Corporal Frank LaNute Dupes

30 YEARS AGO

Corp. Frank Dupes was killed in action at Midway Island his mother, Mrs. Irene Dupes, was advised by telegram at Keeline Wednesday morning. He is the first fatality among Niobrara County boys in the armed forces of the nation.

Thon Book 6, 1942
Lusk Free Lance
Corp. Frank Dupes First Niobraran to Die In War

World War II claimed its first Niobrara County victim last week when Corp. Frank LaNute Dupes, 22, son of Mrs. Irene Dupes of Keeline, was killed in action "Somewhere in the Pacific." No details were contained in the message received by Mrs. Dupes Wednesday morning.

Corporal Dupes was serving with the U. S. Marines and had been in this service since September, 1939, and until recently had ranked as a first class private. In his last letter to members of his family, received here about May 1st, he told of his promotion.

Besides his mother, Corporal Dupes leaves his wife, Louise, of Laramie; two brothers, Chesney, who is stationed with army forces at Ft. Bragg, N. Carolina, and James, who lives with his mother, and one sister, Mrs. Florence Coen of this city. An aunt, Mrs. Flora Thomas, also survives. Chesney had left here only Monday after spending a two-week furlough with his mother and other relatives.

Frank Dupes attended the Keeline and Manville schools, graduating from the Manville high school in 1937. He then enrolled in the University of Wyoming at Laramie, attending two terms. He was a member of the Union Congregational church of Keeline.

While in the service he was married to Miss Louise Hamilton of Laramie, at San Diego, Calif., on July 9th, 1941. Two days later he sailed for islands in the Pacific, his wife returning to Laramie.

Frank was a member of the Wyoming National Guard troop here for several years until he joined the Marines.

The deepest sympathy of a large host of friends go to the mother and other relatives in this hour of sorrow, and although this "first Niobrara casualty" tears at the hearts of his loved ones, they should always find that great solace in that Frank made the supreme sacrifice for his country and its ideals and for those he loved.

Further information may be found in this Casper Star Tribune feature article, Etched in Stone.

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