Purple Heart Walk – Galen Kellenberger – Nemaha County Historical Society

Early Life and Education

Galen Arthur Kellenberger was born on March 22, 1926, on a farm south of Sabetha, Kansas, to Arthur and Marie Kellenberger. He was the eldest of what would eventually become a large family of siblings. Galen began his education in a rural country school near his home before transferring to the Sabetha public school system when the family moved north of town. From an early age, Galen demonstrated a quiet strength, a keen mind, and a sense of responsibility beyond his years.

At Sabetha High School, Galen thrived. He was an outstanding student, especially in vocational agriculture, and earned the State Farmer Award for his achievements. He was active in the Future Farmers of America (FFA), sang in the a cappella choir, and participated in extracurricular organizations such as Hi-Y and the S-Club. During his senior year, he joined the football team as a tough and determined guard, playing his first season with notable grit.

Galen graduated in May 1944, a proud member of the Sabetha High School Class of 1944. Just weeks after graduation, he answered the nation’s call to service and enlisted in the United States Army.

Military Training and Overseas Deployment

Galen began his military journey at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, where he completed basic training in an anti-aircraft artillery unit. He wrote home frequently, describing both the harsh desert conditions and his hopes for the future. After eight weeks of basic training, Galen advanced to Camp Maxey in northeast Texas for infantry training. He would go overseas in February 1945 as a member of Company L, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, assigned to serve as a runner and radioman in a mortar platoon.

His letters from the front were often vague, as military censorship and personal humility limited what he could share. He wrote of staying in abandoned German homes and occasionally spotting deer in the forested regions of Europe. One of his last letters, dated April 3, 1945, contained a mix of mundane and heartfelt notes: post cards, German currency, and stamps to send home to his younger siblings. Even amid war, Galen remained thoughtful and connected to his family.

Wounded in Action and Final Days

On April 21, 1945, just two weeks before the official end of the war in Europe, Galen was severely wounded by shrapnel from an enemy artillery shell near Vetteschloss, Germany. He was performing his duties as a runner when he was hit. Despite being quickly evacuated to a hospital and receiving the best medical care available, Galen succumbed to his injuries two days later, on April 23, 1945.

Lieutenant Colonel Peter O. Ward, commander of the 47th Infantry, later wrote to the Kellenberger family, commending Galen’s bravery, strong work ethic, and honorable service. “He displayed high valor during our drive into deeper Germany despite the many physical hardships and frequent danger of his duties,” Ward wrote.

Tragically, Galen’s death occurred the day after a ceasefire was declared in his sector. His unit would soon be withdrawn as Germany neared surrender. His sergeant, who had witnessed Galen’s injury, said that after the shelling ceased, “only birds were singing.” Within a day, trucks had come to move the unit to a disembarkation point.

The News at Home

At home in Sabetha, the Kellenberger family was overjoyed on May 6, 1945, when news came that the war in Europe had ended. Galen’s father, Arthur, reportedly said, “Galen will be home before you know it.” That optimism was short-lived.

Just four days later, the family received a telegram informing them that Galen had been seriously wounded. A week after that, a second telegram arrived, confirming his death. The impact on the family was devastating. His younger sister, Verda Bruellman, later recalled the grief and silence that overtook their home.

In the midst of the mourning, another tragedy nearly occurred. As relatives rushed to the Kellenberger home to support the family, a gas tanker truck following the car carrying Galen’s grandfather struck a utility pole and knocked out the family’s front fence—narrowly avoiding a major explosion.

Burial and Memorialization

Galen Kellenberger was buried in the American Military Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands, alongside thousands of other American servicemen. A Protestant chaplain officiated his burial, which was conducted with full military honors. His final resting place is shared with over 8,195 identified servicemen, 1,101 unknown, and 1,722 missing in action commemorated.

Three of Galen’s siblings—Lynn, Leo, and Verda—have since visited his grave, where European visitors often pause to thank the families of fallen American soldiers. The family was deeply moved when multiple European couples approached them in gratitude during their visit.

Legacy and Remembrance

For his bravery and ultimate sacrifice, Galen was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. His personal effects and final letters arrived home in the weeks that followed. Among the heartbreak was the sorrow of Galen’s unfulfilled dreams—he had spoken of hopes to return home and marry his sweetheart.

