PFC Benjamin Theodore Oslewski

courtesy of Des Philippet

PFC Benjamin Theodore Oslewski was born 23 Sep 1925 in Detroit, Michigan. He was the 4th of 5 children born to John George and Anastasia (Duziak) Oslewski. Both parents were natives of Poland. His father supported the family by working in an auto plant. Anastasia died in 1935. His father would remarry in 1936 but divorce Anna Talek Lasek Oslewski in 1941 on the grounds of cruelty.

Benjamin was probably drafted in 1943 and after his basic combat training was sent to the European theater. PVT Oslewski was transferred from the replacement depot to A Company 116th Infantry on 17 Jul 1944. He was promoted to PFC on 11 Aug 1944. PFC Oslewski was evacuated as a non-battle injury to hospital on 4 Sep 1944. He was returned to the unit from the replacement depot on 30 Sep 1944. Initially reported as missing in action, PFC Oslewski was killed in action on 15 Oct 1944.

PFC Oslewski rests forever in the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.

The family was visited by another tragedy almost exactly 6-years later when, on 31 Oct 1950, Benjamin's older brother John Edward Oslewski stabbed and killed their father in an argument about money.