Edwin J. Takala
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Edwin J. Takala inducted into the Army January 1943, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota.
Mr. Takala served as a Staff Sergeant and section leader with the Army Air Corps. He attended a cadet college training course and transferred back to 70th Infantry Division in the continental U.S.
Embarked to the European Theater in September 1944. Landed at Omaha Beach, Normandy, and transported to the replacement depot at Nancy, France.
He was assigned to the Sixth Armored Division, 50th Armored Infantry Battalion in Luxembourg. Crossed the Rhine River into Germany and was in the combat service through East Germany. On July 4, 1945, they pulled back to Frankfurt.
Mr. Takala shared the following: “Troops reviewed by President Truman, General Eisenhower, and Jimmy Byrnes. The Sixth Armored Division deactivated. I was made supply sergeant, transferred to the Third Armored Division. Transferred to 29th Infantry Division at Bremerhaven where we guarded German POWs who were unloading American supply ships. Left Bremerhaven January 6 for New York.”
He was honorably discharged January 26, 1946, at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, 318.
