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Personal info

Full name
BRAAKSMA, Howard Jake
Date of birth
19 June 1918
Age
26
Place of birth
Newton County, Indiana
Hometown
Mexico, Miami County, Indiana

Military service

Service number
15341414
Rank
Private First Class
Function
unknown
Unit
E Company,
2nd Battalion,
345th Infantry Regiment,
87th Infantry Division
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
18 December 1944
Place of death
Medelsheim, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
F 9 15

Immediate family

Members
Jake Braaksma (father)
Bertha E. (Ireland) Braaksma (mother)
Edward F. Braaksma (brother)
John D. Braaksma (brother)
Betty J. (McGuire) Braaksma (wife)
Sandra K. Braaksma (daughter)

More information

Pfc Howard J. Braaksma graduated from Burnettsville High School years and was a machinist before he joined the U.S. Army Reserve in Indianapolis, Indiana on 5 December 1942. He fist served with the USAAF but was transferred to the infantry. He was sent overseas on 1 November 1944.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men / Undertheshelter Tree, http://87thinfantrydivision.com, www.findagrave.com, Monticello Herald Journal
Photo source: Judy Baker, Director of the White County (Indiana) Museum - courtesy of Kathy McDermott