Missing information?
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?
Submit- Full
name
POPLAR, Joseph Paul "Joe" - Date of
birth
7 December 1909 -
Age
35 - Place of
birth
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin -
Hometown
South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36247011 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
Scout -
Unit
F Company,
2nd Battalion,
377th Infantry Regiment,
95th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
9 April 1945 - Place of
death
Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 7 | 18 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Frank Poplar (father)
Jenny Poplar (mother)
Irene Poplar (sister)
Jack Poplar (brother)
John Poplar (brother)
Jane L. Poplar (wife)
More information
Pfc Joseph P. Poplar was employed by the Doerman Shoe Co.He enlisted in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 23 June 1942.
He was awarded the Silver Star postumously for actions on 1 April 1945. The citation stated:
'For gallantry in action against the enemy on 1 April 1945 in the vicinity of Augustdorf, Germany. Serving as a scout, Pfc Poplar pointed out concealed enemy positions in woodland near Augustdorf and led his squad in reducting them in violent fire fighting. Pfc Poplar killed or wounded five German snipers on the way. Later he was wounded by a sniper but seeing a wounded comrade he carried him half a mile to a barn where first aid was administered to both. Then, in spite of his wound, Pfc Poplar returned to his squad to carry on with the attack. On 9 April 1945 Pfc Poplar was killed in action in Germany.'
He was hit by a sniper.
His father Frank Poplar was born in Poland. He changed his name from Popielarcik to Poplar in 1939.
At the time of his death his brother Jack served with the Navy.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, Carla Mans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com - Stella C. Peplowski / A Grateful American, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1930 Census / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet / South Milwaukee Historical Society, Tom Mueller