Histories of The Individuals Who Served

       News Article

1944

Special in Press-Gazette

SURING, Wis.— Lt. Walter P. Lartz, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Lartz, Suring, route 2, is home on leave after spending 28 months in the Southwest Pacific area.  A member of the U.S. 32nd Infantry division, he had been overseas since April 1942. He was wounded by a sniper at Buna, New Guinea, Dec. 7, 1942 and spent some time in the hospital. During the Papuan campaign, he received the Presidential unit  citation. He also participated in the New Guinea campaign.
    A graduate of Suring High school, Lartz attended Oshkosh State Teachers college at Oshkosh for three years, and trained as a civilian pilot, earing his private license. He took CMTC training for four summers at Fort Sheridan, Ill.; supplementing that training with a correspondence course, and received his commission in August 1941. He began his senior year at Oshkosh that fall, but was called to duty in September. In April 1943, he was promoted to first lieutenant. Following his leave, he will report to Houston, Texas.

Birth:     Jan. 8, 1919, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Death: Dec. 7, 2009, Green Bay, Brown County, Wisconsin

Walter P. Lartz, 90, a resident of Harmony Living Center, died there Monday afternoon, Dec. 7, 2009.

Walter was born Jan. 8, 1919, in Chicago, to George and Florence (Peters) Lartz. The family moved to Suring, Wis., where he attended schools.

During World War II Walter served his country in the U.S. Army Infantry, Red Arrow Division. He saw action in the South Pacific on the front line during the Battle of Buna in New Guinea where he was wounded and was awarded a Purple Heart. He served 21 years in both active and reserve status at Camp McCoy and retired as a Major, Infantry, on July 29, 1975.

Following his service career, Walter furthered his education at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and later receiving his Masters Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

On Nov. 17, 1945, he married Fern B. Chapman of Green Bay at the West Side Moravian Church in Green Bay.

Walter began his teaching career with the Sheboygan Public School System in 1961, teaching at U.S. Grant School and at Urban Junior High School until his retirement in 1981.

Mr. Lartz was a member of Fountain Park United Methodist Church, Wisconsin Education Association, the National Education Association, Sheboygan Education Association as well as the Sheboygan County Area Retired Teachers, and Disabled American Veterans.

In addition to his wife, Fern, Walter is also survived by a daughter, Linda (Brian) Justin, Sheboygan; a son, Geoll Lartz, Bolingbrook, Ill.; two brothers, George Lartz, Sheboygan Falls, Wis.; and Ted Lartz, Oconto Falls, Wis.; a sister, Ginni (Robert) VonHaden, Sun City, Ariz.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Day of Portland, Ore.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, 11:30 a.m. at Ballhorn Funeral Chapels. Rev. Kerry Wilson, Pastor of Fountain Park United Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will take place in Sunrise Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A time of visitation and support will be held at Ballhorn Chapels on Thursday from 10:30 until the time of service.

A memorial fund has been established in his name for Fountain Park United Methodist Church.

E-mail condolences to support@ballhornchapels.com.
 
Burial:
Sunrise Memorial Gardens Cemetery
Sheboygan
Sheboygan County
Wisconsin, USA