T/5 Otto Edward Stenzel was born in Chicago on April 7, 1912, to Christ Stenzel and Anna Taube-Stenzel. His parents at some point separated and his mother and he resided at 306 South 7th Avenue, Maywood, Illinois. He graduated from Washington School and attended Proviso Township High School for one year before going to work as a machinist.
He joined the Illinois National Guard, in Oak Park, Illinois, on September 16, 1940 since the Selective Service Act was about to become law on October 16, 1940 and issued the serial number 20 606 850. Since he was in the National Guard, he did not have to register when the draft became law. He did register on November 10, 1941, and named his mother as his contact person and indicated she was living in Berwyn, Illinois. He gave his address as 1528 North 33rd Avenue, Melrose Park, Illinois.
It is not known when he was called into federal service. He was a member of 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon, Company E, 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. He was promoted to Private First Class in June 1941. On June 1, 1942, the Army created the technician ranks for men who had received specialized training. Otto was received the rank Technician Fifth Grade which meant he would have been called corporal, but he had no training to command troops. The division trained at Camp Blanding, Florida, from October 1943 to May 1943. Next it was at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, before moving to Camp Atterbury, Indiana, on November 10, 1943. It remained at the base until January 1944, when it was sent to the east coast for transport to England. Arriving there, on February 22, 1944. During its time in England, the division trained for the Allied Invasion of France.
The 30th landed at Omaha Beach on June 11, 1944, and was given time to organize before being sent into combat. It secured the Vire-et-Taute Canal, and crossed the Vire River on July 7th. The 30th spearheaded the attack on the Saint-Lô that led to break out from the Normandy beachhead which ended the stalemate that had occurred. The division was involved in a friendly-fire incident where someone in the Air Corps changed the orders of where the bombing should be done resulting in the plane’s bombs falling on the division.
On August 6th, the 30th was sent to Mortain, France in relief of 1st Infantry Division. During the first day, August 7, 1944, of the German Panzer counter-attack – named Operation Luttich – which was an attempt to stop the American advance made by Operation Cobra, Otto was killed near Mortain, France. His records show he had suffered severe burns. On August 11, 1944, in a shroud, he was buried in the United States Military Cemetery #1, Marigney, France, in Plot P, Row 8, Grave 151.
A letter was sent to Otto’s father, his legal next of kin, by the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington, DC, informing him where his son was buried and the location of Otto’s grave was located. Otto’s father had died, September 30, 1946, and his mother sent a copy of her husband’s death certificate to the Office of the Quartermaster General to confirm his death. Although they had been separated for over 20 years, it appears they had never divorced.
His mother was living in Berwyn, Illinois, and received the same letter, that previously had been sent to his father, telling her the name of the cemetery where Otto was buried and the location of his grave.
2 October 1946
Mrs. Anna Stenzel
1326 Clinton Avenue
Berwyn, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Stenzel:
The War Department is most desirous that you be furnished information regarding the burial location of your son, the late Technician Fifth Grade Otto E. Stenzel, A.S.N. 20 606 850.
The records of this office disclose that his remains are interred in the U. S. Military Cemetery, Marigny, plot P, row 8, grave 151. You made be assured that the identification and interment have been accomplished with fitting dignity and solemnity.
This cemetery is located nine miles west of St. Lo, 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
The OQMG lost contact with his mother, who had moved back to Maywood, but reestablished contact. She was sent another letter, dated October 27, 1947, providing her with information on her options for his final burial from the Quartermaster General Office, Washington DC. She was asked to complete an enclosed and return the form to the OQMG, Washington DC. The completed form was received by the OQMG on December 11, 1947, and indicated that she wanted Otto returned to Illinois for burial.
Otto’s remains were sent by truck, on June 7, 1948, to Casketing Point A, Cherbourg, France, and casketed. On August 3rd his casket was placed on the USAT Lawrence Victory which sailed the same day. The ship entered the New York Port of Entry on August 19th and his casket was sent by train, with a military escort, to the Quartermaster Corps’ Distribution Center #8, Chicago, arriving on August 27th.
Otto’s casket was taken in a military hearse, with a military escort, on September 22nd, to the Suburban Funeral Home, Maywood, Illinois. Tec 5 Otto Stenzel was buried on September 24, 1948, in Concordia Cemetery, Forest Park, Illinois.
