SGT Arthur John Herman Ruhnke

SGT Arthur John Herman Ruhnke was born 19 Jun 1917 in Fenton, Iowa. He was the 4th of 8 children born to John August and Amanda (Dau) Ruhnke. His father farmed his own farm after having worked for others. Arthur worked the farm as well.

Arthur was drafted and eventually sent to the European theater. SGT Ruhnke was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry on 7 Aug 1944 in the midst of fighting in the vicinity of Vire, France. SGT Ruhnke was killed in action on the attack on Brest.

SGT Ruhnke rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery but the family also has a cenotaph for him in the