Funeral Rites Set For Pfc. J. Y. Stabiga

The body of Pfc. John Yancy Stabiga, 29, of Smithers, who was killed September 23, 1944, in Holland, will arrive this morning at B. C. Hooper mortuary in Montgomery. Service will be at 2 p.m. tomorrow in the Church of The Immaculate Conception, Montgomery, and burial will be in Montgomery Memorial Park at London. Fr. Charles Doyle will officiate. Kanawha Valley Post No. 58, American Legion, will conduct military rites.

The body will be taken to the home of his mother, Mrs. Maggie Stabiga of Smithers, at 5 p.m. today. Pfc. Stabiga entered the service on Oct. 2, 1943, and was killed while serving with the 508th Paratroop Infantry.

He was employed at the Cannelton Coal and Coke Co. at the time of his enlistment. He was awarded the Presidential citation and the Purple Heart posthumously.

Surviving besides his mother are five sisters, Mrs. Louise Cipirina, Nellie, Anna, Mary and Rose Lee Stabiga, and two brothers, Frank and Alonzo Stabiga, all of Smithers.

(The Charleston Gazette, Charleston, WV, Saturday, Jan. 29, 1949, p. 2, Col. 5)

JUMPMASTER NOTE: Variations of "Stabagi" and "Stabiga" are as appeared in the obituary

(courtesy of April Knisley)

Grave markers for Pfc John Stabagi in the Montgomery Memorial Park, London (Kanawha county), West Virginia.

John enlisted in the Army at Ft Thomas, Newport, KY on 24 October 1942.  He was assigned to the Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th PIR.

Pfc Stabagi jumped into Holland on 17 September 1944 as part of Operation Market Garden. 

On October 2nd he was reported as having been Missing In Action since 17 September.  On October 4th, Pfc Stabagi was reported as having been Killed In Action on 21 September 1944.

He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge for Rhineland (Holland) Campaign, 17 September 1944 to 10 November 1944.