Eugene “Jack” Kraszewski was drafted proper after turning 18 years previous, becoming a member of the 553 Anti-aircraft Battalion, Ninth Division on March 1, 1943.
He landed on Utah Seaside on D-Day and later fought within the Battle of the Bulge.
The Battle of the Bulge was the final main German offensive within the West, launched in December 1944 throughout World Struggle II. Aiming to separate Allied forces within the Ardennes area, it finally failed, resulting in heavy losses for Germany and setting the stage for the ultimate Allied advance in the direction of victory.
Because of his navy service, Kraszewski was unable to finish his senior 12 months of highschool.
Final week, nonetheless, the now 100-year-old veteran was introduced with an honorary highschool diploma by the Pulaski Group Faculty District.
World Struggle II Veteran Jack Kraszewski Will get His Diploma
Jack Kraszewski being awarded a highschool diploma 81 years after being drafted into the navy throughout World Struggle II is outstanding.
Earlier this 12 months, the group of Pulaski got here collectively to honor his service and his one centesimal birthday with a parade in his honor. Kraszewski rode by way of the streets in a WWII-era Jeep.
“Words can’t describe how much I enjoyed it,” mentioned Kraszewski of the parade. “So many people came out to see me.”
He additionally recalled to reporters the risks he confronted in Europe preventing for America.
“We’d shoot down strafing aircraft, low-flying planes,” he mentioned. “Cause our guns were 40 millimeter and 50 caliber, so we couldn’t reach the bombers.”
“We were out in the wet, in the air, weather, twenty-four-seven.”
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Additionally Visited France On D-Day
Jack Kraszewski additionally returned to France with different veterans to commemorate the eightieth anniversary of D-Day in Normandy.
He entered France a couple of months after D-Day, NBC 26 in Northeast Wisconsin stories. Following the parade, he recalled an emotional reunion together with his father when he returned house from struggle.
“I walked in the house and I yelled ‘Anybody home?’ and my dad got up and that was a good reunion,” he mentioned.
Kraszewski would return to a job as a cheesemaker the place he finally met his spouse and began a household.
He signifies he doesn’t fairly know what the key to a protracted life is, however suspects it entails some assist from above.
“I don’t know, the guy upstairs took care of me,” he mentioned.
Now the group is caring for him.
