World War II Honoree

Nicholas Panchik

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ford City, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Catherine Wickey

Relationship

Niece

STAFF SERGEANT. SERVED WITH HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, SECOND BATTALION, 417TH INFANTRY REGIMENT. WHILE SERVING WITH THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES HE DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF BY GALLANTRY IN ACTION ON FEBRUARY 10, 1945 IN LUXEMBOURG. WHILE ACTING AS PLATOON LEADER IN THE ABSENCE OF AN OFFICER, DISPLAYED OUTSTANDING COURAGE AND SKILL IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTY. DURING THE CROSSING OF THE SAUER RIVER WHEN MUCH OF THE WIRE FOR COMMUNICATIONS WAS LOST, HE AND TWO COMRADES MANAGED TO SALVAGE PART OF IT AND PROCEEDED TO ESTABLISH A COMMUNICATION LINE FOR THE BATTALION. WHILE DOING SO THEY WERE SUBJECTED TO SEVERE ENEMY FIRE WHICH WOUNDED HIS COMRADES. HE GALLANTLY IGNORED THE FIRE TO RENDER FIRST AID TO HIS COMRADES. THEN HE DISCOVERED AN ENEMY MACHINE GUN POSITION FROM WHICH THE FIRE WAS COMING. RUSHING FORWARD, HE TOSSED A HAND GRENADE AND OPENED FIRE WITH HIS CARBINE, KILLING FOUR OF THE ENEMY. RECEIVED A SILVER STAR, A BRONZE STAR AND A PURPLE HEART.