A farmer in Iowa, Private Nicholas Hoekstra enlisted on 14 February 1918 and was assigned to Company H, 118th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. During combat operations in France, he was wounded in December of 1918.

His Wound Certificate and a Replacement Medal were returned to his Daughter Catherine, still living life at 92.

Thanks to Ann Tice and Jean Zack from the Chicago Genealogical Society for their research help in locating Nick’s family.

Also, thanks to Valor Guard members Michael Brennan and Fernando Alvarado for helping to bring Nicholas back home to his family.