Emil E. Kurki

Era: World War II

Military Branch: Army

Emil E. Kurki was inducted into the Army in March 28, 1941, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Home at entry: Duluth, Minnesota.

He served as a Staff Sergeant and infantry squad leader with Company B of the 23rd Infantry Regiment and Second Infantry Division.

Mr. Kurki shares the following: "29 August 1941, sent to Kodiak Island...March 1944, sent back to States to Camp Haan, Texas, for advanced infantry training, then to Fort Meade, MD., then to Europe. Crossed Rhine in landing craft. Saw action in small towns--can't remember all of them."

He was wounded in action near Gotingen, Germany.

"Crossed Weser River in assault boats at midnight. Can't remember towns between there and Leipzig. Last battle fought at Leipzig. We ended finally in Pilser, Czechoslovakia."

Mr. Kurki was awarded the following: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Certificate of Merit, Combat Infantryman Badge, American Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, European- African-Middle East Campaign Medal with two bronze battle stars (Rhineland and Central Europe), World War II Victory Medal and four overseas service bars.

Citation from the Certificate of Merit: "In recognition of conspicuously meritorious and outstanding performance of military duty. On March 3, 1945, near Malsbenden, Germany, Sgt. Kurki was a member of a successful ambush patrol which crossed into enemy lines, captured four prisoners and obtained information of the highest value to an impending operation."

Mr. Kurki was honorably discharged on June 24, 1954, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota.