Early Life in Nemaha County
Cyril Peter Nolte was born on February 21, 1910, on the Nolte family farm located just four miles from Seneca, Kansas, in rural Nemaha County. The eldest son of Alois F. and Mrs. Nolte, Cyril grew up in a large and devout Catholic family, surrounded by his siblings and the support of a close-knit rural community. From a young age, he developed a strong work ethic, which later guided him in employment as a farm laborer, particularly on farms in Iowa prior to his military service.
Cyril was known for his quiet determination and loyalty to family and faith—qualities that would later define his military service.
Answering the Call to Serve
With the onset of World War II, Cyril joined the ranks of thousands of Americans who stepped forward to defend their country. He enlisted in the United States Army, likely in early 1942, and underwent training at Camp Barkeley, Texas. He was eventually assigned to the 90th Infantry Division, a newly reactivated division that would become one of the most battle-hardened units of the European Theater.
Cyril held the rank of Corporal, later being referred to as Sergeant in memorial articles. His brother, Sylvester Nolte, also served in the military during the war, stationed in Washington, D.C., with Battery K, 89th Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft). Both brothers were able to return home on furlough together in 1943—a rare and treasured moment for the Nolte family.
Combat with the 90th Infantry Division
The 90th Infantry Division, often called the “Tough ‘Ombres,” landed in France on D-Day, June 6, 1944, as part of the first wave of the Allied invasion of Normandy. Cyril was among the courageous soldiers who stormed the beaches and pushed through the hedgerows of northern France in what became some of the bloodiest and most intense fighting of the war.
On June 11, 1944, just days after the initial landings, Cyril was wounded in action, sustaining a flesh wound in his leg. He was evacuated to a hospital in England to recover. After a period of treatment and rest, he returned to combat, demonstrating both physical resilience and dedication to his mission. Letters continued to reach his family back home until about three weeks before his death, after which there was a troubling silence.
Ultimate Sacrifice in France
On September 8, 1944, during the intense fighting in the approach to Metz, France, Cyril was killed in action. His death occurred during a pivotal phase of the war when the 90th Division was engaging in the siege of Metz—a heavily fortified city that the German Army was determined to hold.
The War Department notified his parents weeks later, marking another painful blow to the community of Seneca, which had already lost other young men to the war. Although some reports gave his death date as September 18, most contemporary sources, including local newspapers, confirmed the date of death as September 8.
Community Mourning and Memorial Mass
A Memorial Mass was held in his honor on October 9, 1944, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. The church’s service flag was updated to reflect its third gold star—this one for Cyril Nolte, joining earlier honorees Francis Kokenge and Raymond Woltkamp. Rev. Matthew Hall, O.S.B., conducted the Requiem Mass, and Rev. Basil Finken, O.S.B., delivered the homily. Four priests participated in the service, and Cyril’s photograph, wreathed in flowers, was displayed in the church vestibule.
A firing squad from the local American Legion Post rendered a three-gun salute, and Taps was played as the final tribute. His brother Sylvester returned from Camp Bragg, North Carolina, to attend the service and support his grieving family. On behalf of the U.S. government, Ed R. Levick, a local legionnaire, presented the folded American flag to Mr. and Mrs. Nolte.
Burial and Lasting Legacy
Sgt. Cyril P. Nolte was interred with honor at the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-Avold, France, one of the largest American World War II cemeteries in Europe. There, his name is etched among thousands of others who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Cyril was survived by his parents, four sisters, and four brothers:
- Mrs. Charles Niekamp and Mrs. Leo Fager of Mexico, Missouri
- Mrs. Vincent Wessel of Summerfield, Kansas
- Charles and Edward Nolte of Iowa
- Sgt. Sylvester Nolte, then stationed at Camp Bragg
- Regis and Virginia, who remained at home
A Life Remembered
Sgt. Cyril P. Nolte’s life was one of quiet devotion—to his family, to his country, and to his faith. He was a farmhand turned soldier who never sought fame, but whose courage placed him at the heart of one of the most significant military campaigns in world history. His service with the 90th Infantry Division, through the chaos of Normandy and the peril of Metz, earned him a place of honor among the fallen.
In life, Cyril worked the soil of Iowa. In death, he rests in the soil of France—forever remembered by a grateful nation and a loving hometown.
SOURCES
Courier Tribune
10 May 1943
page 1
With the Armed Forces
Mr. and Mrs. Alois Nolte’s two sons in military service ahd furloughs at the same time. Cpl. Sylvester Nolte is in Battery K, 89th C.A. (AA), Gen Del, Washington, D.C. Cpl. Cyril Nolte is in Camp Barkeley, Texas.
Courier Tribune
10 Jul 1944
page 2
Cpl. Cyril Nolte Injured
Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Nolte received a letter last week from the war department informing them their son, Cpl. Cyril Nolte was seriously injured in action in France and that he is in a hospital in England. A reporter was unable to contact the Nolte family today to get any further information.
