PVT Ambrose F. Konter

Memorial
Written By Jos Groen
PVT Ambrose F. Konter 101st Airborne

Source: Find a Grave

Private (PVT) Ambrose F. Konter of the 101st Military Police Platoon, 101st Airborne Division, was born in Alma, Buffalo County, Wisconsin, to Michael and Elizabeth (Marking) Konter on January 4, 1916. Ambrose had two older brothers, Clinton M. and William H. Konter.

At the time of his birth, his father, Michael, had bought a 240-acre farm, of which he cleared 100 acres, the remainder being in woodland. Michael Konter’s farming focused on dairying and hog raising, having a Poland-China sire. The Poland-China is an American breed of domestic pig. Michael Konter’s farm had a modern barn, 34 by 60 feet, with a stone basement. The farm residence was a good seven-room house.

Ambrose attended Alma High School, graduating in 1934. Before he entered the service, Ambrose worked at the state prison, located in Waupun, Wisconsin. On June 25, 1941, he married Alice Minerva Larson. They lived in Waupun until Ambrose entered the service on November 24, 1942. Less than a month later, their marriage was blessed with a son, Ronald Lee, who was born on December 18, 1942.

Source: NARA

PVT Ambrose Konter was assigned to the divisional Headquarters Company. He became a member of the 101st Military Police Platoon that consisted of three officers and 83 enlisted men.

On D-Day, June 6, 1944, in all probability, PVT Konter took off in a glider at 6:30 PM from RAF Aldermaston Airfield, England, as part of Operation Keokuk. 32 Horsa gliders and as many Dakota C-47 towing aircraft headed for Landing Zone “E” near Hiesville, Normandy. In addition to 40 vehicles, 19 tons of various equipment and ammunition, and six anti-tank guns, the gliders carried 157 airborne personnel from signal units, medical services, and command companies.

Flight Officer (F/O) Arthur Collins and co-pilot F/O Richard Myers were flying Chalk #3 that carried PVT Konter and SGT Joseph Paris of the MP Platoon and other headquarters personnel. Master Sergeant John McCarthy was in Chalk #4, which landed safely in a soft field only twenty yards from a hedgerow. McCarthy described in a letter to George Koskimaki what happened to the glider carrying the members of the MP Platoon, including his good friend SGT Joe Paris.

“Glider number 3, which was just in front of ours, slammed into an earthen bank and collapsed in a pile of splinters. The co-pilot was killed, as were several MPs and headquarters people.”

PVT Konter was most likely among the MP men who were killed in this crash.

Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

Source: Find a Grave (c/o Kathie King Wilkinson)

PVT Ambrose Konter died at the age of 28 during Operation Overlord and was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Hiesville on June 9, 1944. Not much later, he was disinterred and reburied at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Blosville on July 4. PVT Konter was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal. 

At the request of his widow, Mrs. Alice Konter, his body was returned home for his final internment. On Thursday, May 27, 1948, he was buried in the Alma Cemetery, accompanied by a military escort and six guards from the Wisconsin State Prison. The six pallbearers were members of the Alma American Legion Post, No. 224. 

May he rest in peace. 

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Ambrose.

Lest we forget. 🇺🇸

Sources:

Jos Groen
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PVT Leslie E. Williams