PFC John Joseph Masnica

courtesy of Des Philippet

PFC John Joseph Masnica was born 14 Feb 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the 5th of 6 children, all boys, born to Anton and Anna (Bambusek) Masnica who were both natives of Slovakia. His father had worked in an iron foundry but in 1940 may have been unemployed. 2 of the boys had died by the end of 1940. John had only started a regular job it 1940 but was unemployed when he registered for the draft in 1942.

John was drafted in March 1943 working in a job producing leather goods. After training he was sent to the European theater and on 22 Jul 1944 was transferred from the replacement depot to H Company 116th Infantry. PFC Masnica was killed in action on 26 Nov 1944.

PFC Masnica was buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

2 of his brothers also served during the war. Stephen Andrew Masnica served in the 1942-1945 and Paul Stephen Masnica served in the Army 1942-1945.