PFC Ernest Joel Michael Pessel

PFC Ernest Joel Michael Pessel was born 16 Jan 1925 in Frankfurt, Germany. He was the only child of Leo and Erna Julia (Simon) Pessel. In 1935 they had been living in Koenigsburg, Germany. The Pessel family was Jewish and immigrated to the U.S. in 1937 coming to the country aboard the SS President Roosevelt. Leo rented a home at 6540 Darlington Road in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for $100 a month and ran a boarding house reporting a 1939 income of $1800. Ernest attended Alderdice High School just 1-mile from his home and was in the French Club. Ernest graduated with honors in 1942 and went to work for the Pittsburgh Press (a newspaper) while studying to be a watchmaker.

Ernest was a big man for his time. When he was drafted in June 1943 he was 6-feet 4-inches tall and weighed 246 pounds. Ernest was sent to Camp Croft, South Carolina for his basic military training. While there he was naturalized becoming a U.S. citizen on 24 Sep 1943. PVT Pessel was sent to England in January 1944 and probably assigned to F Company as a rifleman soon after arrival. He participated in the D-Day landings at Omaha Beach on 6 Jun 1944 and fought with the unit as it moved inland. PVT Pessel was wounded on 20 Jun 1944 and evacuated to hospital. However, the wound must not have been very severe as he was quickly returned to the unit and promoted as well as moved to the position of ammunition handler, perhaps due to his size and strength. PFC Pessel was killed in action, reportedly shot by a sniper while serving as a radio operator, on 8 Aug 1944 near Vire, France.

PFC Pessel was repatriated and re-interred in West View Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Ernest's maternal grandmother died at Auschwitz as did other family members. His father, Leo, had served with the German army in the first World War.