At the time of his death, Galen was the eldest of six children. After his passing, the Kellenberger family grew to include three more siblings. Today, many of his brothers remain in the Sabetha area, and his sister Verda resides in Iowa. His grandparents, Ed Steiner of Sabetha and Samuel Gottlieb Kellenberger of Leroy, Kansas, also mourned his passing in 1945.

Galen Kellenberger’s life, though short, exemplified the courage, humility, and sense of duty of the World War II generation. His sacrifice is etched into the history of Sabetha and the broader story of American freedom.

Sources:

The Sabetha Herald, multiple articles (1944–1945)
Personal recollections of Verda Kellenberger Bruellman
Military letter from Lt. Col. Peter Ward
Memorial cemetery records from Margraten, Netherlands
Family remembrances and notes compiled by Patty Locher

Galen Kellenberger registered for the draft in 1944.

Sabetha Herald
13 Sep 1944
page 1

From Pvt. Galen Kellenberger
Pvt. Galen Kellenberger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Kellenberger, writes from Fort Bliss, Tex., where he is stationed with an anti-aircraft artillery outfit.
I received the Herald today and it was really interesting. I appreciated reaidng the home town news and all the letters form service men.
It’s been plenty hot down here until the last few days when it cooled off a little. Since I’ve been here we’ve had only one decent rain and a few sprinkles.
I’m in a school battery. We got eight weeks basic, seven weeks schooling and thentwo weeks in the desert. We have jut one more week of basic left. I’ll be glad to get in school because they really work us hard and long.
The food is good, especially the Sunday dinner. We had chicken, potatoes, dressing and ice dream among other things this noon.
We have very good cardemen in this battery. All of them have been in foreign service at least two years. They work us half the night about two times a week.
I’ve been going to El Paso about every week end. Sunday Deryl Geer (son of Mrs. Murrell Geer who is also stationed ad Fort Bliss) and I were together all afternoon. He lives about three miles form me. I’m gong over to see him in about an hour.
Those football games are really going to be of gib interest to me. I’d like to see the m but guess I’ll have to be satisfied just reading about them. I hope to be home on furlough to see a couple of them thought.

The Sabetha Herald
6 Dec 1944
page 5

Galen Kellenberger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Kellenberger, has been home on furlough for the past week. He has been stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he received his basic training. Since his return he has been transferred to Camp Maxey, Texas.

The Sabetha Herald
23 May 1945
page 1

Men in the Service
Galen Kellenberger Dies

Last week The Herald reported that Mr. and Mrs. Art Kellenberger had received official notice their son, Pfc. Galen A. Kellenberger, had been seriously wounded in action in Germany. Thursday morning they received a War Department telegram that he had died two days later. He was the first of Sabetha’s young service men to give his life to help cure the ills of the world. Glen was 19 years old March 22. He was with an infantry mortar platoon, with which he was a runner and radio man. He was wounded April 21, a little more than two weeks before the unconditional surrender of Germany. He died two days later, on April 23.
Galen Kellenberger was born March 22, 1936, on a farm near Sabetha. He was graduated from Sabetha High School just a year ago, with the class of 1944. In high school he was an outstanding agriculture student, a member of the Future Farmers of America. He sang in the a capella choir, was a member of the Hi-Y and the S-club, winning his letter in football. He received the State Farmer award, a meritorious achievement.
Immediately after completing his high school work he entered the army, going first to Fort Bliss, Tex. He received further training at Camp Maxey, Tex., and went overseas with his infantry outfit. In February, 1945, having been in combat only a brief time.
He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. O. Kellenberger, one sister, Verda, and five brothers, Gene, who was graduated form Sabetha High School this spring, Leo, Lynn, Dennis and Jerry, all of the home. His grandparents re Mr. and Mrs. Ed Steiner of Sabetha and S. G. Kellenberger of Leroy, Las.
Galen was a quiet lad, universally liked by his schoolmates and friends. His outlook on life was sound, his ambition and industry were those of a young man with good background and a purposeful future. His loss is one of those things that leaves a deeper responsibility to be borne by those he leaves behind. His place must be filled, his going must be justified.

