Leo John Rutka
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
RUTKA, Leo John
Leo John Rutka was born on December 26th 1912 to John A. & Sophia Barbara [Koscielska] Rutka in Duluth, Minnesota.
Mr. Rutka entered the U.S. Army on December 17th 1942 during WWII. He was a platoon leader of a medium tank crew in northern France and central Europe.
He was wounded in action on December 25th 1944 in Belgium. He also served in Luxembourg, Holland and Germany. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSGT).
SGT Rutka earned the following merits for his service:
- Silver Star Medal,
- Purple Heart,
- European-African-Middle East Campaign Service Medal with battle stars, -and-
- World War II Victory Medal.
From the citation for his Silver Star Medal on November 22nd 1944:
"...in the area of Neerkant, Holland. S. Sgt. Rutka deployed his platoon in road block positions that denied the enemy use of the vital Asten-Meijel highway, despite almost constant air attack. Waiting until the Germans were within point-blank range, he directed fire which took a heavy toll of enemy manpower and equipment. When all four tank destroyers were badly damaged, he finally withdrew, leaving eight burned-out Mark VI Tiger tanks on the road. During the engagement, his platoon also destroyed an observation post set up in a church steeple."
He was honorably discharged in 1945. After the war he returned home.
Mr. Rutka died on April 16th 1996 at 83 years of age. He is buried at the Polish Catholic Cememtery in Duluth.
Source(s): Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 276
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Leo J Rutka in Social Security Death Index - Fold3
Leo J. Rutka (1912-1996) - Find a Grave Memorial
U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 - Ancestry.com
