Haertel, Elmer Carl Edward (37043686): Difference between revisions

Here's some information on Ritchie Boy Elmer Carl Edward Haertel. He was born January 19, 1908, Fairmont, Minnesota. He entered military service on April 26, 1941. He trained at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana; Camp Hood, Texas; Camp Bullis, Texas; Camp Ritchie, Maryland; Camp Pickett, Virginia. Elmer was sent overseas on June 8, 1943 to the European Theater of Operations. His engagements included, Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Central Europe, Southern France, Rhineland. He earned a Bronze Star and a Good Conduct Medal. He returned to the USA on October 9, 1945, and was later discharged on October 18, 1945 at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, serving a total of 53 months. Elmer died December 18, 1994 at the age of 86. An interesting little tidbit about Elmer and his family. Including Elmer, there were 36 cousins within his family who served in WWII. One one think with that many relatives serving in the military at the same time, that their paths would eventually cross at some point. This was the case with Elmer's cousin Paul Nolte. He was stationed in Naples, Italy, and while walking down the street one day he encountered [[Haertel, Elmer C. (37043686)|Elmer Haertel]] who was on leave after landing on Anzio Beach.