Pfc. Hans W. Gras was born on April 1, 1925, in Hamburg, Germany, to Walter J. Gras and Fried S. Gras. His parents immigrated to the United States and entered the country on May 8, 1931. His family resided at 646 Hannah Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois. He graduated from elementary school and attended Proviso Township High School for at least two years before he transferred to Concordia High School, River Forest, Illinois, but he did not graduate. He was inducted into the US Army on April 1, 1943, in Chicago, and issued the serial number 36, 680, 517. Information on where he trained is skimpy, but it is known that he trained Camp Fannin, Texas, before shipping out and joining Company B, 182nd Infantry Regiment, which was part of the Americal Division. It is known he was in Hawaii from June 11, 1944 to July 8, 1944.
Hans appears to have joined the 182nd while it was fighting on the Island of Bougainville. The unit was on the Island of Fiji for rest and to receive replacements. Hans was one of the replacements. What is known is that Hans was killed in action on September 24, 1944, when he was hit by machine gun fire and suffering multiple wounds in his head and abdomen. Three days later, On September 27th, he was buried in the Bougainville Cemetery, Bougainville, British Solomon Islands. His grave was marked with a cross with his name, rank, and serial number on it.
His parents received a telegram from the War Department.
FRIEDA GRAS 646 HANNAH STREET FOREST PARK ILL
THE SECREATRY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEPEST REGREAT THAT YOUR SON PRIVATE FIRST CLASS HANS GRAS WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON THREE JULY IN ITALY LETTER FOLLOWS
ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
It is not known what was in the letter that followed.
The American Graves Registration Service began to consolidate the many cemeteries on the various islands. Records indicate that his remains were moved on March 15, 1945, to United States Armed Forces Cemetery, Munda, New Georgia. His remains were exhumed again and were casketed, he was buried in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery #5, Finschhafen, New Guinea, in grave 1265, on December 9, 1945. His casket was exhumed and his dental records confirmed his identification on August 21, 1947. After his remains were identified, his casket was taken to the AGRS mausoleum in Manila which was a series of hangers at Nichols Field that were used to store the caskets. His casket was placed in Hanger 801, Bay C, Crypt 692 and a letter was sent to his parents asking them where they wanted Hans final burial to take place.
His father received a letter, dated August 29, 1947, providing him with information for Hans’ final burial. He was asked to fill-out and return an enclosed form indicating where he wanted his son buried. After a series of letters between the Office of the Quartermaster General, the form was finally returned to the OQMG on December 15, 1947. On the form his father indicated he wanted Hans buried at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois.
Hans’ remains were transferred to another casket on April 8, 1948, and placed on the USAT Lt. George W. G. Boyce, on May 15, 1948, and the ship sailed the same day. The ship arrived at Fort Mason in the San Francisco Port of Entry on June 2nd. and sent to the Oakland Distribution Center. His casket, by train was sent to the Kansas City Quartermaster Depot #9 and arrived there on June 14th. By train, on the Gulf Mobile & Ohio Railroad, with a military escort, his casket was sent to Camp Butler and arrived on July 17th. That same day, Pfc. Hans W. Gras was buried in Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois, in Section 4, Site 171.
