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name
HAMMERSCHMIDT, Martin Marschell "Hammer" - Date of
birth
5 January 1924 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Lombard, DuPage County, Illinois -
Hometown
Elmhurst, DuPage County, Illinois
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-436584 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
unknown -
Unit
A Company,
7th Armored Infantry Battalion,
8th Armored Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Died of Wounds - Date of
death
1 March 1945 - Place of
death
Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| J | 16 | 9 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Martin Hammerschmidt (father)
Dorothy (Kimball) Hammerschmidt (mother)
Elisabeth Hammerschmidt (sister)
Robert Hammerschmidt (brother)
More information
1st Lt Martin M. Hammerschmidt graduated from St. John's Military Academy in June 1942 and joined the army as a 2nd Lt the same month.On 22 January 1945, Lt Hammerschmidt drove a half-track into a street which was under enemy fire. This action permitted an aid man to evacuate wounded. From the night of 23 January until relieved on 25 January, Lt Hammerschmidt's platoon outposted key terrain east of Nenning. During this period the platoon's position was under artillery, mortar and small arms fire. He showed complete disregard for his own safety. For these actions he was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously.
The exact location where Lt Hammerschmidt was reported wounded in action and where he died, are not known.
One picture was taken at St. John's Military Academy in 1942.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.8th-armored.org, www.ancestry.com - U.S. Headstone and Interment Record, www.newspapers.com - Chicago Daily Tribune - 22 April 1945
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com - B. Waters, www.newspapers.com, www.ancestry.com - St. John's Military Academy Yearbook 1942