Early Life in Baileyville
Henry John Huninghake was born on June 16, 1918, in Baileyville, Nemaha County, Kansas, the son of August and Elizabeth Huninghake. He grew up in a large Catholic family east of Baileyville, where faith, farming, and family ties shaped his upbringing. On October 16, 1940, Henry registered for the draft, listing his father as his contact. At the time, he worked for J. H. Bergman, stood 5’9” tall, and was described as having light skin, hazel eyes, and black hair.
Training and Early Defense Work
In 1941, as the nation edged closer to full involvement in World War II, Henry joined two friends, Virgil Broxterman and Raymond Koch, in graduating from an aircraft school in Omaha. The three young men left Baileyville for Baltimore, Maryland, where they secured work at the Glenn L. Martin aircraft factory. Their move reflected the growing mobilization of young Americans who contributed to defense production even before donning military uniforms.
Induction into the U.S. Army
By early 1942, Henry’s path shifted from civilian defense work to direct service. On March 2, the Courier Tribune listed his name among 35 Nemaha County men “about to be inducted” after physical examinations at Fort Leavenworth. On March 29, 1942, Henry officially enlisted in the U.S. Army.
Training and Service Stateside
Henry underwent training at Camp Barkeley, Texas, where he was promoted to sergeant. In October 1942, he returned home to Baileyville for a 13-day furlough. At that time, three of his brothers were also serving: Joe C. was stationed in Memphis, George at Sheppard Field, and August Jr. had completed his physical and was awaiting call-up. While visiting with friends before their own departures, Henry expressed his confidence and determination, famously saying, “I’ll see you in Tokyo.”
The Normandy Invasion
By 1944, Sergeant Huninghake had risen to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was deployed to Europe. On June 6, 1944—D-Day—he was among the thousands of American soldiers who landed on the beaches of Normandy as part of Operation Overlord, the largest seaborne invasion in history. Facing fierce German defenses, American units suffered devastating casualties, particularly on Omaha Beach. Despite the overwhelming challenges, Allied forces secured a foothold that would eventually lead to the liberation of France.
Just four days later, on June 10, 1944, Staff Sergeant Henry J. Huninghake died of wounds sustained in the Normandy fighting. His sacrifice placed him among the nearly 29,000 U.S. soldiers who gave their lives in the Normandy campaign. For his service and ultimate sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
Return Home and Burial
In May 1948, nearly four years after his death, Henry’s remains were returned to Kansas. On June 1, his body arrived by train at Seneca with a military escort and was taken to the Huninghake home. Two evenings of rosary services preceded his funeral. On June 3, 1948, a solemn Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville by Rev. H. H. Grosdidier.
The funeral drew hundreds of mourners, and a long procession of cars followed the casket to Sacred Heart Cemetery. Full military honors were rendered by the Seneca American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts. Pallbearers included close friends and community members, while honorary pallbearers reflected the respect Henry had earned from his neighbors.
Legacy of Service
Staff Sergeant Henry J. Huninghake was survived by his parents, four brothers—Frank, Herman, George, and August Jr.—and three married siblings: Elizabeth (Mrs. John Osterhaus), Anna (Mrs. Albert Osterhaus), Joseph C., and Paul. His life and death exemplify the sacrifices made by young men of Nemaha County in defense of freedom.
The Courier Tribune captured the sentiment of his community when it wrote that Henry’s death was “another example of the sacrifice that boys of Nemaha County made that the American way of life might endure.” His memory endures in Baileyville, at Sacred Heart Cemetery, and in the larger story of Normandy, where his courage contributed to one of history’s most decisive battles.
SOURCES
Find a Grave
Buried Sacred Heart Cemetery, Baileyville, KS
1918-1944
“Killed in action in Normandy, France”
died of wounds 10 Jun 1944
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Courier tribune
6 Oct 1941
page 3
Three Baileyville Boys to Baltimore
Virgil Broxterman, Raymond Koch and Henry Hunninghake, Baileyville, have been called to employment in the Glenn L. Martin aircraft factory in Baltimore. They are going east with two boys from South Dakota. The five graduated last week from an aircraft school in Omaha and are leaving for Baltimore this week.
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Courier Tribune
2 March 1942
page 1
List of 35 About to Go
FROM TWO DAYS-EXAM
Reports Not Yet Received From Ft. Leavenworth On Two Other Groups
The Nemaha county selective service office has received names of 35 men, accepted for military duty from two groups sent to Ft. Leavenworth for examination. These men are now listed “as about to be inducted” into military service:
Lists have not yet been received from two other groups sent later.
