Frank L. Irlmeier

Korean War

Frank (known as Boots) Irlmeier was born on April 2, 1928, near Templeton to Francis X. and Agnes (Kemper) Irlmeier. He attended Sacred Heart School in Templeton. He later worked on the family farm.

Frank was inducted into the US Army on February 1, 1951, in Omaha, NE along with 15 other Carroll County men. He was assigned serial number 55 077 753. He was sent to the Atlanta General Depot in Georgia for basic training. There he was assigned to the 9302nd TSU Detachment #3, Barracks 809 of the Cadre Training Company.

By July13, 1951, Frank had moved to Camp Gordon, Georgia as a member of Headquarters Detachment of ASN 3441. He then was sent to Fort Benning, GA to attend Cook and Baker’s School.

At the beginning of the Korean War, two significant events were happening at Fort Benning. First, the Airborne Ranger Training Center was opened. This training center remains open to this day. Second, Fort Benning was the site of training for the 4th Infantry Division which had been reactivated and designated for assignment to NATO. Later in 1951, the 4th Division was sent to Germany where it remained for five years.

Frank was assigned to mess duties at Fort Benning for the remainder of his service in the US Army. He was discharged as a PFC (private first class) at Fort Benning on January 31, 1953.

Frank returned to Templeton and, on November 23, 1954, he married Mary Ann Irlbeck at Sacred Heart Church in Templeton. Mary Ann had also attended Sacred Heart School. Frank farmed for the rest of his life which included raising and selling hybrid seed corn. Frank died in Omaha, NE on May 3, 1994 at age 66. He was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton.