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Video by Scott Sturkol

Interview with Mike and Kathy Gurnee, family members of Sgt. Jack Hohlfeld, World War II POW, Bataan Death March survivor

Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office

Aug. 26, 2024 | 4:05

This is an interview from Aug. 26, 2024, with Kathy and Mike Gurnee of Fenton, Mich., who were attending the Mass of Christian Burial for Sgt. Jack Hohlfeld in Onalaska and La Crosse, Wis. Kathy is the grandniece of Hohlfeld and Mike is her longtime husband. Both discussed being a part of the event. Mike discussed how many in his own family fought in World War II as well. They were among 23 family members who attended a special Mass for Hohlfeld at St. Patrick Parish in Onalaska. Hohlfeld was born in Hamburg Township in Vernon County just outside Stoddard, Wis. When he was 13 years old, his family moved to Centerville, just north of Holmen. As a young adult, Jack lived for a brief time in both Trempealeau and La Crosse before moving to California. He volunteered to enlist and was sworn into the Army at Fort MacArther, Calif., in 1938. Hohlfeld was assigned to the Philippines as a member of Headquarters Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Corps. When the Japanese began their attack on the Philippines on Dec. 8, 1941, the 24th Pursuit Group rapidly became combat ineffective. Its soldiers were rushed to the Bataan Peninsula where Hohlfeld fought as an infantryman, eventually becoming a POW upon its surrender. Hohlfeld survived the Bataan Death March and entered the infamous Cabanatuan Japanese POW camp. On Dec. 26, 1942, Hohlfeld died and was placed into Common Grave 811 with five other service members who passed in that 24-hour period. It wasn't until recently he was fully identified from that gravesite and brought back to Wisconsin. (U.S. Army Audio by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.)