Posted on 05/22/2022 7:21:31 AM PDT by Sasparilla
Private John Klopfenstein was our family member killed by German fire in France in WWI. Born April 15, 1896 in Indiana. He was employed at the Brass Foundry in Sturgis, Michigan where he entered the US Army on 9/19/1917. He was sent to Camp Custer, Michigan & was assigned to Company D, 328th Machine Gun Battalion & transferred to Camp Merritt New Jersey. He was subsequently sent overseas to Company C, 18th Infantry, 1st Division, "The Big Red One." John was killed while serving his country after being wounded on 09/13/1918, passing away 09/18/1918.
He was laid to rest at the The St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial, located at the west edge of Thiacourt (Muethe-et Moselle) along with 4,152 brothers in arms lost at the Battle of St. Mihiel, an offensive that resulted in the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient, a point where the German Army threatened Paris.
He was later moved back home to the family section in Huser Cemetery, near Berne, Indiana. It's been 104 years. We will never forget you.
Do you have any idea when the fire happened? Thanks.
It was in 1973.
John was of the second generation born here. As far as I traced back, his ancestors came from Rougemont, Doubs, Franche-Comte France with Daniel Klopfenstein born July 17, 1766.
Others lived in Galfingen, Alsace,France
Interesting. Thank you for that.
Thank you.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.