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name
RACZNIAK, Louis Edward - Date of
birth
1 June 1920 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Baltimore, Maryland -
Hometown
Baltimore, Maryland
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
33130671 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
unknown -
Unit
Reconnaissance Company,
67th Armored Regiment,
2nd Armored Division,
1st Platoon
-
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
31 March 1945 - Place of
death
Dortmund-Ems Canal, in the vicinity of Lüdinghausen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 7 | 21 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Peter W. Raczniak (father)
Anna (Kieltyka) Raczniak (mother)
Adam P. Raczniak (brother)
Joseph P. Raczniak (brother)
Frank L. Raczniak (brother)
Albert P. Raczniak (brother)
More information
Sgt Louis E. Raczniak was a clerk before he enlisted at Camp Lee, Virginia on 29 November 1941.'n 31 March 1945 the Reconnaissance Company was cut off from the First Battalion Task Force which was five miles behind it. At 0500 the 1st Platoon were fired on by a strong enemy defense, it lost three vehicles and seven men were killed immediately. The platoon was able to hold their position and radio the situation back. At 0900 hours the task force moved out and passed through their positions with heavy fighting.
It was found that Lt Gascich, Sgt Razniak and five others had been killed, two were injured and with them ten others were held prisoner in a farm house. Other men had made their escape or were keeping cover in the swamps and ditches.
Louis Racznik had been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action back in Normandy, when he repeatedly went under fire to move wounded comrades to cover.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Astrid van Erp, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census, http://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org - After Action Report CCB, History 67th Armored Regiment, www.fold3.com - WWII Registration Card, www.newspapers.com - The Baltimore Sun
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet