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| PFC Leonard Bartelt served with the 34th Infantry Division in the Battle of Monte Cassino. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130353131/leonard-m-bartelt https://wartime.blog/2018/01/17/on-this-day-the-battle-of-monte-cassino-begins-17-january-1944/ |
Leonard M. Bartelt never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on February 9, 1919 in Wisconsin. His parents Max and Rosa were both born in Germany. The came to America in 1890 and 1905, respectively. His father worked as a laborer and retired by 1930 when he was 66 years old. Leonard had an older brother and sister. By 1940 Leonard had completed eight years of education. He was still living at home, working as a stock man for Gimbels.
He enlisted in the army in May 1943. He was sent overseas five months later as a replacement. He became a private first class in Company L, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division.
In late January 1944, the 34th ID was given the task to attack Monastery Hill overlooking Monte Cassino. It nearly accomplished its objective, but came up short, leaving the hill in German hands. In two weeks the 34th ID suffered 80 percent casualties in its rifle companies. PFC Bartelt was wounded in action on February 2 and died the next day.
His grave is at Graceland Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Last year on this date I profiled Medal of Honor hero Herbert Thomas, 3rd Marine Division who served in Bougainville. You can read about Herbert here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
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