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Personal info

Full name
ALBERS, Barend Jacobus Jr
Date of birth
22 December 1919
Age
25
Place of birth
California
Hometown
Los Angeles County, California

Military service

Service number
O-515465
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
unknown
Unit
B Company,
1st Battalion,
47th Infantry Regiment,
9th Infantry Division
Awards
Silver Star,
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
14 March 1945
Place of death
Der Nutscheid, community of Waldbröl, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
O 7 11

Immediate family

Members
Barend J. Albers (father)
Henriette (Haak) Albers (mother)
Betty Ann (Howland) Albers (wife)
Gary B. Albers (son)

More information

2nd Lt Barend J. Albers graduated from North Hollywood High School in 1938 and the University of California Los Angeles in 1943.

He suffered a severe fracture wound of his legs. According to documents in the IDPF, his right leg and the biggest part of his left leg were missing at the time of his arrival at the cemetery of Henri-Chapelle.

He was first buried at Henri-Chapelle at block G4, row 8, grave 145 on 19 March 1945. He was disinterred on 8 November 1947.

At the request of his wife, he was transferred to Margraten. She wanted him to be buried as close as possible to his friend, 1st Lt Kirk L. Sinclair. Because Lt Sinclair was already given his final resting place and all space beside him or in his vicinity was already taken, this request could not be granted.

Lt Albers was given his final resting place on 26 April 1949.

Both his parents were born in The Netherlands. The IDPF also holds a letter from his cousin, Mr. W. Haak of Arnhem, asking about his final resting place.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.ancestry.com U.S.School Yearbooks, Frans Roebroeks