BRIAN A. KUEKER
4115 Goodfellow Drive
(214) 902-9392
Fax (214) 902-0804
July 4, 2002
National Archives and Records Administration
Modern Military Records – NWCTM
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Re: I Company, Third Battalion, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division, 6-14-44
Gentlemen:
I am writing on behalf of the family of Arthur F. Kueker, 18070999 (pronounced Keeker). Art was a Staff Sergeant with I Company at the time he was killed in action on June 14, 1944. According to the Division history, which was available on the internet, the third battalion of the 357th was engaged in trying to take the town of Gourbesville from the Germans on the day Art was killed. Gourbesville is the second town west of St. Mere Eglise. The Division history includes maps which show the regiment’s location every 24 hrs so we located their position on the day Art was killed. We don’t know that he died as a result of action which actually occurred on 6-14-44. We just know that that was the day he died.
Art has two sisters who live in Aurora, Colorado. Clara & Esther, ages 77 and 83 respectively. I contacted Clara when I found the listing of his grave at the Normandy American Cemetery at San Laurent sur Mer on the American Battle Monuments Commission web site. Clara and Esther knew very little about what happened to their brother. The ABMC web site listed Art as having received a Silver Star and Purple Heart. Art’s sisters knew nothing about his having been decorated. We have no idea what the reason was for the Silver Star or what may have happened to the original citation and medal.
We would like to find any additional information which might be available regarding Art’s unit and what they were doing at the time of his death. We have determined through the US Locator Service in St. Louis that Art’s records were destroyed in the fire at the personnel records center in 1973. Dick Bielen, at the US Locator Service, referred us to you. If there is any information which might help these two ladies to know more about what happened to their brother, I will come, or arrange for someone to come, and review the material so that we might bring them some closure in this most sensitive personal family matter. Time is of the essence as these ladies are getting on in years. Any referral to other possible sources of information would be greatly appreciated as well. We have contacted the 90th Division Association and plan to attend their reunion in August to try to locate someone who may have known Art.
I can be contacted via email at bkueker1@swbell.net or toll-free at 888-411-0205 x2. If I am not available please leave a voice-mail. My other numbers are listed above. I have enclosed copies of some of the information we have been able to find. I thank you in advance for any assistance you might provide in this matter.
Very truly yours,
Brian A. Kueker
enclosures