Alvin Haffner was just a young man of 20 when he gave up his life for his country while serving overseas in World War II.
Alvin’s brothers and sister posed with his medals, including two Purple Hearts (one pictured). Pictured are Lila Zimney of Dalton, Gary Haffner of Clarissa and John Haffner of Eagle Bend.
Alvin Haffner was just a young man of 20 when he gave up his life for his country while serving overseas in World War II.
Giving life for our freedom...
Haffner killed in action in World War II
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by Karin L. Nauber
As we celebrate this 4th of July, in whatever ways we choose to do so, let us never forget those men and women who sacrificed so much for us to be able to enjoy this holiday and our freedom and to continue to enjoy it.
One of those men was Alvin Haffner. Alvin was the brother of two people known in our area—Gary Haffner of Clarissa and John Haffner of Eagle Bend.
He was the son of William and Anna and was born on December 6, 1924.
His home was in Cormant County when he joined the Army (either by choice or by draft).
His rank was a Private First Class serving in the tank corps in Company “A” 68th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division.
He was reported as Missing In Action (MIA) on January 4, 1945 by the War Department, but was actually Killed In Action (KIA) on that day in Belgium according to his parents.
He served as a gunner assigned to a tank.
According to an old newspaper article (unknown date or publication), he had previously been wounded on November 13 while in action in France. He had suffered shrapnel wounds to the face, but was only out of the battle lines for a few days at that time.
According to military records that have been declassified and the newspaper article, Alvin joined the service on February 17, 1943 at Fort Snelling. . . .