Tribute to a Norway World War II veteran Louis Bolek at Norway Museum
PFC. LOUIS J. BOLEK’S World War II medals and ribbons were presented Dec. 17, 2018, to the Jake Menghini Museum in Norway. At left and right are Bolek’s brother and sister, Ed Bolek and Lorraine Bolek DeBakker, with museum board president Bill Trombley. Bolek is honored with a display at the museum.
PFC. LOUIS BOLEK.
Bolek’s grave marker at Woods National Cemetery in Woods, Wis.
PFC. LOUIS J. BOLEK’S World War II medals and ribbons were presented Dec. 17, 2018, to the Jake Menghini Museum in Norway. At left and right are Bolek’s brother and sister, Ed Bolek and Lorraine Bolek DeBakker, with museum board president Bill Trombley. Bolek is honored with a display at the museum.
PFC. LOUIS BOLEK.
Bolek’s grave marker at Woods National Cemetery in Woods, Wis.
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NORWAY -- The Jake Menghini Museum in Norway has been honored by the Louis Bolek family to receive his World War II awards and medals to display at the museum.
Bolek (Bolick) was born in Norway, the son of Joseph and Francis Anna (Bilski) Bolek, on Jan. 27, 1925. His blended family of Bolek-Rysiewicz children included nine brothers and sisters, including Edward Bolek and Lorraine Bolek DeBakker of Norway. He grew up "on the hill" in Norway, chumming with Ed Jasonowicz, and attended school in Norway.
Louis Bolek joined the Army Air Force on June 23, 1943. He was an auto equipment operator and a sharpshooter. During his tour of duty, he served in many sites including, but not limited to, Southern France, Naples-Foggia, Rome Arno, and Rhineland.
In the less than two years that he served his country, he was awarded a U.S. Combat Infantry Badge, four Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts (for Valor), a European-African-Middle Eastern Medal and a World War II Service Medal.
His ribbons include a Bronze Star Ribbon, three Oak Leaf Clusters, one Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster, one Good Conduct Service Ribbon, one European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with stars/arrowheads, and one World War II Ribbon.
Bolek was honorably discharged in 1945. At that time he was awarded the "Ruptured Duck" lapel pin for injuries while serving in World War II, a World War II Sharpshooter pin and an Army Air Corps association pin. It is a remarkable service record for 14 months of combat service.
Bolek moved to Milwaukee after his service was complete, to live with one of his brothers, Walter Bolek. He met the love of his life, Lorraine, in 1947 at a bar on South 11th Street in Milwaukee.
Their first date was to "Holy Hill" (the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians) in Hubertus, Wis. Louis and Lorraine married on June 12, 1948.
He and Lorraine were happily married until he passed away on Jan. 4, 1981, at the young age of 55 years old. Bolek was an employee of Crucible Steel until his death.
His wife, Lorraine, wanted the museum to have his medals and awards. "Louie was always so proud of his little town of Norway. That's whyI'm giving his medals to the museum there," Lorraine Bolek said. "Your native son was a real hero."
Bolek is buried at Wood National Cemetery in Wood, Wis.