 |
| PFC Alec Groboski served with the 175th Infantry Regiment in Germany. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53420986/alec-k_-groboski https://www.facebook.com/29Division/photos/a.456315174390/10157216773684391/?type=3&theater |
Alec K. "Kelly" Groboski never had a chance to reach 100 years old. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
I began this project on January 1, 2017. It will conclude on September 2, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War 2. During the intervening time, a different fallen serviceman was profiled every day on his 100th birthday. I have decided to round out the project by profiling one of the fallen born between December 7, 1916 and December 31, 1916. This will result in one of the fallen being profiled for every day America was engaged in World War 2. The total will be 1,366 men and women. That's enough for only 13 stars out of the 4,048 on the Freedom Wall of the World War II Memorial.
Alec was born on December 13, 1916 in Granite City, Illinois. His parents Joseph and Laura were both born in Poland. His father died in 1918. Alec had three older brothers, an older sister, a younger brother, and a younger half-brother. By 1940 Alec had completed four years of high school. He lived with his mom and worked as an enamel works laborer.
He married Lucille DuBay on March 15, 1941. At some point later they divorced.
He was drafted into the army on April 14, 1941. He was originally posted to a unit that had him serving in Iceland for 18 months (probably with the 5th Infantry Division). At some point he was transferred out. He became a private first class in the anti-tank battalion of the 175th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division.
By October 1944, the 29th ID was in a defensive position along the Teveren-Geilenkirchen line in Germany. This was during the rainy season and the Germans kept the Americans on guard with regular mortar and sniping activity. The Americans engaged in regular night patrols to keep track of enemy positions and to take prisoners. PFC Groboski was killed in action on October 11, 1944, likely from a night patrol or enemy harassment fire during the day.
His grave is at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Edwardsville, Illinois.
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.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
No comments:
Post a Comment