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name
SZAP, Michael - Date of
birth
1910 -
Age
unknown -
Place of birth
Queens, Queens County, New York City, New York -
Hometown
Little Neck, Queens County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O2006433 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
unknown -
Unit
6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized)
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
27 February 1945 - Place of
death
Near Waxweiler, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| E | 3 | 25 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John Szap (father)
Mary (Olen) Szap (mother)
Peter Szap (brother)
Stephen C. Szap (brother)
William Szap (brother)
Alexander Szap (brother)
Andrew Szap (brother)
Paul Szap (brother)
Helen Szap (sister)
More information
2Lt Michael Szap attended high school for four years and was a mail carrier before he enlisted in Jamaica, New York on 12 March 1941.He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously for his action on the day of his death. The citation cited: In the midst of savage fighting, he observed that one of his tanks had been hit by bazooka fire and did not respond to radio commands. With utter disregard for his own safety, he dismounted from his tank in the face of heavy small arms fire and attempted to reach the stricken tank. During this final gallant gesture, he was mortally wounded.
In memory of Lt Szap, a street park in Little Neck, New York was named after him.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Szap Family Tree, www.findagrave.com, https://qns.com/2002/04/street-park-in-little-neck-named-for-hero-of-wwii-hero/
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Luxembourg American Cemetery