Milo Zakula
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
ZAKULA, Milo
Milo Zakula was born on October 9th 1916 to George & Dorothy [Glumak] in Duluth, Minnesota.
Mr. Zakula registered for military service on March 6th 1942. He enlisted into the U.S. Army on August 14th 1942, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Home at entry: Duluth, Minnesota.
He served in the 106th Infantry Division in Ardennes. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne. He rose to the rank of Private First Class (PFC).
PFC Zakula's brother reports: "His unit was overrun by Germans wearing American uniforms and posing as GIs. He was taken prisoner but many of his friends were shot on the spot. Spent a year and half in several German prison camps, Stalag III among others. They were freed by the Russians, remained in Germany for treatment and rehabilitation, gradually recovering his health."
He recalled where "A World War I German soldier named Karl treated them with kindness and respect. Upon being freed, Karl was the only guard protected by the American prisoners. The other SS troops who beat them and abused them were not treated as well. Upon his return to stateside, he was treated at Clinton, Iowa, convalescent hospital for wounds suffered while fighting in his unit."
PFC Zakula was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service, and was discharged on October 6th 1945. He married Elizabeth June [Johnson] and they started a family.
Mr. Zakula died on June 22nd 1985 at 68 years of age in Hobart, Indiana. He is buried at Oneota Cemetery in Duluth, Minnesota.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project, 348.
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Milo Zakula (1916): PERSON, pictures and information - Fold3.com
Milo Zakula (1916-1985) - Find a Grave Memorial
U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 - Ancestry.com
