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name
KURTZ, Albert Lawrence III - Date of
birth
1925 -
Age
unknown -
Place of birth
Illinois -
Hometown
Olney, Richland County, Illinois
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-557354 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Platoon Commander -
Unit
D Company,
15th Tank Battalion,
6th Armored Division
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
12 April 1945 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Theissen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 21 | 8 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Albert L. Kurtz Jr. (father)
Mildred (Lorraine) Kurtz (mother)
Patricia A. Kurtz (sister)
More information
2nd Lt Albert L. Kurtz III graduated from Culver Military Academy in June 1943 and entered officers' training school at Fort Knox, Kentucky. where he received his commission. He was sent overseas in January 1945.Per The Super Sixth by George F. Hofmann: As Combat Command A moved east towards the Weisse Elster River and Zeitz, with Task Force 15 on the left and Task Force 9 on the right, and German resistance increased. Task Force 15's route of advance went through a number of small towns, crossing the north-south Autobahn at Roda. Lt Kurtz had replaced Lt James K. Park at the point, in order to give the over-worked Lt Park a few days rest. At Roda a panzerfaust shell killed Lt Kurtz.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census, www.super6th.org - After Action Report CCB, www.newspapers.com - The Decatur Herald, 6th Armored Division Honor Roll
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Richland County Genealogy Group - Kathy Hursta, Olney IL High School Yearbook 1945, www.ancestry.com - Culver Military Academy Yearbook 1943