Pvt. Herman O. Onken
June 12, 1910–January 7, 1945
Service #: 37691787
Residence: Jones, Iowa
Education: Grammar school
Occupation: Farm Hands, General Farms
Marital Status: Single, no dependents
Enlistment Date: March 10, 1944
Enlistment Place: Camp Dodge, Herrold, Iowa
Service/Unit: *****
Awards: *****
Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Monticello, Jones, Iowa
MONTICELLO SOLDIER KILLED
Word was received in Monticello last week of the death of two Monticello men in the European theater of war. Mr. and Mrs. Eilt Onken received word January 24 that their son. Pvt. H. 0. Onken, 35, was killed in action in Belgium, January 7. They had previously received word that he was seriously wounded on the Belgian front on January 6.
Herman Onken was born June 12, 1910, the son of Eilt and Emma G. Dirks Onken in Wayne township, Jones county. When a young man he assisted his father with the farm work and later did trucking. On March 11, 1944, he enlisted in the infantry and received his military training at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., Camp Hood, Texas, and Ft. Meade, Md. His last furlough was in October. In November he was sent overseas. He leaves to mourn his departure his parents, three brothers, Alva Onken, Monticello, Pvt. Clarence Onken, Camp Howie, Texas, Henry at home; two sisters, Mrs. Norman Sauser, Cascade, and Verna at home. He was a member of the Wayne Zion Evangelical Lutheran church.
Source: The Anamosa Eureka, February 1, 1945
Photo:Cheryl Locher Moonen
Body of Returned Soldier Interred In Wayne Cemetery
WAYNE— Funeral service for Pvt. Herman O. Onken, 34, was held Friday, April 22, at Goettsch Funeral home, Monticello. Rev. F.. H. Kehren had charge of services.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1683 accorded military rites at graveside in Oakwood cemetery. Casket bearers were Kenneth Schneider, James Skelley. Donald Rickels, Leo Ambuehl, Don Siebels and Robert Wilcox.
Born In 1910
Herman Onken was born June 12, 1910, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Eilt H. Onken. He attended grade school at Wayne Center. He was inducted into the Army on March 11, 1944 and received training at Camp Hood, Texas, Camp Howie, Texas, and Fort Meade Replacement Center. He was sent overseas Nov. 1, 1944, and took part in the battles in Belgium.
On Jan. 6, 1945. he was seriously wounded and died the following day. He was buried in a U.S. cemetery in Belgium.
He is survived by his parents; three brothers, Alva, Henry and Clarence, Monticello; two sisters, Mrs. Norvert Sauser, Cedar Rapids, and Verna Onken, and nieces and nephews.
Source: The Anamosa Journal, Anamosa, Iowa, May 5, 1949
