Their Story
Karl Albert Lantzky Jr. was born Dec. 31, 1924, at Finley Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Karl A. and Thelma (Nankival) Lantzky. His father was a bookkeeper.[1] He attended schools in Dubuque and received his B.A. degree from the University of California at Berkeley.[2] He married Mary Virginia Farley in Berlin, Germany, in 1954. Mary is interned with her husband at Rock Island National Cemetery
Karl entered service February 3, 1944.[3] During WWII, he served with the 348th Boat Co. (TC), HQ, 53rd Medium Port TC, HQ, 11th A/B Division.[4] He was overseas from September 22, 1945, until September 5, 1946. During his service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, Colonel Lantzky received numerous Decorations including: Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit, Army Commendation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany and Japan), Vietnam Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.
Colonel Lantzky retired from the U.S. Army on New Year’s Eve 1978 after a 34-year military career. After his discharge, he was employed as Director of Material Management at the Rock Island Arsenal, retiring in 1979.
Retired U.S. Army Col. Karl Albert Lantzky, a resident of Bettendorf, died Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2002, at his home.
Col Karl Albert Lantzky Jr. (1924-2002) – Find a Grave Memorial
[1] Iowa, U.S., Births (series) 1880-1904, 1921-1944 and Delayed Births (series), 1856-1940 – Ancestry.com
[2] Obituary for Karl Albert Lantzky, 1924-2002 (Aged 77) – Newspapers.com
[3] U.S., Veterans’ Gravesites, ca.1775-2019 – Ancestry.com
[4] Iowa, U.S., World War II Bonus Case Files, 1947-1954 – Ancestry.com