In Memory of Army Sergeant
Alvin William Erpenbach
Ethan, South Dakota
Davison County

December 9, 1920 -- October 7, 1944
Killed in Action in Pisa, Italy

Alvin William Erpenbach was born to his parents, Mathew and Irene Erpenbach, on December 9, 1920, at Ethan, South Dakota. Alvin graduated from Ethan High School in 1930. Alvin worked on farms near Dimock and Luverne, Minnesota. Later Alvin worked at the Madison Meat Packing Plant in Madison, Wisconsin. He and Florence Marking were married June 19, 1942, at Dimock, South Dakota, shortly before Alvin entered the service. Alvin was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Parkston.

Alvin was inducted into the U.S. Army, September 12, 1942, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His basic training was at Camp Walters, Texas and further training was at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma. On July 11 and July 17 of 1943, Sgt. Erpenbach was home on furlough. In August Sgt. Erpenbach was sent overseas; on September 20, 1943, his family heard from him in North Africa.

Around October 15, 1943, Erpenbach was sent to Italy. He was wounded in action on December 12 in the battle of Cassino and spent four weeks in the hospital, where he received the Purple Heart for his wounds. Sgt. Alvin Erpenbach then returned to duty, participated in more combat, and was killed on September 7, 1944, in Italy; he was 24 years old and was posthumously awarded a second Purple Heart.

Alvin Erpenbach’s funeral services were held on October 4, 1944, at Ethan, South Dakota. On January 6, 1945, his widow, Florence, was killed in a car accident. Sgt. Erpenbach’s remains were returned to the United States after the war and a second service was held on November 26, 1948; Sgt. Erpenbach was then laid to rest next to his wife in Holy Cross Cemetery, Madison, Wisconsin.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Nichole Fonder, Spearfish High School, Spearfish, SD. Information for this entry was provided by newspaper clippings, a SD bonus application, and Bonnie Bjork, Pierre, SD.

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