World War II Honoree

Michael J. Ocilka, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Gallitzin, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Barbara, Frances, Veronica, and Michael

Relationship

Family

AT DISCHARGE HIS RANK WAS SERGEANT. HE ENTERED SERVICE, AUGUST 22, 1941. BASIC TRAINING AT FORT LEE AND FORT EUSTIS, VIRGINIA. LEFT DECEMBER 16, 1941 ON THE USS GENERAL WASHINGTON. WAS WOUNDED IN BATTLE AND CAPTURED ON MARCH 1, 1945. LIBERATED MARCH 28, 1945. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE 51ST AND 83RD INFANTRY DIVISION. SERVED IN THE BELGIUM BULGE, RHINELAND AND HOLLAND CAMPAIGNS. RETURNED ON THE USS RICHARDSON. RECEIVED THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER RIBBON, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AND PURPLE HEART.