World War II Honoree

Joseph F. Wierdak

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

Marcia Campbell

Relationship

Daughter

ENLISTED IN 1940 AND WAS ASSIGNED TO FORT SHERIDAN AS PART OF THE 14TH CAVALRY, 2ND DIVISION. AFTER PEARL HARBOR, HE WAS REASSIGNED TO THE 83RD INFANTRY. LANDED ON OMAHA BEACH AFTER D-DAY, HE LED A PLATOON IN THE NORMANDY CAMPAIGN, SAW ACTION AT CAEN, ST. LO AND THE HEDGEROW COUNTRY. ON JULY 13, 1944 AFTER 9 DAYS OF CONTACT WITH THE ENEMY, HE WAS SEVERELY INJURED BY A SHELL FRAGMENT DURING AN ENGAGEMENT WITH A GERMAN TIGER TANK AND SUBSEQUENTLY AWARDED A PURPLE HEART. FOLLOWING 6 MONTHS RECOVERY IN ENGLAND HE WAS SENT AS A REPLACEMENT TO THE 4TH INFANTRY WHERE HE PARTICIPATED IN THE ARDENNES CAMPAIGN IN AND AROUND LIEGE, ST. VITH, MALMEDY AND BASTOGNE. HE SAW ACTION IN THE HUERTGEN FOREST DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. AS PART OF A UNIT CITATION FOR THEIR ACTION, HE RECEIVED A BRONZE STAR.