Joseph M. Piekielniak was born on April 29, 1919 in Dover, New Hampshire. He enlisted in the Army on September 6, 1941, prior to the war, in Manchester, New Hampshire. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed in the amusement occupation and also as Single, without dependents.

Joseph served as a Technician Fifth Grade, 21st Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Infantry Division, U.S. Army during World War II. He died from his wounds received in battle on January 25, 1945, at the age of 25, and is now buried in the Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg. He was one of the 38 American soldiers killed during the fierce fighting at sub-zero temperatures to recapture the town of Hoscheid, Luxembourg. His name is commemorated on the Peace Garden information boards located at Hoscheid, Luxembourg but his name is inscribed as Jos Piekielnik.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov