‘Missing’ in North Africa

Private Wilbur Jensen, Formerly of Herman, Missing Two Months

Mrs. Anna Jensen of Arlington has just received word that her son, Private Wilbur Jensen, has been missing in action in North Africa since January 17.

Word came from Mrs. Jensen’s daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wilbur Jensen, who is now residing at Carleton, Nebraska.

Private Jensen was raised in the Herman vicinity.

Pilot Tribune 26 April 1945

Freed From German Camp

Son Of Arlington Woman Prisoner Since captured At Tunisia

Following 27 months of imprisonment in Germany, Pvt. Wilbur Jensen, son of Mrs. Fred Hokamp of Arlington, was liberated last Friday. He was one of a group of 50 prisoners of war who were released.

Pvt. Jensen, formerly of Herman, was captured by Nazi Field Marshal Rommel’s forces at the battle of Faid Pass in Tunisia. Since her son’s imprisonment, Mrs. Hokamp had received several cards; the last was dated Dec. 21.

No official notification of Prv.t Jensen’s release was received by Mrs. Hokamp, a yet. His wife resides at Carleton, Nebr.

#2 Enterprise 17 May 1945

Pvt. Wilbur Jensen Home From Germany

Arlington – Pvt. Wilbur Jensen, who was a prisoner-of-war in Germany for 27 months, arrived here on Friday to spend Mother’s Day with his mother, Mrs. Fred Hokamp, and to visit other relatives.

His arrival was a complete surprise; he stopped first at the home of his aunt, Mrs. Julius Hass, who could hardly believe her eyes when her nephew knocked at her door. Together they went to his mother’s home and his appearance there gave her quite a shock, though she had heard a week ago that he had been liberated; she had no idea when he would return to the United States.

Private Jensen said he was not treated so badly in Germany, although food was quite scarce because the Germans didn’t have it, and that he had marched practically across Germany on bread and water. He said many of the boys died, many because they gave up and thought they would never get out. He said bedding was limited to two thin blankets, and they huddled close together to keep warm. Toward the last they were not treated so well, and some of the camps were good and some bad. He said it is hard to believe that he is really free and is able to talk to people again and to go as he wishes.

He also said that if it had not been for the Red Cross packages they could not have survived, and at the last they did not always get the as they should have.

Pvt. Jensen’s wife is now doing defense work in Illinois and plans to join her husband here in the near future at the home of his mother, Mrs. Hokamp, and Mr. Hokamp.

Pvt. Jensen, formerly of the Herman vicinity, is visiting there the fore part of this week with his sister, Mrs. Orval Metzler, and Mr. Metzler.

#3 Printed in the February 12, 1953 Enterprise

COUNTIAN KILLED IN CYCLE CRASH

Wilbur Jensen was killed near San Diego, California last Saturday while on a motorcycle tour with a group of other motorcyclists during a vacation on the West Coast. His motorcycle skidded on grave and plunged 30 feet into a canyon.

He was born February 23, 1919 to Mr. and Mrs. Emil Jensen. His father was fatally injured in 1940, while working for a Construction Company. His mother, Mrs. Fred Hokamp, lives in Arlington.

Mr. Jensen served six years in World War II and during that time was a prisoner of war in Africa for three years. He was released in 1946.

Just recently he returned to the states after completing work in French Morocco and Greenland with a Heavy Equipment Operation Unit for the government.

He is survived by his wife, Martha, formerly of Carlton, Nebraska and daughter, LaVonne, of Omaha. Also, his mother of Arlington, a sister, Mrs. Orva Metzler and a brother, Jack, both of Omaha and a number of relatives in Washington County.

Rev. H. C. Jorgensen was in charge of the services at the Campbell Mortuary on February 11th and burial was made in the Blair cemetery.

~~~Obituaries and articles courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska. ~~~

FindaGrave #110955400 The following was found on Find a Grave:

Wilbur L Jensen, born 23 Feb 1919; died 7 Feb 1953; buried 11 Feb 1953, age 33. Parents Johannes Emil Jensen (1894-1940) and Ann K (Goldberg) Jensen (1896-1997). Buried Blair Cemetery, Blk 94 Lot 2 Grave 8. Find a Grave # 110955400.