13th Veteran of the Quarter, James Iseminger, US Army
December 5, 2013
Nominated by Jim Pede.
It is my pleasure to nominate James Eugene Iseminger for the Branson Bank prestigious “Veteran of the Quarter” Award.
“Gene” was inducted into the United States Army on 23 November 1942 and entered into active duty on 30 November 1942 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas where he took his basic training. He had additional training at Camp Phillips – Salina, Kansas, Camp McCain, Mississippi and Fort Benning, Georgia. He was then shipped overseas to Europe where he was assigned to a ¾ ton weapons carrier, along with three 2-½ ton trucks. His main duty was to supply ammunition to men on the battlefront. This is where he was given the nickname “Cannonball” because of the way he drove his truck.
He served with the 3rd Army under General George S. Patton Jr. in the 302nd Infantry, 94th Engineer Battalion. He saw General Patton a few times, one where he came close to colliding with his jeep at an intersection. He served duty in Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe, including The Battle of the Bulge, and the Ardennese. On 28 February 1945, Technician Fifth Grade Iseminger and his Captain, Joseph W. Francoeur received the Purple Heart. They were hit by an “88” mm shell and spent time in the hospital. He still carries shrapnel in his body. He also earned the Bronze Star with four oak leaf clusters, among other citations and ribbons. “When they crossed the Rhine River, that was just about the end of it.”
Gene was separated from the U.S. Army on 1 December 1945.
He worked as a mechanic in garages for a number of years after discharge, until the Colonial Bakery in Springfield hired him. There he worked his way up to Chief Mechanic with 99 vehicles under his responsibility. He retired from Colonial after 20 years.
Gene and his wife of 64 years, Josephine, who passed on to be with her Lord, and their daughter, Joanna, and son, Jerry traveled to all of the lower states, Canada and Mexico, where they enjoyed camping and fishing. They owned the Mimosa Lodge consisting of motor homes, camping trailers, and cabins.
Gene and Josephine made friends easily and became friends of many, including Lloyd and Bessie Mae Presley who would meet at the Iseminger home and rehearse and eat sandwiches. They would then follow the Presley’s where their gigs took them.
Gene is currently residing in a Veterans Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Mount Vernon, Missouri.
To nominate a local Veteran for the Branson Bank Veteran of the Quarter, please visit our website: www.bransonbank.com or stop by any of our Branson Bank location to pick up a Nomination Form. Veterans are chosen by a panel of their peers.
THE PROUD. THE STRONG. THE LOYAL. OUR VETERANS!