Alex M. Penkala, Jnr.

Alex Penkala was born in South Bend, Indiana in 1924. His mother died after giving birth to another child, and Penkala's oldest sister Irene looked after him and his 12 other siblings.

He dropped out of high school in 1939 when he was in his sophomore year, and found a job as a cook.

He enlisted in the Army in February 27, 1942, at Toledo, Ohio, and volunteered for the paratroopers. He served in the United States Army during World War II as a Private First Class in Company E ("Easy Company"), 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.

He and his comrade Warren H. "Skip" Muck were killed by German artillery fire on the outskirts of the Belgian town of Foy. They were taking cover in a foxhole from the artillery when a direct hit landed on them. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Feb 2 2018, 10:53:18 UTC