Leonard B. Wauzynski
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Leonard B. Wauzynski was inducted into the Army on May 25, 1943, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Home at entry: Hibbing, Minnesota.
Mr. Wauzynski served as a Technician 5th Grade and field lineman with Headquarters Company of the Second Battalion of the 141st Infantry Regiment of the Fourth Infantry Division in Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe.
He recalls, "While searching houses, I was watching German officers come out to surrender. Two German soldiers came out behind me and I didn't see them. They pushed my shoulder and I turned around thinking they were an elderly couple that lived in the house. The soldiers wanted to surrender."
He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze battle stars, World War II Victory Medal, and two overseas service bars.
Mr. Wauzynski was honorably discharged on December 30, 1945, at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, 338.
