Omar Kolkmeier
On This Day 26-MAR 1944, We Honor a Fallen Hero
Omar August Kolkmeier was born 15-JUL 1921 in Harvester, St. Charles County, Mo. His father was August Heinrich Kolkmeier (1897–1983) and his mother was Bertha M Lindemann (1894–1985). Omar had two brothers: Arthur and Harlan and three sisters: Grace, Louise, and Ethel. In 1930, according to the Federal Census, the family lived on New County Road. Omar was 8. By 1940, the family was living on Gunley in St. Charles Mo. Omar had completed 8th grade, was working on the farm as a “unpaid family worker”. He was now 18.
Omar enlisted 25-NOV 1942 in the US Army. He listed his occupation as a carpenter. His service number was 37398363. He attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in SW Missouri. He served in the 39th Regiment, Company B Combat Engineers (later known as the Corp of Engineers). Sergeant Omar A. Kolkmeier and the 39th Combat Engineers left Algeria Africa on 10-JUL 1943 landing in Sicily 13-JUL 1943. Omar then went to Naples-Foggia from 9-SEP 1943 to 21-JAN 1944. On 22 JAN 1944 Omar landed with the Allied forces at Anzio during Operation Shingle. The invasion was intended to outflank German defense forces on the Gustav Defense Line and strike directly for Rome. The operation failed and the invasion force was pinned down around Anzio until the end of May. Operation Shingle was extremely costly and failed to open the road to Rome. Omar was killed in action on the Anzio Beach head 26-MAR 1944. He served 1 year and 5 months.
From the St. Charles Weekly Cosmos-Monitor Dated 24-May 1944.
On 20-May 1944, his parents received a telegram saying he was killed in action. His last letter written home was 18-Mar 1944 stated he had landed on the Anzio Beachhead where it is believed he was killed. Omar had been overseas since April 1943 where he landed in Africa. Before Anzio, Omar had participated in the Sicily invasion. He had also been stationed in Naples Italy. The only time he had been home was a few weekend passes when he was at Fort Leonard Wood but had never received a furlough. Omar Kolkmeier had served 1 year and 5 months.
The stalemate at Anzio finally ended in late May 1944, when Allied forces broke through the Gustav Line in Operation Diadem. The Germans were forced to retreat north, and Rome fell 4-Jun 1944. Omar A. Kolkmeier is buried in Friedens United Church of Christ Cemetery in Saint Charles, St. Charles County, Missouri.
Sgt Omar A. Kolkmeier was eligible for the following medals and commendations:
- Purple Heart
- World War II Victory Medal
- American Defense Medal
- Army Presidential Unit Citation
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- The Italy Star
- European African Middle East Campaign Medal
Omar Kolkmeier is honored and remembered at the Mid America Veterans Museum.
More more of his story, click on the pdf below.
