Pvt. Walter Alfred Jonas was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 30, 1925, to George W. Jonas and Elizabeth Campbell-Jonas, and had two brothers. The family resided at 1124 Beloit Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, and he graduated from Field Stevenson School, Forest Park, and attended Proviso Township High School, as a member of the class of 1943, for three and a half years. He left before graduation. On January 30, 1943, he registered with Selective Service and named his father as his contact person. He married Anna Marie Osborn on April 6, 1943, and became the father of a daughter.
Walter was inducted in the US Army on April 14, 1944, and was given the serial number of 36 968 298. It is not known where he did his basic training. When he was sent overseas, he joined the 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, which was fighting in Italy. Records show that the 135th was in the vicinity of Collecchio, Italy, and he was on a reconnaissance patrol, on April 27, 1945, when he was hit in the left side of his chest by enemy fire and killed.
His wife was sent a telegram by stating he was Missing in Action.
MRS ANN M JONAS
1124 BELOIT AVENUE
FOREST PARK ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR HUSBAND PRIVATE WALTER A JONAS HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SINCE 27 APRIL PERIOD IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIED PERIOD
ULIO
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
Walter was buried at the United States Military Cemetery, Mirandola, Italy, on May 6, 1945, in a shroud, in Plot C, Row 3, Grave 324. His grave was marked with a wooden cross. The Quartermaster Corps, on May 10, 1945, received documentation that confirmed Walter had been killed in action. He was reported killed in action, to his wife, by the War Department, on May 22, 1945.
MRS ANN M JONAS
1124 BELOIT AVENUE
FOREST PARK ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEPEST REGRET THAT YOUR HUSBAND PRIVATE WALTER A JONAS WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON TWENTY SEVEN APRIL IN ITALY LETTER FOLLOWS
ULIO THE ADJUTENT GENERAL
A letter followed, but the content is not known.
His wife received another letter from The Office of the Quartermaster General on September 6, 1946.
6 September 1946
Mrs. Ann M. Jonas
1124 Beloit Avenue
Forest Park, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Jonas:
The War Department is most desirous that you be furnished information regarding the burial location of your son, the late Private Walter A. Jonas, A.S.N. 36 968 296.
The records of this office disclose that his remains are interred in the U. S. Military Cemetery, Mirandola, plot C, row 3, grave 324. You may be assured that the identification and interment have been accomplished with fitting dignity and solemnity.
This cemetery is located twenty-three miles east of Metz, France, and is under the constant care and supervision of the United States military personnel.
The War Department has now been authorized to comply, at Government expense, with the feasible wishes of the next of kin regarding final interment, here or abroad, of the remains of your loved one. At a later date, this office will, without any action on your part, provide the next of kin with full information and solicit his detailed desires.
Please accept my sincere sympathy in your great loss.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
T. B. LARKIN
Major General
The Quartermaster General
Another letter, dated November 7, 1947, provided information on her options for Walter’s final burial and asked her to fill-out and return an enclosed form indicating where she wanted him buried. In September 1948, since she had not returned the form, the OQMG sent a letter to the Veterans Administration which informed the office that Ann Jonas had remarried and was living in Sanderson, Texas. This made Walter’s father his legal next of kin, but it appears that his father allowed his mother to act as next of kin.
Sometime in 1949, his mother was sent the same letter that had been sent to Walter’s wife providing her with her options for Walter’s final burial. Walter’s parents had moved to Tomah, Wisconsin, but she returned the enclosed form to the OQMG and indicated that she wanted Walter to be returned to Illinois for burial.
Walter’s remains were exhumed and sent to the Leghorn Morgue were they were casketed. On May 4, 1949, his casket was placed on the USAT John L. Mc Carley which sailed the same day. The ship arrived in the New York Port of Entry on May 23, 1949, and on the 25th his casket was sent by train, with a military escort, to Quartermaster Corps; Distribution Center #8, Chicago, arriving on the 27th. In a military hearse, Walter’s casket was taken to Fred Zimmerman and Son Undertakers in Forest Park on June 20th. He was buried in Saint Joseph Cemetery, River Grove, Illinois.
