Hans Jankewitz was born December 15, 1894, in Hamburg, Germany. Sometime prior to 1917, Hans left Germany to make his home in the United States.
When the United States entered WWI, Hans was required to register for the draft. On June 5, 1917 he stated that he was an "alien", that he lived at 39 Cottage Place in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was employed by the Sprague Meter Company as an ironworker, and was described at a tall young man, with light hair and blue eyes.
In 1940 Hans was still single, living at the East Third Street YMCA in Manhattan, New York. He stated that he had an elementary education, and was working as a waiter in a hotel. He apparently struggled with employment, since in 1939 he had only worked for 12 weeks out of 52.
With the advent of WWII, now at the age of 48, Hans was again required to register for the draft. In April of 1942 he was living at 268 West 77th Street in New York City. He worked at Jeanes Restaurant in Sheepshead Bay, Long Island as a waiter. As the "person who will always know your address", he listed the Hotel and Club Workers Union 701. He was described as "5'11", 175 pounds, grey eyes, brown hair, light complexion, and a tatoo on his right arm."
Hans was living in Florida when he acquired his social security number.
Hans Jankewitz died April 18, 1984, and was buried on Hart Island.
Sources: US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; NY, NY, Index to Declarations of Intent, 1907-1924; 1940 US, Federal Census; US, WWI Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; US, WWII Draft Registration Cards, 1942.