In Memory of

Pvt.

Irving Johann Tanck

Beresford, SD

Union County

March 18, 1915 – November 29, 1944

Killed in Action somewhere in France

Irving Johann Tanck was born March 18, 1915, in Pipestone, Minnesota to William and Elizabeth Tanck. Irving had one sister, Evalyn Anna, who was three years older. His mother died when he was in the 8th grade. He grew up in Pipestone, Minnesota, and attended high school there. After graduating he enrolled in Nettleton Commercial College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and graduated in 1933. The same year he moved to Beresford, South Dakota, and began his first job as a bookkeeper with the Ford Motor Company. At ten o’clock on June 3, 1940, he was united in marriage to Miss Gladys Sorenson. The wedding took place in Pipestone at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where Irving had been baptized and confirmed. A wedding dinner was held at the home of the groom’s sister. That afternoon the bride and groom were the guests at her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Sorenson’s home in Wakonda, South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Irving Tanck left on a three-week wedding trip to California that evening. Together they became members of the Emmanuel Lutheran in 1941. They made their home in Beresford, South Dakota, where she held a position as a teacher, and in 1941 he entered into partnership with Edwin P. Olson in the Hardware Supply Company. Their one daughter, Claire Elizabeth, was born on May 2, 1942.

Irving J. Tanck was inducted into the U.S. Army at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota, on March 29, 1944. He received his basic training in the Infantry at Camp Roberts, California, and went overseas on October 5. He was sent to the European Theater of Operations as an Infantry Replacement and was killed somewhere in France on November 29, 1944.

A V-Mail was received by Mrs. Gladys Tanck from Pvt. Irving Tanck after he was killed. The V-Mail read:

Dear Gladys & Claire:

This is my first chance to write in quite a few days so, Mommie, you will have to depend on my letters to be rather irregular.

Better not overlook my new address and forward it to your folks and mine because I may not get to write to them and if I don’t get it done today, it may be a few days before I get a chance to write again.

This is the real thing we are in, now, and to say I am scared is telling the truth.

Have spent quite a few hours in a foxhole and this land is so saturated with moisture, we have to keep bailing out the water.

We get two hot meals a day, usually, and do I ever have an appetite.

I borrowed this V-Mail from a buddy.

Even got to shave once again and did those whiskers ever pull. All my love from your husband and daddy.

Love,

Daddy

PVT. Irving Johann Tanck went into action on the western front soon after his arrival in France, where he died of wounds on November 29, 1944. This was six months after he was sworn in. On December 20, 1944, a letter was written by Major General J. A. Ulio to Mrs. Irving Tanck. The letter read:

Dear Mrs. Tanck:

I deeply regret that it is necessary to confirm the telegram of recent date informing you of the death of your husband, Private Irving J. Tanck, 37,591,724, Infantry, who died of 29 November 1944 in France as a result of wounds received in action on that date.

I wish I could give you more information but reports of this nature prepared in active theaters of operations are brief and contain only essential facts. Recently provisions were made whereby there will be sent directly to the emergency addressee or the next of kin a letter containing further information about each person who dies overseas in the service, it may be expected soon.

The significance of his heroic service to his country will be preserved and commemorated by a grateful nation, and it is hoped that this thought may give you strength and courage in your sorrow.

My deepest sympathy is extended to you in your bereavement.

Sincerely yours, J.A. Ulio

Irving J. Tanck was buried in Flander’s Field, but his wife had his body returned to Pipestone where it rests next to his father and mother. In a tribute to Mr. Tanck, Mrs. Edwin P. Olson wrote in 1945, “...Irving Tanck respected and loved his mother, who preceded him in death, his father and his sister, and above all, his Gladys and Claire Elizabeth. Just to be with his loved ones was his greatest joy. It was characteristic of Irving not to neglect the essential part of life...” Recently, Gladys said of Irving J. Tanck, “He was an extremely kind and loving person who wouldn’t even hunt animals and birds. I can only imagine how hard it was to be put in a position where he might have to shoot humans.”

This entry was respectfully submitted by Lisa Scott, 10th Grade, Elk Point-Jefferson High School, Elk Point, South Dakota, November 16, 2002. Information for this entry was provided by Mrs. Gladys Chadwick, Marshall, Minn. and Mrs. Beverly E. Drewes, Pipestone, Minn.

Irving J Tanck