PFC Matthew Bartholomew Walsh

courtesy of Frogman

PFC Matthew Bartholomew Walsh was born 7 Oct 1914 in Archbald, Pennsylvania. He was the 5th of 9 children born to Frank and Mary A. (Gillgallon) Walsh. His father supported the family as a coal miner. The family lived at 284 Laurel Street in Archbald which they rented for $25 a month in 1940. Matthew graduated from Archbald High School and Saint Thomas Commercial School. He married Mary Agnes Nealon in March 1942 and they welcomed a son to their family in September of that year. Matthew was employed by the Johns-Manfield Company in Manfield, New Jersey. 

Matthew was drafted in January 1943. He received training at Fort McClellan, Alabama and then was sent to England in May 1943 but was not given leave to go home. Once in England he was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry and then trained with the unit for the amphibious landing that was planned to be part of the effort to liberate Nazi occupied France. PFC Walsh took part in the assault and fought with his unit until he was killed in action on 13 Jun 1944.

PFC Walsh rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery.