Hugo Victor Puronen, 73, died Nov. 20, 1995, at his home in Talkeetna.
   A service was held at the Covenant Bible Church in Talkeetna. Pastor George McCullough officiated. A visitation preceded the service. Interment was at Talkeetna Cemetery.
   Mr. Puronen was born March 24, 1922, in Cannonsburg, Pa., to Kaarle Puronen and Maria Nurmi.
   After graduation from high school he served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II in Europe.
   Prior to moving to Alaska in 1974, Mr. Puronen worked for Inland Steel in Minnesota. He was a heavy equipment operator and woodsman.
   Mr. Puronen was a member of Mt. McKinley Post 3836 VFW and was a Past Commander of that Post.
   According to his family and friends, ''Hugo liked to hunt and fish. He loved working in the woods. He also enjoyed flying his plane. He was in excellent health until the time of his death.''
   He is survived by his nephews and niece, Ossie of Hamina, Finland, Jorma of Masku, Finland, and Norma Kalvoda of Bradenton, Fla.
   He was preceded in death by his wife, Irja Nylund Puronen, his parents, three brothers and one sister.
   In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations be made the the VFW, Post 3836, Talkeetna, Alaska 99676. Arrangements for the family were made by Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.

[Anchorage Daily News November 28, 1995]

[courtesy of David McClellan]

Grave marker for Hugo V. Puronen in Talkeetna Cemetery, Talkeetna (Matanuska Susitna county), Alaska.

Hugo was inducted into the Army on 10 June 1939 which was before the United States instituted the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 on September 16, 1940,

On 10 August 1944, Pvt Puronen was transferred from the11th Replacement Depot to Service Company, 508th PIR.  Ten days later he was transferred to Company B.

Pvt Puronen was listed as MIA on 19 September 1944 and later was determined to have been taken prisoner.  He was liberated from Stalag 7A ca. 14 June 1945.

Hugo's draft record in Grand Rapids, MN was undoubtedly created post-war and reflects his discharge date of 14 September 1945.

On 26 January 1946, Hugo married Irja Eileen Nylund in Itasca, MN.