TSGT James Bilinski

photo courtesy of MandyK

TSGT James Bilinski was born 16 Jan 1918 in Moravia, New York to Tomascz (or Thomas) and Mary (Taralo) Bilinski.  Both parents were Polish immigrants.  The family farmed.  In 1940, James was driving a truck for a saw mill. He reported an income of $505 for 1939.

James entered the service in June 1942.  He was eventually assigned to Headquarters Company 1st Battalion 116th Infantry and made the D-Day landing with that unit.  James was promoted from SSG to TSGT on 20 Jun 1944 serving as a Platoon Sergeant. On 18 Sep 1944 he was killed when a captured German pistol was accidentally discharged.  We are researching the details of this incident.

TSGT was repatriated in 1949 and is buried in Saint Joseph's Cemetery in Auburn, New York with other family members.