Willard W. Burkhardt was born in Kiel, Calumet County on February 14, 1926 to Mr. and Mrs. George Burkhardt. He had two brothers, Clarence and Reuben, and four sisters, Marion, Leila, Linda and Joyce. His family moved to Auburndale in 1937, and was the Valedictorian of the 1944 graduating class of Auburndale High School. He entered the service on August 25th, 1944.
Burkhardt trained at Camp Crowder in Missouri,
Camp Livingston in Louisiana, and Fort George G. Mead in Maryland. He went overseas in February 1945 to the United Kingdom. He served in France, Belgium
Holland and Germany.
Pvt. Willard W. Burkhardt was killed in action, at the age of 19,
On March 15th, 1945 while serving with the Army Infantry in Germany. Willard Burkhardt’s service in World War II will always be remembered and he was missed dearly by his family
Megan Schroder
East Junior High School
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
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