World War II Honoree

Edward J. Namowicz

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Cook County, Illinois

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE. GERMAN PRISONER OF WAR FOR 371 DAYS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY DECEMBER 15, 1941 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS AND BECAME A PARATROOPER, WHO SERVED WITH C-COMPANY, 326TH AIRBORNE ENGINEER BATTALION, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. HE JUMPED INTO THE AREA OF ANGOVILLE-AU-PLAIN ON THE FRENCH COTENTIN PENINSULA IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS, 01:40, D-DAY, TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1944, BATTLE OF NORMANDY. THIS WAS THE INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE, CODE NAME: OPERATION OVERLORD. CAPTURED BY THE GERMAN ARMY DURING THE DAY OF THE ASSAULT IN THE VICINITY OF THE LA BARQUETTE LOCK, DOUVE RIVER BRIDGES OR THE WOODEN BRIDGES AT LE PORT NEAR BREVANDS, FRANCE. HE WAS HELD IN CAPTIVITY AS A PRISONER OF WAR AT STALAG 13B WEIDEN BAVARIA. REPATRIATED AND RETURNED TO MILITARY CONTROL, JUNE 12, 1945.