Edward Prohazka

ASN: 35289663

At the age of 22, Edward Prohazka registered for the military on October 16, 1940. This young man from Shaker Heights, Ohio was described as 5-11, 188 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. On March 25, 1942, at the age of 23, Prohazka enlisted in the army.

Private Prohazka received training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina after entering the service and was assigned to the A-Battery, 319th Glider Field Artillery Group, 82nd Airborne Division.

World War II Draft Card (front)

World War II Draft Card (reverse)

Pvt. Prohazka served in North Africa, Italy, and was wounded when he glided into Normandy on D-Day. Interviews with fellow soldiers revealed Pvt. Prohazka was evacuated from Normandy to the battalion base camp in Market Harborough, England with a leg injury. This information is confirmed with the Army’s Company Morning Report. This report refers to personnel matters within the unit and indicates Pvt Prohazka was “injured in action” on June 6, 1944. He was released from the US Army Hospital June 26, 1944 and reported to duty at 22:00 hours at the 319th base camp in Market Harborough.

While stationed at Camp Ballyscullion, Ireland, 1944, PVT Prohazka posed with other A-Battery soldiers. (photo below)

Roland Gruebling, Harold Peters, John Orrell, Harold Mell (standing L-R) - Ed Prohazka, Anzlee Price Kneeling (L-R) - Camp Ballyscullion - 1944

On July 31, 1944, the Morning Report listed now Private First Class Prohazka on furlough for five days in Birmingham, England. (see below)

Company Morning Reports

Injured in action 6/6/44

Transferred back to duty 6/26/44

On furlough 5 days Birmingham, England

Without official military records yet based upon his dates of service (and photo below taken in Reims, France June 5, 1945) it is surmised PFC Prohazka fought with the 319th in Holland, Belgium and northern Germany. His discharge date of September 21, 1945 suggests he qualified as a High Point soldier. This point method is based off a system (Adjusted Service Ratio Score or ASR) created by the U.S. Army, used at the end of the war to determine when soldiers with a score of 85 or above were eligible for early discharge.

During the 82nd Airborne campaigns in Central Europe, the 319th’s combat echelons were fighting in Normandy, Holland, Belgium and Germany. Group battery photos (when permitted) were often taken near their gun sections. But the photos below were taken on leave in England and Reims, France.

PFC Prohazka (right) and Roland Gruebling with a German "88" Reims, France 6/5/45

Ed Prohazka (standing left) London, England July 1944

Ed Prohazka (left), Roland Gruebling at Papillon Hall

PFC Prohazka was awarded 6 Bronze Battle Stars, Bronze Arrowhead, Good Conduct Medal, the Belgian Fourragere, Presidential Unit Citation Badge with Oak Leaf Cluster, Victory Ribbon, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon.

Not ending his dedication after an honorable discharge PFC Prohazka stayed involved with the 82nd Airborne through their Mansfield, Ohio chapter. (see inset) As part of the national board of directors he was accompanied by former A-Battery soldier, Carl Davis, who headed the group.

Edward Prohazka, 53, died May 29, 1972.

God bless this hero.

Photos courtesy of Joseph Covais author of BATTERY