In Memory of
U.S. Army Private First Class
Walter C. Sahmel
Hurley, South Dakota
Turner County
March 21, 1920 – May 29, 1943
Killed in Action at Attu Island in the Aleutian Islands

Walter O. Sahmel was born March 21, 1920, at Lappienen, Germany, to Otto and Ida Sahmel. In 1924, he and his family came to America, and eventually settled at Hurley, South Dakota. From 1932 until 1942, Walter was engaged in farming with his father at Hurley.

On June 25, 1942, Walter was inducted into the Army at Fort Crook in Omaha, Nebraska. After his training, Pfc. Sahmel was sent to Attu Island in the Aleutian Island chain.

Private First Class Walter O. Sahmel was killed in action May 29, 1943, on Attu in the Aleutian Islands on Attu.

After the war, Walter Sahmel’s remains were returned Freeman, and he was buried with full military honors at Freeman, South Dakota, in 1948.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Sheila Hansen, Fallen Sons State Coordinator, Spearfish, SD. Information for this entry was provided by Alfred Duke Kleinsasser, Freeman, SD, via Eileen Gall.