World War II Honoree

Waldemar John Hobratsch

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

The Grove, Texas

Honored By

Lauren Hobratsch

Relationship

Daughter

HE WAS IN THE 19TH INFANTRY DIVISION, STATIONED IN HAWAII. ON DECEMBER 7, 1941, HE SERVED AS A GUNNER AT SCHOFIELD BARRACKS DURING THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR. HE ATTENDED OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA IN EARLY 1942. HE WAS REASSIGNED TO THE 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION, THE 'BIG RED ONE', AND PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASIONS OF NORTH AFRICA, SICILY, AND NORMANDY. ON D DAY, HE SERVED AS THE LIAISON OFFICER BETWEEN THE 16TH AND 18TH INFANTRY REGIMENTS OF THE 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION DURING THE ASSAULT ON OMAHA BEACH. FOLLOWING THE ALLIED OCCUPATION OF GERMANY, HE ALSO PROVIDED GERMAN TRANSLATION IN NUREMBERG. HIS CITATIONS INCLUDED THE BRONZE STAR, THE DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION BADGE WITH TWO OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE.