Pfc. Robert Martin Holtz was born in Oak Park, Illinois, to February 3, 1926, to August and Ella Holtz and had a sister and a brother. The family resided at 803 South Fourth Avenue, Maywood, Illinois, and he graduated from Garfield School and Proviso Township High School in 1943. After high school he worked at the Western Electric Company, Cicero, Illinois, as an apprentice tool & die maker.
Robert registered with Selective Service on February 3, 1944, and named his mother as his contact person. Knowing he would be drafted into the Army, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps on April 5, 1944. He received the serial number 36 963 879. He trained at Sheppard Field, Texas, and Camp Howze, Texas. At some point he was transferred to the infantry on August 3, 1944, and was assigned to Company C, 1094th Infantry Regiment, 103 Infantry Division.
The 103rd left the United States for Europe on October 5, 1944 and arrived in Marseilles, France, on October 20, 1944. From there, the 103rd relieved the 3rd Division which was at Chevry near the Swiss border on November 8th and the next day moved to Docelles and took part in the attack on Saint Dié. On November 16th, the division it drove through the Vosges. Mountains, fighting heavy resistance, and crossed the Meurthe River, capturing St. Dié on November 23rd. It also captured Diefenbach on November 29th and Selestat December 4th. On the 10th the division crossed the Zintzel River and fought its way through Griesbach. It then attacked Climbach and crossed the Lauter River, on the 15th, into Germany. The German Ardennes Offensive (The Battle of the Bulge) never materialized in its area s the division continued its advance to the Sauer River. For the next month, the division held its ground and repulsed several German attacks. On March 15, 1945, the division began its offensive on the Siegfried Line. It during this offensive, on March 21, 1945, that Robert was killed when hit by shrapnel from in his left shoulder and head. Records show that on March 25, 1945, Robert was buried at the United States Military Cemetery, St. Arvold, France, in Plot H, Row 23, Grave 1129.
His parents received this telegram.
ELLA HOLTZ
1803 SOUTH 4TH AVE MAYWOOD IL
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEPEST REGRET THAT YOUR SON PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ROBERT M HOLTZ WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON TWENTY ONE MARCH IN GERMANY LETTER FOLLOWS
ULIO THE ADJUTENT GENERAL
Since Robert was buried in an individual grave, and there were multiple ways to identified his remains, he was considered identified. In a letter dated, October 29, 1946, his father was told where Robert was buried and the location of his grave in the cemetery. He was also informed that another letter would be sent to him with information on his options for Robert’s final burial. Between the time the first letter arrived and the second letter arrived, a year later, Robert’s father passed away. When the second letter arrived, on October 9, 1947, the options of where Robert final resting place could be were listed. His father was asked to fill-out an enclosed form indicating where he wanted his son buried. The Office of the Quartermaster General received the completed form indicating that Robert should remain buried at St. Avold. His mother had filled it out since her husband had died and included a copy of her husband’s death certificate.
From burial records, it appears that Pfc. Robert H. Holtz’s remains were moved to Plot A, Row 27, Grave 28, in the Loraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France and buried with full military honors. His mother was sent the flag that covered his casket and a letter.
Pfc. Robert M. Holtz, ASN 36 963 879
Plot A, Row 27, Grave 28
Headstone: Cross
St. Arvold (France) U.S. Military Cemetery
Mrs. Ella W. Holtz
1803 South 4th Avenue
Maywood, Illinois
This is to inform you that the remains of your beloved ones have been permanently interred, as the recorded above, side by side with comrades who also gave their lives for their country. Customary military funeral services were conducted over the grave at the time of burial.
After the Department of the Army has completed all final interments, the cemetery will be transferred, as authorized by the Congress, to the care and supervision of the American Battle Monuments Commission. The commission will also have the responsibility for permanent construction and beautification of the cemetery, including erection of the permanent headstone. The headstone will be inscribe with the name exactly recorded above, the rank or rating where appropriate, organization, State, and date of death. Any inquiries relative to the type of headstone or the spelling of the name to be inscribed thereon, should be addressed to the American Battle Monuments Commission, Washington 25, D. C. Your letter should include the full name, rank, serial number, grave location, and name of the cemetery.
While interment and beautification activities are in progress, the cemetery will not be open to visitors. You may rest assured that this final interment was conducted with fitting dignity and solemnity and that the grave-site will be carefully and conscientiously maintained in perpetuity by the United States Government.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
H. FELDMAN
Major General
The Quartermaster General
