ERWIN A. LUCZAJ

Cpl Edwin Luczaj one of the two paratrooper sons of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Luczaj of Oakdale received his discharge at Camp Grant and returned to his home Friday having landed in New York Nov 2 from the European Theater. He was In the famous 508 Paratroop Infantry of the 82nd Airborne Division and was in the European Theater 23 months. He was wounded in his first Jump In Normandy on D-Day and made his second Jump In Holland When the war ended in Germany his division was making preparation for their third jump. After the war his regiment was named honor guard for General Eisenhower at Frankfurt.
   With his European Theater Ribbon he has four battle stars for campaigns of Ardennes, Rhineland, Normandy and Central Europe and one bronze arrowhead, the Distinguished Unit Badge, the Paratrooper wings with two stars for two jumps, the Purple Heart Good Conduct Medal. the Combat Infantry Badge, the American Defense Medal, World War II Victory Medal. the Belgium Fourragére the Military Wilhelm Order of Holland. The 82nd Division Is the only division that has ever received this latter award/.
 Cpl Luczaj left Wednesday to visit in Raleigh North Carolina,

[Nashville Journal, Nashville, IL. 15 Nov 1945, Thu, Page 8]

Edwin did more than just "visit in Raleigh North Carolina," he married Alice Laveda Williams [1923-1982] in Raleigh on 20 November 1945,  Alice was a registered nurse and may have met Edwin while he was in treatment for his burned hands.

Edwin Luczaj

   OAKDALE Edwin A Luczaj, 78, died at 11:45 am. Friday, Feb. 9, 2001, at the Washington County Hospital of Nashville.
  . Services will be at 10 am. Monday at the St. Ann Catholic Church of Nashville, with Father Paul Wienhoff officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 9 p.m. today and on Monday from 7:30 am. until 9 am. at the Campagna Funeral Home in Nashville. A Vigil Prayer service will be held at 9 am. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the St. Ann Catholic Church Renovation Fund or to the Boy Scout Troop 127 of Nashville.

[Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, IL, 11 Feb 2001, Sun, Page 13]

Grave markers for Edwin A Luczaj in Saint Ann Cemetery, Nashville (Washington county), Illinois.

Edwin registered for the draft in Washington county, IL.  This version of his draft record was completed on 14 November 1945 following his discharge.

Edwin enlisted in he Army at Jefferson Barracks, MO on 5 May 1942.

Pvt Luczaj was transferred from the 507th PIR to the 508th PIR as a member of the cadre team on 16 October 1942.

On 6 June 1944, Cpl Luczaj suffered severe burns on his hands and burned off all of his fingernails while having to rip a phosphorus grenade out of his jump suit after a passing tracer bullet set it off.  He was evacuated to a field hospital and was able to return to his company on 29 June.

He was discharged from the Army on 19 April 1946