WW2 Fallen - Silver Star hero William Podkulski, 101st Airborne Division

Pfc. William Podkulski was killed the day after this photo of another 101st airborne solider
was taken on September 17, 1944.
http://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/a-101st-airborne-paratroopers-combat-journey/

William F. Podkulski never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on December 19, 1917, probably in Pennsylvania. His father Joseph was born in Poland. His father worked as a mine laborer and died in 1931 from blood poisoning. I was not able to find any information about his mother Josephine or about any siblings.

He enlisted in the army on August 2, 1939. He was a private first class in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Infantry Division. He parachuted into Normandy in the early hours of D-Day. A friend of his remembered William had to push the man in front of him out of the plane because he sat in the doorway and refused to jump.

Pvt. Podkulski next parachuted into Holland as part of Operation Market Garden on September 17, 1944. He was killed in action the next day. Prior to his death that day he took action that was recognized by a posthumous Sliver Star.

On 18 September 1944, in the vicinity of Best Holland, PFC Podkulski located an enemy mortar which was holding up the advance of his company. Searing personal safety, Private Podkulski rushed forward across an open field in the face of heavy and intense enemy fire to destroy the enemy gun. Before reaching the gun, he was seriously wounded. Undaunted and with unflinching devotion to duty he crawled forward to a position from which he was able to destroy the entire enemy position with hand grenades. By his heroic actions the company was able to advance toward its objective. During a later action he was mortally wounded. The supreme sacrifice he made above and beyond the call of duty his intrepid courage and heroic devotion to duty exemplify the highest standards of the military service.

His grave is at Holy Mother of Sorrows Parish Cemetery in Dupont, Pennsylvania.

Thank you William for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for William.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

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