Missing information?
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?
Submit- Full
name
PENICK, James Howard - Date of
birth
1 June 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Erie County, Ohio -
Hometown
Erie County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35545686 -
Rank
Corporal -
Function
Squad Leader -
Unit
H Company,
2nd Battalion,
310th Infantry Regiment,
78th Infantry Division,
Machine Gun Squad
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
16 December 1944 - Place of
death
Near Kesternich, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| F | 11 | 21 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Vernon V. Penick (father)
Ethel M. Penick (mother)
Darlie B. Penick (sister)
Harold L. Penick (brother)
Louise M. Penick (sister)
Dorothy J. Penick (sister)
Ruth E. Penick (sister)
More information
Cpl James H. Penick graduated from Norwalk High School and worked in an aircraft factory.He enlisted in Toledo, Ohio on 5 February 1943.
Cpl Penick was wounded and the rest of his squad either killed or wounded by enemy fire. Alone he moved his gun to an alternate position and fired many belts of ammunition into a counter-attacking enemy column as it came over the hill in front of him. He destroyed many of the enemy as he continued to fight despite his wound and serious trench foot condition. He died at his post, killed by a direct hit from an enemy tank supporting the enemy infantry attack. For this action he was awarded the Silver Star posthumously.
Cpl James H. Penick is remembered at the West Lawn Cemetery in Canton, Stark County, Ohio.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, James L. Cooper, www.abmc.gov, www.findagrave.com – James L. Cooper / Richard Blunk, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1930 Census / Ohio, Birth Index / Family Tree
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Des Philippet / Edward Rowlance, www.fold3.com