Raymond John Plys
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
PLYS, Raymond John
Raymond John Plys was born on March 25th 1926 to George Albert & Francis Tekla [Rusnak] Plys in Duluth, Minnesota.
Mr. Plys was inducted into the U.S. Army on June 9th 1944 during WWII
He was a clerk with Company I, 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, serving in the Northern Apennines and Po Valley in ground combat during the Italian campaign. He rose to the rank of Sergeant (SGT).
SGT Plys recalled, "The largest battle of many was the capture of Mt. Belvedere from the Germans. I celebrated my 19th birthday on the front lines."
He earned the following merits for his service:
- Bronze Star,
- Combat Infantryman Badge,
- Good Conduct Medal,
- European-African-Middle East Campaign Service Medal with 3 bronze battle stars,
- American Campaign Service Medal,
- Army of Occupation Service Medal (Germany),
- World War II Victory Medal, -and-
- an overseas service bar.
He was honorably discharged on June 1st 1946. After the war he returned home amd married Shirley Anne [Carlson] and they started a family.
Mr. Plys died on February 28th 2008 at the age 81 years in Virginia, Minnesota. He is buried at Calvary Cememtery in Virginia
Source(s): Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 253.
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Page 1 WWII Draft Registration Cards - Fold3
Raymond J Plys (1926-2008) - Find a Grave Memorial
U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 - Ancestry.com
