WWII Casualties

BURIED OUTSIDE FAYETTE COUNTY

 

Oliver Frank Psencik

Private First Class, U.S. Army
38453742
83rd Armored Field Artillery Battalion
Born: May 18, 1923, son of Albert Pscencik, Plum
Attended Plum School, La Grange High School graduate
Entered Army 1943; trained in TX & SC; served in Europe
Died: August 24, 1944, killed in Action near Brest, France
Buried at: Plot G Row 12 Grave 2
Brittany American Cemetery, St. James, France
Awards: Purple Heart

The Fayette Country Record
Tuesday, September 12, 1944

OLIVER PSENCIK, PLUM, KILLED IN ACTION, FRANCE

Fayette county's second war fatality in one week was revealed here Friday morning when Mr. and Mrs. Albert Psencik of Plum were informed that their son, Pfc. Oliver F. Psencik, 21, was killed in action in France on August 24th.

Pfc. Psencik was with the 83rd armored field artillery battalion. In his letters he revealed that he drove a jeep for the lieutenant-colonel of his outfit.

He was born at Plum on May 18, 1923, attended the Plum school and graduated from the La Grange high school in 1942. He entered the service on February 26, 1943. He was drafted with the first 18-year-old group and of the group he is the first to lose his life. He was stationed at Camp Hood and later was sent to Fort Jackson, South Carolina where he was stationed until January of this year, when he left for England. About a month ago he was sent to France.

His last visit home was in December, 1943.

The last letter received by the family was written on August 20, four days prior to his death. In one of his recent letters he stated, "I am still driving a jeep for the lieutenant colonel and believe me, we go through hell. I have two Germans to my credit. . . "

Surviving are his parents and one sister, Bernice, of Plum.

Photo provided by Robert Dittrich

Pvt. Rudolph Reinhart Dittrich

Born March 26, 1924 at Freyburg
Died May 20, 1944 at Hermitage, England

Son of Anna C. Ripper and Ferdinand J. Dittrich

Paratrooper, 101st Airborne, 506th Regiment,
E Company, US Army

Died in a parachute training accident
Interred in 1949 at Fort Sam Houston
Military Cemetery, San Antonio, TX

Pvt. Rudolph Dittrich was mentioned in the Stephen Ambrose book, Band of Brothers, and was portrayed in the first episode of the HBO mini-series of the same name.

Alton W. Hanisch

Ensign, U.S. Navy
0-306347
United States Naval Reserve
Son of Wenzel F. Hanisch, La Grange;
Graduate of La Grange High School
Entered Navy 1942; trained in TX; served in USA
Died: August 26, 1944 in plane crash off the west coast
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at West Coast Memorial, Presidio, California

The Fayette Country Record
Tuesday, September 8, 1944

Memorial Services For Alton Hanisch Are Slated Sunday

Memorial services for Ensign Alton W. Hanisch will be held Sunday, September 10 at 8:30 p.m., at the Trinity Hill Lutheran church, it is announced by Rev. Robert P. Nerger, pastor.

Ens. Hanisch lost his life on August 26 when his navy plane crashed in the Pacific while on maneuvers off the West Coasst.

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Hanisch of the Trinity Hill community and was born January 16, 1922. He graduated from high school here in 1941 and enlisted in the naval reserve in July, 1942.

Rev. Nerger will deliver the memorial sermon, to which the general public is invited.

Jimmie S. Knight

First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
O-518718
44th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron
Son of James Knight, La Grange; husband of Sarah Heil Graduate of Texas A&M
Entered Army 1943; trained at Ft. Riley, KS; served in Europe
Died: February 27, 1945, killed in action in Germany
Buried at: Plot P Row 9 Grave 10, Netherlands American Cemetery,Margraten, Netherlands
Awards: Bronze Star, Purple Heart

Fayette County Record

He Fought To The Last!

Letter Gives Detail of Lt. Knight's Death

A recent issue of The San Antonio Express carried an account of the death in action of First Lieut. Jimmie S. Knight of La Grange, as related by a Texas A. & M. classmate of the fallen officer.

The item follows:

"Details telling of the death of First Lieut. Jimmy S. Knight in action in Germany have been received by his wife, Mrs. Sarah Jean Knight of San Antonio.

"A personal letter has been received by Mrs. Knight from Lieut. D. L. Holder of San Antonio, one of Knight's close friends who was graduated from A. & M. college with him and was serving overseas with Knight at the time of his death. Holder was selected by the company commander, Capt. E. C. Jones, to convey the message to Mrs. Knight.

