NAME: Francis X. Kowalski
ASN: 32155019
PLACE OF BIRTH: North Bergen, NJ
DATE OF BIRTH: 07 Mar 1919
DATES OF SERVICE: 06 Jun 1941 - ?? Jun 1945
UNIT ASSIGNED:
HHC 504th Parachute Battalion
HHC 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment
HHC 2nd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment
B Company, 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion
CAMPAIGNS: Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France
AWARDS: Parachutist Badge, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, EAME Campaign Medal with arrowhead and five campaign stars, WWII Victory Medal, Distinguished (Presidential) Unit Citation, French 3rd Zouaves Regiment Badge
SUMMARY OF SERVICE:
06 Jun 1941 - Enlisted at Trenton, NJ NARA Enlistment Record
| Field Title | Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ARMY SERIAL NUMBER | 32155019 | 32155019 |
| NAME | KOWALSKI#FRANCIS#X###### | KOWALSKI#FRANCIS#X###### |
| RESIDENCE: STATE | 22 | NEW JERSEY |
| RESIDENCE: COUNTY | 017 | HUDSON |
| PLACE OF ENLISTMENT | 2280 | TRENTON NEW JERSEY |
| DATE OF ENLISTMENT DAY | 06 | 06 |
| DATE OF ENLISTMENT MONTH | 06 | 06 |
| DATE OF ENLISTMENT YEAR | 41 | 41 |
| GRADE: ALPHA DESIGNATION | PVT# | Private |
| GRADE: CODE | 8 | Private |
| BRANCH: ALPHA DESIGNATION | BI# | Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA |
| BRANCH: CODE | 00 | Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA |
| FIELD USE AS DESIRED | # | # |
| TERM OF ENLISTMENT | 0 | Undefined Code |
| LONGEVITY | ### | ### |
| SOURCE OF ARMY PERSONNEL | 0 | Civil Life |
| NATIVITY | 22 | NEW JERSEY |
| YEAR OF BIRTH | 19 | 19 |
| RACE AND CITIZENSHIP | 1 | White, citizen |
| EDUCATION | 3 | 3 years of high school |
| CIVILIAN OCCUPATION | 736 | Semiskilled chauffeurs and drivers, bus, taxi, truck, and tractor |
| MARITAL STATUS | 6 | Single, without dependents |
| COMPONENT OF THE ARMY | 7 | Selectees (Enlisted Men) |
| CARD NUMBER | # | # |
| BOX NUMBER | 0472 | 0472 |
| FILM REEL NUMBER | 2.136 | 2.136 |
25 Dec 1941 - Pfc. Francis X. Kowalski 32155019 HHC, 504th PB attended Christmas Dinner
01 Feb 1942 - Cpl. Francis X. Kowalski 32155019 HHC, 504th PB
00 Nov 1942 - Possibly served as rear detachment to bring over vehicles and supplies for the 509th to North Africa, sailed onboard the S.S. Uruguay
14 Sep 1943 - S/Sgt. Francis X. Kowalski 32155019 HHC 2nd Bn, 509th PIR, Served as rear detachment in Sicily
Have listed that he was a Supply Sergeant
S/Sgt. Francis X. Kowalski co-wrote the 509th Victory Song with Sgt. Charles Woodhead. He figured out the music notes on a church organ.
Have listed that he was in B Company 509th PIB while in Italy
22 Jan 1944 - Participated in Operation SHINGLE the Amphibious landings at Anzio, Italy
15 Aug 1944 - Participated in Operation ANVIL-DRAGOON on the amphibious landings as part of the second echelon of rear detachment troops designated to bring ashore the 509th PIB vehicles and supplies.
1947 - Met Rosemary
1951 - Married to Rosemary
1949-1979 - He ran K&M Auto with cousin James Malley who was in the infantry in WWII.
03 Jul 2003 - KOWALSKI - Francis X., formerly of Saddle Brook, now of East Brunswick passed into eternal life on July 3, 2003. A dedicated hero of World War II, he served his country in the 509th Paratrooper Infantry. He owned and operated K's Car Service in Saddle Brook for 22 years. Mr Kowalski leaves his beloved wife of 52 years, Rosemary (nee Butler). Devoted father of Francis, Jr. and his wife Patricia and cherished granddaughter, Kristen, of Pompton Plains, a daughter, Suzanne Reilly and her husband William, cherished grandsons, William, Jr. and Jonathan, all of Bogota and son Arthur J. of Saddle Brook.
Francis Kowalski in training in 1941
Photo recent graduates of the Parachute School. HHC 504th Parachute Battalion members L to R: Wilber F. May, Andrew S. Moscrip, James B. Hall, Herbert W. Legg, The Major?, Francis X. Kowalski
Photo recent graduates of the Parachute School. HHC 504th Parachute Battalion members L to R Back row: Wilber F. May, Andrew S. Moscrip, James B. Hall, Herbert W. Legg, The Major?, Francis X. Kowalski. L to R front row: Paul E. DiBianco, Francis H. Mulholland
Francis Kowalski with buddy unknown
Moving out on trucks displaying captured war trophy - Date unknown
Rosemary when they met in 1947
Francis Kowalski - Date unknown
Rosemary
His father built the boat to keep busy while his son Francis was in the war. It was named the SS Eleanor., NY
Rosemary
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