Brockmeyer, Olyn A. - Army Sergeant in the South Pacific
Olyn A. Brockmeyer was born June 13, 1921 in Harvel, Illinois, the son of William and Edna (Wagehoft) Brockmeyer. Olyn entered the U.S. Army in 1942 in Peoria, Illinois, received basic training at Ft. Lewis in Washington, and served in Company K, 123rd Infantry, 33rd Division in the South Pacific. He was a light machine gunner and reached the rank of Sergeant. He participated in the New Guinea and Luzon campaigns and served as military police in occupied Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1945 at Jefferson Barracks in Missouri and was awarded two Bronze service stars for the New Guinea/Luzon campaigns.
He married Mary VanGeison in 1946 in Springfield, Illinois and farmed most of his life in the Harvel and Waggoner, Illinois areas. Mary died in 1996. Olyn married Gertrude “Gert” (Jaeger) Nantkes in 1999.
Olyn was a 60-year-member of American Legion Post 701 in Waggoner and served as it Commander twice. He often hosted reunions for his Company K army buddies.
Olyn A. Brockmeyer died on March 6, 2008 in Hillsboro, Illinois. He is survived by his second wife, Gert, two sons Terry and Tracy Brockmeyer, and two daughers, Cheryl Fischer and Tammy Welcome. He is buried at Virden Cemetery, Virden, Illinois.
Submitted by:
Tracy Brockmeyer & Cheryl Fischer
September 25th, 2008 at 12:53 am
thank you very much for sharing that information,
your father sounds like a great solder that should be remembered.
January 5th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
TO the family of OLYN BROCKMEYER …MY DAD EDWARD SCHUCH SR WAS A SGT IN COMPANY k FROM CAIRO ILL HE PAST AWAY 1979 …HE SPENT 4 AND ONE -HALF YEARS IN ARMY AND MOST OF IT IN PHLILLIPINES …..HOW WOULD I FIND OUT WHY M Y DAD RECEIVED THE BRONZE STAR …AND ANY INFO ON HIS ARMY CAREER ARE ANY OF YOUR DADS ARMY BUDDIES STILL ALIVE ? THANKS ED SCHUCH JR
February 11th, 2009 at 11:04 am
You might also want to visit the 33rd Division website: www.33rdinfantrydivision.org . It has helpful links for records, the Bronze Star General Orders, and info about the newsletter. It’s a good way to find veterans/families for your dad’s company. Mine was in Co D of the 123rd.
February 18th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
We thank your father for his service to our country.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:00 am
My sympathies on the death last year of your father. My dad, Thomas R. Brockmeyer, son of Thomas A. and Mary Furlong Brockmeyer, passed away 4/21/94. He was born 9/13/23 in Chicago. My great grandfather’s name, I think was George and married Rosina Prosser. They had 13 children. That’s about all I know of the Brockmeyer side of the family. My dad was raised by his Furlong relatives after his mother’s death in 1933 (?), and lost all contact with his Brockmeyer relations. His father died while he was away in the War, serving in the Marines in Pelilieu (sp?) in the South Pacific. He had many questions about the Brockmeyer side of the family. If you think we might be related, I would love to hear from you.
Again, please accept my condolences on the death of your father.
Sincerely,
Cathy Brockmeyer Klocek
Woodstock, IL 60098
July 5th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I am trying to find out why my father was awarded the bronze star in WW II. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I know he was at Anzio and the battle of Monte Cassino
July 31st, 2009 at 9:49 am
Hi, my dad, Louis S.Wise Jr. served with the 7th Inf.Div Co H. He was in the battle of Attu. Then the Philipines. Injured on Leyte.
Disch. 1945. My parents hosted about 20 reunions all over the
US. We went alot of nice people. Dad passed away 1986 from
brain cancer. I would like to hear from other WWll vets.. My family
is planning a trip to Spfg. to see the WWll mont. Pray for our soldiers. Tie
September 28th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
In response to “edward schuch jr Says:” In 1973 there was a terrible fire in the National Personal Records building in St. Louis Missouri. The records of 16 to 18 million servicemen were destroyed. Only about 20% of the records were saved so it is unlikely you will ever find out why your father received the Bronze Star Medal. My father was also from Cairo and his records were among the records burned. My father, Fred Newell received the Bronze Star for his involvement in the Battle of Attu. I also wanted to know what he did.
March 18th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
MY FATHER RECIEVED THE BRONZE STAR IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC DURING WORLD WAR11, I SENT FOR HIS RECORDS, WHEN I GOT THEM THE CORNER OF THE FRIST PAGE WAS CREASED SO I COULDN’T TELL HIS ADDRESS VERY WELL
ALL I COULD READ WAS CO.D 11? TH INF. HE TOLD ME HE FOUGHT IN THE MARSHALL ISLAND, HE WAS A MILITARY POLICE. I HAVE A PICTURE OF HIM WITH ANOTHER MP IN HAWAII, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW WHO HE WAS.i’M
MAINLY INTRESET IN WHAT HE DID TO EARN THE BROZNE STAR.
HIS NAME ROY PATTON, IF ANYONE KNOWS ANY INFOR I WOULD APPRECIATE IT…………..DORIS
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:02 am
The Bronze Star Medal is awarded for bravery, heroism and meritorious service while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States after December 6, 1941. The receipient must have engaged in military operations involving conflict with an oppposing foreign force. To be eligible for the Bronze Star Medal, a military member must be getting imminent danger pay during the event for which the medal was awarded. The award is referred to by its full name; the Bronze Star Medal.
As an example, my husband, Walter C. Harris of Chicago and Springfield, IL, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in WW II. He was in the 90th Div. 359th Inf. Reg. Co.A, 1st Pln. Walter volunteered, along with the company medic, David Sainz, to retrieve a wounded soldier while under fire in the battle of the Ardennes forest in Belgium, (Battle of the Bulge).
Shirley Harris
Story Editor
WW II Illinois Veterans Memorial
Springfield, IL