PFC William E. Jahnke
1892 – 1956
USAR
WWI
William Ernest Jahnke was born in Barrington on March 29, 1892 to John and Lydia Egger Jahnke.
Jahnke entered U.S. Army service in World War I on September 19, 1917, and was honorably discharged February 17, 1919. He was assigned to Company F, 128th Infantry and participated in historic campaigns at Chateau Thierry and Alsace Lorraine, attaining the rank of Private First Class. Unfortunately, he was gassed by the enemy during the Battle of Soissons, resulting in poor health much of his adult life, including four years at Hines VA Hospital.
Jahnke had one son by each of his wives.
He grew up in Barrington and was a member of the Barrington American Legion, but made his home in Chicago for the later years of his life. He worked as a carpenter and was employed in a retail market for a number of years.
PFC William Jahnke died in Chicago on January 15, 1956, after several months of ill health, and is buried with his parents in Barrington’s Evergreen Cemetery.
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Remember. Honor. Teach.
Courtesy of Signal Hill Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.