EDITOR'S NOTE

With this issue The Boßecker Newsletter begins its second year of publication. I would like to thank my readers for the encouragement and many kind words I have received regarding the newsletter.

As I mentioned in the last issue, The Boßecker Newsletter will henceforth be issued quarterly. When I started writing the newsletter I needed to get out quite a bit of information in a short amount of time in preparation for the Boßecker reunion held last May. With the reunion behind us the need for a monthly format is gone. I think quarterly issues will permit me to continue to produce a quality product and will also allow me to complete a few chores around the house.

THE COVER PHOTO

Since I began writing this issue shortly after Veteran's Day it seemed like a good idea for the focus of this issue to be Boßecker descendants that have served in the United States Armed Forces.

This month's photograph appears to have been taken around the time of World War I. The known gentlemen in the picture are Fred Strauss, Great-Grandson of the immigrant Johannes Boßecker and Jake Vogel.

Jake became Fred Strauss's uncle when he married Emilie Anna Barbara Bosecker [1895-1969] in 1919.

The identities of the other gentlemen are unknown to me; do any of my readers recognize these fellows?

BOßECKER VETERANS

Descendants of the 3 Boßecker immigrants, Peter, Karl & Johannes, have served in the United States armed services since the Civil War. Below is a list of known Boßecker descendants and descendant's spouses who were/are veterans. I am sure this list is incomplete and I would appreciate any information that would expand the list.

John M. Boseker [abt 1831- 1962], Sergeant, United States Army; Killed in Action, Battle of Shiloh, Civil War. Son of Peter Boßecker.

Christian Boseker [1841-1900], Corporal, United States Army, Civil War. Son of Peter Boßecker.

George Valentine Kirsch [1837-1917], United States Army, Civil War. Son-in-law of Johannes Boßecker.

Philip D. Schmidt [1843-1876], United States Army, Civil War. Son-in-law of Karl Boßecker.

Karl H.F. Bosecker [1880-1907], United States Army, Spanish-American War. Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Otto W. Boseker [1891-1918], United States Army, WW I. Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

George V.F. Graesch [1895-1940], Corporal, United States Army, WW I. Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Ernst J.M. Schmidt [1893-1960], United States Army, WW I. Great-Grandson of Karl Boßecker.

Jacob A. Vogel [1891-1955], United States Army, WW I. Grandson-in-law of Johannes Boßecker.

Valentine M. Kirsch [1895-1967], Sergeant, United States Army, WW I. Great Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

William H.V. Kleinschmidt [1892-1967], United States Army, WW I. Grandson-in-law of Johannes Boßecker.

Fred Strauss [1895-1975], WW I. Great Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Claude L. Boseker [1882-1955], Master Sergeant, United States Army, WW I & WW II. Great-Grandson of Peter Boßecker.

Henry L. Bosecker [1895-1954], WT1, United States Naval Reserve, WW I & WW II. Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Raymond A. Schmidt [1912-1937], United States Navy, Naval Aviator. Killed in a military aviation training accident. Great-Grandson of Karl Boßecker.

Carl E. Grossman [1918-1944], Killed in Action WW II. GG-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Arthur W. Bosecker [1920-1945], Sergeant, United States Army. Killed in Action, The Philippines, WW II. Great-Grandson of Karl Boßecker.

Harvey S. Ungethim [? - ?], Killed in Action WW II. Great-Grandson-in-law of Karl Boßecker.

Kermit V.H. Stern [1919-1945], Private, United States Army, Killed in Action, Okinawa, WW II. GG-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Matthew C. Strauss [1904-1989], United States Navy, WW II. Great-Grandson of Karl Boßecker.

Gordon E. Witte [Born:1923], United States Army, Wounded in Action, WW II. GG-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Charles R. Dukes [Born:1911], United States Army, WW II. GG-Grandson-in-law of Johannes Boßecker.

Edwin W. Bosecker [Born:1913], United States Army, WW II. Great-Grandson of Karl Boßecker.

Andrew H. Schmidt [Born:1917], United States Army, WW II. Great-Grandson of Karl Boßecker.

James L. Michaels [Born: 1919], United States Army, WW II. Great-Grandson-in-law of Johannes Boßecker.

Carl E. Bosecker [1917-1985], United States Army, WW II. Great-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker. & GG-Grandson of Karl Boßecker.

George J. Hering [1916-1976], United States Navy, USS Enterprise, WW II. GG-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Harold A. Hering [1917-1977], United States Army, WW II. GG-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Ernst K.F. Bosecker [1922-1980], United States Army, WW II, GG-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Henry L. Bosecker [Born:1926], United States Navy, WW II. Great-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Wallace M. Kirsch [1922-1965], United States Naval Reserve, WW II. GG-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Harold G. Schmidt [1914-1984], United States Army, WW II. Great-Grandson of Karl Boßecker.

Marion M. Dent [Born: 1924], United States Army Air Corps, WW II, B-24 Pilot. GG-Grandson-in-law of Karl Boßecker.

Gene Mundy [Born:1920], Major, United States Marine Corps, Wounded in Action, Tinian, WW II. Great Grandson-in-law of Karl Boßecker.

Carl Frese [Born:1916], United States Army Air Corps, WW II. Great Grandson of Karl Boßecker.

