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Personal info

Full name
SPALA, Thomas James
Date of birth
10 December 1923
Age
21
Place of birth
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
Hometown
Wayne County, Michigan

Military service

Service number
36581246
Rank
Private First Class
Function
unknown
Unit
110th Infantry Regiment,
28th Infantry Division
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
20 December 1944
Place of death
Near the Luxembourg-Belgium border

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
Plot Row Grave
F 12 33

Immediate family

Members
James H. Spala (father)
Albina A. (Brabenec) Spala (mother)
Rosemary Spala (sister)
Virginia C. Spala (sister)
James J. Spala (brother)
Catherine Spala (sister)
Edward Spala (brother)

More information

Pfc Thomas J. Spala attended Western International High School for 2 years in 1940 - 1942 and was a member of the ROTC there. And worked in a tool manufacturing company before he enlisted in March 1943 and was sent overseas in August of the same year.

He was reported wounded in action on 14 October 1944 for which he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal a first time. After recovering he rejoined his unit.

He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Foy, Belgium.

Source of information: André Koch, Carla Mans, Kathy McDermott, Susan Linton, www.abmc.gov,

www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930/1940 Census / ddodd061947 Tree / Headstone and Interment Record / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-SS-Three/USA-SS-Three-III-8.html

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, www.newspapers.com - The Detroit Evening Times 31 March 1945