Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Raymond
A.
Punda
1913-02-13

–

1979-03-20

Born:

Milwaukee

, 

Wisconsin

Home:

Milwaukee

, 

Wisconsin

Buried: 

Milwaukee

, 

Wisconsin

Cemetery:

Saint Adalbert’s Cemetery

Raymond Punda studied for he priesthood at Saint Bonaventure Seminary in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, and at Saint Francis Seminary. He was ordained a Catholic priest on June 3, 1939, at Saint Anne’s Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Following ordination he was assigned to Saint Stanislaus Parish in Milwaukee as assistant pastor. In 1942 he volunteered for military service and was commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain. After his honorable discharge in December 1945, he returned to Saint Stanislaus Parish. He became the Principal of Notre Dame High School which is operated by the parish, and on February 19, 1958, he was also named pastor of Saint Stanislaus. He was named a Papal Chamberlain to His Holiness, Pope Paul IV, on July 16, 1965.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    145th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    37th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    June 12 & 13, 1945
    Headquarters, 37th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 327 (October 5, 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 Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Raymond A. Punda (ASN: 0-486402), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Chaplain with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, in 1945. During two vigorous assaults by his battalion at Orioung Pass and Cordon on 12 and 13 June 1945, Chaplain Punda voluntarily stayed with the leading combat elements to administer last rites, assisting in giving first aid, and arranging for the evacuation of all of the twenty-five casualties suffered during this period of action. He repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire in order to quickly give help to all patients. By his consuming devotion to duty and his extreme bravery, he was responsible for saving he lives of two men and alleviating the suffering of many other wounded. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Punda, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.