World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Henry J. Puhalski
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Oswego County, New York
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: 1ST LIEUTENANT. INDUCTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY NOVEMBER 27, 1940 AT SYRACUSE, NEW YORK. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNED TO THE U.S. ARMY, 3RD PLATOON LEADER, ALPHA COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. KILLED IN ACTION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1944 DURING THE INVASION OF HOLLAND, OPERATION MARKET GARDEN. HE DIED IN THE VICINITY OF VEGHEL, HOLLAND AND IS BURIED IN THE NETHERLANDS AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT MARGRATEN, NETHERLANDS. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: SILVER STAR AND THE PURPLE HEART WITH A BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER. THE SILVER STAR WAS BESTOWED UPON THE LIEUTENANT FOR DISTINGUISHED GALLANTRY IN ACTION. HIS DIVISION WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH A BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER, MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION, FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, BELGIAN CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, BELGIAN FOURRAGERE OF 1940 AND THE ORANGE LANYARD OF THE ROYAL NETHERLANDS ARMY FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES.