Early Life in Kansas
Lawrence L. Winterscheidt was born on December 17, 1919, on a farm near Fairview, Kansas, to Roy and Mrs. Winterscheidt. He spent his formative years in the Seneca area, attending school there and graduating from Seneca Catholic High School in 1937. Following graduation, Lawrence sought opportunities to support the growing national defense effort and enrolled in sheet metal work training at a National Youth Administration (NYA) school in Eskridge, Kansas—part of the broader NYA defense industry initiative during the buildup to World War II.
Defense Work and Enlistment
Before joining the military, Lawrence worked in the defense industry at General Electric in Bridgeport, Connecticut. However, the call to serve his country soon led him to enlist in the U.S. Army in July 1942. After passing his physical and final examinations at Fort Leavenworth, he was inducted into service along with a group of other young men from northeast Kansas.
Military Training and Advancement
Lawrence began his military training at Daniel Field near Augusta, Georgia. He quickly rose through the ranks, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. His role was that of a radio operator, a vital position on a B-25 Mitchell bomber, which required both technical expertise and composure under pressure. While stationed at Daniel Field, he maintained correspondence and friendships with fellow servicemen, including Richard Pendleton and Wilfred Kramer, who noted Lawrence’s advancement and skill.
Deployment with the 5th Air Force
Assigned to the 5th Air Force under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, Lawrence became part of a bomber crew in the Pacific Theater of World War II. He served with the 345th Bomb Group, an elite unit tasked with critical air missions against Japanese positions in the South Pacific. After arriving overseas, Lawrence spent six months deployed, including four months engaged in active combat operations.
Final Mission and Ultimate Sacrifice
On January 16, 1944, Lawrence was part of a bombing mission near Jacquinot Bay on New Britain Island. During the mission, his B-25 aircraft was struck by enemy fire. According to a moving letter from his close friend and fellow airman, Jack Menefee, the plane burned, crashed, and exploded upon impact. Jack, who had trained and flown with Lawrence before they were assigned to separate crews, assured Lawrence’s family that his death was instantaneous and without suffering. It was Lawrence’s first mission after returning from a brief leave in Australia.
Posthumous Recognition and Memorials
Lawrence was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for his sacrifice. A memorial service was held at St. Augustine Church in Fidelity, Kansas, where the community gathered to honor his memory. His parents received his personal effects and the Purple Heart with deep sorrow and pride. Lawrence is commemorated on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines, a lasting tribute to his service and sacrifice.
Legacy of Bravery and Brotherhood
In the words of Jack Menefee, Lawrence was “one of the best radio men” in the unit and a true friend. Jack promised to avenge his death and ensure his memory lived on. Lawrence’s story is one of courage, duty, and the enduring bonds formed among soldiers in war. His name, etched in stone in Manila and in the hearts of his family and community, reminds us of the cost of freedom and the valor of those who serve.
SOURCES
Purple Heart Recipient
Lawrence L. Winterscheidt, born on December 17, 1919, near Fairview, Kansas, enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 1942. He served as a radio operator on a B-25 bomber with the 5th Air Force under General Douglas MacArthur. On January 16, 1944, during a mission near Jacquinot Bay on New Britain Island, Lawrence was killed when his plane was hit by enemy fire and crashed. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. Lawrence was remembered as a brave soldier and a beloved son, brother, and friend
Local News
Lawrence Winterscheidt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Wintersheidt, goes to Eskridge, Kansas today where he will be enrolled in sheet metal work in an NYA school. The school is an overflow of NYA’s Topeka defense industry training.
Courier Tribune
4 Sep 1941
page 4
Twenty Three Are Inducted
Pass the Final Exams
Have Two Weeks at Home before Going into Active Duty
The army accepted 23 of 27 men sent to Ft. Leavenworth for final examination last week. Eleven of the 13 men who went Tuesday were accepted and 12 of the 14 who went Friday.
Reports had not been completed the last of the week for James McGinty, Seneca, and he may also be added to the list of those taken.
Those who have already been inducted from the Tuesday group are: Francis Schmits, Donald Wichman, Lawrence Koch, Seneca; Elmer Heiman, Baileyville; George Frey, Jr., Goff; Paul Waller, Oneida; Raymond Adams, Centralia; Frank John Reinecke, Axtell; Francis E. Wilsey, Wetmore; Wilbur Chilson, Corning; Bertie James Happ, Dawson, Nebraska.
Those of the Friday group who passed were Max Murphy, Bill Painter, Allen Luginbill and Sylvester Nordhus, Seneca; Lawrence Winterscheidt, Fairview; Lawrence Wintersheidt John H. Hueninghake, Baileyville; James Bontrager Goff, Harry Sale, Wetmore; Paul Grimm, Oneida; Ed Broxterman, Axtell; John C. Gilbert, Bern.
