By Krista Finstad Hanson

For the Times

When war broke out in Europe in 1939, the U.S. began developing their defense strategy. In October 1940, the U.S. instituted a draft and called up the National Guard. They dedicated 45,000 troops to protect U.S. coasts and harbors including field artillery units. This number increased to 70,000 stateside troops by the spring of 1942.

However, by late 1942 some of these units began to be deployed as the U.S. engaged in active warfare in the European and Pacific theaters. Some of the west coast units fought in the Battle of Bataan and the Battle of Corregidor in the Philippine Islands. 

The U.S. lost both battles. On April 9, 1942, opposition forces from the U.S. and Philippines had between 60,000 to 80,000 soldiers who became prisoners of war. These men ended up being a part of what became known as the Bataan Death March. They were transferred by force and had to walk to their prison camps. Many were tortured or killed and others suffered or died from disease, dehydration, starvation, or injury. Between 5,000 to 18,000 Filipinos and 500 to 650 Americans are estimated to have died.

After the war’s end and the U.S. victory in the war, the Japanese general and two officers responsible were convicted of war crimes and executed. The drawdown and transfer of troops and ammunitions began stateside and it was completed by 1948.

Corporal Henry W. Nehrbass of New Glarus eventually served with the 808th Military police in the Philippine islands.

Henry William Nehrbass was born on April 8, 1918 in Halsey, Marathon County, Wisconsin to William and Alice (Degner) Nehrbass.

On the census for 1920, 1930 and 1940, he lived in Marathon County. In 1920, the Nehrbass family lived in the town of Halsey. Father William was a laborer working in the logging industry. Henry was the oldest and was presumably named for his uncle Henry, who was killed in action while in service in World War I.

By 1930, siblings Ruth and Martin had arrived. The family was living in Halsey. Father William was working as a farmer on his own account as he was in the 1940 U.S. Census. By 1940, a fourth child, Esther, was listed on the census.

On October 16, 1940, Henry registered for the WWII Draft record, which shows his address as living in Green County, Wisconsin. His next of kin was his mother Alice in Athens, Wisconsin. Henry worked for Clarence E. Hulsey in New Glarus in Green County, Wisconsin.

From the Dec. 29, 1940 Wausau Daily Herald, there was a notice that Henry Nehrbass “has enlisted in the United States army and will leave for Fort Sheridan, Ill., Saturday.”

The Dec. 9, 1941 Wisconsin State Journal notice “Two Belleville Men in Thick of Fighting” stated that “Pvt. Henry W. Nehrbass is with Co. G, 31st infantry regiment, Manila, Philippine islands.”

In The Capital Times on Aug. 6, 1943 came the information that “Henry Nehrbass, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Nehrbass, Athens, died in a Japanese prison camp, July 9…He was reported a Japanese prisoner after the capture of Bataan.

“Nehrbass was formerly employed at the Hosea Sandridge farm near Belleville. He enlisted in December 1940 and was later sent to the Philippines.”

More information was supplied in a New Glarus Post notice on Aug. 11, 1943 titled “Henry Nehrbass Dies in Japanese Prison.” Additional information said that he was “employed for a time on the Clarence E. Hoesly farm” and that “he set pins at the New Glarus Bowling Alleys.” This notice also gave a cause of death as dysentery.

From the July 7, 1944 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “New Glarus Learns at Last About Life of Gold Star Soldier,” additional information was provided. “He left Madison Jan. 30, 1941, and was inducted into the army at Milwaukee the next day. Early in February he reached Ft. McDowell, Angel Island, Calif., where he received training for only two months after which he was sent to the Philippine islands to complete his training. He was last heard from about the time of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, when he was a member of a military police company in Manila.

“In April, 1943, the war department notified his parents that he was a prisoner of war of the Japanese government and in July, 1943, word came that he had died and that he had been promoted to corporal.

“Surviving Corp. Nehrbass are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Nehrbass, Athens, a brother, Martin in New Guinea, and two sisters Ruth and Esther, at home.”

Military records indicate that Henry W. Nehrbass was reported as prisoner of war in the Philippines as of a report on May 7, 1942. The detaining country was Japan. However, the official date given for his death was Nov. 23, 1942. 

Nehrbass was listed on the Green County veteran services list. This list had the information that he died on July 9, 1943 “in P.I. died in P. O. W. Camp, result of amoebic dysentery.” This date may be a “finding of death” or may be his actual death date.

Corporal Henry W. Nehrbass was buried in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial at Ft. McKinley in Manila, Philippines.

Corporal Henry W.  Nehrbass is listed on the Gold Star Honor Roll with the WWII Memorial Registry for Marathon County, Wisconsin. His status was DNB — died non-battle.

Corporal Henry W. Nehrbass is also listed on the Cabanatuan Memorial, Luzon, Philippines which marks the site of the Japanese prisoner of war camp located here.

Thank you, Corporal Henry William Nehrbass, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.