War Tragedy Enacted Here
News of PVT. Suknot’s Death Comes Day Child Born
One of war’s tragedies struck Mrs. Walter Suknot, 413 S. Wall Street, Tuesday when, shortly after giving birth to an 8 pound, 8 ounce daughter in St. Vincent’s hospital, she received a telegram from the war department notifying here that her husband, Pvt. Walter Suknot, 31, army quartermaster corps, has been killed in action June 30 in the Pacific.
Mrs. Suknot had on only June 13, received word from Pvt. Suknot on a war department form that he had left for overseas duty, with a San Francisco A.P.O. number. His last letter from him was dated June 12 and was postmarked Fort Jackson, S.C., his last station in this country.
The baby was born shortly after 1 a.m. Tuesday. The sorrow-bearing telegram was received at the hospital at 3 a.m., but was not given to her by her physician until 4:30 p.m.
“I’m just one of many and
I’ve made up my mind to bear
Up under it," the red-eyed but
Composed widow said.
In addition to Judy Nanette, the name given to the baby, there are four other children in the family; Harold Walter, 9; Betty Marie, 8; Joseph David, 5; and Eugene Raymond, 2. Harold is away at summer camp. His mother has decided to wait until he returns Saturday to inform him of the death of his father.
Pvt. Suknot was born June 10 1914 in Sioux City. He attended Central High School and prior to entering the service he worked for Albertson & Co. as a metal polisher. He entered the army at Camp Dodge, Iowa, April 22, 1944. He had been stationed at Camp Crowder, Mo. in the signal Corps and at Camp Beale, California. He last visited his wife in March when he spent a tw0week furlough in Sioux City.
Besides the widow and children, he is survived by his mother, Mrs. Mary Podamek, 512 S Fairmount Street and four brothers, Joe, of Sioux City, Al in the Air corps at Rapid City, S.D.; John also in the army and stationed in Texas, and Frank, serving with the navy at seas.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, July 18, 1945
KILLED IN ACTION
Pvt. Walter Suknot (pictured) of Sioux City was killed in action June 30 in the Pacific, his wife was informed at St. Vincent’s hospital several hours after she had borne him an 8-pound, 8-ounce baby daughter. Pvt. Suknot was 31 years old and had been serving in the quartermaster’s corps. Surviving in addition to the widow are four other children ranging in age from 2 to 9.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, Thursday, July 19, 1945 (photo included)
National Archives & Records Administration War Department Files
PVT Walter Suknot
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Hometown: Woodbury County, IA
Status: DNB (Died Non Battle)
Death Date: 30 Jun 1945
Location: Army dead-died of Luekemia-Manila
Next of Kin: Wife-Mrs. Walter Suknot, 413 So. Wall St., Sioux City, Iowa
Mother-Mrs. Mary Podamek, 512 So. Fairmont Ave., Sioux City, Iowa
Walter Suknot was born June 10, 1915 to Joseph and Mary Morris Suknot. He died June 30, 1945 and is buried in Graceland Park Cemetery, Sioux City, IA.
Pvt. Suknot served in World War II with the U.S. Army 349th Quartermaster Truck Company and was KIA in the South Pacific.
Source: ancestry.com
