This website was created by the nieces and nephews to honor John W. Kampschneider for his service to our country, as part of the Veterans Memory Park in Dodge, NE.
He leaves a legacy of bravery and dedication to the service of his country - to preserve a way of life for friends and relatives who knew him and generations to come.
Pfc JOHN WILLIAM KAMPSCHNEIDER
us55051489
23RD INFANTRY REGIMENT
G CO 2 BN
US ARMY
KILLED IN ACTION
HEARTBREAK RIDGE-KOREA
DATE OF LOSS: SEPTEMBER 16, 1951
BORN: JANUARY 31, 1926
DODGE, NEBRASKA
BURIAL LOCATION
SACRED HEART CEMETERY, OLEAN
RURAL DODGE, NEBRASKA
John W. Kampschneider entered the US Army on November 29, 1950. He received his basic training at Ft. Riley, Kansas and later at Ft. Eustis, Virginia. He left for Korea from Washington State on April 17, 1951. Upon arrival at Japan, he was put in the Infantry and sent to Korea in mid May.
John gave up his life as he was "killed in action" in the Korean Conflict on September 16, 1951 at Heartbreak Ridge performing heroic service for his country, the USA. He received multiple body wounds from fragments of an enemy mortar shell while defending his Company positions in the vicinity of Satae-ri, N Korea. John was a hero and for his bravery and actions was awarded the Purple Heart, Korean Service Ribbon with a Bronze Service Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the UN Service Medal. The Gold Star Lapel Button was awarded to his mother.
His mother was notified of his death on September 26, 1951. A uniformed soldier came into Dodge and inquired at one of the local business places as to where Mrs. Theresia Kampschneider lived. They gave him directions. And of course they all knew what he wanted although he did not say.
The uniformed soldier came to Grandma Theresia's back door in the morning as she was in her kitchen washing dishes in the sink. While looking out of her east window, she saw him. She immediately knew what he wanted. He had come to deliver her the telegram that John was killed in action on the 16th of September. But the family was already suspicious that something was wrong. Several friends in Dodge had gotten letters back from John stamped deceased. No other notice at this time and it caused concern. Also they had not gotten any letters for awhile. She hoped it was an error.
When the soldier gave her the telegram, he was very cordial and saddened, He also stayed with Grandma until some of the family came to be with her before he left.
His body arrived by train from San Francisco, California to North Bend, Nebraska where it was met by the Dodge veterans organization in uniform. The body was then transported to Dodge with Humlicek Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Mass and burial took place on January 2, 1952 at Sacred Heart, Olean.
John's memorabilia is displayed in the Veterans Building in Dodge, Nebraska.
IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF
Private First Class John W. Kampschneider
WHO DIED IN THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY
in the military operations in Korea
on September 16, 1951
HE STANDS IN THE UNBROKEN LINE OF PATRIOTS WHO HAVE DARED TO DIE
THAT FREEDOM MIGHT LIVE, AND GROW, AND INCREASE ITS BLESSINGS.
FREEDOM LIVES, AND THROUGH IT, HE LIVES--
IN A WAY THAT HUMBLES THE UNDERTAKINGS OF MOST MEN
Harry Truman
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING:
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AUTHORIZED BY ORDER OF
GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON, AUGUST 7, 1782
HAS AWARDED
(POSTHUMOUSLY)
THE PURPLE HEART
TO
Private First Class John W. Kampschneider, 55 051 489, Infantry
FOR
WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION
resulting in his death 16 September 1951
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON
THIS 24TH DAY OF OCTOBER 1951
N Bergen Frank Pace Jr.
Major General Secretary of War
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL ARMY
As a child I remember going to a lot of rosaries and funerals with my parents, but Johnny’s funeral was not like the others. The usual funeral meant going to view the casket but this time it was different. Johnny’s casket was not open but draped with the American Flag along with a Solider in full dress uniform standing at attention beside Johnny’s casket. It was probably the first time I had ever heard Taps played at the cemetery followed by the 21 gun salute. I was only 11 years old at the time but it left me with the knowledge that when someone dies defending our freedom it needs to be honored in a special way.
Johnny, I thank you for your sacrifice to protect our freedom.
Yvonne (Kampschnieder) Niewohner
Uncle Johnny was a very good whistler. I remember watching him shave to get ready to go to the dance at Dodge. He had a straight razor and was all full of lather and whistling to his hearts content. Never any song in particular. Just a happy tune.
He loved to play catch with a baseball with his brother, Al. And sled ride with us nieces and nephews as he was only a dozen years older than I was. Some how when we played cards, they always ended up on the floor and we got to play "Pick Up."
I was in the 8th grade when we got the notice he was killed and our parents came and got us out of school. We knew he was in grave danger as others had gotten letters back stamped deceased. One of these envelopes is in the display at the Veterans Building.
niece Mary Ann Kampschnieder Svitak
