Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Anthony
Joseph
Sokol
1912-03-19

–

1992-10-21

Born:

Jersey City

, 

New Jersey

Home:

Hudson County

, 

New Jersey

Buried: 

Goshen

, 

New York

Cemetery:

Salesian Cemetery

Anthony Sokol grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey, and attended Don Bosco Technical High School in Ramsey, New Jersey. He made his profession on September 1, 1931. He entered the Salesian order that same year and subsequently attended Gregorian University in Rome from 1937 to 1940. After his ordination as a Roman Catholic priest on June 9, 1940, he held several teaching positions and was teaching at Don Bosco Technical High School before joining the military as a U.S. Army chaplain in 1944, serving through three wars including the Korean War where he earned a Silver Star, until his retirement in 1964 as a lieutenant colonel. During his career he served in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Korea, and CONUS assignments.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 30, 1950
    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 208 (June 21, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Anthony J. Sokol (ASN: 0-545244), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a chaplain with the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 30 November 1950, near Kunu-ri, Korea. On that date, Chaplain Sokol volunteered to minister to the spiritual wants of the men in the front lines while under enemy fire. Though seriously wounded himself, Chaplain Sokol continued to care for the wounded and minister to the dying, refusing treatment of his own wounds until others, more seriously wounded, had been treated. His mere presence added strength and gave courage to the fighting men about him. Chaplain Sokol was later evacuated for hospitalization. The courage, devotion to duty, and complete disregard for safety and personal comfort as displayed by Chaplain Sokol reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.