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name
ZENISHEK, William George - Date of
birth
19 November 1922 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Linn Township, Cedar County, Iowa -
Hometown
Mechanicsville, Cedar County, Iowa
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
37659894 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
unknown -
Unit
E Company,
346th Infantry Regiment,
87th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Died of Wounds - Date of
death
25 April 1945 - Place of
death
Vicinity of Plauen, Vogtlandkreis, Saxony, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| F | 3 | 21 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Albert T. Zenishek (father)
Genevieve 'Jennie' A. (Young) Zenishek (mother)
Richard Zenishek (brother)
Harriet R. (Moffitt) Zenishek (wife)
More information
T/Sgt William G. Zenishek worked as a chauffeur before he enlisted at Camp Dodge, Iowa on 5 February 1943. He was sent overseas in October 1944.On the night of 24/25 April a reconnaissance party was cut off and pinned down and they were taken casualties. Since they had no camouflage suits, they were sitting ducks on this clear moonlit night. A patrol in force was being organized to get them out. Because of the hazard, the patrol would be composed only of volunteers.
A volunteer patrol was assembled. T/Sgt Zenishek led the patrol. After a fierce fire fight in open terrain, they succeeded in rescuing the beleaguered recon party. T/Sgt Zenishek was badly wounded and died shortly thereafter. For this action he was awarded the Silver Star Medal postumously.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, Steven Zenishek (nephew), www.ancestry.com - 1920/1930 Census / Iowa Select Marriages, 1909-1992 / U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards / Cairns Family Tree, 87th Infantry Division "Golden Acorn" Unit History, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.findagrave.com, Military Times, http://www.lonesentry.com/gi_stories_booklets/87thinfantry/index.html, Take It Like A Soldier: A memoir, The Muscatine Journal - 11 July, 1944 Marriage licenses, Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1939
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Cedar County (Iowa) Historical Society Museum - Sandy Harmel