Pfc. Milton William Busboom was born on September 7, 1919, to William H. Busboom and Caroline Niehoff-Busboom and has a sister. The family resided at 1911 South 6th Avenue, Maywood, Illinois. He graduated from Garfield School and Proviso Township High School in 1937. After high school, he worked for the American Can Company. in Maywood, as a shipping clerk. He registered with Selective service when the draft act became law on October 16, 1940, and named his father as his contact person.
Milton was inducted into the US Army on May 22, 1942, and was known to have trained at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, Camp Houze, Texas, and Fort Meade, Florida, and was given the serial number 36, 713, 827. At some point he was promoted to Private First Class and assigned to the 330th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division. He married Arlene Nauertz on September 22, 1942, and the couple lived at 16 North 7th Avenue in Maywood.
The 83rd Infantry Division left the United States on April 6, 1944, and arrived in England on the 16th. In England the unit trained in Wales. On June 16, 1944, it landed in Normandy at Omaha Beach. It took part in its first action against the Germans on June 27, 1944, south of Carentan, France. It was also involved in engagements against the Germans in Luxembourg and on the Siegfried Line. When the Battle of the Bulge began the 83rd fought its way across the Roer River and fought a bitter struggle against the Germans at Rochefort, Belgium. What is known it was on January 15, 1945, that Pfc. Milton W. Busboom was killed in action, in the vicinity of Lauraux, Belgium, when he was hit by shrapnel from a mortar shell in the head.
Milton was buried, on January 22, 1945, in the United States Military Cemetery #1, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. in Plot GGG, Row 1, Grave 1. His wife was sent a telegram by the War Department which was followed by a letter.
ARLENE BUSBOOM
16 NORTH 7TH AVENUE
MAYWOOD ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEPEST REGRET THAT YOUR SON PRIVATE FIRST CLASS MILTON BUSBOOM WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON FIFTEEN JANUARY IN GERMANY LETTER FOLLOWS
ULIO THE ADJUTENT GENERAL
It is known that his wife received a letter from Office of the Quartermaster General, dated July 23, 1945, telling her where her husband was buried and the location of his grave in the cemetery. Another letter, dated January 23, 1947, arrived with a photo of the cemetery, It also stated that the cemetery was a temporary cemetery until remains are either returned to the United States for burial or moved to an permanent American cemetery. His wife received another letter dated March 11, 1947, that provided her with information on her options for Milton’s final burial. She was asked to fill-out and return an enclosed form to the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC. She did not return the form so another letter was sent on May 13, 1947. The OQMG asked the Red Cross to look into the matter and in a letter the Red Cross stated it had contacted his wife and the form was mailed to the OQMG on February 28th. The form was received by the OQMG on March 5, 1948, and indicated his wife wanted Milton buried in an American Military Cemetery.
Pfc. Milton W. Busboom was buried in Plot A, Row 9, Grave 34, at the United States Military Cemetery, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, on June 30, 1948, with full military honors. His wife was sent the flag that covered his casket and a letter.
Pfc. Milton W. Busboom, ASN 36 713 827
Plot A, Row 9, Grave 34
Mrs. Arlene Busboom Headstone: Cross
16 North 7th Avenue Henri-Chapelle U. S. Military Cemetery
Maywood, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Busboom:
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 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.
While interment and beautification activities are in progress, the cemetery will not be open to visitors. However, upon completion thereof, due notice will be carried by the press.
You may rest assured that this final interment was conducted with fitting dignity and solemnity and that the graves-site will be carefully and conscientiously maintained in perpetuity by the United States Government.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
THOMAS B. LARKIN
Major General
The Quartermaster General
