Hohlfeld received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, WWII POW Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Foreign Service clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star, WWII Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Honorable Service Lapel Button-World War II, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, and Philippine Defense Ribbon with Bronze Star.

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Sgt. Hohlfeld survived the Bataan Death March and was held captive in the Cabanatuan Japanese POW camp until his death on Dec. 26, 1942. He was then buried in Common Grave 811 with five other service members, before being moved to the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in 1948.

MADISON, Wis. (WSAW) - Gov. Tony Evers is ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Monday, Aug. 26, in honor of U.S. Army Air Force Sergeant Jack Hohlfeld.

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On Dec. 8, 1941, Sgt. Hohlfeld and members of the 24th Pursuit Group were engaged in combat and were soon overtaken by Japanese forces and forced to surrender as prisoners of war (POW).

Hohlfeld lost his life in World War II. His remains were recently identified and returned to Wisconsin for burial.“Sergeant Jack Hohlfeld was a decorated military hero who selflessly answered the call to serve and gave his life defending the values and freedoms we as a nation hold most dear,” Gov. Evers said. “It is our responsibility to make sure no hero is ever left behind, no matter how many years have passed, and it is an honor to be able to help welcome Sergeant Hohlfeld back to his home so that he may be laid to rest.”Sgt. Hohlfeld, born in Vernon County and raised in La Crosse and Trempealeau Counties, voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1938 and was assigned to the Philippines as a member of the Headquarters Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group.

Hohlfeld’s remains were positively identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in May 2024.Sgt. Hohlfeld will be buried on Monday in La Crosse.