Howard E Villhauer
World War 2
US Navy Armed Guard

Howard Villhauer with his 5 brothers who also joined the Navy

 

On 8 December 1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Howard Villhauer enlisted in the U.S. Navy. The day after Christmas he went to Camp Farragut Idaho. One by one all six Villhauer brothers enlisted in the Navy.  They are shown left to right are as follows: Carl, Louis, David, Howard, Herman, and Leo.

Iowa City Firefighter Louie Villhauer Sr. and his wife had 6 sons in the Navy at the same time in WWII. A younger son and 6 daughters were on the home front to write letters to their brothers. The mail box outside their house was a popular place during the war years. Letters arrived daily from different parts of the world. None of the brothers were ever on the same ship or in the same battle at one time. Leo was the only brother that received a medal while Carl was the only brother that was married. One by one the brothers returned home safe, got jobs, and became a part of the greatest generation.

 

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