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name
KRKA, Charles J - Date of
birth
1920 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
unknown -
Hometown
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
16068052 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
unknown -
Unit
F Company,
2nd Battalion,
505th Parachute Infantry Regiment,
82nd Airborne Division
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Died of Wounds - Date of
death
7 January 1945 - Place of
death
At Devant les Bois
Arbrefontaine, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| G | 11 | 64 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Nick Krka (father)
Angeline Krka (mother)
Steve Krka (brother)
Jeanette Krka (sister)
George Krka (brother)
Elnora Krka (sister)
Michal Krka (brother)
More information
Pfc Charles J. Krka was a chauffeur before he volunteered for the Army of the United States in Chicago, Illinois on 13 February 1942.His parents were born in Croatia.
He was already a veteran of the Sicilian campaign and also saw action in the vicinity of Salerno, Italy and the Volturno Line. On 6 June 1944 he took part in the invasion of Normandy, France and in September of the same year, participated in Operation Market Garden.
He is also mentioned in the book “Four Stars of Valor” on page 374: ‘We went back to the woods and found Ken Olsen wounded and Charles Krka, who DOW (died of wounds). On the way into Gornonne, Frank Rojas was killed.’
At the place where the battle for Arbrefontaine was fought, is a statue to honor the fallen of F Company.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Raphaël Marchal, NARA, www.wwiimemorial.com, WW2 Airborne,
Photo source: Tjarco Schuurman, Raphaël Marchal, Kathleen Kirka Brunetti (niece) - courtesy of Kathy McDermott