William J Gemaehlich Biography

Corporal William J. Gemaehlich

World War II

US Army
157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division
Service Number: 38005724
Born: January 1912
Inducted: January 16, 1940
Killed in action October 5, 1943, Italy
Buried: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Plot J, Row 11, Grave 22, Nettuno, Italy
Purple Heart

Son of Fritz and Anna Gemaehlich of Burdett.

Sicily-Rome Cemetery

The Otis Independent November 4, 1943

The blow which has been feared by every family in this community with boys in the armed service, struck with devasting suddenness Saturday, at the home of Mrs. Anna Gemaehlich, when a telegram was received from the war department informing her that her son, Corporal William J. Gemaehlich had been killed in action in Italy on October 5.

William Gemaehlich enlisted in the army in January, 1940, and was released November 1941, and recalled to the service January 6, 1942. He trained at Fort Sill, Camp Barkley, Ft. Devens, Mass., Pine Camp, New York, and Camp Pickett, Virginia. before being sent to North Africa. He was promoted to Corporal just prior to landing in North Africa. As a member of the famous 45th Division, of the U. S. 7th Army, he took part in the fighting in North Africa, and in the invasion of Sicily, and was with them until he was killed October 5th in Italy.

William Gemaehlich was born on the farm of his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Fritz Gemaehlich north of Otis, December 14, 1911, and would have been 32 years old had he lived until his birthday this year. He attended the Burdett school and farmed with his father until 1937, and then worked in Kansas, Nebraska and North Dakota.

He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Anna Gemaehlich and ten brothers and sisters, Mrs. Barbara Klinzman of Otis; Mrs. Margaret Muchow of Otis; Mrs. Alvina Dunker of Otis; Herman of Otis; Mrs. Minnie Henning of Gaylord, Kansas; Mrs. Agnes Johnson of Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Henry of Holyoke; Anna of Otis; Mrs. Emma Busing of Otis and Pvt. Frederick of Pyote, Texas.

Memorial services will be held at the Lutheran Church in Otis Sunday afternoon.

Yuma Pioneer - November 11, 1943

Memorial Service for Otis Soldier Conducted Sunday
Yuma Legion Post Participates in Rites for Man Who Died in Italy Battle.

Memorial services for Corporal William J. Gemaehlich, who was killed October 5 in action in Italy, were held Sunday afternoon in St. Paul Lutheran church at Otis, Rev. Adolph Lillich officiating. Members of Pat Mowry Post No. 96, America Legion, participated in the rites. Carl Hutchinson placed a gold star on the service flag of the church. He also presented a gold star to the widowed mother, Mrs. Anna Gemaehlich, in the name of the local post. Taps were sounded by Howard Hansen of Yuma and the congregation sang appropriate hymns with Renata Muchow at the organ. An enlarged picture of the dead soldier was wreathed with flowers which had been presented by friends.

Born in the Burdett community, Corporal Gemaehlich farmed with his father and on Jan. 16, 1940 enlisted in the infantry. He was released in November 1941, but was recalled to the service on January 6, 1942. He received his military training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Camp Barkley, Texas; Fort Devens, Mass.: Pine Camp, New York; and Camp Picket, Virginia, before going to North Africa with the 45th Division which is attached to the Fifth Army. He was 31 years, nine months and 21 days of age when he died in the service of his country.

Besides his mother he is survived by ten brothers and sisters; Mrs. Barbara Klinzmann, Mrs. Margaret Muchow, Mrs. Alvina Dunker, Herman Gemaehlich, Anna Gemaehlich and Mrs. Emma Busing of Otis; Mrs. Minnie Henning, Gaylord, Ks; Mrs. Agnes Johnson, Steamboat Springs; Henry Gemaehlich, Holy, Ok; and Private Frederick Gemaehlich, Pyote, Tx. The father, Fritz Gemaehlich, died three years ago yesterday.