Tommy (Toma) Kerkes |
| Posted 2008-07-04 by Sharon |
| Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ January 11, 1945, p. 1 TOMMY KERKES IS KILLED IN ACTION Another Wickenburg boy has lost his life in the service of his country. Mrs. Mary Pouquette received word Thursday morning of the death of her brother, Sgt. Tommy Kerkes, of wounds received in action in the Philippines, on December 13th, just four days after his 31st birthday. He was serving with the Infantry in the Seventh Division. The message from the War Department was sent to Sarah Kerkes, in Phoenix, who called Mrs. Pouquette. No additional details were given. Tommy enlisted December 1st, 1941 and had been overseas 24 months. He was one of seven children. Both parents are dead. A brother, Mitchell Kerkes, is confined to a hospital in England. ------------------------------- Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ January 18, 1945, p. 1 Hold Memorial Mass For Tommy Kerkes A Memorial Mass was held at 10 o’clock Sunday morning, January 14th, at the Catholic Church in memory of Sgt.Tommy Kerkes, who died of wounds received in action in the Philippines, on December 13th. No further details of his death have been received by the family here since the message from the War Department on January 11th. Sarah and Annie Kerkes, sisters of Tommy, now living in Phoenix were here for the services. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, Sept 17, 1948 TOMMY KERKES IS BROUGHT HOME FROM PACIFIC FOR BURIAL HERE Wickenburg's American Legion post will conduct a full military funeral for Sgt. Tommy Kerkes Sunday afternoon at 1 o'clock at the Wickenburg Chapel. The Wickenburg boy who was killed in action on Leyte Island December 13, 1944, will be laid to rest in the Wickenburg Cemetery on the high desert southwest of the city, overlooking the town, the valley and rugged foothills where he lived most of his life. The body, brought to this country from the South Pacific several weeks ago, was expected to arrive in Wickenburg Friday morning where it will be met by an armed escort from the Legion post and taken to the Wickenburg Chapel. Rev. Charles A. Surber of the First Presbyterian Church will pronounce the final rites. Tommy Kerkes gave his life for his country just four days after his thirty-first birthday. He was born in San Francisco but brought to Wickenburg by his parents when a baby. He attended the local schools, graduating from Wickenburg High in 1932, worked here, in Phx and on the Coast before enlisting in the army December 1, 1941. He was trained at Ft. Ord in California and received desert training at Indio before going over seas. He first saw action against the Japanese in the Battle of Attu, then was sent to the Hawaiian Islands for further training. Returning to the battle area, he fought in the Marshall Islands and then went to Leyte where he was killed in action after 24 months of overseas service. Tommy is survived by three sisters, Mrs Pierre Pouquette of Wickenburg; Mrs Annie Passey of Salome and Mrs Sarah Roehlk of Pendleton, Ore. One brother, Mitchell Kerkes of Wickenburg also survives. The parents and one brother preceded him in death. Mrs Roehlk will fly to Wickenburg from her Oregon home for the services Sunday afternoon. See Also: Find a Grave |
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