Sabetha Herald
23 May 1945
page 5

Car and Truck Collide
A car driven by Ed Steiner was struck by a gasoline transport truck at the A. O. Kellenberger home three and a half miles north of Sabetha on Highway 75 Thursday morning. Mr. Steiner was turning into the Kellenberger farm when the accident occurred. Behind him was the transport truck which in turn was followed by the Reinhart ambulance.
The truck struck the right side of the Steiner car, then straddled a fence along the road and finally truck a telephone pole and came to a stop. The pole was broken off and transmission wires that it carried were shorted, causing sparks above the truck that caused considerable uneasiness as the transport contained 14 tons of gasoline. The current was soon turned off. The truck was not badly damaged but the Steiner car suffered a ruined fender and tire and a bent door. No one was injured.
Mr. Steiner was going to the Kellenberger home to learn details of the death of his grandson, Pfc. Galen Kellenberger who succumbed to wounds received in Germany, word of which was just arrived.
The Reinhart ambulance also going to the Kellenberger home to bring A. O. Kellenberger to the hospital where he remained several days for a rest.

The Sabetha Herald
6 Jun 1945
page 1

Men in the Service

Writes of Galen Kellenberger

Mr. and Mrs. A. O. Kellenberger have received the following letter from Lt. Col. Peter O. Ward, commander of the 47th Infantry with which their son, Galen, was serving when he was killed.
I am writing to you to express my very deepest sympathy on the death of your son, Private Galen A. Kellenberger, who died on the 23rd day of April, 1945, in Germany.
Galen was buried at the side of his comrades-in-arms in a United States Military cemetery located in Germany. A protestant Chaplain of the United States Army officiated at his burial service which was conducted with full military honors.
Your son was severely wounded when he was struck by fragments of an enemy artillery shell while he was performing his duties on the 21st day of April, 1945, in the vicinity of Vetteschloss, Germany. He was given immediate first aid and was safely evacuated to a hospital where he died a few days later despite the finest medical and surgical attention available.
Galen joined this regiment in early March of this year and was assigned to a rifle platoon of Comapny “L” for duty. He displayed high valor during our drive into deeper Germany despite the many physical hardships and frequent danger of his duties. He was a good soldier who successfully accomplished all duties assigned to him in the highest traditions of the military services of our country.
The officers and men of this regiment join me in extending to you our sincere, heartfelt sympathy. Your son’s death is felt most keenly by all those who knew and served with him. His memory remains a high inspiration to us who carry on the task for which he so gallantly gave his life.
(The letter is dated May 7, 1945 and has an army postmark of May 22, 1945.)

______________

The Sabetha Herald
20 June 1945

Memorial Services

Memorial services will be held for GalenKellenberger at the Apostolic Christian Church on Virginia St. on July 1, at 1:30 p.m. conducted by Rev. Noah Schrock of Oakville, Ia. The family requests no flowers.

The Sabetha Herald
4 Jul 1945
page 1

Men in the Service

Memorial Service
Memorial services for Galen Kellenberger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Kellenberger, were held Sunday afternoon, July 1, at the Apostolic Christian church on Virginia street. The service was conducted by Rev. Noah Schrock of Oakville, Ia., assisted by Rev. Clarence Yackley of Wichita. The songs used in the service were “Shall We Meet Beyond the River” and “We’ll Never Say Goodbye in Heaven.”
Honorary pallbearers were friends of a lifetime, Vernon and Melvin Wenger, Willard Barh, Arthur Strahm, Louis and Freeman Meyer.
Galen Kellenberger was born March 22, 1936 on a farm near Sabetha. He graduated from Sabetha High School in May, 1944. He was an outstanding student in vocational agriculture class, was a member of the Future Farmers of America. He sang in the a capella choir, was an active member of the Hi-Y and S club. He won a letter in football.
He entered army service immediately following his graduation. His first training was at Ft. Bliss, Tex., and further training was received at Camp Mazey, Tex. He went overseas with his infantry unit in February of this year.
In May his parents received word that he had been seriously wounded while serving as a runner and radio man. A week later they received word that he had died two days after he was injured on April 23.
On July 2, his parents received the purple heart awarded to their son.
The parents, one sister, Verda, five brother, Gene, Leo, Lynn, Dennis, and Jerry, all of the home survive. Mr. and Mrs. Ed Steiner of Sabetha and S. G. Kellenberger of LeRoy, Kas., ar the grand parents.
Relatives from out of town here for the memorial service were MR. and Mrs. Dan Steiner and children, Mrs. John Greiner, Mrs. Charles Pfledere of Tremont, Ill,; Misses Louis and Esther Steiner of Elgin, Ill, Mr and Mrs. Emil Fritz and children and Miss Lorine Heiniger of Morton, Ill.

