Albert Smith Winzenried
Biographical Sketch of Private First Class Albert Smith Winzenried
Service Number: 17024884
Born: July 17, 1912 – Byron, Big Horn County, Wyoming
Died: February 10, 1945 – Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands
Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot G, Row 15, Grave 6, Philippines
Unit: 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, U.S. Army
Award: Purple Heart
Early Life and Family Background
Albert Smith Winzenried was born on July 17, 1912, near Byron, Big Horn County, Wyoming. He was the son of Fritz Winzenried, a Swiss immigrant who worked as a farmer, and Margaret Smith, a Colorado native and homemaker. Albert had at least three siblings: Bernice, Joseph, and Jesse. His family were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Albert was baptized at the age of eight.
Albert grew up in Byron and was recorded in the U.S. Censuses of 1920, 1930, and 1940 as living in Big Horn County. He registered for the draft on October 16, 1940, in Byron, listing his father as his next of kin and his occupation as a self-employed farmer.
Physically, Albert was of average height and build, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 155 pounds. He had a ruddy complexion, blue eyes, and blonde hair.
Education and University Life
Albert attended and graduated from Byron High School, the local secondary school serving the community. He went on to pursue higher education at the University of Wyoming, where he majored in Education and became a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. His involvement in campus life reflects his academic ability, leadership qualities, and social engagement.
Military Enlistment and Training
Albert enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 19, 1942, at Fort Francis E. Warren in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was 29 years old at the time, single, and had no dependents. His civilian occupation was listed as a general farmhand.
Following his enlistment, Private Winzenried underwent basic and specialized infantry training, preparing him for the demands of service in the Pacific Theater. He was assigned to the 129th Infantry Regiment of the 37th Infantry Division, a seasoned unit that had already seen heavy combat in the Solomon Islands and New Georgia campaigns before being called to help liberate the Philippines.
Service in the Pacific and the Battle of Manila
By early 1945, the 37th Infantry Division was engaged in the campaign to retake Manila, the capital of the Philippines, from entrenched Japanese forces. The battle for Manila began in earnest in early February and was among the most intense urban combat operations in the Pacific Theater. It involved bitter house-to-house fighting, with American forces advancing slowly through fortified positions and booby-trapped buildings.
Private First Class Winzenried was serving with the 129th Infantry Regiment as they advanced into the heart of the devastated city. Amid the ferocious resistance, he was struck by a bullet wound to the head, a mortal injury sustained in the line of fire. According to military hospital records, he was not treated at a medical facility prior to his death, indicating he likely died at or near the scene of combat.
He was killed in action on February 10, 1945, at the age of 32.
Burial and Honors
Pfc. Winzenried was buried with honor at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines, where more than 17,000 American service members who died in the Pacific are interred. His final resting place is in Plot G, Row 15, Grave 6. His father, Fritz Winzenried of Byron, Wyoming, was listed as his next of kin.
He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, a military decoration given to members of the armed forces who are wounded or killed in action against an enemy of the United States. The Purple Heart stands as a symbol of bravery and sacrifice and is one of the oldest and most revered military awards in the country.
Legacy and Surviving Family
Pfc. Winzenried was survived by his father, Fritz; his mother, Margaret; and his siblings, including Bernice, Joseph, and Jesse. News of his death was reported in Wyoming newspapers, including the Casper Star-Tribune and Salt Lake Tribune, which confirmed that he had been killed in the Battle of Manila. His death was part of a broader announcement listing Wyoming casualties in the fierce fighting then occurring in the Pacific.
Albert Smith Winzenried’s name is inscribed among the honored dead who helped secure victory in the Pacific. His service in one of the war’s fiercest campaigns exemplified the courage, duty, and heroism of an American soldier who left home and family to defend liberty on the far side of the world.
“PFC Albert S. Winzenried of Byron, Wyoming, gave the last full measure of devotion on the war-torn streets of Manila. His courage, service, and sacrifice are remembered with gratitude.”
Sources:
Find A Grave Index
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56786385/albert-s-winzenried
Wyoming Birth Records
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61830/records/68556
1920 U.S. Federal Census
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061/records/114452281
1930 U.S. Federal Census
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/records/113054397
1940 U.S. Federal Census
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442/records/148776265
U.S. WWII Draft Registration Cards
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2238/records/10026378
U.S. WWII Army Enlistment Records
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8939/records/2496943
U.S. Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9170/records/55855
U.S. WWII and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred on Foreign Soil
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/4283/records/155795
U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Card Files
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61817/records/2854542
Honor States
https://www.honorstates.org/profiles/129593/
American Battle Monuments Commission
https://weremember.abmc.gov/#!/details?id=248307
This information was taken from https://www.fold3.com/memorial/664295973/albert-smith-winzenried#stories, learn more about Albert there!
Learn more about Albert through Family Search - here!
