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 Seashore 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 Conflict 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 direction of victory.
Because of his navy service, Kraszewski was unable to finish his senior 12 months of highschool.
Final week, nevertheless, the now 100-year-old veteran was presented with an honorary highschool diploma by the Pulaski Neighborhood Faculty District.
World Conflict 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 Conflict II is exceptional.
Earlier this 12 months, the neighborhood of Pulaski got here collectively to honor his service and his a hundredth birthday with a parade in his honor. Kraszewski rode by the streets in a WWII-era Jeep.
“Phrases can’t describe how a lot I loved it,” stated Kraszewski of the parade. “So many individuals got here out to see me.”
He additionally recalled to reporters the hazards he confronted in Europe preventing for America.
“We’d shoot down strafing plane, low-flying planes,” he stated. “Trigger our weapons had been 40 millimeter and 50 caliber, so we couldn’t attain the bombers.”
“We had been out within the moist, within the air, climate, 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 number of months after D-Day, NBC 26 in Northeast Wisconsin reports. Following the parade, he recalled an emotional reunion along with his father when he returned house from conflict.
“I walked in the home and I yelled ‘Anyone house?’ and my dad received up and that was reunion,” he stated.
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 man upstairs took care of me,” he stated.
Now the neighborhood is taking good care of him.
