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World War IIUS Army359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division Service Number: 38104403 Born: September 6, 1916 Inducted: March 21, 1942 Killed in action July 3, 1944 in France Buried: Normandy American Cemetery, Plot C, Row 9, Grave 9, France Purple Heart |
Son of George Kuntz of Otis.
Otis Independent - August 10, 1944
Alfons Kuntz Killed in Action Normandy July 3
Wire Received Friday Telling of Death of Otis Soldier; Among First Invasion TroopsThis community was saddened last Friday when it became known that a message had been received from the War Department stating that PFC Alfons Kuntz had been killed in action in Normandy on July 3rd. The message was addressed to his sister, Miss Anna Kuntz, but as she is now living in Greeley, it was sent on and in turn she phoned to the Ochoa family, telling them of the contents.
Alfons was a member of the famous 90th Infantry Division, which was involved in some of the hardest fighting in the invasion of Europe. We understand that he was among the first of the troops landed in France on D-Day.
The last letter received from him was dated July 1st, somewhere in France, and at that time he had escaped injury. Of course the details connected with his death were not revealed, but it is assumed that a letter will be sent from the War Department later.
Alfons, an orphan, was reared together with four brothers and his sister by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Louie Hackle, Sr. of Otis. Three of his brothers, Joe, Henry and Richard are also members of the US Army, serving in various branches, all yet located in the United States.
Alfons had many friends in this community. He had made a reputation for honesty and industry, and was just getting a good start in his farming operations when he entered the service. Although handicapped by hard luck and misfortune, Al was a cheerful sort of lad and was the kind who would eventually win out.
Apparently he had some premonition that he would not survive, as on his last furlough home, he made the remark to several of his friends, including this writer, that he did not expect to come back alive if he was sent overseas. he seemed to have a presentiment of death, a knowledge that it was in the cards that he would be one of those who would pay the supreme price in the service of his county.
We do not know the exact manner in which Alfons Kuntz met his death, but we know that he was serving his country to the best of his ability, and that to the end he served gladly, offering his all for the cause of freedom.
So Otis has another gold star to add to the growing list of those who have paid the enormous price of the war, and this community has lost a valued young life and a mighty fine young man.
Alfons George Kuntz
Alfons George Kuntz was born September 6, 1916, at Otis, Colorado, and was killed in action in France, July 3, 1944 at the age of 27 years, 8 months and 2 days of age.
His father, George Kuntz, died January 17, 1926. His mother passing away October 14, 1934.
He attended the Otis Grade School and from the time he graduated until his induction into the army he farmed east of Otis.
He was inducted into the Army on March 21, 1942. He took his army training at Camp Barkley, Texas, and was then sent to Fort Dix, N.J. going overseas from that point in March of this year. He spent several months in England and was among the first troops to land on the Normandy coast on D-Day as a member of the 90th Infantry Division.
Surviving him are one sister, Anna Kuntz and four brothers; Joe of Camp Livingston, Louisiana; Richard in the Marine Corps stationed at San Diego, California; Henry in the Air Corps at Manchester, New Hampshire; and Norbert of Otis. Also his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Louie Hackle of Otis, and aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ochoa and family of Otis, together with other aunt and uncles and cousins of this community.
A Requiem Mass will be held in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Akron Friday morning at 7:30. A memorial service will be held at the Otis High School gymnasium Sunday morning at 11:00 o'clock, conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and sponsored by the Otis Commercial Club.
Miss Anna Kuntz arrived Friday evening from Greeley; Henry Kuntz arrived home Sunday evening from New Hampshire; Joe Kuntz arrived home Monday evening from Louisiana; and Richard is expected to be home some time Friday, as he did not secure his furlough until Wednesday morning.
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