T/4 Louis Lajas Kmet was born in Ogema, Wisconsin on March 23, 1919, to Paul Kmet and Mary Facuna-Kmet, and had two sisters and two brothers. At some point, the family moved to Maywood, Illinois, and lived at 809 West Madison Street. His mother died in 1922, and his father put the children in the Lutheran Receiving Orphanage, 809 W. Madison St. in Maywood. His legal guardian became Mina Lichtner. He graduated from Emerson School and Proviso Township High School in 1037. After high he worked for the Public Service Company which supplied gas and electric in the Chicago area before attending the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana for a year and a half. In 1940, while a student at Norte Dame, he registered with Selective Service on October 16, 1940, when the draft act became law.
Louis was drafted into the US Army on January 16, 1941, at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, while a student at Notre Dame. He received the serial number 35 150 761. Little is known about his training, but it is known he trained at Ft. Bliss, Texas, and assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division. During his training he received specialized training. What it was is not know, What is known is that on June 1, 1942, the Army instituted the technician ranks and his rank was changed from Corporal to Technician Fourth Grade and became a member of the 1st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron. The squadron was separated from the 1st Cavalry on December 1, 1942, and became the 91st Reconnaissance Squadron.
Sometime in early 1943, the 91st was sent to Tunisia, North Africa. On April 18, 1943, the 91st went into combat for the first time. It was reported that on May 1, 1943, Louis was killed in action while taking part in a patrol. His brother, Paul, received a telegram from the War Department.
MR PAUL KMET 2362 NORTH RUTHERFORD AVENUE CHICAGO IL
THE SECREATRY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEPEST REGREAT THAT YOUR BROTHER LOUIS L KMET WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON ONE MAY IN NORTH AFRICA LETTER FOLLOWS
ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
The contents of the letter that followed the telegram are not known.
It appears that Louis was buried in a temporary location before his remains were placed in a wooden casket and buried and buried at the II Corps Cemetery on August 24, 1943, in Plot E, Row 9, Grave 42. It appears that the cemetery was reorganize or that Louis’ casket was moved to another grave. In the a letter dated July 23, 1947, his brother was informed that Louis was buried in Plot A, Row 1, Grave 3. Another letter was sent to Paul Kmet, dated September 12, 1947, providing him with his options for his brother’s final burial. He was asked to fill-out an enclosed form and return it to the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC, indicating where he wanted Louis buried. His brother did not reply so the Quartermaster Corps in Chicago contacted him. The OQMG received the form on February 25, 1948, indicating that Louis should be buried in an American Military Cemetery.
In 1947, Louis and 328 other former students of the University of Notre Dame were honored at its first post-war graduation commencement.
Paul Kmet received another letter from the OQMG dated March 4, 1949, telling him where Louis was buried.
T/4 Louis l. Kmet, ASN 35 150 760
Plot D, Row 11, Grave 10
Mr. Paul Kmet Headstone: Cross
2362 North Rutherford Avenue U. S. Military Cemetery
Chicago, Illinois Tunis (Carthage) Tunsia
Dear Mr. Kmet:
This is to inform you that the remains of your beloved one 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 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, the central address of which is 1712 “G” Street, N. W. Washington 25, D. C. Your letter should include the full name, rank, serial number, grave location, and name of the cemetery.
While interments and beautification activities are in progress, the cemetery will not be open to visitors. You may be rest assured that this final interment was conducted with fitting dignity and solemnity and that the grave-site will be care-fully and conscientiously maintained in perpetuity by the United States Government.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
THOMAS B. LARKIN
Major General
The Quartermaster General
