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Show Telegram Brings News Of Death of Lieut. Keith L Hafen St. George was plunged into gloom Tuesday with receipt of the message mes-sage that Lieut. Keith L. Hafen, son of Coach and Mrs. Leland Hafen, had been "killed in action" in the European theatre of war. The telegram was received by Coach Hafen shortly before noon Tuesday from the War Department Depart-ment and stated that Lieut. Hafen had lost his life Mar. 31st in defense of the principals of Liberty Lib-erty and of his county, saying "he died gloriously". Born In St. George Born in St. George, Aug. 20, 1921, he is second of five children child-ren of Leland and Elsie Frei Hafen. He graduated from the Woodward high school in 1936, from the lower division of Dixie college in 1938 and from the upper up-per division of the college in 1940. He was active in basketball during dur-ing five years, and played football foot-ball in high school. He took his primary flying in connection with the C.P.T. training train-ing program of Dixie college in 1940, enlisting in the Army air corps in August 1941. He received his primary training at Sequoia Field, Calif.; basic training at Bakersfield, Calif.; and advanced training in Roswell, New Mexico, where he received his commission. From there he went to Geiger Field, Spokane, Wash., for additional training, thence to Alamagordo, New Mexico; then to Topeka, Kan. His last home base was Salina, Kan., and took off (Continued on page eight) Lieut. Hafen Death (Continued from first page) from Florida Jan. 12, flying to South America and then to England. For the past more than two months he has been overseas, bombing out of England. His messages home have been filled with hope and assurance that the allied forces will win. A letter written Feb. 20 said in part, "Keep your chin up dad. We are bombing the pants off Germany". The last message from him was written March 10th and arrived one week ago. Other letters may be on their way. The telegram announcing his death said details will follow by letter, which his parents are anxiously awaiting. Survivors of Keith Hafen Surviving besides his parents are his sister, Mrs.. Darrel Phil Spencer of Huntington Park, Calif., three brothers, Clark, Stanley Stan-ley and Richard, of St. George; his four grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harmon Hafen and Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Frei, all .of Santa Clara, and all in their eighties. His grandfather Hafen is now in Los Angeles for surgery. Making her home with the Hafens, is Miss Lorna Fordham, niece of Mr. and Mrs. Hafen, who has become as a sister. Mr. and Mrs. Hafen and their family are consoling themselves in the thought that their. son entered the conflict because he wanted to help, that he was doing the thing he most wanted to do, and gave his life willingly in the defense of his country, his home and the principles of human liberty and freedom. Additional letters came Wednesday, Wed-nesday, one saying he had finally received his first mail from home since reaching England, and that he was thrilled to get the letters even though they were written in December. Memorial services are being planned for the near future, with the hope that additional word will soon be received. |