Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Salopek
POW (WWII) Escapee

Home:

Las Cruces

, 

New Mexico

John Salopek was taken prisoner by the Germans and imprisoned in Hammelburg/Oflag XIIIB. On March 27, 1945 Task Force BAUM, ordered by General Patton, driving through 70 miles of enemy territory, was able to liberate only 300 of the 1,500 POWs there. John Salopek was among them. When the Germans successfully attacked the returning convoy he escaped, found friendly assistance from German Red Cross volunteers and French workers at a German farmhouse for one week until American forces liberated the area.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    January 6 – March 27, 1945

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry) John Salopek (ASN: 0-553721), United States Army, was captured by the Germans on 6 January 1945 and was held as a Prisoner of War until his successful escape from captivity on or about 27 March 1945.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    242d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    42d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    January 6, 1945
    Headquarters, 42d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 4 (1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) John Salopek (ASN: 0-553721), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division. On 6 January 1945 at Gambsheim, France, Lieutenant Salopek with one other soldier went out to reconnoiter a route in the face of heavy enemy fire in order to make contact with an adjacent unit. When trapped by approximately seventy-five enemy soldiers, he attempted to make them surrender and ordered his companion to safety. Lieutenant Salopek has been reported as missing in action.