SGT William Kucera

courtesy of Bessie Savery

SGT William Kucera was born 21 Jun 1917 in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania one of ten children born to Joseph James and Ruzena Katherine (Krensloba) Kucera.  His parents had immigrated in 1911 from Bohemia (now the Czech Republic).  His father worked as a coal miner for over 20 years. In 1940 William was also working as a miner and reported a 1939 income of $900. 


William was drafted in December 1942.  He was sent to England after his basic training and assigned to B Company 116th Infantry.  He trained with that unit for the amphibious landings that would begin the invasion of Hitler's "fortress Europe".  He was with that unit for the assault on Omaha beach and was killed in action 6 Jun 1944.


SGT Kucera is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.