Arlington National Cemetery had a special plot reserved for Al Kurtz.

Albert J. Kurtz was born on February 17, 1907, in Indiana to Harry and Louise Kurtz. Albert, along with three brothers and four sisters, was raised and educated in Jackson County, Indiana. After graduating from a Jackson County high school, Kurtz became a member of the United States Border Patrol Service and remained with that organization until the 1930s when he joined the US Army.

While in the Army, Kurtz served with artillery units in the eastern United States and in Venezuela where he rose to the rank of first sergeant. In 1942 Kurtz was accepted into the Officers Candidate School program at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and after completing the course, was commissioned a second lieutenant. The units and locations of his service during World War II are not known.

Albert Kurtz was married during the war years and he and his wife, Utha, had two sons, James Albert and Richard.

In May 1952 Kurtz received orders to Korea and was assigned to the 45th Infantry Division. Prior to his departure, the Kurtz family moved to Santa Cruz, where they had acquired a residence on Meder Street. James, the oldest son, was enrolled in Mission Hill Junior High School and Richard in Bay View School.

During his tour in Korea, Chief Warrant Officer Kurtz was diagnosed with cancer and when the condition became acute in late October 1952, he was evacuated from Seoul. He was admitted to Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco where he remained until his death on November 28, 1952. His body was shipped to Virginia and following a military funeral, was interred in Arlington National Cemetery.

(NARA2; USDVA; 45th Museum.com, History, http://www.45thdivisionmuseum.com/History, [16 September 2008]; SCSn December 1, 1952 10:2; OCS Roster, [16 September 08] http://ftsillocsphotoproject.com/1940sOCSClassRosters.PDF)