Pvt. Nicholas Polachek, 28, serving as a paratrooper with C Co. 1/505th 82nd Airborne Division, previously listed as missing on June 6, 1944 in Normandy, France, was killed on that date, according to word received from the War Department by his wife, Melba of 3324 E. 142nd Street. Born May 22, 1916 in Cleveland, Ohio, Pvt. Polachek was the son of Louis Polachek of 9026 Harvard avenue, Newburg Heights. Drafted November 7, 1942, he was a veteran of the Sicilian and Italian campaigns. Previously he was reported missing in the landing at Salerno, but made his way to safety after 28 days in the Italian mountains. A graduate of South High School, Pvt. Polachek worked at the American Steel & Wire Co. before entering the service in November 1942. He went overseas in April 1943. Pvt. Polachek was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (w/1 bronze service star), American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge (w/3 bronze service stars) and the Honorable Service Lapel Pin. Surviving him was his father, his wife, who lived with her mother, Mrs. Joseph Sacks, at the E. 142nd street address; four brothers, Lt. Steve, in the South Pacific war zone; Sgt. Michael, at Camp Barkeley, Tex.; Sgt. Frank at Great Bend, Kan.; Wesley, and three sisters, Mrs. Mary Hasychak, Mrs. Martha Lynch, and Mrs. Katherine Ziccardi. His mother Eva was deceased. Services were held at Holy Name Catholic Church, 8328 Broadway.

Pvt. Polachek is interred in the American Cemetery at Normandy Plot C Row 28 Grave 28. (Normandy Cemetery is situated on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach and the English Channel just east of St-Laurent-sur-Mer and northwest of Bayeux in Colleville-sur-Mer).

Information as gathered from the Cleveland Press & Plain Dealer, July 19, August 15 & 16, 1944.