"On February 27 Knight was approaching an enemy town in Germany riding in a jeep. He had just finished firing his machinegun at the hostile forces until his weapon was empty. Stopping to reload the gun, Knight was shot in the back by a German sniper. Ordering his men to take cover, the 24-year-old cavalryman continued loading and firing the machinegun, although mortally wounded, until his men made their escape.

"Two of the men later made their way back to the position, recovering the jeep. Knight was unconscious by this time, however, and later died as the result of the wounds he had received. For his actions in this encounter, Lieut. Knight has been posthumously awarded the bronze star medal.

"A native of Somerville, Knight was graduated from the La Grange high school. He was graduated from Texas A. & M. college with the class of 1943, having lettered in both track and football while attending the school. He had been oversears since October, 1944. In January Knight was cited for bravery in leading a patrol behind enemy lines, and as a result was granted a leave to London . . ."

Knight's marker at Margraten, Netherlands
courtesy of Stevin Basher

See an obituary for Jimmie Knight

See a Memorial Page for Jimmie Knight at the "Freedom Is Not Free" memorial website for Allied WWII Casualties in The Netherlands

Pvt. Leroy Joe Pavlik

19 Feb 1923 - 11 May 1945

Pvt 7 Marines 1 Marine Div

Weimar Catholic Cemetery (St. Michael's),
Colorado County, Texas

Son of Ernst Pavlik, Weimar; attended Sedan School

Entered Marines 1944; trained at Camp Pendleton, CA; served on Okinawa; killed in action on Okinawa; awarded Purple Heart

Pfc. George R. Huepers

Son of Peter E. Huepers; attended Holman, Ammannsville, & Wildwood Schools

Entered Army 1942; trained in WA & CA; served in Hawaii, Philippines, & Okinawa; awarded Purple Heart; killed in action April 20, 1945

Buried in Weimar Odd Fellows Cemetery

See obituary and reinterrment articles.

Adolph Charles Brune

14 Jul 1921 - 14 May 1945

Son of Edward and Emilie (Trojan) Brune

Attended Borden School

Inducted into the U.S. Army July 27, 1942

Weimar Odd Fellows Cemetery

Weimar Mercury
June 29, 1945

S-Sgt. Adolf Brune Killed In Action On Okinawa, May 14

Edward Brune of the Holman section received word from the War Department recently that his son, S-Sgt. Adolf C. Brune, had been killed in action while with the American forces on Okinawa, May 14. No further particulars have been received.

Sergeant Brune was born July 14, 1920, and was inducted into the army on July 27, 1942. Before entering the service he did carpentry work and did construction work on the highway. He attended the school at Borden and was a member of the Lutheran Church.

Sgt. Brune was reported slightly wounded in February of this year. In March, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for exemplary conduct against the enemy while on the island of Guam. He served with the famous 77th Infantry Division in the Philippines. The award was made by Major General A. D. Bruce, Commanding General of the Liberty Division.

Survivors include his father, Edward Brune; four sisters, Mrs. Charlie Hatterman, Mrs. Richard Freis of Weimar; Mrs. Ben Braden and Mrs. Leona Thomas of Fort Worth; six brothers, Max of Columbus, Henry of Holman, Pfc. Alfred H. Brune of Ft.Knox, Ky., S-Sgt. Leroy C. Brune now somewhere in Innsbruck, Austria, Pfc. Eddie Brune now overseas and Edmund Brune of El Campo.

The Mercury extends sincere sympathy to the bereaved family in the loss of their soldier boy.

PFC Andrew C. Schramm

7 Feb 1924 - 23 May 1945

Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery
Frelsburg, Colorado County, Texas

Segura, John G

6 May 1916 - 7 Jul 1941

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Plot: MA 0 122, bur. 07/06/1941


Adam Bogdanski

Master Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service # R2059693
Army Air Corps
Entered the Service from: Illinois
Died: June 5, 1942, non-battle
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at West Coast Memorial, Presidio, California

Thomas E. Baumgarten

Radioman, Third Class, U.S. Navy
03601761
United States Navy
Son of W. L. Baumgarten, Schulenburg
Graduate of Schulenburg High School
Entered Navy, 1940; trained in San Diego; served in Hawaii Died: June 12, 1943 (or 1942), killed in action in Pacific
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial
Honolulu, Hawaii

 

John E. Burleson

Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces
0-760722
870th Bomber Squadron, 497th Bomber Group, Very Heavy
Died: January 28, 1946
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial
Honolulu, Hawaii
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster

