Walter (Wladyslaw) Kaus was born in Germany on March 12, 1945, to Helen and Stephan Kaus. He had two sisters, Sally and Emily. The family immigrated to the United States in 1950, in Pittsfield, IL, and came to live in Bayonne, NJ, in 1953. His home of record is Bayonne, NJ. Walter attended the Mt. Carmel School and the Technical Division of Bayonne High School where he was interested in sports, watching all the games on television and frequently going to the bulkhead to play sports. He was employed by Jerry Kubis, a local contractor, and Prospect Wholesale & Confectionary, which was located on East 22nd Street in Bayonne.

Kaus was drafted into the US Army in May 1969 and received his basic training at Fort Dix. He was then stationed in Washington for a short period before being sent overseas. He attained the rank of Specialist 4 (SP4) and arrived in Vietnam in November 1969.

Kaus was killed on April 13, 1970, while on a military mission close to the Cambodian border. A telegram informed his family of his death. It stated that death was caused when “a mine placed by a friendly force detonated.”

According to a newspaper article, Kaus’ sister, Mrs. Emily Tanksley said that her brother wrote frequently, usually twice weekly – to her mother and herself. Mrs. Tanksley said her brother was very interested in sports, watching all the games on TV and frequently going to the bulkhead to play sports.

Sources: John Oltarzewski (friend), newspaper clippings and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024