Francis Wenthold

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Bio

Francis Wenthold was born on March 26, 1932, in Festina, Iowa. In 1952, shortly after his 20th birthday, Francis and several close friends, anticipating the draft, voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army. They hoped to serve side by side, but even before arriving at boot camp in Fort Riley, Kansas, the group was separated. As the conflict in Korea intensified, Francis’s division was quickly shipped overseas.

Before reaching Korea, Francis and the 24th Division journeyed to Japan—a voyage that took 27 days. There, some of his comrades were sent directly to Korea, while Francis remained behind, his rank rising from Private First Class to Sergeant before he was transferred to the 25th Division, which had suffered significant losses and was in dire need of replacements. Trained as a forward observer, Francis was soon sent to the front lines.

For 31 harrowing days, Francis served atop the hills, directing artillery fire as shells thundered overhead. He witnessed unimaginable horrors, facing each day uncertain whether he would survive. The ordeal was relentless, and at times, Francis found himself wishing for an end to the suffering. During November and December, he endured the front lines in bitter cold with only one pair of socks and no insulated boots, resulting in severe frostbite that turned his feet black.

Following the armistice, Francis still had service time remaining and was stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado—a stark contrast to the battlefield. There, he worked behind a desk, writing orders, and later described it as the most comfortable job he ever had. In 1954, after his honorable discharge, Francis returned home, where his father had arranged a job as a mechanic with his brother-in-law. He dedicated more than forty years to his craft in Ossian, Iowa, and became a founding member of the local ambulance service. Francis and his beloved wife, JoAnn, devoted much of their lives to serving their community. It was only in his later years that Francis began to share his experiences in Korea, a testament to the weight and sacrifice of his service. Francis Wenthold passed away on October 21, 2020.