Kenneth Winternheimer [Born:1923], United States Army Air Corps, WW II. GG-Grandson of Karl Boßecker.

Reno Beardsley [Born:?], United States Army, WW II. Great-Grandson-in-law of Johannes Boßecker.

Robert M. Kirsch [Born:1926], United States Navy. GG-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Billy G. Carter [Born:1928], United States Army. GG-Grandson of Karl Boßecker.

Richard M. Bosecker [Born:1930], Staff Sergeant, United States Army; Wounded in Action, Korean War. GG-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Wilbert W.C. Kleinschmidt [1929-1974], United States Army, Korean War. Great-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Hermann W. Stern [1893 - abt 1951]. Great-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Conrad J.E. Witte [1894-1975]. Great Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Orville A. Belton [1921-1990]. GG-Grandson-in-law of Johannes Boßecker.

Dewayne G. Haslam [Born:1923]. GG-Grandson-in-law of Karl Boßecker.

Harry E. Eckholm [1925-1980], Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force. Great-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Emerson E. (Gene) Boseker [Born:1928], United States Air Force. GGG-Grandson of Peter Boßecker.

Jim Boseker [Born:1929], United States Air Force. GGG-Grandson of Peter Boßecker.

Raymond Green [1930-1996], United States Navy. GG-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Robert H. Oaks [Born:1931], United States Army. GG-Grandson-in-law of Karl Boßecker.

Lowell Temme [Born:1933]. GG-Grandson-in-law of Karl Boßecker.

James Smith [Born:1934], United States Army. GGG-Grandson-in-law of Johannes Boßecker.

Robert I. Bosecker [1936-1989], United States Navy. GG-Grandson of Karl Boßecker.

Harold L. Hering [Born:1936], United States Air Force. GGG-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Carlos H. Bosecker [1938-1967], United States Navy. GG-Grandson of Karl Boßecker.

William Naftzger [Born:1938], United States Air Force. GG-Grandson of Karl Boßecker.

Michael D. Hering [Born:1941], GGG-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Porter G. Singer [Born:1943], United States Navy. GG-Grandson-in-law of Karl Boßecker.

Dennis C. Dukes [Born:1946], United States Air Force, GGG-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Richard R. (Dick) Hale [Born:1947], United States Army. GG-Grandson-in-law of Karl Boßecker.

Donald W. Bosecker [Born:1948], United States Army, Wounded in Action, Vietnam. GG-Grandson of Karl Boßecker.

David R. Strothers [Born:1948], United States Army. GGG-Grandson-in-law of Johannes Boßecker.

John E. Hering [Born:1949], United States Army. GGG-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker.

Scott E. Bosecker [Born:1955], Lieutenant, United States Naval Reserve: Naval Aviator. GGG-Grandson of Johannes Boßecker

In the above list, the veteran's name in red denotes that the veteran died while in the service as a result of a military activity.

That's all of the veterans that I am aware of but I am sure there are others. Also, there may be errors and/or omissions in this issue's list. For example, I may not have the veteran's rank or service listed or it is incorrect. I ask my readers that have any additions or corrections to the list to please send me a note with the particulars.

In your note, please give me as much information as possible. I am especially interested in the branch of service, length of service, highest rank achieved, theater of operations, and any decorations received. Please let me know if there is a photograph of the veteran in uniform available. Of course a long, detailed letter to The Boßecker Newsletter containing stories of a Boßecker descendant's military service would be welcomed with enthusiasm! Of particular interest would be participation in major campaigns, battles or anything unusual.

So veterans; write down or record in some way your experiences during your military service and, if you are so inclined, send a copy to The Boßecker Newsletter. Please do not limit your chronicles to just battles and such; explain how the system worked during your tour. How did the military transport you from place to place? What was the food like? How was mail handled? How were troublemakers dealt with? What was the daily routine like?

During WW II some veterans, after being drafted, were exempted from service as they were needed at home to help with the farm. During the Korean War the army had just begun to integrate black Americans into regular units. Remember, what is commonplace or unheard of today may have been just the opposite during your time in the military. Do not be shy and do not let this information be lost to future generations!

UPCOMING SCHMIDT REUNION

Edna Schmidt Anderson recently wrote me and asked that I post the following announcement:

The Schmidt Family Reunion will be held on Sunday, August 3, 1997. The meeting place is yet to be announced but will probably be (dinner at noon) at Cowling, IL with follow up visiting at The Living Legacy Homestead Bed & Breakfast located near Cowling, IL.

The Boßecker Newsletter would be pleased to inform the various branches of the family of upcoming family reunions. Thank you Edna for your timely notice.

BOßECKER INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET

For the past few months I have been posting a digital equivalent of The Boßecker Newsletter on the internet's World Wide Web; the address being:

http://www.mindspring.com/~sbosecker/

I recently added the entire Bosecker/Boseker database and in the future I will add other materials (photographs, etc.) as well.

If you have access to the internet stop by and take a look. Check out the information on your branch of the family and send me any corrections and/or additions via E-mail. Take a look at the "mystery pictures" as I add them and see if you can help identify these folks.

ERRATUM

When I stated in the last issue that Margaretha Friederika {Frieda} (Bosecker)(Wassenaar) (Baumgardner) Beardsley passed away at the age of 85, I was incorrect; the age should have been 84.