The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wis.) September 4, 2008

The Tribune-Phonograph September 2, 2008

Transcribed by: R. Lipprandt

Pearl Harbor victim to be buried Saturday
By Mark Bergland
The Star News

Lawrence Boxrucker is coming home this weekend.

Boxrucker, a causality of the Pearl Harbor attack, will be buried in Dorchester Memorial Cemetery Saturday at 11 a.m., with Rev. Benjamin Franklin conducting the committal service. Among those honoring Boxrucker on Saturday will be veterans of Boxrucker-Berry American Legion Post No. 519 of Stetsonville, which bears his name.

Boxrucker, who was serving aboard the battleship U.S.S. Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was among the American causalities on December 7, 1941, when a Japanese attack devastated the fleet and brought the county into World War II. Boxrucker was designated as a fireman second class, meaning he served in the engine rooms of the vessel. He was one of 429 who lost their lives aboard the ship. He was listed as missing in action following the battle and his then-unidentified remains were buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as the Punchbowl. Boxrucker's remains were identified recently through DNA evidence and the family requested his return to his boyhood home.

Boxrucker was born November 10, 1917, in the town of Little Black to the late John and Mary (Pueschner) Boxrucker. He attended Liberty country school in the town of Little Black until the eighth grade. He then worked at various farms in the area and later served the Civilian Conservation Corps at Jump River and Rhinelander. Lawrence and his twin brother, Louis, headed west to Oregon in order to find work. No work was to be found, so they traveled to San Francisco, Calif., where Lawrence and his brother joined the Navy in 1940. Lawrence and his brother were assigned to different positions in the Navy.

Lawrence is survived by two brothers, Louis (Hilda) Boxrucker of Dorchester and Arthur (Celine) Boxrucker of Prairie du Chien. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. Lawrence's parents and his sister, Helen Langteau, are deceased.

Local veterans organizations wishing to attend the committal services at Dorchester Memorial Cemetery and pay their respects to their fallen comrade should contact Ken Patterson of Post. No. 519 of Stetsonville for further information.

Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

The Tribune-Phonograph will have coverage of the Dorchester ceremony and the efforts to identify Boxrucker and the others lost in the Oklahoma in the Sept. 10 edition.

Additional Links:

Obit: Boxrucker, Lawrence A. (1917 - 1941)

WWII Roster for Clark Co., Wis.