World War II Honoree

Henry Filipczak

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Lynn Wheeler

Relationship

Daughter

HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE 517TH PARACHUTE REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM (COMPANY G). SERVED ON A MACHINE GUN TEAM AND AS A RIFLE GRENADIER DURING THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN. WAS IN COMBAT FOR 5 WEEKS ADVANCING INTO NORTHERN ITALY. HIS UNIT WAS THEN PULLED BACK FOR 3 WEEKS OF TRAINING TO PREPARE FOR THE INVASION OF SOUTHERN FRANCE. HE SUBSEQUENTLY SERVED AS A PATHFINDER DURING OPERATION DRAGOON ON AUGUST 15, 1944. HE WAS WOUNDED IN ACTION IN SOUTHERN FRANCE ON SEPTEMBER 9, 1944. HE WAS DISCHARGED IN AUGUST OF 1945. HIS AWARDS INCLUDED THE PURPLE HEART, A BRONZE STAR WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER AND A 'V' FOR VALOR, AND THE EUROPEAN CAMPAIGN SERVICE RIBBON.