Flags across Wisconsin flew at half-staff on Monday to commemorate a La Crosse-area soldier who was buried 82 years after his death in World War II.
Sergeant Jack Hohlfeld grew up in La Crosse and Trempealeau counties and served in the Army Air Force in the Philippines during the war.
Hohlfeld was taken prisoner by the Japanese. After his capture, Hohlfeld took part in the Bataan Death March in the Philippines, died of illness in a prison camp at the age of 35 and was buried in a mass grave.
Hohlfeld’s remains were recently released by the military to his family. His funeral was held Monday at St. Patrick’s Church in Onalaska.
During the service, Monsignor Steven Kachel spoke about Hohlfeld’s heroism.
Kachel said, “A true hero is someone who has courage and sacrifices himself to do what is just and right.”
Sharon Graw, Hohlfeld’s niece, worked for twelve years to return his remains to the family.
Her husband, Ron Graw, said the remains of six people were buried in one grave at the prison camp.
Genetic testing enabled the rapid identification of some of the dead, but Ron Graw said some of the bones were “mixed and mixed” and he believes DNA led to complete identification.
A few weeks ago, the government announced that Hohlfeld had been identified.
During the burial ceremony at La Crosse Catholic Cemetery, a bugler played the tattoo while military aircraft flew over the site.
Sharon Graw was presented with the U.S. flag that was placed over her uncle’s casket. Hohlfeld’s grave is very close to where his parents are buried in the same cemetery.
