Ambrose Dentlinger

1988-89 American Legion Commander

Ambrose Dentlinger ends 4 years in Navy
Carroll Daily Times Herald Carroll August 12, 1954
Ambrose Dentlinger, BM SM, returned here Friday after serving the past four years in the U.S. Navy. He spent two years at Pearl Harbor and the remainder of the time aboard the U.S.S Toledo CA-133.
His wife has been staying the past month at Long Beach, California.

From the Halbur Centennial history book:
Ambrose Dentlinger was sworn into the United States Navy on October 5, 1950. He received his boot training at Great Lakes, Illinois.
He was transferred to Treasure Island in California, and then on to Honolulu, Hawaii for two years, where he worked in the Navy Commissary and as a fork lift operator in the warehouse.
In February of 1953 he served aboard the U.S.S. Toledo, that was anchored off the coast of Korea. Before any military engagement occurred the Armistice was signed July 27, 1953, and the war ended. Ambrose was with the task force until his honorable discharge August 4, 1954.
Ambrose was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dentlinger.

Additional information

Ambrose F. Dentlinger, son of Frank & Elizabeth (Drees) Dentlinger was born on his parents' farm near Halbur, Iowa, and attended St Augustine School in Halbur through the eighth grade. Three older brothers: Wilbur, John, Alphonse, and a brother-in-law, Alvin Ferneding, served in World War II.
At the age of 22 on October 5, 1950, Ambrose enlisted in the Navy. His basic training was at Great Lakes.
He achieved the rank of USN-1, and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal. Ambros was American Legion Commander in Manning.


USS Toledo Ca 133

Below is the letter that Ambrose wrote to his sister, Anita, when he was over-seas.
Anita Dentlinger died in a car accident leaving a dance in Arcadia - about 2 years after receiving this letter from her brother Ambrose.

From AF Dentlinger 3238758
1st Div USS Toledo CA-133
%F.P.O. San Francisco, Calif.
To Miss Anita Dentlinger
Manning, Iowa RR2

April 5, 1954
Hi Sis,
Had started to go to the movie but after getting half way up there I talked to a guy and found out I had already seen it. So being it is early to hit my rack I will drop you a line - once again.

As you may have read in the folk's letter we are now in Kobe, Japan. This is the first time we have been in here yet since we have come over. So far this port looks about the same as any other one out here to me.

In the morning we are leaving here again to go back out to sea for some time. So far I haven't heard if we are going to join the Task Force or not. I sure hope we do so we don't have to pay any income tax for the month of April. As you know I can always use them couple extra bucks. This should be our last time out as when we go into Yokohama, Japan, the next time we will stay there a week, and then back to Pearl Harbor.
Anyhow in a month from now we should be getting pretty close to the USA again.

Already the ship has got letters from a couple bars in Long Beach saying they were going to give the men of the "Big T" free beer the first two nights in. I haven't hardly drank any since we left Pearl Harbor coming over but they better stand by then. I don't think I will be taking any more leave as they want to leave the guys go first that have a lot of time to do in the Navy yet. And by time we get to the states and around.

Won't be long now and you will be busy with the garden and the little chicks. But it is always nice to see spring come again when everything is so nice & green. By next spring I will be able to go in the field with the rest of them again if not on my own it will be for someone else. Right now I got a deal going on but so far I haven't heard if I had any luck or not of getting it. I'm not much worried about getting something to do when I get out if I can't get a farm of my own I think I still can get a job as if I want to. I still can get work as hard if not harder than most of the guys that are working.

Well Sis, news, there isn't too much out here so I'll bring this line of B.S. to a close for now. Till some other time here's hoping this finds you feeling as good as it leaves me. Is a little bit early but here's hoping you all have a very happy Easter back there.

Your Kid Brother
"Am"
Ambrose Dentlinger