PVT Walter William Jahrmarkt was born to his loving parents Fredrich W. "Fred" and Martha (Retke) Jahrmarkt on Monday March 1, 1915 at Snyder, Dodge County Nebraska. My research found no information on Walter's childhood or schooling. Walter left Nebraska to serve in the US Army during March of 1942, his service number was 37153745. Walter was first injured on June 16, 1944. Next Walter was stationed in France with the 359th Infantry Regiment 90th Infantry Division where he volunteered to blow up a bridge in Normandy. The Germans were on one side and the Americans were on the opposite side of a river bridge. Walter must have known doing this he would surely die, his sacrifice probably saved many of his fellow soldier's lives. Walter died as a hero. Walter was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medals. Walter passed away in Normandy on that Sunday August 20, 1944 at the age of 29 years, 5 months, 19 days which does not include his last day, he lived a total of 10,765 days. Walter was interred in the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial in France. A special memorial service was held at St. Peter's Lutheran at Snyder on Sunday February 4, 1945 at 10:30a with the Rev. Weinhold officiating. I knew his brother Alfred and his family, they were friends of my parents. Walter's information was provided from researching many resources and my memory. This biography was created as an honor to Walter by a family friend Loren R. I believe all lives matter, even the lives of those who have passed. Many details are still missing from his life, if you have any more details I will be happy to edit the additional information into this biography. Please send your info to me at my email address [email protected]

Credits: familysearch.org (GM11-BCV), timeanddate.com, Fremont Tribune, North Bend Eagle, Scribner Rustler, honorstates.org, Newspapers.com, War Graves, Tamara Bentz, Joy Riggers, Loren Bender
Revised: 08/20/2021