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George J. Bednarik

Veteran of World War II - U. S. Army

S/SGT. G. J. BEDNARIK

February 18, 1920 - September 9, 1944

Staff/Sgt. Killed in Action, with the 3rd Armored Div., 36 Armored Infantry regiment,WWII
burial: original burial in Fosse, Belgium and reburied March 26, 1949 in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Spruce, Oconto County, Wisconsin

Bronze Star
"Heroic or meritorious achievement or service"

Combat "V".
"Participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy" Worn on uniform lapel.

Purple Heart

"Being wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces"

(1940's news article researched and contributed by: Dean Schaal from his mother's wartime scrapbook)

News Article

October 12, 1944

SPRUCE: Staff Sgt. George J. Bednarik, 24, died in Belgiun as a result of wounds received in action. He was sent to England in September 1943 and took part in the invasion of France. On Aug. 20, he was decorated with the Bronze Medal for bravery and was made a squad leader of his division.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sgt. Bednarik Dies
As Result of Wound

Special in Press-Gazette

LENA, Wis.—News of the death of S/Sgt. George J. Bednarik, 24, which occurred in Belgium, Sept. 9, has been received here by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bednarik, Lena route 1. The report said he died as a result of wounds received in action.
    S/Sgt. Bednarik was born Feb.
18, 1920, in the. township of Spruce, had attended the Lena High school, and had entered service Feb. 5, 1942. He received , training at Camp Polk, La., Camp Young Rice, Calif., Indiantown Gap, Penn., and Camp Pickett, W. Va.
    He was sent to England in September, 1943 and took part in the invasion of France. On Aug. 20 he was decorated with the Bronze medal for bravery and was made squad leader of his division.
    He is survived by his parents; two sisters, Mrs. Mike Micoley, Lena; Mrs. Frank Schwiner, West j Allis; and a brother, Edward, at home.
    A solemn requiem high mass was sung this morning at the Sacred Heart Catholic church at Spruce, the Rev. Leo Przybylski serving as celebrant, the Rev Bernard Ilopa, of Mill Creek, Wis. as deacon, the Rev. B. Platta of Eaton, sub-deacon, and the Rev.Mike Wasniewski of Pine Grove as master of ceremonies. S/Sgt. Bednarik served as an altar boy at the Spruce Catholic church under the Rev. Hoppa and the Rev. Platta.

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