Galen Kellenberger was buried in the Netherlands.

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From Perplexity:

Company L of the 47th Infantry Regiment was involved in combat operations as part of the 9th Infantry Division during the final months of World War II in Europe. Specifically around April 21, 1945, the 47th Infantry Regiment was engaged in the Harz Mountains region as part of the Allied push deeper into Germany. Although there is no detailed record of a unique named battle for Company L individually on April 21, 1945, the regiment as a whole was involved in fighting in that region during that period. The regiment was operating under VII Corps as it fought German forces near the end of the war in Europe.9thinfantrydivision+1

The 47th Infantry Regiment’s actions at this time included holding bridgeheads and taking part in the final offensive operations leading to the collapse of the German Third Reich. The unit had earlier played key roles in Normandy, Cherbourg, the Hurtgen Forest, crossing the Rhine at Remagen, and pushing into central Germany. By late April 1945, elements of the regiment linked up with Russian forces, marking the effective defeat of Nazi Germany.worldwar2files+2

Therefore, while no specific battle is named for Company L on April 21, 1945, it was actively engaged in the broader Harz Mountains campaign as part of the 47th Infantry Regiment’s final push in the European theater.

__________________

The Sabetha Herald

May 19 2004

Area WWII Soldier Died from Combat Injuries

By Patty Locker

Compiled by Patty Locher
Sabetha Herald Staff

Private First Class Galen Arthur Kellenberger, Sabetha High School graduate in the class of 1944, had just turned 19 years old a month before he was severely wounded in action in Germany on April 21, 1945, near the end of World War II. (“Victory in Europe,” or V-E Day, was May 8, 1945.)

Two days later, the day after a “cease fire” in his unit’s sector was declared, he died, one of more than 20 service men from Sabetha and surrounding communities who were killed in action or missing in action and presumed dead in WWII.

Since March 14, Kellenberger had been serving as a runner and radio man with an infantry platoon in the 47th Infantry Regiment, First Army. In his letters home, he said that at times they were able to stay in homes vacated by their owners as the Allied forces pushed across Germany.

According to his younger sister, Verda Bruellman, there was never a location mentioned in Kellenberger’s letters, or information about his duties.

She said, “The mortality rate in this regiment was horrendous.”

Kellenberger wrote of few events. “Look, if it happens to go a week or maybe longer that you don’t hear from me, don’t worry because at times it is impossible to write at all. Today I saw three more deer in these evergreen forests. That makes 10 so far.”

On April 3 he wrote, “It’s 12:30 and I haven’t had dinner, but I’m going to write a letter before I eat because of lack of time. I wrapped up a package of souvenirs, etc. and am sending them home. There are some post cards, German money, some stamps to add to my collection, and other things.”

“It’s time I was closing this immediately if I want to get it away today. I’ve got three letters and a package that have to be censored.”

The following excerpt was taken from the letter sent to Pfc. Kellenberger’s parents, Arthur and Marie Kellenberger, from Lt. Col. Peter Ward, commander of the 47th Infantry Regiment and printed in The Sabetha Herald. The letter was dated May 7, 1945, and had an Army postmark of May 22, 1945.

“I am writing you to express my very deepest sympathy on the death of your son, Private Galen A. Kellenberger, who died on the 23rd day of April, 1945, in Germany.

Galen was buried at the side of his comrades-in-arms in a United States military cemetery located in Germany. A Protestant Chaplain of the United States Army officiated at his burial service which was conducted with full military honors.
[This was a temporary burial. His remains were later reinterred at Margraten, Netherlands.]

Your son was severely wounded when he was struck by fragments of an enemy artillery shell while he was performing his duties on the 21st day of April 1945, in the vicinity of Vetteschloss, Germany.

He was given immediate first aid and was safely evacuated to a hospital where he died two days later, despite the finest medical and surgical attention available.

Galen joined this regiment in early March of this year and was assigned to a rifle platoon of Company “L” for duty.

He displayed high valor during our drive into deeper Germany despite the many physical hardships and frequent danger of his duties.

He was a good soldier who successfully accomplished all duties assigned to him in the highest traditions of the military services of our country.”

