Remembering the end of World War II

This is your victory! It is the victory of the cause of freedom in every land. — Winston Churchill 

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. The following family members were part of the Greatest Generation and served in World War II. May we never forget their service.

Daniel L. Bukowski, my 1st cousin 2x removed, was born September 19, 1921. He served as a Sargent in the Army from October 24, 1942 through December 17, 1945. He was recognized in World War II Young American Patriots, 1941-1945 for his service. He was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. Daniel was featured in the blog post Army Sergeant Daniel L. Bukowski - Young American Patriot.

Daniel L. Bukowski

Joseph R. Bukowski, my great grand uncle, was born July 4, 1906 in Erie, Pennsylvania.  He served as a Private im the Army between June 15, 1943 and June 24, 1944.

Edward Zelazny (left) and Joseph Bukowski (right)

Raymond H. Bukowski, my 1st cousin 2x removed, was born February 28, 1920 in Erie, Pennsylvania   He served in the US Navy.

Raymond H. Bukowski

Norbert Bukowski, my 1st cousin 2x removed, was born July 13, 1920 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. He served in the United States Coast Guard from June 17, 1942 through November 7, 1945.

Norbert Bukowski with his daughter Judy

John E. Chanis, Jr., my 1st cousin 2x removed, was born February 12, 1916 in Forest City, Pennsylvania He served in WWII - PFC between July 27, 1944 and September 1945.

Raymond Loll, my 2nd cousin 3x removed, was born in 1922 the son of Francis G. Loll, my 2nd cousin 3x removed, and Elizabeth Hartle. Raymond served in World War II and died in action in 1945 at the age of 23.

Barbara Lynam, my 2nd cousin 3x removed, was born June 24, 1912 in Oil City, Pennsylvania. She served in the PFC WAC WWII.

Barbara Lynam

Robert Aloysius Haggerty, my 2nd cousin 3x removed, was born July 24, 1927. He served as a SSGT in the US Marine Corps in WWII. 

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr., my 1st cousin 3x removed, was born 02 Oct 1919 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great grand uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great grand aunt. Ambrose Aloysius was also the brother of Virginia McDonald Geary and is a double cousin to me as we are related by the McDonald and O'Neill lines. Ambrose volunteered for military service and joined the Marine Corps. He was killed by enemy fire in Tarawa in November of 1943, at age 24, upon landing on the beach. He earned a Purple Heart for his service. He now has a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery,  thanks to his sister Virginia McDonald Geary. Ambrose is featured in the blog post A Letter from Tarawa.

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr.

The gravemarker for Ambrose in Arlington National Cemetery

Edward V. Murosky, my grand uncle, was born 03 Mar 1925 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Anthony Harry Murosky Jr., my great grandfather and Helen Tillie Bukowski, my great grand mother. Edward was stationed along the Alaskan Highway in WWII. Edward died on 11 Dec 1996, at age 71, in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Edward V. Murosky

 Harry A. Murosky, my grand uncle, was born 21 Mar 1921 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Anthony Harry Murosky Jr., my great grandfather and Helen Tillie Bukowski, my great grand mother. Harry died on 29 Mar 2002, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Harry A. Murosky

William Murosky, my great grand uncle, was born July 11, 1902 in Forest City, Pennsylvania. He served in the Army, WWII Air Corps from August 12, 1942 through January 1943. 

Benjamin Ragan Norris, the husband of my 2nd cousin 3x removed, was born December 30, 1916. He served as a waist gunner on a B17. Four days after his wedding to Barbara Lynam he was shipped abroad. His plane the War Eagle crash landed on May 28, 1944 90 miles east of Treves, Germany after engine trouble. All of the crew were taken prisoners by the Germans. except for Benjamin and the other waist gunner Daniel Dunbar. They walked 300 miles to Allied France. They were picked up by the French Resistance and fought with them until the area was liberated by the US 4th armored division. At that point Benjamin was sent back to the United States were he served an instructor for future recruits.

Benjamin Ragan Norris

Philip Franz Selker, my 1st cousin 3x removed, was born 25 Apr 1907 in Montabaur, Westerwald,  Germany. He was the son of Karl Friedrich Selker, my 2nd great grand uncle. His mother has been listed as Margarita Wolf, but on a personal visit to him in 2001 he indicated that Margarita Wolf was not his mother and that his father had re-married after her death. Philip arrived in the United States in 1929, he came to avoid the growing military establishment in Germany. During World War II, Philip served in the Infantry in the United States Army.  He landed at Omaha Beach on the second day of the invasion of Europe.  He saw Action in France, Belgium, and Germany.  He was injured during the Bulge. He later participated in the war in the Pacific. Philip is featured in the blog post Philip Selker - Battle of Normandy Veteran

Robert V. Pietrzak, my first cousin 2x removed, was born October 25, 1925 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. He served in the United States Navy.

Robert V. Pietrzak, Leona Pietrzak and Stanley Pietrzak

Edward W. Zelazny, my first cousin 2x removed, was born September 11, 1915 in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Joseph Stanislaus Zelazny and Catherine M. Bukowski. He served as a Navy Corpsman from 1944 to 1945. He served as a medic in the Philippines.

Edward W. Zelazny

There are numerous photos of World War II veterans featured in the Military Collection  at the family photo website. This digital gallery features 45 photographs of family members who served in the military. The photographs range from portraits with family members to photos taken where the men were stationed and sent home to loved ones. Many of the photos are from the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection.