Pocahontas County

Pfc. George Bilskemper

Our Neighbors in the Service

Pocahontas, Iowa – Corporal George Bilskemper, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bilskemper of Lake township, Pocahontas County, was killed in action in the North Africa area April 9, according to word received by his parents from the war department.

Source: The Sioux City Journal, May 10, 1943

Iowa Honor Roll

Like the men pictured here on previous Sundays, these Iowans have given their lives for their country.  Each one was either killed in action or died in prison camp. The fourth line under each picture gives the area in which the man last served. The list will be continued in future weeks.

Source: The Des Moines Sunday Register, March 12, 1944 (photo included)

George Franklin Bilskemper was born Dec. 23, 1918 to John Joseph and Hannah Gronewold Bilskemper. He died Apr. 9, 1943 and is buried in North Africa American Cemetery, Tunis, Tunisia.

Pvt. Bilskemper served in World War II with the U.S. Army 135th Regiment, 34th Infantry Division and was KIA in Tunisia, Africa and awarded the Purple Heart.

Source: ancestry.com