World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Alex M. Penkala, Jr.
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
St. Joseph, Indiana
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY FEBRUARY 27, 1943 AT TOLEDO, OHIO. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNED TO EASY COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION, 506TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. KILLED IN ACTION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1945 WHILE FIGHTING IN THE DEFENSE OF BASTOGNE, BELGIUM DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE CAMPAIGN. HE IS BURIED IN THE LUXEMBOURG AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT LUXEMBOURG CITY, LUXEMBOURG. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. HIS DIVISION WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 1 OAK LEAF CLUSTER, FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, BELGIAN CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, A NETHERLANDS ORANGE LANYARD AND THE BELGIAN FOURRAGERE FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOR AND HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES.