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name
SCHAPKA, Robert Charles - Date of
birth
13 June 1925 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Muskegon County, Michigan -
Hometown
Muskegon County, Michigan
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36881055 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
Automatic Rifleman -
Unit
E Company,
2nd Battalion,
407th Infantry Regiment,
102nd Infantry Division
-
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
30 November 1944 - Place of
death
Near Linnich, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Andrew Schapka (father)
Margaret M. (Kumives) Schapka (mother)
Philip Schapka (brother)
Paul Schapka (brother)
Vasile Schapka (brother)
More information
Robert Schapka was sent to Purdue University for officer studies. He was removed from that program and placed in the infantry as a replacement.The circumstances of his death are bitterly ironic and tragic. The characteristic sound of the BAR was known to attract enemy gunfire. He received a wound to the shoulder. It was not serious and he received first aid. Because no medic could get to him at the time, he was placed in a foxhole along the road to await help. An American tank was seen to accidentally drive over the spot. Although a search was made, no remains were ever found. He was declared missing in action and later declared dead.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Richard Mullally, www.wwiimemorial.com, newspaper Clipping,
Philip Schapka, Paul Schapka, www.ancestry.com - Fodrocy Family Tree,
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Philip Schapka, Paul Schapka