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Personal info

Full name
KOPKA, John
Date of birth
13 April 1918
Age
27
Place of birth
Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts
Hometown
Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts

Military service

Service number
31078740
Rank
Private First Class
Function
unknown
Unit
30th Infantry Regiment,
3rd Infantry Division
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
7 March 1946
Place of death
unknown

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Tablets of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Michael Kopka (father)
Mary Kopka (mother)
Michael Kopka (brother)
Mary Kopka (sister)

More information

Pfc John Kopka attended high school for three years and was a mechanic, employed by S. G. Davison.

He was taken prisoner of war in Italy on 6 February 1944 during the Anzio campaign.

Pfc Kopka was later detained in Stalag II-B in Hammerstein, Germany. On 28 January 1945 the camp was evacuated. He died probably during a forced march during this evacuation.

He was officially declared dead one day and one year after he was reported missing in action.

Source of information: Leo Minne, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1930/1940 Census / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men / U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Cards, History 3rd Infantry Division WWII
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Frogman