Funk, Leonard Alfred, Jr., 1ST SGT

Deceased
 
 Photo In Uniform   Service Details
7 kb
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Final Rank
First Sergeant
Last Service Branch
Infantry
Last MOS
745-Rifleman
Last MOS Group
Infantry
Primary Unit
1942-1945, 745, HHC, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR)
Service Years
1941 - 1945
Infantry
First Sergeant
One Service Stripe
Three Overseas Service Bars

 Last Photo   Personal Details 

7 kb


Home State
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Year of Birth
1916
 
This Military Service Page was created/owned by SSG Richard Keirn to remember Funk, Leonard Alfred, Jr., 1ST SGT.

If you knew or served with this Soldier and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
 
Contact Info
Home Town
Braddock, Pennsylvania
Last Address
Braddock Hills, Pennsylvania
Date of Passing
Sep 20, 1992
 
Location of Interment
Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Wall/Plot Coordinates
Section 35 Lot 2373-4

 Official Badges 

Belgian Fourragere Infantry Shoulder Cord Netherlands Orange Lanyard French Fourragere

82nd Airbone Division Honorably Discharged WW II Honorable Discharge Emblem (WWII)


 Unofficial Badges 

Airborne


 Military Associations and Other Affiliations
Congressional Medal Of Honor SocietyMedal of Honor Recipients508th Parachute Infantry Regiment AssociationArlington National Cemetery (VLM)
  1945, Congressional Medal Of Honor Society
  1945, Medal of Honor Recipients - Assoc. Page
  1946, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment Association
  1946, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment Association
  1992, National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) (Arlington, Virginia)
  2023, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment Association


 Additional Information
Last Known Activity:

World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipent. He enlisted in the United States Army in June 1941, and volunteered for airborne training, later earning his wings. He was assigned to Company C, 508th Parachute Infantry, at Camp Blanding, Florida, as a First Sergeant with the United States Army, later going to England with the 508th and was still with them when they became part of the 82nd Airborne Division. On June 6, 1944, he parachuted into France during the Normandy Invasion, and into Holland during the Operation Market Garden on September 17, 1944. He also went with his airborne unit through Belgium, across the Rhine River in Germany, to the Elbe River where the unit waited to enter Berlin as the war came to an end. He distinguished himself by gallant, intrepid actions against the enemy. After advancing 15 miles in a driving snowstorm, the American force prepared to attack through waist-deep drifts. The company executive became a casualty, and Funk took over his duties, forming headquarters soldiers into a combat unit for an assault in the face of direct artillery shelling and harassing fire from the right flank. Under his leadershipo the 3rd Platoon attacked 15 houses, and took 30 prisoners hostage without suffering a single loss. The Company then took over Holzheim, Belgium, taking 80 prisoners. Shortly thereafter a battle ensued with heavy machine-gun fire. In all 21 germans were killed, many wounded, and others captured. For his actions and bravery on January 29, 1945, Funk received his medal at the White House in August 1945. He was also the recipient of the Distinguished Silver Cross, the Silver Star, and Purple Heart.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7618437/leonard-a.-funk

   

   1942-1945, 745, HHC, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR)

First Sergeant
From Month/Year
- / 1942
To Month/Year
- / 1945
Unit
HHC Unit Page
Rank
First Sergeant
MOS
745-Rifleman
Base, Fort or City
Not Specified
State/Country
Not Specified
 
 
 Patch
 HHC, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) Details

HHC, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR)
Type
Airborne Infantry
 
Parent Unit
2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR)
Strength
Company
Created/Owned By
Not Specified
   

Last Updated: Mar 20, 2023
   
   
Yearbook
 
My Photos For This Unit
No Available Photos
4 Members Also There at Same Time
2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR)

Brungard, Winfield, 1LT, (1941-1944) First Lieutenant
Nemeth, James Joseph, SGT, (1941-1944) Sergeant
E Company

Mullis, Shelton Hurley, PFC, (1943-1945) IN 745 Private First Class
Penkala, Alex M., PFC, (1943-1945) IN 745 Private First Class

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