Memorials › 1LT Francis Cleo Zeleny

1LT Francis Cleo Zeleny

21 Feb 1920 – 11 Dec 1944

Birth21 Feb 1920
Death11 Dec 1944
CemeterySeward Cemetery
Seward , Seward County , Nebraska , USA
Added byRoberta Russo on 30 May 2022
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73743881

Bio

FULL MILITARY HONORS FOR 1ST LT. F. C. ZELENY Full military honors were paid to the memory of the late 1st Lt. Francis C. Zeleny, whose body was committed to the grave in the Seward (north) cemetery last Wednesday. The body arrived in Seward last Tuesday night, and was taken to the Wood Bros, funeral home, and then at about 10:30 Wednesday morning was escorted to St. Vincent's Catholic church where impressive religious services were conducted by Rev. Jos. A. Kenney, the pastor. The color guard preceded the casket, draped with a large American flag, containing the remains of the departed soldier, as it was carried into the edifice, and a guard of honor stood at the door. The room was filled with relatives and friends, assembled as a mark of respect to the memory of one who had given his life in the line of duty to his country. Following the services at the church the remains were taken to the cemetery where the Rev. Kenney spoke briefly and said a prayer, and the military rites were carried out, conducted by members of the American Legion and the national guard. The firing squad consisted of the following national guardsmen, Lt. Roy Jansen, T-Sgt. Wayne GilIan, Sgt. Merlyn Reiling, T-5 Bud Prochnow and T-5 Sampson, and the bugler was Melvin Bolte, who sounded taps at the close of the services. Members of the national guard who had part in the service included Pfc. Lukert, Ralph Zierott, Don Dowding and M. Kamprath. The pall bearers were David Ost, Victor Hildebrand, Jimmie Smith, Dale Danahy, George Bellamy and E. V. Kahout. Members of the American Legion who were present at the depot upon the arrival of the train carrying the body back to Seward included Erwin Sieck, Don Kolterman, Don McGrew, Walter Hard, Wesley Mills and Iddo Heinicke. In the absence of Thad Cone, commander of the American Legion, Vice-Commanders Robert Campbell and Wesley Mills were in charge of the details. Capt. Blackburn accompanied the body from Kansas City, Missouri and acted as escort on behalf of the government. The flag which draped the casket was folded by Capt. Blackburn and Vice-Commander Mills of the Legion and presented to Miss Florence Zeleny, a sister, as the next of kin. His brother Richard Zeleny arrived from Wayne in time for the services. Another sister, Miss Marjorie Zeleny, now in Miami, Florida was unable to be here. Mrs. Tessie Conway of Seward, with whom the two boys made their home after the death of their mother in 1931, was present at the services. Their father passed away nine years ago. Lt. Zeleny arrived in France April 17, 1944, and was first wounded August 17th of that same year. He was sent to a hospital in England, and received a battlefield promotion to the rank of first lieutenant. He was killed in action on the line between Germany and France, near Habskirlen, Germany, on the French side, December 13, 1944. He had three times been wounded, but only once did he go to the hospital. Robert Campbell, David Ost, William Bumbaugh, and Edwin Schultz of Seward and Lyle Gardner of Utica were all in the same outfit and the same battle wherein Lt. Zeleny gave his life. He was 23 years of age at the time of his death. Born and raised in Seward, he was a graduate from the Seward high school. When Co. M of the national guards were mobilized in December, 1940, he was a member of the company, and left with it for Ft. Robinson, Arkansas on January 6th, 1941. He attended officers training school at Ft. Benning, Ga., where he received his commission, and was last stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, before going overseas. He is survived by his two sisters, Miss Margaret A. Zeleny, at Miami, Florida and Miss Florence Zeleny of Seward, a brother, Richard of Wayne, and his grandmother, Mrs. Conway, and other relatives and friends in Seward. From the Seward Independent, Seward, Nebraska, Wednesday, September 1st, 1948 U. S. Army Service No. (ASN): #O-1323381 Enlistment Date: 12/23/1940 with Service No. #20723770 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division Francis C. Zeleny is listed as Killed In Action in the 1946 Army and Army Air Forces Personnel Casualty List for Seward County, Nebraska. Nebraska, U.S., Birth Ledgers, 1904-1911, Birth Index, 1912-1994 lists his DOB as February 21st, 1920 in Seward County, Nebraska. Home address: 900 Seward Street, Seward, Nebraska Suggested edit: 2nd Lt Zeleny joined Company M, 134th Infantry Regiment from the 86th Replacement Depot as a Platoon Leader on July 22, 1944. He was wounded in action August 2 in the vicinity of Torigni Sur Vire, France and returned to duty October 2, 1944. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant October 17 and was again wounded in action November 14, 1944 but he remained on duty. 1st Lt Francis C Zeleny was killed in action December 11, 1944 in the vicinity of Sarreinsming, France. Contributor: Roberta Russo Find A Grave ID 48422073 •

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