Welcome to VFW Post 817 "Hero's Corner"
Click below to visit other Post 817 Heroes:
Colonel Robert C. Forney
Lt. Colonel Darwin L. Schuett
Ray Duffee
Don Schoof
David E. Mondt
Sgt. Melvin Cryder
James Sieler
Colonel Robert C. Forney
Lt. Colonel Darwin L. Schuett
Ray Duffee
Don Schoof
David E. Mondt
Sgt. Melvin Cryder
James Sieler
Norman "Gene" Mondt
The following is a short essay of some the experiences of Norman "Gene" Mondt during his service to our country during
World War ll.
Gene was born in Boone and raised on the Mondt farm, southeast of the old Highway 30 bridge on the Des Moines River.
Gene joined the Navy in March of 1944 and was sent to the Naval Training Center at Farragut, Idaho. After boot leave, Gene
returned to duty and volunteered for and was assigned as a "Cat Skinner" (caterpillar operator). After some additional
training Gene and his unit, the Third Naval Construction Battalion, departed California on board the Dutch ship
Sommelsteich. The ship was 300 miles at sea when they were informed that their destination was New Guinea.
Arriving in New Guinea, Gene's unit was tasked with clearing the jungle to build airstrips for Marine pilots. Gene says one of
the worst things about New Guinea was the snakes, "they were everywhere." One night when Gene and his three tent mates
were bunked out, one of the men heard something and realizing it was snake, grabbed his rifle and shot at the snake.
Missing with his first shot, he killed the snake with his second shot. The next morning, they found out that the first shot had
killed a Seabee in the next tent. Gene stated that while on New Guinea, the Seabees were grateful for the Marines who
cleared the Jap's out of the area of operation.
Gene and his unit spent about a year in New Guinea when they received orders for transfer. They loaded up on a troop ship
and headed North-Northeast. After sometime at sea, they were informed their destination was the Island of Luzon in the
Philippines. During the transit to Luzon one man was lost at sea due to a storm. The ship did not stop to search for the man
overboard due to the danger of submarines, but they threw over life boards and life Rings.
Landing on Luzon in LCM's "Landing Craft Medium" they built their quarters by a river next to a small native village. The
natives picked up their small houses built on stilts and carried them across the river. Leaving behind some chickens. The
Seabees ate fried chicken that night. Somewhat better than the beans, bread, and flour gravy the ate for three weeks while
being cut off the supply lines.
Gene's unit was again assigned to clearing jungle for airstrips and supply depots. On one occasion Gene was clearing
bamboo when he decided to in with the blade high on his caterpillar, knocking down the bamboo on the first pass and
returning on a second pass to plow out the roots. It didn't quite work as planned! On the first pass Gene knocked down the
bamboo as planned but he didn't plan on it springing back up after he passed over it, showering him with fire ants. Gene
stated he immediately abandoned his machine and jumped into the river.
While on Luzon the only trouble Gene's unit had with Japs was that they would sneak into camp at night and steal food from
the Mess Tent, as they were starving. Some were caught and sent to the nearest POW Camp.
While in New Guinea, Gene's Commanding Officer Lt. Commander Wadell, was seriously wounded and transported to an
Army Hospital at Port Morsby. "We never heard whether Commander Wadell survived or not." About 50 years later the
Boone News Republican published a story about Katherine Croxen of Boone, who served as an Army nurse during World
War ll at the Port Morsby Hospital. At the time of this article Katherine was a resident of the Evangelical Free Church Home,
"My sister was also a resident at the home and while I was having lunch with my sister, Katerine came in for lunch. I
introduced myself and asked Katerine if she remembered Commander Wadell." "Yes," she said " I do remember him and he
survived, good news after all these years.
Gene remained on Luzon until January,1946, when he boarded a Liberty Ship headed for the United States, landing in
Oxnard, California. Where they were issued new uniforms and boarded a train for the Great Lakes Naval Station, North of
Chicago. At the Great Lakes Naval Station Gene was asked if he cared to ship over. He informed the Navy he had enough
"just Muster Me Out". He was given $300.00 and train ticket to Boone. Gene arrived in Boone on February 2, 1946 at 4 A.M.
in the morning, ending his Naval Service.
Gene married Lovey Mae Budd on June 8, 1947. With daughter Karen, now Mrs. Randy Johnson of rural Ogden, with two
grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Gene and Lovey bought the family farm in March of 1948 and the lived their until
1971 when The Corp of Engineers bought the farm due to the building of Saylorville Dam. Gene was the First Civil Defense
Director for Boone County and held that position for 21 years until retiring. Gene and Lovey reside on their acreage
southeast of Ogden where they raise a few calves and chickens for the table,
With Deep Respect and Admiration,
Members of VFW Post 817
World War ll.
