Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
VROTSOS, John
VROTSOS, John (Dubuque, IA, 1923-- ). Vrotsos like so many young men entered the military in 1941 at the entry of the United States into WORLD WAR II. He received his basic training with the 109th Quartermaster Regiment at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana.
It was there that he began his "Clairborne Conversations." These interviews with Iowans were transcribed and sent to Dubuque for broadcast by KDTH RADIO STATION every Sunday. (1) He also produced "Scrapbook Man" programs featuring the poems of John Patrick MULGREW. (2)
Vrotsos was shipped overseas with the first group of American troops serving with the 34th Division in January 1942. He served as a reporter for the Stars and Stripes covering northern Ireland. (3) Broadcasting was also part of his military duties; he regularly appeared on BBC broadcasts of the "Stars and Stripes in Britain." (4) This program was also broadcast in the United States over the Mutual Broadcasting System. (5) Six weeks before it was activated and began broadcasts began on July 4, 1943, Vrotsos joined the American Forces Network (AFN) using many of the skills he had honed. (6)
Vrotsos began his service as a reporter and announcer and then shifted his responsibilities to sportscaster for two years. He became the chief announcer of AFN and conducted several music shows, special events and newscasts in addition to his duties as the chief announcer for the network made up of five studios and seven transmitters. (7)
When the 34th Infantry Division landed in Ireland on January 26, 1942, Vrotsos was the 58th American soldier to leave the ship. He returned to Ireland in 1945 as the United States closed its last installation in northern Ireland. He was in charge of coordinating all radio coverage of a farewell dinner attended by four army generals and other prominent military officials. (8) He was still serving with the AFN in 1948.
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Sources:
1. "Dubuque Soldiers to be Heard Weekly," Telegraph-Herald, October 14, 1941, p. 1
2. "Dubuque Man Busy Fellow," Telegraph-Herald, April 11, 1943, p. 18
3. "Vrotsos With AFN Six Years," Telegraph-Herald, September 5, 1948, p. 3
4. "Men and Women in Service," Telegraph-Herald, September 4, 1945, p. 20
5. "Vrotsos With AFN..."
6. "Dubuque Man Busy Fellow..."
7. "Vrotsos With AFN..."
8. "Men and Women..."