S/Sgt. Leroy Otto Hinrichs was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 8, 1913, to Rudolph E. Hinrichs and Wilhelmina Brehmer-Hinrichs and had two sisters and one brother. His family resided Maywood, Illinois, and he graduated from Irving School, and attended Proviso Township High School, Maywood, Illinois. He left school before his class graduated and worked for Sears Roebuck & Company in Chicago. On June 16, 1934, he married Catherine Kiemel and became the father of a son. The couple resided at 2134 South 16th Avenue, Broadview, Illinois.
When the Selective Service Act became law on October 16, 1940, he registered for the draft and named his wife as his next of kin. Being that he was married and had a family, he was exempt from military service until the draft law was modified. He was inducted into the US Army on January 15, 1944, and received the serial number 36 786 824. It appears he did his basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas.
After completing basic training, he was assigned to the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. It appears he joined the 9th before the D-Day Invasion on June 6, 1944 and took part in the invasion. The 2nd Division landed on Omaha Beach on June 7th near Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer. He next took part in the breakout from Normandy which started on July 11th when the 2nd took part in the Battle of Saint Lo by taking HIll 192 which controlled the road to the St. Lo. They remained in their position until July 26th when they advanced across the Vire River and on August 15th they captured Tinchebray. From there, the 2nd Division attacked Brest, which was used by German U-boats. The battle for the port lasted 39 days. It was during this battle that Leroy was killed on September 3, 1944.
It is known that Leroy was buried in the United States Military Cemetery, St. James, France in Plot J, Row 7, Grave 173, on September 8, 1944. His grave was marked with a wooden cross. Information appears to have been incomplete since it was estimated he had been killed on August 15th.
Leroy was listed as Missing in Action by the War Department and his wife received a telegram.
MRS CATHERINE HINRICHS
2134 SOUTH 16TH AVENUE
BROADVIEW IL
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR HUSBAND STAFF SERGEANT LEROY O HINRICHS HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SINCE FIFTEEN AUGUST PERIOD IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIED PERIOD
ULIO
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
Another telegram was sent to his wife.
MRS LEROY O HINRICHS 2134 SOUTH 16TH AVE BROADVIEW IL
THE SECRETARY OF WAR ASKS THAT I ASSURE YOU OF HIS DEEP SYMPATHY IN THE LOSS OF YOUR HUSBAND STAFF SERGEANT LEROY O HINRICHS WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION REPORT NOW RECEIVED STATES HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION THREE SEPTEMBER IN FRANCE CONFIRMING LETTER FOLLOWS=
J A ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL.
His wife next received this letter.
Mrs. Catherine K. Hinrichs
2134 South 16th Avenue
Broadview, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Hinrichs:
It is with profound regret that I confirm the recent telegram informing you of the death of your husband, Staff Sergeant Leroy O. Hinrichs, 36, 786, 824, Infantry, who was previously reported to be missing in action on 3 September 1944 in France.
An official message has now been received which states that he was killed in action on the date he was previously reported missing in action. Recently provisions were made whereby there will be sent directly to the emergency addressee or the next of kin a letter containing further information about each person who dies overseas in the service of our country, and if this letter has not already been received, it may be expected soon.
I realized the burden of the anxiety that has been yours since he was first reported missing in action and deeply regret the sorrow this later report brings you. May the knowledge that he made the supreme sacrifice for his home and country be a source of sustaining comfort.
My sympathy is with you in this time of great sorrow.
Sincerely yours,
(Signed)
J. A. Ulio
Major General
The Adjutant General
Catherine Hinrichs received a letter, dated September 9, 1946, telling her where her husband was buried and the location of his grave in the cemetery. She also was informed that she would be receiving another letter containing information on her options for Leroy’s final burial. On July 25, 1947, she received a letter with an enclosed pamphlet that she was asked to fill-out and return to the Office of the Quartermaster General indicating where she wanted Leroy buried. She returned the form, on October 7, 1947, and indicated that she wanted his remains returned to the United States.
Leroy was exhumed from the USMC at St. James and by truck was taken to the Casketing point A, Cherbourg, France. His casket was placed on the USAT Greenville Victory on June 17, 1948, and the ship sailed the same day. The ship arrived in the New York Port of Entry on June 26th. His casket was placed on a train and taken to Distribution Center #8, Chicago arriving on June 30th.
On Monday July 19, 1948, the Leroy’s casket was taken by military hearse to the Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, Illinois, where he was buried in Section 28 Lot: 23
