World War II Honoree

Peter A. Raguckas

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private First Class. On November 26, 1941, he was inducted into the United States Army, at Fort George, Maryland. His boot camp training took place at Camp Van Dorn, Mississippi. Later he completed combat infantry training at Camp Maxey in Paris, Texas. Served as a Rifleman with the 99th Infantry ‘Checkerboard’ Division in the European Theater of Operations, assigned to Easy Company, Second Battalion and 394th Infantry Regiment. His division participated in the Battle of the Bulge against the German armed forces (Battle Dates: December 16, 1944-January 25, 1945) Ardennes-Alsace Campaign. He died of wounds encountered on the battlefield December 19, 1944 during a combat operation in the Ardennes forest on Elsenborn Ridge, and buried at the Henri-Chapelle battlefield cemetery; Ellpen, Belgium. After the cessation of hostilities in Europe, the family of this Soldier received his remains for burial. He was laid to rest at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.