Private E. L. CZAJKOWSKI

Hi

Private E. L. CZAJKOWSKI (32789842) HQ Coy 2675 Regt US Army died in Greece on 28 December 1944 and was originally buried in the grounds of 97th British General Hospital Staff. He was later laid to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, NY, USA.

Does anyone know of the background behind how Private CZAJKOWSKI came to be in Greece and how he died.

As far as I am let to believe the US contribution to Greece at the time was very limited to OSS, US Military Mission Staff, Embassy Staff, Military Attaches and a ATC unit based at Araxos airfield.

Thanks in advance

Gus

 

Well, the unit is problematic. As far as I can tell, there was no such unit as "2675 Regt". His grave marker has "267th Regt", which also did not exist AFAIK. You do not have his correct ASN. According to the Casualty Report for Erie County, NY it should be 32729842. He apparently Died of Wounds received.



The following won't advance things much, but they are interesting. One is a newspaper article from the Buffalo Courier Express dated 18 Jan 1943 indicating he was being sent to Fort Knox for Armor training. The other is a page from the 28 Apr 1943 Muster Rolls of LST 382 on which Pvt. Czajkowski appears.

 

There was a unit named 267th Special Reconnaissance Battalion which did operate in Greece for the OSS. This is evidence by another soldier's Silver Star Medal citation I found on the MilitaryTimes.com Hall of Valor. It is possible that the unit was mis-named on his grave marker. That is not all that unusual. It might be a good idea to request his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) and/or his Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF).

 

Hi

Many thanks for all of the replies.

II believe that LST 382 was transferred to the Royal Navy in November 1944.

Would all or some of the US crew have remained or would it have an entirely British crew?

Thanks once again.

Gus

 

Hi

It would appear that the OSS was out of Greece by Nov 20 1944. A full six weeks before Pte CZAJKOWSKI dies.

OSS Greek American Operational Group, Straight-Text Version, Part 6

Gus

 

He would have been a passenger, so he was not likely to be on the ship in November 1944. I think your best bet to finding out why he might have been in Greece would be to request his IDPF. If nothing else, it should provide the unit to which he was assigned at the time of his death. If you can also get is OMPF, that may be even more helpful.