An article published in the 31 May 1961 Stevens Point (Wisconsin) Daily Journal described the new memorial in Rosholt, Wisconsin that was dedicated to the 6 servicemen from the village who were killed in World War II. Among them was Luther J. Bestul, who was listed as killed in action on 12 January 1945 in Germany. Although the location of his death was indicated, the article did not contain any additional circumstances about his death.

According to information in "Our County, Our Story" (a county history by local historian Malcolm Rosholt and published by the Portage County Board of Supervisors in 1959), Luther Bestul was one of 3,874 men and women from Portage County who served in World War II and was one of 120 who died in combat or in the line of duty.