Memorials › PFC Arnold "Oscar" Havelka

PFC Arnold "Oscar" Havelka

5 Dec 1927 – 19 Oct 1951

Birth	5 Dec 1927
Death	19 Oct 1951
Cemetery	Bohemian National Cemetery Prague , Saunders County , Nebraska , USA
Added by	Saunders County VSO on 12 Jun 2019
FaG	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56933038

Bio

Private First Class Havelka was drafted into the Army. He was killed in action during Operation Nomad-Polar, the last major offensive action of UN troops during the Korean War. (Subsequent fighting was limited to vicous fighting along the 38th Parallel, known as the Outpost Battles.) He died heroically and was awarded the Silver Star for his actions: Private First Class Arnold Havelka, US55077123, Infantry, U.S. Army, a member of Company B, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, is awarded the Silver Star (Posthumously) for courageous action near Chuktae-ri, Korea, on 19 October 1951. Serving as ammunitioncat Private Havelka determinedly delivered ammunition to the gunners over the rough terrain under an intense concentration of mortar fire. During the operation, the strongly entrenched enemy swept the friendly positions with devastating bursts of fire, inflicting several casualties and forcing the riflemen to seek cover. Seeing that some of his comrades had fallen in completely exposed positions, Private Havelka fearlessly sprang from his protective cover and with complete disregard for his own safety, raced through the hail of bullets to their side. Administering first aid, he lifted a man to his shoulders and hurriedly carried him to safety. He went forward again to rescue two other comrades, but as he returned with the last men, he was mortally wounded by small arms fire. Private Havelka's gallant actions, indomitable spirit and self-sacrificing devotion to his comrades saved three lives which might otherwise have been lost and reflect the highest credit on himself and the U.S. Infantry. Entered military service from Prague, Nebraska. The Lincoln Star (Lincoln, Nebraska) 19 Nov 1951, Mon Page 3 Prague, Beatrice Army Men Killed Washington - Two Nebraskans were killed and three others wounded in action in the Korean area, the department of defense has announced. They were: Killed In Action Army Pfc. Arnold Havelka, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Havelka, Prague. Army Pvt. William D. Simmons, husband of Mrs. Betty J. Simmons, Beatrice. Wounded Army Sgt. Herbert E. Howland, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Lester W. Brown, Omaha. Army Cpl. Robert W. Neill, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Neill, Tecumseh. Army Pvt. Richard Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Thompson, Omaha.

Inscription

Son PFC Arnold Havelka 19 Inf 24 Inf Div Korea - SS _ PH

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