Biographical Sketch of Private First Class Albert Smith Winzenried
Service Number: 17024884
Born: July 17, 1912 – Byron, Big Horn County, Wyoming
Died: February 10, 1945 – Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands
Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot G, Row 15, Grave 6, Philippines
Unit: 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, U.S. Army
Award: Purple Heart
Early Life and Family Background
Albert Smith Winzenried was born on July 17, 1912, near Byron, Big Horn County, Wyoming. He was the son of Fritz Winzenried, a Swiss immigrant who worked as a farmer, and Margaret Smith, a Colorado native and homemaker. Albert had at least three siblings: Bernice, Joseph, and Jesse. His family were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Albert was baptized at the age of eight.
Albert grew up in Byron and was recorded in the U.S. Censuses of 1920, 1930, and 1940 as living in Big Horn County. He registered for the draft on October 16, 1940, in Byron, listing his father as his next of kin and his occupation as a self-employed farmer.
Physically, Albert was of average height and build, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 155 pounds. He had a ruddy complexion, blue eyes, and blonde hair.
Education and University Life
Albert attended and graduated from Byron High School, the local secondary school serving the community. He went on to pursue higher education at the University of Wyoming, where he majored in Education and became a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. His involvement in campus life reflects his academic ability, leadership qualities, and social engagement.
Military Enlistment and Training
Albert enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 19, 1942, at Fort Francis E. Warren in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was 29 years old at the time, single, and had no dependents. His civilian occupation was listed as a general farmhand.
Following his enlistment, Private Winzenried underwent basic and specialized infantry training, preparing him for the demands of service in the Pacific Theater. He was assigned to the 129th Infantry Regiment of the 37th Infantry Division, a seasoned unit that had already seen heavy combat in the Solomon Islands and New Georgia campaigns before being called to help liberate the Philippines.
Service in the Pacific and the Battle of Manila
By early 1945, the 37th Infantry Division was engaged in the campaign to retake Manila, the capital of the Philippines, from entrenched Japanese forces. The battle for Manila began in earnest in early February and was among the most intense urban combat operations in the Pacific Theater. It involved bitter house-to-house fighting, with American forces advancing slowly through fortified positions and booby-trapped buildings.
Private First Class Winzenried was serving with the 129th Infantry Regiment as they advanced into the heart of the devastated city. Amid the ferocious resistance, he was struck by a bullet wound to the head, a mortal injury sustained in the line of fire. According to military hospital records, he was not treated at a medical facility prior to his death, indicating he likely died at or near the scene of combat.
He was killed in action on February 10, 1945, at the age of 32.
Burial and Honors
Pfc. Winzenried was buried with honor at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines, where more than 17,000 American service members who died in the Pacific are interred. His final resting place is in Plot G, Row 15, Grave 6. His father, Fritz Winzenried of Byron, Wyoming, was listed as his next of kin.
He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, a military decoration given to members of the armed forces who are wounded or killed in action against an enemy of the United States. The Purple Heart stands as a symbol of bravery and sacrifice and is one of the oldest and most revered military awards in the country.
Legacy and Surviving Family
Pfc. Winzenried was survived by his father, Fritz; his mother, Margaret; and his siblings, including Bernice, Joseph, and Jesse. News of his death was reported in Wyoming newspapers, including the Casper Star-Tribune and Salt Lake Tribune, which confirmed that he had been killed in the Battle of Manila. His death was part of a broader announcement listing Wyoming casualties in the fierce fighting then occurring in the Pacific.
Albert Smith Winzenried’s name is inscribed among the honored dead who helped secure victory in the Pacific. His service in one of the war’s fiercest campaigns exemplified the courage, duty, and heroism of an American soldier who left home and family to defend liberty on the far side of the world.
“PFC Albert S. Winzenried of Byron, Wyoming, gave the last full measure of devotion on the war-torn streets of Manila. His courage, service, and sacrifice are remembered with gratitude.”
Sources:
Find A Grave Index
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56786385/albert-s-winzenried
Wyoming Birth Records
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61830/records/68556
1920 U.S. Federal Census
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061/records/114452281
1930 U.S. Federal Census
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/records/113054397
1940 U.S. Federal Census
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442/records/148776265
U.S. WWII Draft Registration Cards
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2238/records/10026378
U.S. WWII Army Enlistment Records
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8939/records/2496943
U.S. Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9170/records/55855
U.S. WWII and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred on Foreign Soil
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/4283/records/155795
U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Card Files
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61817/records/2854542
Honor States
https://www.honorstates.org/profiles/129593/
American Battle Monuments Commission
https://weremember.abmc.gov/#!/details?id=248307
This information was taken from https://www.fold3.com/memorial/664295973/albert-smith-winzenried#stories, learn more about Albert there!
Learn more about Albert through Family Search - here!