Sixteen passed from -the first group; five were rejected; one is conditional. Nineteen passed from the second group, three were rejected.
Those who passed:
Byron Nightingale, Centralia
Samuel Robbins; Centralia
William Kennedy, Oneida
George Geisel, Bern
Garth Smith, Seneca
Albert Rilinger, Baileyville
Lawrence Wessel, Baileyville
Wilbern Oenbring, Baileyville
Henry Hunninghake, Baileyville
Elyer Swart, Seneca
Lawrence Miller, Sabetha
Wilfred Johnson, Seneca
Earl Meyer, Sabetha
John Niehues, Kelly
Elgin Strahm, Sabetha
Leo Cornell, Seneca
Jacob Streit, Seneca
Raymond Battin Wetmore
Benedict Schmidt, Baileyville
Howard Bigalow, Baileyville
Alfred Hammes, Seneca
Carl Staehli, Sabetha
Albert Ketter, Gôt
Andy Lehman, Sabetha
Sylvester Nordhus, Seneca
Charles Mathews, Seneca
Charles Bauer, Centralia
Bernard Heideman, Axtell
LeRoy Ritchir, Centralia
Joy-Meyer, Oneida
Elmer Lindeen, Seneca
Albert Rogers, Seneca
Donald Lehmkuhl, Oneida
Callistus Kramer, Goff
Ross George, Wetmore
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Courier Tribune
5 Oct 1942
page 2
News of Men in Service
Sgt. Henry Hunninghake, Camp Barkeley, Texas, is spending a 13-day furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Aug. Hunninghake, Baileyville. He was in town Saturday telling friends leaving for duty, “I’ll see you in Tokyo.” He is one of the three sons of August Hunninghake in active service. Joe C. is at Memphis and George at Sheppard. Field. A fourth son, August, Jr., has taken his local physical examination, will report soon.
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Courier Tribune
27 May 1948
page 1
Plan Service for Sgt. Huninghake
At Baileyville Next
Thursday Morning, at 9:30
Funeral service for Staff Sergeant Henry J. Huninghake, Baileyville, who gave his life for his country in the Normandy invasion, is planned for 9:30 Thursday morning of next week at Sacred Heart church, Baileyville
Sergeant Huninghake’s father, August Huninghake, had a telegram today notifying him that the body, with military escort, is to arrive at 11:20 Tuesday morning, June 1, by train. The telegram gave the train designation as Seneca, the address of the funeral director, Ray Droge of St. Benedict, but the family may request that the stopping point be Baileyville. Information as to which point is chosen may be available by the time the paper is printed this Saturday; if not, more definite information may be obtained from the funeral director or the family.
Later. It is believed the train designation of Seneca will not be changed.
The Seneca Legion and V.F.W will combine in presenting full military honors for Sgt. Huninghake.
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Courier Tribune
31 May 1948
page 1
To Pay Honor to Sgt. Huninghake
Service at Sacred Heart, 9:00 Thursday Morning
Service will be held at 9:00 Thursday morning, June 3, at Sacred Heart church, Baileyville, for Staff Sergeant Henry J. Huninghake, whose body has been returned from Europe to rest in the soil of his home land.
Sgt. Huninghake died June 10, 1944, from fatal wounds received in the Normandy invasion.
His body is to arrive at Seneca by train at approximately 11:2011:20 Tuesday morning, and will then be taken to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. August Huninghake, a mile east of Baileyville.
There will be a rosary service Tuesday evening at 8:30 and again Wednesday evening at 8:30, at the home.
Seneca Legion and V.F.W. members will accord full military honors in connection with the service Thursday morning.
Last Thursday’s paper gave the hour of the service as 9:30. Attention is called that the hour is 9:00.
In addition to his parents, Sgt. Huninghake is survived by these brothers and sisters: Frank of the home; Herman of Baileyville; Elizabeth, who is Mrs. John Osterhaus, north of Oneida; Anna, Mrs. Albert Osterhaus, northeast of Seneca; George, at home; Joseph C. of St. Benedict; Paul, near Oneida; and August Jr. of the home.