 

James E. Burns

Private, U.S. Army
38537793
325th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
Died: October 2, 1944
Buried at: Plot H Row 1 Grave 11, Netherlands American Cemetery
Margraten, Netherlands
Awards: Purple Heart

Hugh Carroll

Private First Class, U.S. Army
38367255
25th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Infantry Division
Died: April 3, 1944
Buried at: Plot G Row 13 Grave 37
Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart

 

Marvin George Chudej

Private, U.S. Marine Corps
00820422
United States Marine Corps
Born: 22 Sep 1924
Died: November 20, 1943
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial; memorial at Moravia Catholic Cemetery
Honolulu, Hawaii
Awards: Purple Heart

 

Granville W. Cowan

Lieutenant, U.S. Navy
0-129677
United States Naval Reserve
Died: August 11, 1946
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial
Honolulu, Hawaii
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart

 

Carl W. Engelman

Seaman, First Class, U.S. Navy
03602446
United States Navy
Son of C. Engelman
Entered Navy 1940; trained at San Diego; served in Pacific
Killed in action on USS Ashville off coast of Java
Died: November 25, 1945 (or 1942)
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery
Manila, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart

 

Alfred W. Fischer

Captain, U.S. Army Air Forces
O-748392
750th Bomber Squadron, 457th Bomber Group, Heavy
Born December 20, 1918 to August Fischer
Attended La Grange High School
Entered Air Force 1942; served in England
Died: October 7, 1944; killed in action
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands; memorial at La Grange City Cemetery
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

Read an account of Captain Fischer's bombing missions at the "Freedom Is Not Free" memorial website for Allied WWII Casualties in The Netherlands

 

Fischer's name on marker at Margraten, Netherlands
courtesy of Stevin Basher

Chester W. Granville

First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces
O-760289
435th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group
Died: September 14, 1944
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery
Cambridge, England
Awards: Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

 

Victor E. Guearin

Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces
06269496
Headquarters Company, US Air Force, Far East
Died: October 24, 1944
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery
Manila, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster

 

Daniel J. Gully

Yeoman, First Class, U.S. Navy
06240091
United States Naval Reserve
Born: September 9, 1917; son of Thomas E. & Mary E. Krenek Gully, Route 1, Fayetteville
Graduate of Fayetteville High School & Draughon's Business College
Entered Navy 1941; trained in San Diego; served in Hawaii, Java, China, Phillipines, & Australia; wounded in Pacific
Died: or August 24, 1944, killed with everyone else on board the USS Harder
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery
Manila, Philippines
Awards: Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, GCM, Pre Pearl Harbor, Pres Cit, AP Ribbon with 3 stars

 

Herman J. Heinrich

Private, U.S. Marine Corps
00828376
United States Marine Corps
Son of Ferd. A. and Anna Mary Kloesel Heinrich
Lived in Schulenburg
Died: March 9, 1945
Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii
Awards: Purple Heart

Melvin E. Hertel

Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces
38143522
341st Bomber Squadron, 97th Bomber Group, Heavy
Son of Edmund E. Hertel
Attended Freyburg School
Entered AAC 1942; trained in SD, TX, ID & NE; served in North Africa
Died: November 16, 1943, killed in action over Marseilles, France
Buried at: Plot A Row 1 Grave 13
Rhone American Cemetery, Draguignan, France
Awards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart

Additional information comes from Jeanette Gouldsberry

Frank W. Herzik

First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces
O-663519
755th Bomber Squadron, 459th Bomber Group, Heavy
Died: March 3, 1944
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery,Cambridge, England
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart

Alfred J. Hubenak

Signalman, Second Class, U.S. Navy
06240692
United States Naval Reserve
Son of Joe R. Hubenak, Ellinger; husband of Elaine Vavra
Attended Ellinger High School
Entered Navy 1941, trained in San Diego; served on USS Maryland, USS Bismarck Sea, Phillipines & Iwo Jima
Died: February 21, 1945, killed in action in Iwo Jima
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial
Honolulu, Hawaii
Awards: Am Def, AT, AP, & PL Ribbons, Purple Heart

Joe A. Kasmiersky

Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces
18186747
423rd Bomber Squadron, 306th Bomber Group, Heavy
Born: 15 Mar 1923
Son of Adolph Kasmiersky, Fayetteville
Graduate of Fayetteville High School
Entered AAC 1942; trained in AZ & TX
Died: October 22, 1944, killed in action in Europe
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery
Cambridge, England; memorial at Fayetteville Catholic Cemetery
Awards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, ET Ribbon, 2 Battle Stars & Purple Heart

