The Ultimate Sacrifice – Sgt. Edward J. Ackerman, Holy Cross, Windthorst, Ford County, Kansas

Sgt. Ackerman was a member of the 32nd infantry division at the time of his death on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. The Philippine islands are in the South Pacific Ocean.

Edward was the third child and second son of Frank and Clara Ackerman. He was born on April 8, 1914. He grew up with his six brothers and sisters in the Windthorst area where he attended the Windthorst schools. On October 16, 1940, Edward registered with the draft and three years later was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for basic training. Sgt. Ackerman came back to Windthorst for a short furlough and joined the 32nd infantry division in September of 1943.

Frank and Clara received a letter from the captain of Edwards’ unit “Edward was struck in the chest by a fragment from an exploding land mine as he attempted to disarm it.” The incident occurred on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Medical care was immediately given, but it was not successful. Sgt. Ackerman's body was shipped back home, and he is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Windthorst, Ford County, Kansas along with his parents and four of his siblings.

Note: Edward was engaged to Miss Wilma Tenbrink of Dodge City, Kansas.

Note: Edwards’ brother, Henry F. “Hank” Ackerman also served in World War II.