US dogtag found in the Bulge , 2nd Infantry Div!!

[panzer90]

Hi, this is my first thread on this forum,
I've found this us dogtag from ww2.
I've found this dogtag in the eifel area in the ardennes.
he is from the 2nd infantery div.

stecz edward A
13114000 T43 44 A

C
i'm really interested in what you guys can found about this person
it's very special to me , i will never sell or trade it because it's such a special piece to me
greetz
Panzer

[Metts]

James edwards,US 2nd infantry divison WW11,88 years of age he may know your man,he has his own web site,good luck panzer 90

[Metts]

HI panzer,i omitted to say that it was his sons site,in honor of his father.

[JLHORAK]

From the Chester County Website

Edward Albert Stecz was born in 1919 son of John and Mary Stecz who lived at 5 East Morgan Street in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Edward was the third born of five children: Joseph, John Edward, Teresa, and James. His father immigrated from Poland, his mother from Czechoslovakia, but all their children were born here. The family later moved to 245 Taylor Street.
Edward attended the Phoenixville High School, then on Nutt Road where the Phoenixville Hospital stands today. He graduated in 1940, the same year Hero Willis Stoltzfus graduated. Edward was enrolled in the ‘commercial course’ of studies, played basketball, football and on the track team his 2nd, 3rd and 4th years. He was in the class play and Class President his Senior year.

His high school yearbook records:

“Babe,” with his ready sense of humor, is like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. When one is feeling despondent, the very presence of this “gloom doctor” is enough to chase the blues away.





Edward was a member of the Sacred Heart Church (located at 148 Church St), and a member of the Jednota Lodge, Holy Name Society. Edward went on to attend Temple University in Philadelphia completing 3 of 4 years playing Varsity Football.

Edward entered the Army in May 1943 and received training at Fort Meade, Maryland, Fort Eustis, Virginia, Fort Bliss Texas and Camp Carson, Colorado. He originally trained in antiaircraft artillery, but later transferred to the infantry. He was shipped overseas to the European Theater of Operations (ETO) July, 1944,serving with the Second Infantry Division.

The Second Infantry Division went ashore on Omaha Beach Normandy on June 7 (a day after the first landings – June 6th). It fought its way across France liberating the French. Edward joined the Division during this drive. The Second continued into Belgium, liberating that country, and preparing to attack Germany around the German Defensive Siegfried line.

On December 11th the Edward’s division was ordered to attack and capture the Roer River dams. The Germans staged a massive counterattack through the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) in mid December. This forced the Division to withdrawal to Elsenborn in a defensive posture, until the enemy was stopped. It was during this battle that Edward was mortally wounded.

Private First Class Edward A. Stecz was Killed In Action on December 13, 1944.

Edward was buried locally at the Henri Chapelle Military Cemetery in Belgium.

Upon request of the family, his Edward was returned for burial in his home country. Funeral services were held at his family home on Thursday December 11, 1947, followed by High Requiem Mass at Sacred Heart Church. The Reverend Andrew Gajzik presided, with Reverend Joseph Radocha and William Geary. Edward was buried at the Church’s Cemetery on Filmore Street.

Tech 4th Class John W. Prehoda from Chicago who escorted Edwards remains, stood guard over the casket. Honorary Pallbearers were provided by the Allied Veterans. Fraternity brothers and classmates from Temple University also were involved in the service.

The last letter received by the family was sent to his sister Teresa, dated December 8th, in which he said his unit was in a rest camp in Belgium after intensive combat.

His father received word that Edward had been awarded the Combat Infantry man Badge for “superior performance in combat in the front lines in France and Germany” just 24 hours before he received notification of his death.

His brother, John, served with the Army Air Corps during the War.

[381st digger]

Very interesting. You did a great job getting all that info.

[JLHORAK]

Panzer,

With some sincere thought, - I would ask that your consider forwarding the dog tag to the Stecz family.

Having assembled KIA (killed in action) personal effects packages in Beirut, with the Marine Corps (1983/4) - Issued items like a dog tag would cleaned and returned to the family if not mutilated.

My guess is that you found the tag very close to where the man was killed, or at a casualty collection point.

Should you want some assistance, there are many on this website that would be able to assist with research and translation on the tag's recovery.

Semper Fi,

Jim Horak

[Monuir]

awesome find!

[helmet2id]

I just checked the WWII 2nd ID Divisional history, and Private Stecz was in the 9th Infantry Regiment. On 12/11 the 9th Infantry attacked Siegfried Line fortifications at Wehlerscheid, a critical road junction that was strongly defended. On 12/13, the 9th Infantry went on the attack at 0830 hours, without artillery support, "to preserve the element of surprise," and met stiff resistance by the Germans who manned the numerous pillboxes in the area. After fierce fighting over the next few days the positions was taken, but for naught, as 3 days after Private Stecz was KIA, Operation Watch on the Rhine commenced. The conditions which those men faced in that attack were horrific, but the 2nd ID did its duty, as it had since the initial fighting in Normandy, on through to the end of the War. We owe these men a tremendous debt of gratitude that can never be paid. The Second ID was indeed, as its motto states, "Second to None!" Jim Geanuracos, nephew of the late Charles Geanuracos, C Co., 23rd, known by his buddies as "The Heebie Geebie Greek on the BAR"

[Stecz Milasus]

I do not understand why this dog tag is so important to you. I am related to Edward Stecz, my father (who does not use the Internet) knew him as they were cousins. Our family would love to have Edward's dog tag returned to us. You were already contacted by someone who was kind enough to contact us to tell us about your find. You have not responded to his request to return it to it's rightful owner. In honor of today, Memorial Day in the US, I plead with you to send the dog tag home to the Stecz family. Thank you.

[sebfrench76]

YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT BACK!!
We,French are free thanks to this kind of man!!If i ever find a dog tag,it will be my honor to transmit it to the former owner's family,especially in such a case,when all is clear!
Think,please!