Joseph H. Willenborg

World War II

Joe Willenborg was born on March 7, 1923, in Roselle Township to John and Catherine (Uhlenkamp) Willenborg. He attended school in Roselle and worked with his father on the family farm. Joe registered for the military draft on June 30, 1942, and remained working with his father.

Joe was inducted into the US Army on June 2, 1945, at Fort Leavenworth, KS. He was assigned serial number 37 812 076. By the time he was inducted, the war in Europe was over. Fighting was still in process in the Pacific. At this point in the war, it is likely he went through basic training at Fort Leavenworth.

Joe’s training after basic is unclear but he was soon assigned to the 425th Quartermaster Company. This training was often conducted at Fort Lee, VA but there is no confirmation Joe was sent there. During his training, the atomic attacks on Japan occurred in August ending the Pacific war.

By November 30, 1945, Joe was on his way to Europe and the occupation of Germany. He was initially assigned to the 1st Platoon of Infantry Company K. Germany had been largely destroyed during the war and its population needed most of the necessities of life. The 425th Quartermaster Company maintained and distributed supplies of all kinds to US troops in the occupation army as well as German civilians. Joe seems to have been assigned to a laundry facility operated by the 425th QM Company.

Joe served with the Army of Occupation until returning to the United States on December 24, 1946. He was discharged as a PFC (private first class) on February 9, 1947, at Fort Sheridan, IL. He returned home and resumed farming. On August 24, 1949, Joe married Louise Schwaller Muhr at St. Joseph Church in Dedham. The couple then farmed southeast of Dedham.

Joe died at Clarinda, IA on October 7, 1959 at age 36. He was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton.