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Wilbert Kohrs attended Peru State Teachers College and also worked as a teacher in the local school system.

He trained at Camp Walters, Texas and at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, before receiving his commission as second lieutenant at Fort Benning. He eventually deployed to Europe in September 1944 after receiving additional training at various camps located throughout the country.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal twice, the second time psthumously. The citations cited:

For Gallantry in action against the enemy in Germany, 1 December 1944. When the position of his company was threatened by an enemy attack, Lt Kohrs, ordering his subordinates to take cover and at great personal risk to himself crawled to a position in close proximity to the enemy and fired into a group of attackers. Under constant artillery, mortar and machine gun fire, Lt Kohrs, by this and other bold, aggressive actions, finally broke up the attack and captured four of the Germans. The courage, daring and unselfish actions of this officer proves an inspiration to his men and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service of the United States.

Oak Leaf Cluster to the Silver Star - For gallantry in action against the enemy in Belgium, 3 January 1945. When the advance of his assault platoons was temporarily halted by enemy automatic small arms fire, Lt Kohrs, without regard for his own welfare under enemy observation and fire, led his support platoon in a flanking movement which was unsuccessful in dislodging the enemy. He then personally led his two assault platoons in an advance on the objective which was again halted by intense enemy automatic weapons fire. After arming each member of the platoons with framentation grenades, Lt Kohrs, after giving the signal to advance, was among the first to move forward in the assault. In the performance of this daring act, Lt Kohrs was wounded fatally, but the completeness of his plan enabled his unit to gain its objective which was a key point of the battalion sector. The determined, tenacious fighting spirit, superior qualities of aggressive leadership and commendable conduct displayed by Lt Kohr reflect high credit upon himself and are in accordance with the finest traditions of the military service.