According to the history of the 47th Infantry Regiment, “of all regiments,” the regiment commanded the respect of every officer and unit with whom it has come into contact. It was first into Bizerte, first into Cherbourg, first through the Siegfried Line, and the first complete infantry regiment in the Remagen [Germany] bridgehead.

Bruellman said that Kellenberger’s sergeant “saw him get hit by artillery, but did not believe he was that severely injured. Galen was immediately evacuated. The unit reached the cover of buildings shortly and the firing ceased.”

The sergeant reported that within an hour, they only heard birds singing, and no more gunfire. The next morning, after the “cease fire” was called, trucks arrived to carry the unit to a disembarkment center.

Kellenberger’s friend from basic training, Walter Hastings of McFarland, Kan., visited Leo Kellenberger recently. He told Leo that he and Kellenberger went through training together at Fort Bliss, Texas, and stayed together until Kellenberger was wounded.

Hastings considered Kellenberger as his best friend. He said Kellenberger talked of his family all the time — “how much he loved them and missed them” — and that Kellenberger was “a truly wonderful young man who was truthful, never lied, and had hard work to say about anyone.”

Columns 2 and 3 short but illegible

…tense. The tough guard played his first football this year and his showing was something under the circumstances.

Immediately after completing high school in 1944, Kellenberger was inducted into the Army, going first to Fort Bliss at El Paso, Texas.

He received further training at Camp Maxey in northeast Texas between Dallas and Texarkana and went overseas with his infantry outfit in February 1945.

Bruellman takes up the story here: These are facts from the life and death of Galen Kellenberger, some in print and others from memories of his 12-year-old sister in the year 1945.

Now for the unpublished story of the Home Front. The folks and Galen’s six siblings were all ecstatic when the war was declared over on May 6. I can hear Dad saying, “Galen will be home before you know it.”

However, that thrill only lasted four days when the first telegram arrived with news of the serious wounds he received on April 21. Gloom and worry settled deeply. I remember it being very quiet.

It was another whole week before we received the second telegram confirming his death two days after he was wounded. This was when it seemed our whole world came apart.

The depot agent personally found Dad in the shop and handed the telegram to him. He must not have even had to knock on the [door of the] shop.

Kellenberger’s older brother, Contact [Gene], went to see Dad in the shop when Dad read the story of Galen was coming home. He said… he was going to…

Dad asked Gene to take him from the shop, he went to the house to tell Mom.

Memory will not supply all the details… only those from shock… no words can describe such a shock.

Ernie and I took Dad to the hospital. I don’t know why but it was a blur. I don’t remember the ride there, I remember it as shock.

We immediately called Grandma and Grandpa Steiner and they came out immediately. Being distraught they did not notice a gas tanker truck was following them as they…

…turned into our lane.

Grandpa made a wide arc into the other lane as he turned and, in order to avoid the car, the loaded tanker took out our entire front fence, bumping the electric high line pole enough to cause shooting sparks.

The car only received a minor dent. We didn’t even realize how close we came to a major explosion or more deaths.

As the days wore on we received the last few letters written by Galen and eventually our own letters were returned one by one. His personal effects would arrive in time followed by the Purple Heart award.

The grief in our house seemed insurmountable. We also grieved for Galen’s sweetheart since we knew he had hopes and plans to come back home and marry her.

Three of Galen’s siblings — Lynn, Leo, and Verda — have been privileged to visit his permanent grave in Margraten, Netherlands. It is a beautiful and peaceful resting place for him and his comrades. He shares the site with 8,195 known, 1101 unknown, and 1,722 missing commemorated.

There are a total of 14 American cemeteries and memorials in Europe. We were extremely grateful as we were in the cemetery that three different European couples approached us and thanked us so graciously for the sacrifice of our loved one.

At the time of his death, Pfc. Kellenberger had five brothers — Gene, Leo, Lynn, Dennis, and Jerry — and a sister, Verda. Currently the five brothers still reside in the local area, and Verda Bruellman lives at Whittmore, Iowa.

After his death, a sister and two brothers were born: Joyce, Woodworth (now lives in Manhattan), Randy in Kansas City, Kan., and Rick in Fort Scott.

His grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Steiner of Sabetha and Samuel Gottlieb Kellenberger of Leroy, also survived him in 1945.