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Personal info

Full name
GASDA, John P
Date of birth
1 August 1911
Age
33
Place of birth
Pittburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Sharpsburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
33268563
Rank
Sergeant
Function
unknown
Unit
18th Infantry Regiment,
1st Infantry Division
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
16 April 1945
Place of death
Harz mountains, east of Osterode am Harz, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
M 4 4

Immediate family

Members
John Gasda (father)
Catherine Gasda (mother)
Irene Gasda (sister)
Charles Gasda (brother)
Josephine (Schmitt) Gasda (sister)
Bernard Gasda (brother)
Mary L. Gasda (sister)
Robert Gasda (brother)
Helen F. Gasda (wife)

More information

Sgt John P. Gasda enlisted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 1 June 1942. He worked in a glass factory before he enlisted. Both his parents were born in Hungary.

The Pittsburgh Press:
"Sgt. Gasda was coached by William L. Cunningham and ran his first race of 26 miles in 1927 at the age of 15, finishing eight in a field of 50.
Sgt. Gasda was a drum major for the Sharpsburg cadets for 12 years and won several state championships.
He was inducted June 1, 1942, receiving his basic training at Keesler Field, Miss. He went overseas Jan. 16, 1945.
Sgt. Gasda attended St. Mary's School and Church in Sharpsburg, and was employed by the H.J. Heinz Co. glass works at the time of his induction"

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Pennsylvania Veteran Compensation Applications WWII / WWII Enlistment Record / 1940 Census, www.history.army.mil/html/bookshelves/resmat/ww2list.html, www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar, The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)