Courier Tribune
14 Sep 1944
page 3
When the history of World War No. 2 is published, it will undoubtedly record the heroism of the 90th division that landed in France on June 6th and fought the enemy desperately in Normandy. Just recently the boys have been permitted to send home a New York Times article telling of desperate battle. For a long time, their location was unknown to the outside world and the division fought on without recognition. Sergeant Henry J. Hunninghake of Baileyville, lost his life in a Normandy engagement. Others believed to have fought in the same division but not the same company are: Sgt. Wilfred E. (Emmett) Johnson, Sgt. Alvin Koch, wounded and in the Winter General hospital, Topeka; Sgt. Albert Rilinger, Cpl. Cyril Nolte, also wounded; Sgt. Lawrence B. Wessel, recently reported wounded and Pfc. Samuel Robbins.
Courier Tribune
5 Oct 1944
page 1
Memorial Mass Oct 9 for Sgt. Cyril Nolte
Sgt. Cyril Nolte, 34, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Nolte, Seneca, will be honored with a Memorial Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Monday, Oct. 9, at nine o’clock in the morning. Sgt. Nolte was reported killed in action, Sept. 8 somewhere in France. No further word has been received by Mr. and Mrs. Nolte regarding their son’s death.
Courier Tribune
2 Oct 1944
page 1
His Life for His Country
Cyril P. Nolte Dead
Cpl. Nolte Killed in France Sept. 8
Mass in His Honor, Oct. 11
Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Nolte received word yesterday from the War Department that their eldest son, Corporal Cyril P. Nolte, was killed in action Sept. 8, somewhere in France. A Memorial Mass will be said in Cpl. Nolte’s honor at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Seneca, next Monday morning, Oct. 11, at nine o’clock.
War has again taken its toll, and another Seneca young man has given his all for home and country on the battlefields of France. Cyril Nolte, 34 years old, had been in service two and on-half years and overseas just six months. He was a member of an infantry division, one of the first to enter France during the invasion period. Cyril received a flesh wound in his leg Jun 11 and was hospitalized for a time but had returned to action several weeks ago. His parents heard from him regularly after the injury but had received no mail the last three weeks.
Before entering service, Cpl. Nolte was employed on farms in Iowa. Besides his parents, he is survived by four sisters and three brothers. They are Mrs. Charles Niekamp and Mrs. Leo Fager, Mexico, Mo.; Mrs. Vincent Wessel, Summerfield; Charles and Edward Nolte of Iowa; Sgt. Sylvester Nolte, Camp Butner, N.C. and Regis and Virginia of the home.
Mr. and Mrs. Nolte expect to receive more information regarding their son’s death. They have the sincere sympathy of the entire community.
Courier Tribune
9 Oct 1944
page 1
Memorial for Cpl. Nolte Held This Morning
Sts Peter and Paul church has three gold stars on its service flag; first for Francis Kokenge, next for Raymond Woltkamp and now for Cyril Nolte. The requiem mass fo Cpl. Cyril P. Nolte, U.S. Army, 34, who lost his life in action in France, Sept. 8, was held at nine o’clock this morning, Oct. 9, in Sts. Peter and Paul church. His pastor, Rev. Matthew Hall, O.S.B., said the mass and Rev. Basil Finken, O.S.B., assistant pastor, gave the sermon. Rev. Cyril Bayer, O.S.B., St. Mary’s church, St. Benedict, and Rev. H.H. Grosdidier, Sacred Heart church, Baileyville, were in the sanctuary. The flag draped bier rested before the altar.
Corporal Nolte’s photograph, in the vestibule, was wreathed in flowers. The four priests recited the Commitment service. Ed. R. Levick, legionnaire, on behalf of the Government, presented the American flag to the parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Nolte. The Catholic high school chorus sang “Your Land and My Land.”
Among the color bearers were three service men, home on leaves: Clayton Huerter, Gerald Wempe of the U.S. Army and Ensign Edgar Boeding of the U.S. Navy. Sergeant Sylvester Nolte, Camp Bragg, N.C. Came to be with his parents and attend the memorial service. A firing squad from Earle W. Taylor Post, American Legion, fired the salute of three guns and Sammy Armstrong blew taps.
Cyril P. Nolte was born Feb. 21, 1910 at the family home four miles from Seneca. He was wounded June 11 in the leg, hospitalized for a time, returning to the service. He wrote regularly thereafter, until three weeks preceding report of his death. He is survived by his parent, four sisters and four brothers: Mrs. Chas. Niekamp and Mrs. Leo Fager, Mexico, Mo., Mrs. Vincent Wessel, Summerfield: Charles and Edward Nolte of Iowa; Sgt. Sylvester Nolte, Camp Bragg and Regis and Virginia of the home.
Cpl. Nolte was a member of the infantry. He had been in service two and one-half years and overseas six months. Before he went into service, he was employed on farms in Iowa.
According to Find A Grave, Sgt. Cyril P. Nolte was buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Lorraine, France. His death date is given as 18 September 1944.
According to the US Army Divisions site, the 90th Infantry Division was participating in the siege of Metz at the time of Nolte’s death.