PFC Edward S. Sokolowski
Today we honor and remember PFC Edward S. Sokolowski of the 101st Airborne Division.
Private First Class (PFC) Edward S. Sokolowski of Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 401st Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, to Michael and Bernice (Urbanek) Sokolowski on October 16, 1920.
Edward had one older brother, Theodore Sokolowski, and three older sisters, Wladislawa, Josephine, and Dorothy Sokolowski. Dorothy passed away at age five on September 1, 1924. His father was hospitalized for a little over five years until he died at age 41 on November 9, 1928. His mother would remarry twice after his passing. Edward married Frances Wojtowics at an unknown date, most probably in 1942.
There is no enlistment date available, but Edward registered for the draft in Chicago on February 16, 1942. At the time, he worked at the Campbell Soup Company. According to a January 14, 1944, Chicago Daily News article, PVT Edward Sokolowski was a member of Able Battery, 252nd Field Artillery Battalion. The 252nd was rated the top artillery unit at the time and sent to Fort Benning, Georgia, to demonstrate correct artillery procedures to West Point Officer Candidates during what was called “School Troops.”
Not much later Edward must have volunteered to join the glider troops as within five months he was fighting in Normandy with Baker Company, 401st GIR, in Normandy. PFC Sokolowski is listed on the company’s furlough list of July 15, 1944. That leave period was granted to all the glidermen who had taken part in the invasion of Normandy.
His second combat action started with Operation Market Garden at the end of September 1944. On September 18, his company proceeded by glider to Son, a small town north of Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Baker Company mainly fought the Germans in the vicinity of Veghel and entrucked for Zetten on October 6.
Upon arrival, the company was sent to a reserve position but in a matter of minutes a new order was given to relieve George Company, 506th PIR. Baker Company had to be in position by 23:30 hrs. The next morning, the enemy attacked the Baker Company positions twice with tanks and infantry, supported by massive artillery barrages.
According to the combat history of Baker Company, “it made history that day, but that history was made by such gallant men as TEC5 Mark W. Dyer, PFC Philip Madonia, PFC Raymond Justis, PFC Luther Faith, PFC Frank Parusak, PFC Frank Molasezyk, and last but not least, PFC Edward S. Sokolowski.”
Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
On October 7, 1944, PFC Edward Sokolowski died at age 23, just nine days short of his next birthday.
He was initially buried at the temporary military facility at Molenhoek, Nijmegen. On September 23, 1949, he was reburied at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. The military service was conducted by Shangri La Post 1064 of the American Legion.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Edward.
Lest we forget! 🇺🇸
Sources used for this article are known to the author and available on request.