 

Albert B. Malcik

Private First Class, U.S. Army
Service # 38027017
6th Infantry, 1st Armored Division
Entered the Service from: Texas
Died: November 8, 1942
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia Awards: Bronze Star, Purple Heart

Edgar H. Mueller

Sergeant, U.S. Army
38034351
US Infantry
Born: August 8, 1918; nephew of Fritz Mueller
Attended Halsted School
Entered Army 1941; trained in CA & MS; served in North Africa
Died: November 27, 1943, killed on a troop transport sunk in the European Theater of War
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia; memorial at Rutersville Cemetery
Awards: Purple Heart

 

Anton J. Olsovsky

Corporal, U.S. Army
38158009
60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Son of Albert and Emily Motal Olsovsky, Moravia
Attended Rocky School, graduate of Moravia High School
Entered army 1943, trained in TX & NC; served in Europe
Died: July 15, 1944 as a result of wounds incurred in D-Day Invasion
Buried at: Plot A Row 11 Grave 29
Normandy American Cemetery
St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France
Awards: Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster

 

Willie L. Page

Private First Class, U.S. Army
38557519
476th Amphibious Truck Company
Son of Mrs. Arizona Hart, Winchester
Attended Winchester School
Entered Army 1943; trained in WA & CA; served in Asiatic Pacific
Died: February 23, 1945, killed in action at Iwo Jima
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial
Honolulu, Hawaii
Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart

Ernest J. Quitta

Private First Class, U.S. Army
Service # 38246720
119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division
Entered the Service from: Texas
Died: August 7, 1944
Buried at: Plot J Row 17 Grave 7, Brittany American Cemetery, St. James, France Awards: Purple Heart

Ivan A. Rainosek

Sergeant, U.S. Army
38157843
339th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Division
Son of Anton Rainosek, La Grange; husband of Marcella Lednicky; a
Attended La Grange High School
Entered Army 1942; trained at Camp Shelby, MS, AZ, & NJ; served in Africa & Italy
Died: October 23 (or 24), 1944; killed in action near Pianoro, Italy
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery,Florence, Italy; memorial at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery,Schulenburg
Awards: GCM, ET Ribbon & 3 Battle Stars, Com. Inf. Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart

Louis E. Schulz

Private, U.S. Army
Service # 38453885
300th Engineer Combat Battalion
Son of Emil and Hilda Schulz
Entered the Service from: Texas
Died: June 19, 1944
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Normandy American Cemetery
St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France Awards: Purple Heart

Photo contributed by Edwin L. Schulz

Eddie V. Sbrusch

Private, U.S. Army Air Forces
18056395
440th Ordnance Company, Aviation
Son of Joe Sbrusch, Praha
Died: September 7, 1944
Taken as POW at Luzon, Philippines, lost on Japanese transport sunk by American torpedo
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery
Manila, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart
Praha Veterans Memorial

William R. Scherpik, Jr.

Machinist, Second Class, U.S. Navy
03602529
United States Navy
Died: November 14, 1943
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery
Manila, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart

 

Edgar L. Schmidt

Torpedoman's Mate, Second Class, U.S. Navy
05763780
United States Naval Reserve
Died: January 16, 1946
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery
Manila, Philippines

 

Nathan V. L. Siebel

Aviation Radioman, Second Class, U.S. Navy
06240473
United States Naval Reserve
Died: December 10, 1945
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery
Manila, Philippines; memorial at Carmine City Cemetery
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart

 

William Wendler

Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces
38113889
870th Bomber Squadron, 497th Bomber Group,Very Heavy
Son of Carl and Irene Wendler, Ledbetter
Attended Bell Settlement School
Entered Army 1942; trained in USA; served at CA, FL & KS
Died: November 24 (or 26), 1944, lost at sea
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial
Honolulu, Hawaii
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart

Most photographs and some data came from The Men and Women in World War II from Fayette County,
compiled under the direction of Fayette County Judge Ed Janecka and printed by Schulenburg Printing and Office Supplies in 1995.
Some information came from Fayette County, Texas Heritage, published in 1996 by Curtis Media, Inc.

The remaining data came from the American Battle Monuments Commission website.

If you would like to contribute a photograph or obituary of a veteran from Fayette County
who died while serving our country, please contact
Rox Ann Johnson.

 

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