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Courier Tribune
7 Jun 1948
page 1
Rites at Sacred Heart for S/Sgt. Henry Huninghake
The service for Staff Sergeant Henry J. Huninghake was held Thursday morning at Sacred Heart church, Baileyville, where mass was offered by Rev. H. H. Grosdidier, the pastor. Hundreds of friends of Sgt. Huninghake and of the family were present, and there was a long procession of cars from the home to church. Burial was at Sacred Heart cemetery. Full military honors were accorded by veterans, led by Seneca-Legion and V.F.W. Posts, who conducted the military ceremony with precision.
The active pallbearers were Cyril Olberding, Albert Wessel, Leo F. Macke, Elmer Heiman, Elmer Olberding, Regis Koch, Alvin Koch and Peter Buessing. The honorary pallbearers were Conrad Feldkamp, Victor Boeding, Lester Carroll, Joe Deters, Francis Goekel, Cletus Bergman, Leonard Krogman and Vincent Kohake.
Sergeant Huninghake’s death is another example of the sacrifice that boys of Nemaha county made that the American way of life might endure. Veterans of the wars, who know what their comrades have been through and the honor due them, have been pleased how well the county is showing its respect.
Staff Sergeant Huninghake gave his life as a part of the price of the Normandy invasion, dying June 10,1944 from wounds. The son of Mr. and Mrs. August Huninghake of Baileyville, he was born June 16, 1918, enlisted in the army March 29, 1942.
Among relatives who came from a distance for the service Thursday were Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Macke of Yakima, Wash.
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Draft Registration Card
Title
Page 1
Series Title
WWII Draft Registration Cards for Kansas, 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
State Headquarters
Kansas
Full Name
Huninghake, Henry John
Birth Date
16 Jun 1918
Birth Place
Baileyville, Kansas, Usa
Race
White
Employer
J H Bergman
Weight
150
Height
5 9
Complexion
Light
Eye Color
Hazel
Hair Color
Black
Contact Person
Huninghake, August
Relation To Head
Father
Year
[Blank]
Residence
Baileyville, Nemaha, Kansas
Residence Country
USA
Registration Date
16 Oct 1940
Conflict Period
World War II
Served For
United States of America
Roll Name
44011_11_00024
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From perplexity
Battle of Normandy: Overview
The Battle of Normandy began with the Allied invasion of western Europe on June 6, 1944—known as D-Day. This massive operation was codenamed Operation Overlord and marked the largest seaborne invasion in history. On D-Day itself, nearly 160,000 Allied troops (including Americans, British, Canadians, and others) landed along a heavily fortified 50-mile stretch of Normandy coastline, attacking five designated beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.
The operation consisted of:
- Early airborne assaults to secure key inland positions.
- Amphibious landings, heavily supported by air and naval bombardments.
- Fierce fighting against German troops defending the Atlantic Wall.
This campaign continued for several months as Allied forces pushed inland, ultimately resulting in the liberation of Paris on August 25, 1944, and paving the way for the defeat of Nazi Germany.
US Soldiers: Sacrifice and Losses
The cost of victory on D-Day and during the Normandy Campaign was extraordinarily high for U.S. soldiers:
- D-Day (June 6, 1944) Casualties:
- About 2,501 Americans were killed on D-Day itself.
- Total Allied deaths on D-Day reached 4,414, with over 5,000 wounded.
- Omaha Beach, assigned to U.S. forces, was especially deadly, accounting for about 2,400 Allied casualties in one day.
- Battle of Normandy (June–August 1944):
- About 29,000 U.S. soldiers were killed in the entire Normandy campaign.
- Roughly 106,000 Americans were wounded or missing in action.
- Combined, U.S. battle casualties (killed, wounded, missing) exceeded 135,000.
These sacrifices were essential for securing the foothold needed to liberate France and ultimately defeat Nazi Germany. The intense fighting and perilous conditions faced by U.S. troops on D-Day, particularly on Omaha and Utah beaches, have become emblematic of courage and commitment in the face of overwhelming odds.
Remembering Their Legacy
The names of many who fell are recorded in memorials, cemeteries, and ongoing necrology projects, such as the National D-Day Memorial Necrology Project, which continues to document those who died for freedom on June 6, 1944. Their sacrifice is honored annually and remains a solemn reminder of the human cost of the battle for liberation and peace.
Key facts:
- D-Day: June 6, 1944
- US soldiers killed on D-Day: ≈2,501
- US soldiers killed in Normandy campaign: ≈29,000
- US total casualties in Normandy campaign: ≈135,000 (killed, wounded, missing)