George E. Kohake
George Elmer Kohake registered for the draft in 1942. His address indicated he was living in Harrison Township, Nemaha County, Kansas at the time.
Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
6 Nov 1944
page 3
George E. Kohake, 20, Goff, is receiving his initial Naval indoctrination at the U.S. Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, Ill. His recruit training consists of instruction in seamanship, military drill and general naval procedure. A series of aptitude tests will be taken to determine whether he will be assigned to a naval service school or to immediate duty at sea. When his recruit training is completed, the seaman will receive a period of leave.
Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
9 Nov 1944
page 2
An item in Monday’s paper stated that George E. Kohake is at the Great Lakes Training Station, Great Lakes, Ill. His mailing address is Geo. E. Kohake A/S V. 6, Co. 1994, U.S.N.T.S, Great Lakes, Ill. He is the son of the late Anton Kohake of Goff.
George E. Kohake served aboard the USS Birmingham in the Pacific
According to the US, American Battle Monuments Commission, George E. KOhake died 4 May 1945 and was reported “Missing in Action or Buried at Sea”. His name is included on the memorial tablets at the Honolulu Memorial.
Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
21 May 1945
page 1
George E. Kohake
Killed in Action
Former Kelly Youth Had
Served Since October
Anthony Kohake, Kelly, received word today that his brother, George Elmer, seaman second class in the U.S. Navy had been killed in action. The message came from Vice-Admiral Randal Jacobs, chief of navy personnel. No details were given, however, the telegram stated the remains were buried at sea.
George was about 20 years old. He was home in January after finishing his boot training at Great Lakes. He reported to Shoemaker soon after that time and was assigned to a cruiser int he Pacific. The young navy man was the second son of the late MR. and Mrs. Anton Kohake. His step-mother, six brothers and one sister survive and live in the Kelly-Goff community.
George graduated from the Goff high school and later worked for his uncle, George Lierz. He has two brothers in service, Pvt. Carl Kohake, at Camp Maxey , Texas, and Cyril, Gunners Mate 1st class, on a ship in the Pacific.
The Kohake family is planning a memorial service to be held at St. Bede’s Church, Kelly, next week. A definite date will be announced later.
Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
28 May 1945
page 1
Memorial for Geo. Kohake
Wednesday at Kelly
The Memorial service for George Kohake, Seaman in the U.S. Navy, who lost his life in action, will be held Wednesday morning at St. Bede’s Church, Kelly, instead of Tuesday morning as was reported last week. The date fore the service is May, 30, the hour, nine o’clock.
Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
4 Jun 1945
page 1
With the Armed Forces
A Memorial Service for George E. Kohake
St. Bede’s service flag at Kelly has a fourth gold star in the death in action of George Elmer Kohake, seaman in the U.S. Navy and son of Anthony and Gertrude Kohake. George was born July 9, 1924 and died in the service of his country somewhere in the Pacific. He spent his entire boyhood int he community wherein he was born and entered the service of his country last October. After completing his boot training he had a leave at home in January and was assigned to duty after reporting to a California base. Memorial services were held Wednesday May 30, in St. Bede’s church, Kelly with Rev. Father Placidus as celebrant, Father Cyril Bayer, St. Benedict, deacon and Rev. Father Matthew Hall, Seneca as subdeacon. The St. Aloysius society of which he was a member, Knights of Columbus, and members of Earle W. Taylor Post attended in a body. George is survived by his step—mother; one sister, Mrs. Anna Heinen, six brothers, Ernest, Albert, Anthony and John, all of the Kelly Community; Pvt. Carl Kohake, Camp Maxey, Texas and Cyril Kohake, gunner’s mate first class, on a ship in the Pacific.
George E. Kohake, S. 2c, U.S. Naval Reserve is shown on a list of Purple Heart recipients. His medal was awarded posthumously for service during the Okinawa Gunto Operation between March 24 and May 5, 1945. George Kohake was serving aboard the USS Birmingham at the time. (from The Saga of the U.S.S. Birmingham: A Compilation of Her Officers & Men as found on Fold3)