The above men have been sworn into service but under the recent regulation, have two week leaves at home.
Courier Tribune
20 July 1942
page 1
News of Men in Service
Mrs. Ada Kramer has received word that her son, Wilfred, ahs been promoted from corporal to sergeant. He is stationed at Camp Gordon, Augusta, Ga. Wilfred had the plearuse of a visit with Pvt. Lawrence Winterscheidt and St. Richard Pendleton in Augusta recently. Lawrence and Richard are stationed at Daniel Field, near Augusta, Sgt. Kramer has been assigned to the Radio Intelligence Division.
Courier Tribune
10 Dec 1942
page 1
With the Armed Forces
Lawrence Winterscheidt is now a staff sergeant. He is stationed at Daniel Field. His full address: St. Sgt. Lawrence Wintersheidt, 6th Prov Squadron, Barracks 31, Daniel Field, Augusta, Ga.
Courier Tribune
31 Dec 1942
page 1
Honor Dead Flier at Fidelity Church
Memorial Service for Sgt. Lawrence* Winterscheidt
A memorial service honoring Staff Sergeant Lawrence Winterscheidt was held Thursday morning, February 3, in St. Augustine church, Fidelity, with the pastor Rev. Father Moriarty saying the requiem high mass.
Lawrence was born on a farm near Fairview, December 17, 1919. He attended school in Seneca, graduating from Catholic High School in 1937. At the time, he was called into service, he was working in defense work at General Electric, Bridgeport, Conn. He was inducted into service in July 1942 and spent six months overseas, the last four in active
combat duty. Lawrence was radio man on a B-25 with the 5th Air Forces under General Douglas MacArthur.
The former young Seneca man was killed in action near Jacquinot Bay on New Britain Island, on January 16, 1944. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Wintersheidt, two brothers, Glen and Bobby, of the home and a brother, Carroll, Hutchinson, Kans., who entered military service today.
Courier Tribune
10 Feb 1944
page 1
Killed in Action
S/Sgt. Lawrence L. Winterscheidt, son of Roy M. Winterscheidt of R.R. 1, Fairview, was killed in action, the war department announced Saturday.
The Enid Morning News (Enid, Oklahoma)
20 Feb 1944
Page 16
War Casualties
Southwest Pacific Area
Staff Sgt. Lawrence L. Winterscheidt, son of Roy M. Winterscheidt, Fairview
The Manhattan Mercury (Manhattan, KS) 21 Feb 1944
page 4
News of Men in Service
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Winterscheidt, Fairview, have received the Purple Heart, posthumously for their son, Sergeant Lawrence Winterscheidt, who lost his life in action January 16 in the New Britain area. Lawrence, a graduate of Seneca Catholic high school in the class of 1937, had been in service 18 months, overseas about four months. A letter from Lawrence’s best friend, a Maryland boy, Jack Menefee, is comforting to the bereaved family and reads as follows:
“Dear Mr. and Mrs. Winterscheidt: I know during these times of sorrow for you dear folks, over the loss of your son, this letter will not seem like much, but I’d like to express to you my deepest sorrow and sympathy To me, Larry has alway been my closest pal, and his troubles were mine, vise versa. I was his gunner, on the same crew. Trained with him and came overseas with him and flew on a few missions with him until they split us up on separate crews. He always told me to write if anything did happen to him and what to send home. Being his nearest friend I have separated his things with a very sad heart. It was his first mission after his leave in Australia. His plane was hit by Jap fire, burned, crashed and exploded as it hit the ground. He felt no pain. It was quick, I know as an eyewitness. He died bravely. He was considered one of the best radio men. I loved him too. Please accept this letter and my deepest sorrow with you folks. You have my word, I’ll avenge his death. In sympathy, I am Jack Menefee.”
Courier Tribune
28 Feb 1944
page 2
Below is a map of the Pacific theater of war about the time Lawrence Winterscheidt’s plane was shot down.
Pittsburgh Sun Telegraph, 8 Jan 1944, page 14
Below is a map of the New Britain area. The Winterscheidt obituary indciates his plane went down near Jacquinot Bay which is on the East side of New Britain.
Pittsburgh Sun Telegraph, 8 Jan 1944, page 14
Lawrence’s name appears on the tablets of the Manila American Cemetery honoring those who died near the Phillipines during WW2.
The memorial indicates that Lawrence Winterscheidt was a member of the 345 Bomber Group. The 26 May 2016 issue of the Sabetha Herald included an article about Lawrence Winterscheidt’s service
