Walter J. Koscianski
Rank: Private, U.S. Army
Serial: 32268862
Unit: 63rd Signal Battalion
Entered service from: New Jersey
Died:
Buried at: North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia (Plot G, Row 8, Grave 12)
Walter J. Koscianski
Private Walter J. Koscianski was the oldest son of Polish immigrant parents. Walter Koscianski was born in Philadelphia PA on October 2nd, 1905. It is likely that he received his early education at St. Philip’s Catholic School in Philadelphia. By 1933 the family, which included brothers Stephen and Anthony and sister Tillie, had moved to a house at 966 Bulson Street in Camden NJ, where they were members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 10th & Liberty Streets. Walter Koscianski worked for the City of Camden’s Highway & Parks Departments as a truck driver for five years. He was inducted into the United States Army on June 4, 1942 at Fort Dix NJ.
The Koscianski family home at 966 Bulson Street in Camden. Brother Stephen operated a junkyard in the lot adjoining the house.
After joining the Army he was assigned to the 63rd Signal Battalion. After his basic training, he served in Ireland, England, and in November of 1942 his company arrived in North Africa.
On February 6th, Walter died, in non-battle circumstances, while driving a truck in the city of Algiers. He is buried at the North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia. News of his death was reported in the June 19, 1943 edition of the Camden Courier-Post. He was survived by his mother, Antonia Koscianski, a sister, and two brothers Anthony and Stephen V. Koscianski.
Walter Koscianski’s brother Stephen V. Koscianski was killed 9 months later when the troop transport HMTS Rohna was sunk by a German air-to-surface guided missile.
History of the 63rd Signal Battalion
The 63rd Signal Battalion was activated 1 June 1941, at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. On 1 August 1941, the strength was 24 officers and 456 enlisted men. Training was conducted until 22 October 1941, when the entire Battalion left Camp Claiborne by motor convoy for Chester, South Carolina, to participate in the Carolina Maneuvers with IV Corps, returning to Camp Claiborne on 26 December 1941.
On 31 December 1941, the Battalion was alerted for movement to an unknown overseas station. The Battalion landed in North Ireland on 15 January 1942, and operated communications for V Corps; however, training was the main objective. On 10 August 1942, the T/O was changed and the strength was increased from 23 officers and 503 enlisted men to 33 officers and 898 enlisted men. In addition, Company “C” was activated at this time. The Battalion now consisted of Headquarters, “A,” “B,” and “C” Companies.
On 26 September 1942, the Battalion moved in three echelons to Shrivenham, England. While at Shrivenham emphasis was again placed on training and at the same time the Battalion was packing for an unknown area.
Detachments of the Battalion left Shrivenham to prepare for the invasion of North Africa at Algiers on 9 November 1942. The remainder of the Battalion, minus Company “C,” left Shrivenham and arrived in Algiers on 26 November 1942. While in Algiers the 63rd Signal Battalion installed, operated, and maintained signal communications for Allied Forces Headquarters in Algiers; while the detachments, operating in the forward areas, maintained open wire lines, radio stations, and message centers.
Two companies were credited with battle participation: Company “A” — Algeria-French Morocco Campaign (WD GO #59, 1945); Company “C” — Tunisia Campaign (WD GO #59, 1945).
From 15 December 1942, the first time a member of the Battalion was wounded, until 10 February 1945, there had been 56 officers and enlisted men who were wounded and received the Purple Heart, and 5 killed by enemy action during the same period. The Battalion also received three Legion of Merits, one Soldiers Medal and one Bronze Star.
Source: “History of the 63rd Signal Operations Battalion” and “Battalion History,” supplied by Wilbert G. Shipe, Jr.
Four Men and Woman Admit Dispute Charge
Camden Courier-Post —
Four men and a woman were fined $25 each yesterday after they perplexed Police Judge Pancoast by pleading guilty to a disorderly conduct charge, but denied that they had been disorderly.
The defendants are Joseph and William Greenan, brothers, 38 and 24, respectively, both of 741 Fairview Street; Edward Covey, 24, of 2221 South Seventh Street; Walter Koscianski, 28, of 966 Bulson Street, and Mary Johnson, 18, of 224 Morris Street, Gloucester.
They were arrested Sunday night by Motorcycle Policeman Thomas Kauffman at Tenth and Bulson Streets. Earlier, he had stopped them on Admiral Wilson Boulevard and because they had been drinking but were not drunk, he told them to go home.
Later someone called police headquarters and said that Kauffman was drunk. He was suspicious and arrested the five. Yesterday they pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly conduct, but denied they had telephoned headquarters or had done anything disorderly.
Photos
Antonia Koscianski, mother of Walter J. and Stephen V. Koscianski.
By FRANK SHERIDAN
With many of their loved ones and relatives either killed, starved or reduced to slavery by the Nazi invaders of Poland four years ago, 1154 mothers of this city have given sons and daughters to fight for defense of the United States.
