CARL H. "KELLY" MUSFELDT

November 4, 1916 - March 25, 1984
PFC US Army

Serial Number 37696480; Enlisted Camp Dodge, May 3, 1944

P.F.C. Carl (Kelly) Musfeldt, son of Fred and Emma Musfeldt, was drafted into the Army May 3, 1944 at Camp Dodge. He received 17 weeks of basic training at Camp Hood, Texas, and was sent to Germany October 22, 1944. He was in the Ardennes and Rhineland and Central Europe theater of operations as an infantryman. He received the Combat Infantry Badge, the European-African-Middle Eastern Badge with three Bronze Battle Stars, and one Overseas Medal.
He returned home July 18, 1945, and received his discharge from Camp Campbell, Kentucky October 10, 1945.

He is currently living in Aspinwall and operates the Musfeldt Rendering Service.

Manning Monitor article------ 1943

Musfeldt Begins Trucking Service
Announcement is being made this week by Carl (Kelly) Musfeldt that he is starting a new trucking service in Manning, hauling coal, livestock and miscellaneous items locally.
He says he has a new truck coming, but pending its, arrival he is using another vehicle to do his work.

Manning Monitor article------ 1945

Carl (Kelly) Musfeldt Writes From European Theatre
We are in receipt of a letter from Pvt. Carl Musfeldt who is fighting in the infantry in Europe, stating that since leaving the States he has not as yet received the Monitor.
Kelly says that he is experiencing quite a bit of front line service and works with a buddy from Carrollton, Georgia. His letter was written Dec. 20th and he tells of several encounters with the enemy.
He says that his buddy captured two prisoners who were using bazookas, and brought them back to American lines, while Kelly was pinned behind a tree with enemy fire knocking off the bark on both sides.

His squad took a terrific pounding by artillery and he aided in bringing out wounded men and then assisted in a counter attack against the enemy.
They spent five hours in a ditch in the ice and snow and then, counter-attacked. Kelly says that he assisted in capturing two prisoners and got a good pistol from one of them.
The next day his group ran into a mine field and was subjected to another artillery barrage and they narrowly escaped injury from a burst directly above them.

Carl says that his morale is pretty good and that he enjoyed a wonderful Christmas dinner. His mail has been coming through in pretty good time and he would appreciate any letters from anyone at home. He thanks the Legion and Monitor for the papers he received in the States and hopes it will reach him overseas soon.

CARL "KELLY" MUSFELDT

Funeral services for Carl "Kelly" Musfeldt were held Wednesday, March 28, 1984 at 10:30 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church, Manning, Iowa. Officiating was Pastor Paul Krumm, and organist was Fern Jensen, with accompanists Paula Krumm, Larry Genzen, Sue Puck, and Ken Puck.

Interment was at Manning Cemetery with military honors given by the American Legion, Emil Ewoldt Post. No. 22 and VFW Post 3517 of Manning. The Ohde Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Kelly, son of Fred and Emma Ruge Musfeldt, was born November 4, 1916 in Manning, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed in the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. He attended rural schools near his home and later attended Manning High School.

On September 14, 1940, he was united in marriage with Luella Schultz at the Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. Kelly and Luella had five children and, except for his time in the service, they lived all of their lives in the Aspinwall and Manning areas.

On May 3, 1944, Kelly was drafted into the U. S. Army at Camp Dodge, Iowa. After 17 weeks of, basic training at Camp Hood, Texas, he was sent to Germany where he served in the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central European Theater of Operation as an infantryman. He received the Combat Infantry Badge, the European-African-Middle Eastern Badge with three Bronze Battle Stars, and one Overseas Medal. Kelly returned home in 1945 and received his discharge from Camp Campbell, Kentucky.

He owned and operated the Musfeldt Rendering Service for thirty years. He was an active member of the Emil Ewoldt Post No. 22 of the American Legion and VFW Post No. 3517, both of Manning.

Kelly had been in failing health for some time and died on March 25, 1984, at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 67 years, 4 months, and 21 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Harry, and his grandson, Michael Musfeldt.

He is survived by his wife, Luella, Aspinwall; by five children: Diane Campbell, Bonifay, Florida, Pat Branning, Carroll, Iowa, Kathy Huston, El Cajon, California, Carla Darby, Morgantown, West Virginia, Keith "Beaver" Musfeldt, Audubon, Iowa; by 14 grandchildren: Leign Campbell, Lisa Campbell, Brent Branning, Darcy Branning, Kurt Branning, Jon Branning, Kelly Huston, Mary Huston, Heidi Huston, Amy Huston, Claire Darby, Camille Darby, Jennifer and Maggie Musfeldt; by one sister, Alice Beck, Clovis, California; by one brother, Don Musfeldt of Allentown, Pennsylvania; by a sister-in-law, Dorothea Musfeldt, Manning; by, one uncle, Rudolph Ruge, Omaha, Nebraska, and by one aunt, Nora Musfeldt. Manning.

Carl Musfeldt is buried in the Manning City Cemetery.
Section E Row #2 south - north.