During World War II, the Engineer Combat Battalion was part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Engineer Combat Battalion service members were involved in construction of bridges, pontoons and ensuring other river crossings. They built supply depots, barracks, and other structures as well. They were involved in advance destruction and clearing of areas with setting up camouflage sections and laying mine fields as well as after-the-fact clearing. They built roads and transported supplies. They maintained the vehicles. They were also involved in map-making and intelligence and reconnaissance work. They sometimes also participated in infantry fighting and were an armed battalion. During WWII, these battalions served in the European and Pacific theaters of war.
Sergeant Harley LeRoy Spragle served with the 110th Engineer Combat Battalion, which was part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Harley LeRoy Spragle was born March 31, 1919 in Jackson Township, Benton County, Iowa to James and Mary (McNeal) Spragle.
From the 1920 U.S. Census the Spragle family lived in Jackson Township, Benton County, Iowa. The household included father James F., mother Mary, and children Hazel, Nellie, Glenn, and Harley. Father James was a farm laborer and was “working out.”
On the 1930 U.S. Census, the “Speagle” family was living in the city of Vinton, Benton County, Iowa. The household included father James, mother Mary and the children now included children Lara, Carl, and Leland. They rented their home and father James was a laborer in a laundry for wages.
In 1935, the Spragle family lived in Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa.
By the 1940 Census, James and Mary were divorced. Mother Mary was remarried to Herbert Brickner and they lived in Geneseo Township, Tama County, Iowa. Father “Frederick” Spragle {Note: that is his middle name.} lived in Springfield Township, Oakland County, Michigan. Frederick was a farm laborer on a farm for paid wages.
On the 1940 U.S. Census, Harley “Spregue” lived in South Wayne village in Lafayette County, Wisconsin with the Donald Thorp family. Harley worked as a hired hand. He had one year of high school.
On Oct. 26, 1940 Harley Leroy Spragle registered for the WWII Draft. He lived in South Wayne, Lafayette County. His employer’s name was Donald Thorpe in South Wayne. His next of kin was Mrs. Mary Brickner, his mother in Buckingham, Iowa.
On Dec. 2, 1941 Harley L. Spragle enlisted for service in WWII at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois. He resided in Lafayette County, had one year of high school, and was employed as a farm hand. He was single without dependents.
From the April 23, 1944 The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa) notice about the three Spragle brothers in service — Carl, Harley and Glenn. This article had information that “Sgt. Harley Spragle, is stationed with the army in Hawaii...”
From the April 27, 1945 Wisconsin State Journal the news from South Wayne was “Sgt. Harley LeRoy Spragle, 26, former resident of Brodhead and South Wayne, was killed in action Apr. 6 on Okinawa, the Donald Thorp family, South Wayne, has learned.
“Sgt. Spragle was born in Waterloo, Ia., went to Brodhead with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Spragle, and later was employed on the Thorp farm. He entered service Dec. 31, 1941, and went to the Hawaiian islands in July, 1943.
“Survivors include his parents at Dysart, Ia.: five sisters, Hazel, Michigan; Nellie and Lois, Waterloo, Ia., and Margaret Ann and Betty Jean, Dysart, Ia., and two brothers, Karl, with the navy in the Pacific, and Leland, at home. A third brother, Glenn, is missing in action.”
From the Jan. 20, 1946 The Courier article titled “Two Spragle Sons Died in Action,” the article stated “Glenn Wesley Spragle, gunner’s mate second class, Waterloo, reported missing in action since Mar. 1, 1942, has been declared dead, according to word recently received by his mother, Mrs. Herbert Brickner, Apple River, Ill.
“Spragle was serving aboard the Houston when it was sunk by the enemy. He had been in the navy since October, 1940.
“Mrs. Brickner also received the Bronze Star, awarded posthumously to her son, Sgt. Harley Leroy Spragle, who was killed Apr. 6 1945, on Okinawa.
“Sergeant Spragle, a member of the 110th engineers, was reported to have ‘assumed the responsibility for the preparation and loading of all supplies required for the battalion operation, thus relieving several officers and enabling them to devote their full time to organization. Through his tireless effort and devotion to duty, the group was able to board ship fully equipped for the Okinawa landing. He continued outstanding service on Okinawa.’
“The sergeant entered the army Dec. 3, 1941, going overseas in August, 1943.
“Surviving the Spragle brothers are their mother; their father, J. F. Spragle, Vinton, Ia.; five sisters, Mrs. Everett Bremer, 1110 Ackermant street; Betty Jean and Margaret Ann Spragle, both of Apple River; Mrs. Merle Heuerman and Mrs. Hazel Blake, both of Pontiac, Mich.; and two brothers, Leland Spragle, Apple River, and Carl W. Spragle, chief aviation ordnanceman, now on leave in Waterloo.”
From a July 16, 1945 The Courier notice, “Mrs. Mary Brickner has received the Purple Heart and citation for her son, Lt. Harley Spragle, who was killed in action Apr. 6 on Okinawa.”
From the Feb. 13, 1949 Wisconsin State Journal notice “Spragle Reburial Services Planned,” the news from South Wayne was “The body of Sgt. Harley LeRoy Spragle, 26, former South Wayne and Brodhead resident, arrived Saturday at his home in Vinton, Ia….”
Sgt. Spragle was repatriated and reburied in Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton, Benton County, Iowa. He received both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star, awarded posthumously.
He is listed on the National WWII Memorial Registry for Lafayette County, Wisconsin.
Thank you, Sergeant Harley LeRoy Spragle, for your service to and sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.
