George Smilanich
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
SMILANICH, George.
George Smilanich was born on June 9th 1918 to Louis & Kate [Rapaich] Smilanich in Buhl, Minnesota.
Mr. Smilanich entered the U.S. Army on November 25th 1942. Home at entry: Buhl.
He served as a tank driver with the 67th Armored Regiment of the Second Armored "Hell on Wheels' Division in Africa, Sicily, England, Normandy Invasion, and the Battle of the Bulge. He rose to the rank of Technician Fifth Grade (TEC5).
He was wounded in action and developed frost bitten feet. He was hospitalized at 55th General Hospital in Birmingham, England.
TEC Smilanich recalled the following: "The Second Armored Division was asked to be an honor guard at the Potsdam Conference. This duty delayed my return home by three months. We stood in review for many dignitaries including (Generals) Patton, Spaatz, Eisenhower, Bradley, Montgomery, Churchill, and Stalin. Our division also received the Belgian Fourragere, a unit citation."
TEC Smilanich earned the following merits for his service:
- Bronze Star Medal,
- Purple Heart,
- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 6 bronze battle stars,
- World War II Victory Medal, -and-
- Belgian Fourragere.
He was honorably discharged on November 17th 1945.
Mr. Smilanich died on September 9th 1997 at 79 years of age. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Chisholm, Minnesota.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, 299.
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
George J Smilanich in Social Security Death Index - Fold3
George Smilanich (1918-1997) - Find a Grave Memorial
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/14366405:2441?_phcmd=u(%27https://www.ancestry.com/search/?name=George_Smilanich&birth=1918&successSource=Search&queryId=8b187f3007ed3a8de460e8572834c5e3%27,%27successSource%27)