Gene was born in Boone and raised on the Mondt farm, southeast of the old Highway 30 bridge on the Des Moines River.
Gene joined the Navy in March of 1944 and was sent to the Naval Training Center at Farragut, Idaho. After boot leave, Gene
returned to duty and volunteered for and was assigned as a "Cat Skinner" (caterpillar operator). After some additional
training Gene and his unit, the Third Naval Construction Battalion, departed California on board the Dutch ship
Sommelsteich. The ship was 300 miles at sea when they were informed that their destination was New Guinea.
Arriving in New Guinea, Gene's unit was tasked with clearing the jungle to build airstrips for Marine pilots. Gene says one of
the worst things about New Guinea was the snakes, "they were everywhere." One night when Gene and his three tent mates
were bunked out, one of the men heard something and realizing it was snake, grabbed his rifle and shot at the snake.
Missing with his first shot, he killed the snake with his second shot. The next morning, they found out that the first shot had
killed a Seabee in the next tent. Gene stated that while on New Guinea, the Seabees were grateful for the Marines who
cleared the Jap's out of the area of operation.
Gene and his unit spent about a year in New Guinea when they received orders for transfer. They loaded up on a troop ship
and headed North-Northeast. After sometime at sea, they were informed their destination was the Island of Luzon in the
Philippines. During the transit to Luzon one man was lost at sea due to a storm. The ship did not stop to search for the man
overboard due to the danger of submarines, but they threw over life boards and life Rings.
Landing on Luzon in LCM's "Landing Craft Medium" they built their quarters by a river next to a small native village. The
natives picked up their small houses built on stilts and carried them across the river. Leaving behind some chickens. The
Seabees ate fried chicken that night. Somewhat better than the beans, bread, and flour gravy the ate for three weeks while
being cut off the supply lines.
Gene's unit was again assigned to clearing jungle for airstrips and supply depots. On one occasion Gene was clearing
bamboo when he decided to in with the blade high on his caterpillar, knocking down the bamboo on the first pass and
returning on a second pass to plow out the roots. It didn't quite work as planned! On the first pass Gene knocked down the
bamboo as planned but he didn't plan on it springing back up after he passed over it, showering him with fire ants. Gene
stated he immediately abandoned his machine and jumped into the river.
While on Luzon the only trouble Gene's unit had with Japs was that they would sneak into camp at night and steal food from
the Mess Tent, as they were starving. Some were caught and sent to the nearest POW Camp.
While in New Guinea, Gene's Commanding Officer Lt. Commander Wadell, was seriously wounded and transported to an
Army Hospital at Port Morsby. "We never heard whether Commander Wadell survived or not." About 50 years later the
Boone News Republican published a story about Katherine Croxen of Boone, who served as an Army nurse during World
War ll at the Port Morsby Hospital. At the time of this article Katherine was a resident of the Evangelical Free Church Home,
"My sister was also a resident at the home and while I was having lunch with my sister, Katerine came in for lunch. I
introduced myself and asked Katerine if she remembered Commander Wadell." "Yes," she said " I do remember him and he
survived, good news after all these years.
Gene remained on Luzon until January,1946, when he boarded a Liberty Ship headed for the United States, landing in
Oxnard, California. Where they were issued new uniforms and boarded a train for the Great Lakes Naval Station, North of
Chicago. At the Great Lakes Naval Station Gene was asked if he cared to ship over. He informed the Navy he had enough
"just Muster Me Out". He was given $300.00 and train ticket to Boone. Gene arrived in Boone on February 2, 1946 at 4 A.M.
in the morning, ending his Naval Service.
Gene married Lovey Mae Budd on June 8, 1947. With daughter Karen, now Mrs. Randy Johnson of rural Ogden, with two
grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Gene and Lovey bought the family farm in March of 1948 and the lived their until
1971 when The Corp of Engineers bought the farm due to the building of Saylorville Dam. Gene was the First Civil Defense
Director for Boone County and held that position for 21 years until retiring. Gene and Lovey reside on their acreage
southeast of Ogden where they raise a few calves and chickens for the table,
With Deep Respect and Admiration,
Members of VFW Post 817
HOME
OFFICERS
AUXILIARY
HAPPENINGS
PHOTOS
HISTORY
FEATURE
HERO'S CORNER