Ralph Radosh

ASN:36629267

Ralph Frank Radosh registered for the draft on October 16, 1940. Born February 21, 1919, he was from Chicago, Illinois and employed by Steel Sales Corporation located in Chicago.

Enlisting in the US Army on December 22, 1942, this twenty-one-year-old was 5’-11”, 180 pounds with a light, freckled complexion, hazel eyes, red hair, and no other obvious physical characteristics that would aid in identification.

PVT Radosh became a member of the 319th Field Artillery, A-Battery of the 82nd Airborne Division, and traveled with the battalion to North Africa arriving in Casablanca May 10, 1943.

Company Morning Reports

Company Morning Reports were produced every morning by the individual Army units to record personnel matters. The following events for PFC Ralph Radosh were reported:

• August 12, 1943, duty to absent sick Hospital APO 758, 1000, Station Kairouan, Tunisia.

• September 2, 1943, from absent sick to duty at 2350. Station 11 miles north of Bizerte, Tunisia.

• From duty to Wounded in Action, September 12, 1943, last reported 8 miles NW of Maiori, Italy.

• December 12, 1943, assigned and joined from 376th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion. Station Ballyscullion House, Northern Ireland.

• March 21, 1944, from duty to sick quarters at 0730, Station - Papillon Hall, Lubenham, England

• March 27, 1944, from sick quarters to line of duty, 0600.

• July 19, 1944, from duty to furlough 5 days to Birmingham, England at 0600.

• July 24, 1944, from furlough 5 days in Birmingham, England to duty at 2000.

• August 1, 1944, appointed Private First Class from Private. Station Papillon Hall, 4 miles west (WF1406) Market Harborough, Leicestershire, England.

• June 14, 1945, detached temporary duty, absent sick US Army 815th Hospital Center transferred to Detachment of Patients US Army Hospital Plant 4316.

He fought in the major campaigns of Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Normandy, Holland, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe.

PFC Radosh was wounded (multiple shell fragments left arm and forearm) in action during the Italy campaign and evacuated to a US Hospital in North Africa. He returned to duty with the 319th on December 12, 1943, at Camp Ballyscullion House, Northern Ireland.

Following the Battle of the Bulge (see photo below PFC Radosh standing 2nd from right) the 319th was stationed in Suippes, France.

On March 23, 1945, PFC Radosh was hospitalized at the 815th Hospital Center near Paris, France. On or about June 14, 1945, he was transferred to a US Army Hospital, location unknown. He separated and was discharged from the service on October 10, 1945.

PFC Radosh was awarded 6 Bronze Battle Stars, Bronze Arrowhead, Good Conduct Medal, the Belgian Fourragere, Presidential Unit Citation Badge, Victory Ribbon, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon, Glider qualification and Purple Heart.

During the post-war years Ralph Radosh remained active with the 319th association and attended commemorative events. Above, he posed with fellow 319th soldiers and their wives during the 1967 get together hosted by the Sherman Hotel, Chicago, Illinois.

Ralph F. Radosh, 62, died December 5, 1980.

God Bless this hero.