camp Roberts, California. He received additional training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, before he was shipped overseas on 19 July 1944. He was wounded near Elbeauf, France on 26 August 1944, for which he received the Purple Heart. Joseph was latter Killed-In-Action in Luxembourg on 16 December 1944.
Joseph was survived by his wife and daughter; his parents; four sisters, Loretta Rakocy, Dorothy Fleischman, Ann Lewis, and Mary Margaret; and two brothers, Walter and William, Jr.
Private Joseph Charles Spiess, United States Army, is buried in Davenport’s Holy Family Cemetery.
Source of Information:
1. Davenport Democrat and Times, 19 November 1944, page 44.
2. National Archives, World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel for the State of Iowa.
3. National World War II Memorial veteran’s registry; http://www.wwiimemorial.com/.
4. Letter, family history, and newspaper clippings from Ms. Velma Donald dated 5 August 2004.
5. Picture and information provided by Patricia Erickson on 17 August 2004. Patricia is Joseph's daughter.
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