Elmo F. Hartwick

   Elmo F. Hartwick, the son of Robert Hartwick and Pearl Freeland, was born on December 31, 1905, and died on June 6, 1944.

   U.S. Army Tech. 4th Grade (TECH4) Elmo F. Hartwick, 38, of Onaga, Kansas, killed during World War II, was accounted for Aug. 21, 2023, as announced by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) on Feb. 12, 2024. 

   In June 1944, Hartwick was assigned to Company C, 149th Engineer Combat Battalion in the European Theater of Operations. On June 6, Hartwick was aboard Landing Craft Infantry (Large) 92, along with roughly 200 other servicemembers, en route to land on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. As LCI-92 steamed toward the shore, it struck an underwater mine, which caused the craft to burst into flames. The craft was also hit by enemy artillery fire, causing an explosion that ignited the ship's fuel stores and instantly killed everyone in the troop compartment. Due to the situation's urgency, it was impossible for others to search for survivors. Hartwick's remains were not accounted for after the war.

   Around June 10, members of the 500th Medical Collecting Company examined the wreckage of LCI-92 and noted the burnt remains of servicemen in the troop compartment, where Hartwick and others were last seen. American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel in the European Theater, removed small amounts of remains from LCI-92 and buried them in the United States Military Cemetery (USMC) St. Laurent-sur-Mer.

   Beginning in 1946, AGRC analyzed the remains found in LCI-92, segregating them into four separate Unknowns (X-53, X-83, X-83B, and X-83C). Despite their efforts, AGRC were unable to identify the Unknowns at the time and they were interred in Normandy American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Normandy, France.

   In June and August 2021, the Department of Defense and ABMC officials exhumed the comingled remains of the four Unknowns and transferred them to the DPAA Laboratory for analysis.

   To identify Hartwick's remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.

   Hartwick's name is permanently recorded on the Walls of the Missing at Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

   Elmo is survived by his niece, Roberta Tessendorf.

   A memorial visitation honoring Mr.Hartwick will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024, at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, 4370 Salzer Rd. Wamego, KS 66547 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at 1:00 p.m., Elmo will be escorted by the American Legion Riders and the Patriot Guard to the Onaga City Cemetery, Onaga, Kansas for a graveside service officiated by Rev. Terry DeGiovanni and Jerry Brownie with Military Honors by the U. S. Army Funeral Honors Detail.  

   A reception will be held at the Onaga Historical Society at 3:00 p.m., 310 E 2nd Street, Onaga, KS, 66223.

   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the U.S.O. or the Onaga Historical Society and Museum. Please make checks to the organization of your choice and those may be sent to Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P. O. Box 48, Wamego, KS, 66547.