They are members of St. Joseph's church, Tenth and Mechanic streets. Four sons were killed in line of duty, two others are missing and another is reported a prisoner of the Japs.
The mother of Staff Sgt. Roman Drapinski, 1468 South Tenth street, killed by a dynamite blast, is somewhere in Poland, but her name is honored equally with other mothers by the parish.
Names on Honor Roll
Others on the honor roll are Mrs. Stella Dziengowski, 1476 Louis street, mother of Sgt. Gustave Dziengowski; Mrs. Antonia Koscianski, 966 Bulson street, mother of Pvt. Walter J. Koscianski; and Mrs. George Lozowski, 1143 Sheridan street. Mother of Pvt. John Lozowski, killed in line of duty; Mrs. Jessie Piotrowski, 1343 Chase street, mother of Machinist Mate Joseph S. Piotrowski; and Mrs. Boleslau Poduszczak, 1105 Lowell street, mother of Second Lieut. Leopold Poduszczak, missing in action; and Mrs. Frank Ulak, 914 Atlantic avenue, mother of Lieut. Bruno Ulak, prisoner of the Japs.
A service bureau set up by the church keeps in contact with those in the armed forces. Letters and gifts keep flowing, and those in the service reply. An index system shows the thoroughness of the records directed by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Arthur B. Strenski and his assistants, Rev. Leon S. Winowicz, Rev. Lawrence Faber and Rev. Henry Blaszczynski. They are aided by members of the parish in keeping the records.
Sergeant Dziengowski was the first member of the parish to give his life. He was killed in an airplane crash near White City, Kan., on Jan. 12, last. Ten others were killed. They were on a trial trip in a flying fortress. He was buried at St. Joseph's cemetery, Chews Landing, with military honors after a Solemn Requiem High Mass at the church.
Brother Seized in Poland
Drapinski entered the service in September, 1941, and was attached to the Twelfth Armored Division. He came to this country from Poland five years ago and worked with his brother, Adam. Another brother, Stanislau, is a prisoner of the Germans. He was captured during the invasion of Poland. His father died in Poland two years ago and the whereabouts of his mother in Poland is not known.
Private Lozowski died in an airplane accident near a Marine base at Atlantic Field, N.C. The plane was on a trial trip and fell into a bay. Four days after the accident on April 4, the body was recovered and sent back to his parents. It was buried with military honors after a Solemn Requiem Mass at the church.
Lozowski was 20 and was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High school. He was employed by the Radio Condensor Company before his enlistment last November.
Piotrowski, who was 22, survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, but was reported lost when the cruiser Helena was sunk in the battle of Kula Gulf early in July. Admiral Jacobs, chief of Navy personnel, notified the mother of the young seaman of his apparent death.
Father Served in Army
Piotrowski was a graduate of Camden High school. He worked with his brother, Henry, in the interior decorating business before joining the Navy four years ago. He was last home on leave in April, 1942. He has another brother, Edward, and a sister, Irene. His father, John, who died several years ago, served in the Polish Army in World War I, joining a volunteer force organized in Canada. He also served as a commander of Laskowski-Wojtkowiak Post, American Legion.
Lieutenant Poduszczak was reported missing in action since July 26, when he participated in an air raid over Hanover, Germany. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941.
Enlisted in Air Corps
The sergeant was a graduate of Camden High school and starred in both basketball and football. He was employed 12 years by Public Service and enlisted in the Army Air Corps on April 7, 1942.
Private Koscianski died in action in the African campaign. Several letters sent him by the service bureau were returned unclaimed. The War Department notified his mother he was killed in Algeria on Feb. 6, last. His body was buried between two sergeants and white crosses were erected over their graves.
He worked for the Camden City Parks Department as a truck driver for five years before he was inducted June 4, 1942. He was in the Signal Corps and was driving a truck when killed. He was sent overseas two months after his induction.
Sergeant Drapinski, brother of Adam Drapinski, died July 18, last, from injuries received in the premature explosion of dynamite at Camp Campbell, Kan. Drapinski, who was 23, was giving instructions to a group of recruits when the explosion occurred.
He received his wings on Nov. 21, 1942. He was home for two days last May before going overseas. He attended Camden schools and also studied in Poland from 1932 to 1936. His brother, Richard, is a corporal in the Army Air Corps.
Lieutenant Ulak was taken prisoner at Corregidor by the Japs. He was a reserve Army officer when the war broke out and was called into active service. Ulak was born in Camden and attended St. Joseph’s school, Camden High school and was graduated from Lehigh University. He has three brothers and two sisters, besides his parents. A brother, Alfonse, is an Army sergeant in California. Other brothers are Adolph and Rudolph. The sisters are Mrs. Wanda Romanowski and Adella.