Monty Joe Boitnott
April 12, 2014
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Service Details
Born April 23, 1921 to Berta and George Boitnott in Maxwell, Iowa, Joe completed his journey on earth at VA Hospital in Des Moines on April 12, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Gwen (Hugh) Lint of Maxwell, Iowa, and Virginia (Hugh) Fertig of Collins, Iowa and long-time companion, Elna Saunders of Marshalltown, Iowa. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
While attending North High School he joined the Iowa National Guard. With the start of WWII he was activated in the Army 34th Division as an infantryman, making three amphibious landings in North Africa and Italy. In 1944 he was transferred to the Army Air Force and flew as a tail gunner for B-17 Aircraft, serving until victory in Europe. He served in a support unit in the Korean War. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1973.
Joe participated in Oliver North’s war Stories, the BBC’s Lost Evidence, and a segment in the WWII Museum in New Orleans. He was proud to be an Honoree and attend the dedication of the WWII Monument in Washington, D.C. on May 29, 2004.
A special thank you to Dr. Benjamin and the entire staff at CLC2 for the loving care and support of Uncle Joe.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be directed to The 34th Division Association, The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, 7105 N.W. 70th Avenue, Johnston, Iowa 50131. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Burial with military honors will be held on Wednesday, April 23 at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa 2:00 p.m.
Claradell Shedd
04/19/2014
The halls of North High are diminished with Joe's passing. Prayers and thoughts to his family and friends. Joe's military biographical North High page:
http://www.nhwallofhonor.com/pages/textboitnottmontyjoe1939.html
BG(BVT)Ret Ron "Curly" Albrecht
04/17/2014
It was a honor to know Joe Boitnott, he was a true American Hero to this nation and for generation to come. I know Joe is with his beloved 168 Infantry Regt of the 34th Red Bull Division and those guy are now catching up on day's that have gone by! May your back pack be lighter now Joe. "ATTACK'
Gary Brown
04/15/2014
This, my friends, is what heroes look like. Uncle Joe was an American hero in the truest sense.
This was a man of courage and self-sacrifice who never hesitated to answer the call to defend America. This man and so many others of what Tom Brokaw called The Greatest Generation is the reason that we today can go about our lives without fear and with the hope of fulfilling our own missions for a better tomorrow.
There is no way to adequately compensate the Uncle Joes for their service and for their blood. Uncle Joe knew that. Most importantly, there is nothing Uncle Joe ever asked of us in return, other than our respect and our own dedication to the freedom he helped preserve.
And so, as I say goodbye to this fine man and this good friend, I say goodbye to a great American. And I thank you, Uncle Joe, for this gift of freedom. I too promise to defend it in the spirit by which you passed it on to my own generation.
Because this, my friends, is what heroes look like.
Michael D. Callison
04/14/2014
Joe was a fireball in life and lived it to the fullest of his abilities. He will be missed by the Iowa Aviation Heitage Museum at the Ankeny Airport as well as the Gold Star Museum at Camp Dodge. It was an Honor to know him! RIP