Nicholas Paulachok

Biography:  Nicholas "Nick" Paulachok was born on July 10, 1919 in Philadelphia, PA.  He was the son of Frederick "Fred" and Matrona Polachok.  Fred was born in Russia while Matrona had been born in Austria and they both had immigrated to the United States.  Nick and at least one of his brothers had "Americanized" their names to Paulachok.  Nicholas attended Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia and his enlistment record identifies that he attended the full four years.  He is also listed as working as a stock clerk prior to entering the service.  His mother Matrona passed away in 1939.    

Service Time:  Nick entered the service on February 21, 1942 at Fort George G. Meade, MD. He was assigned to the Reconnaissance Company of the 703rd Tank Destroyer Battalion.  In an order from the Third Armored Division, dated July 15, 1942, Nick was ordered to leave Fort Hood and travel to Milwaukee, WI to attend a four week training course for motorcycle mechanics at the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.  The orders even outline a cash allotment for him for food and travel expenses.

Motorcycle Mechanics Training Orders

Although specifics of his time with the unit are not available, it is probable that he saw action in at least four of the unit's five campaigns, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Ardennes-Alsace.  It was on March 29, 1945 that the Battalion Command Post along with Headquarters and Recon. Company traveled from Schonbach, Germany to Ober Marsburg as part of Task Force Welborn.  This distance was identified as 90 miles This was all part of a Third Armored Offensive to which the unit was attached.

Operational Reports identify Nick as being MIA (Missing in Action) along with 2nd Lt. John E. Edwards and two other enlisted men and the 1/4 ton truck that they were probably traveling in. The unit did reach their destination very early the next morning (0300 hrs) but the reports for April indicated that Technician 5th Grade Nicholas Paulachok and Lt. Edwards were identified as KIA (Killed in Action).  The other two men, Pfc. William C. Anderson and Pfc. Wilbur F. Durch (possibly Burch) were identified as LWA (Lightly Wounded in Action).  At the time of his death, Nick was only 25 years old.  He was brought home and buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA.

In addition to Nick, two other brothers and a step-brother all served in the armed forces.  I want to thank both Nick and his family for the supreme sacrifice they gave for this country.  I also want to thank Nick's nephew Gary for providing this information about his uncle and his service.