T/Sgt. Julius Leonard Nordholm Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 14, 1922, to Julius L. Nordholm Sr. and Lillian Larson-Nordholm, and had one sister. His family resided at 1420 South 14th Avenue, Maywood, Illinois, and he graduated from Garfield School and Proviso Township High School in 1939. After high school, he worked as a machinist at Danby Machine Specialty Company, Cicero, Illinois. He registered with Selective Service on June 27, 1942, and named his father as his contact person.
Julius enlisted in the US Army Air Corps on September 18, 1942, and received the serial number 16 129 617 and was sent to Camp Grant, Illinois, where he was stationed from September 22nd until November 14th. Next he was stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Saint Louis, Missouri from November 15, 1942 until January 30, 1943. On January 31, 1943, he was stationed AAFCC (which appears to have meant Army Air Force Communication Center) Nashville, Tennessee, where he appears to have started his training as a radio operator. Records also show he was hospitalized from November 28th to December 3rd. He was next sent to Maxwell Field, Alabama, on March 1st. He was hospitalized again from March 7th to 10th. During this time he married Anna Marie Kotula, on March 27, 1943, in Montgomery, Alabama. She would live at 4619 West Warwick Avenue, Chicago, which was where his parents had moved. He was stationed at Ocala, Florida on April 19th and Keesler Field, Mississippi, on May 12th. He next was sent to Scott Field, Illinois, on September 27th and Tyndale Field, Florida, on December 29th. On February 8th, he was stationed at Westover Field, Mississippi, and at Charleston, South Carolina, on April 27th. In May 24, 1944, he was stationed at Langley Field, Virginia.
Julius was assigned, as a radio operator, to a B-24J bomber which had the number 42-50481. His crew was sent to Wendover Field, Utah, for combat training. The members of the crew were: 1st Lt. Gayle H. Miller, Pilot; 2nd Lt. Jehu F. Stewart, Co-pilot; 2nd Lt. James W. Abell Jr., Navigator; 2nd Lt. Glenn C. Kay, Bombardier; S/Sgt. James M. Marshall, Engineer; S/Sgt. Thomas A. Boyer, Gunner; S/Sgt. Donald R. Goodman, Gunner; S/Sgt. Stephen A. Heffner; and S/Sgt. Richard B. Spangler, Gunner.
It appears his plane was sent to England to replace another plane which had been lost. It is not known when they arrived. In England, Julius was assigned to the 467th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Army Air Force. He also had the designation of Aviation Cadet indicated he had trained as a pilot. His rank of Technical Sergeant acknowledged his pilot training. It is not known when his crew flew their first combat mission, but the 467th took part in long range missions against occupied Europe and Germany. On August 16, 1944, his plane took part in a mission against the Junkers Factory in Mageburg, Germany. During the mission, at about 11:08 am, Julius’ plane took a direct hit from enemy flak. Other crews reported that he plane broke in two in the middle of the fuselage. No parachutes were reported. The plane was reported to have gone down near Lostau about 6 miles from Mageburg. His wife received a telegram from the War Department.
MRS ANN NRODHOLM
4619 WARWICK AVENUE
CHICAGO ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR HUSBAND TECHNICAL SERGEANT JULIUS L NORDHALM JR HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SINCE SIXTEEN AUGUST IN EUROPEAN AREA PERIOD IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIED PERIOD
ULIO
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
A letter followed the telegram.
Mrs. Ann M. Nordholm
4619 Warwick Avenue
Chicago, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Nordholm:
This letter is to confirm my recent telegram in which you were regretfully informed that your husband, Technical Sergeant Julius L. Nordholm Jr., 16 129 617, Air Corps, has been reported missing in action since 16 August 1944 over Germany.
I know that added distress is caused by failure to receive some information or details. Therefore, I wish to assure you that at any time additional information is received it will be transmitted to you without delay, and, if in the meantime no additional information is received, I will again communicate with you at the expiration of three months. Also, it is the policy of the Commanding General of the Army Air Forces upon receipt of the “Missing Air Crews Report” to convey to you any details that might be contained in that report.
The term “missing in action” is used only to indicate that the whereabouts or status of an individual is not immediately known. It is not intended to convey the impression that the case in closed. I wish to emphasize that every effort is exerted continuously to clear up the status of our personnel. Under war conditions this is a difficult task as you must readily realize. Experience has shown that many persons reported missing in action are subsequently reported prisoners of war, but as this information is furnished by countries with which we are at war, the War Department is helpless to expedite such reports. However, in order to relieve financial worry, Congress has enacted legislation which contains in force pay, allowances and allotments to dependents of the personnel being carried in a missing status.
Permit me to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy during this period of uncertainty.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
J. A. ULIO
Major General
The Adjutant General.
His status as missing in action was terminated on October 27, 1944, when the German Government through the International Red Cross reported to the War Department that he was dead. His wife received another telegram.
MRS ANN NRODHOLM
4619 WARWICK AVENUE
CHICAGO ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR ASKS THAT I ASSURE YOU OF HIS DEEP SYMPATHY IN THE LOSS OF YOUR HUSBAND TECHNICAL SERGEANT JULIUS L NORDHALM JR WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION REPORT NOW RECEIVED STATES HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION SIXTEEN AUGUST IN EUROPEAN AREA CONFIRMING LETTER FOLLOWS=
J A ULIO TTHE ADJUTANT GENERAL
His wife next received a letter from the War Department.
Mrs. Ann M. Nordholm
4619 Warwick Avenue
Chicago, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Nordholm:
It is with profound regret that I confirm the recent telegrams informing you of the death of your husband, Technical Sergeant Julius L. Nordhalm Jr., 16 129 617, Air Corps, who was previously reported missing in action on 16 August 1944 in Germany.
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 realize the burden of 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.
After the war, the American Graves registration Service sent a team to the site where the plane had crashed. Its reports state that when the plane’s wreckage hit the ground it burned cremating the crew making it difficult to identify individual members. It was noted that one of Julius’ government issued identification tags was found in the wreckage. It was also reported that local German Army commander reported that it was impossible to bury the crew since their remains were charred, but other records show the remains of the crew were disinterred from the Lostau, Germany, Cemetery, His wife was sent another letter telling her about where the plane had crashed which was dated April 12, 1946.
Dental records – which was the only means available to confirm identification – confirmed identification of three of the pale’s crew, but failed to confirm identification of seven of the crew members including Julius. In a letter dated November 4, 1948, the Office of the Quartermaster General stated that it had no evidence that any of the remains recovered where those of her husband. Another letter, dated December 9, 1948, told her that Julius’ remains were buried at the United States Military Cemetery, Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium, with the other members of his crew.
The criteria for why the decision was made to bury the members of the crew at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri, but in a letter dated October 24, 1951, Ann Nordholm was informed of the burial.
Mrs. Ann M. Nordholm
4619 Warwick Avenue
Chicago, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Nordholm:
Reference is made to the interment of your husband, the late Aviation Cadet Julius L. Nordholm Jr., and his comrades, which was made in Grave Nos. 138, 139, and 140, Section 84, Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri. It is regrettable that because of the fact it was impossible individually to identify the remains of your husband, you were deprived of the comfort and consolation which you might have been afforded by interring his remains at home.
It is felt that you might like to have the inclosed photograph of the stone which has been placed at the grave.
You are assured that the grave will always be cared for in a manner fully commensurate with the sacrifice your husband has made for this country. Any desired information concerning the grave or the cemetery will be furnished upon request.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
1 Incl JAS. F. WATT
Photograph Lt. Colonel, QMC
Memorial Division
