Pfc Dale O. Falk
U.S. Army, 41st Infantry Division, 163rd Infantry Regiment, Medical Detachment

Background
Dale Oscar Falk was born December 20, 1919 to parents Albin Oscar Falk and Ida Marie (née Hendrickson) Falk in Essex, Iowa. He was one of six children including Ina, Leroy, Anna, Ruby, Gladys and Florence. The family moved to Maple, Wisconsin. He attended grammar school and worked as a driver for the Maple Coop Store and had a girlfriend, Ms. Gladys Kuyk.

Wartime History
On September 24, 1941 drafted in the U.S. Army in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as a private serial number 36219724. Stationed at Fort Sheridan, Camp Robert and Fort Lewis. He was promoted to the rank of Private First Class. On March 18, 1942 departs Fort Lewis across the Pacific bound for Australia. Assigned to the 41st Infantry Division "The Jungleers", 163rd Infantry Regiment (163rd IR), medical detachment. By late December 1942 arrives in New Guinea. During January 1943 particiated in the Battle of Sanananda on the north coast of New Guinea.

During late July 1943 returns to Australia for rest and recouperation. In late October 1943 moves to Sixth Army Training Center. On November 5, 1943 met Mrs. Roosevelt. During February 1944 returns to the 163rd Infantry Regiment (163rd IR), medical detachment, 3rd Bat. Section. In late March 1944, returns to New Guinea.

On May 20, 1944 during combat near at Tor River near Maffin in western New Guinea left a command post to give first aid to a wounded soldier in a foxhold roughly 20 yards away and within full view of Japanese positions. While getting the wounded soldier onto a strecher, he suffered a gunshot wound in his chest and was Killed In Action (KIA) at age 24. Before he died, he was heard to say Don't worry about me, get the man back to first aid. For his actions, he earned the Bronze Star, posthumously.

Memorial
On June 9, 1944 his family was notified that he was killed in Action. On July 2, 1944 at 8:00pm a memorial service was held for Falk at Mission Covenant Church in Poplar, Wisconsin.

On May 21, 1944 buried at USAF Cemetery, Toem #1 grave 55. In early 1945 exhumed and transported to Finschafen. On March 7, 1945 buried at the American Cemetery at Finschafen U.S. Armed Forces Cemetery Fischaffen #2 (Finschaffen No. 2) grave 977. During October 1947 exhumed and transported to Manila. On October 31, 1947 moved to Manila American Cemetery AGRS Mausoleum to plot 812, row J, grave 3221. During 1948 in Manila, his casketed remains were embarked aboard Victory-class cargo ship SS George W. G. Boyce and steamed across the Pacific to San Francisco then by rail to Poplar, Wisconsin to the Lenroot-Maetzold funeral home.

On July 2, 1948 a funeral service was held at Mission Covenant Church conducted by Reverend H. P. Voth then buried with military honors by the American Legion at Poplar Cemetery in Polar, Wisconsin where he was buried in the family plot at section F, row 8.

Awards
For his actions on May 20, 1944 Falk earned the Bronze Star, posthumously and Purple Heart, posthumously.

On October 19, 1945 Falk's Bronze star was presented in an informal ceremony to his father at the family home in Maple, Wisconsin. an informal ceremony by Lt. Bernard H. Radoszewski of the Ashland Recruiting station. The citation for his Bronze Star read:
*For heroic achivement. in connection with military operations against the enemy near Tor river, New Guinea on 20 May 1944. Private First Class Falk during a fierce fire tight, courageously left the safety of his command post to give aid to a wounded man who was in fox hole about 20 yards from and in full view of the enemy. In the act of getting the wounded man on i litter, Private First Class Falk was mortally wounded, but even the his anxiety was for the wounded man when he cried, "Don't worry about me, get the man back to first aid." His heroic action and determination to care for the wounded was an inspiration to the mer of his medical section."

Relatives
Albin Oscar Falk (father died 1962 age 78)
Ida Marie Hendrickson Falk (mother died 1984 age 88)
Ina Elvera Falk (sister (died 2022)
Leroy Laurence Falk (brother died 2013)
Anna Marie Falk Johnson (sister died 2017)
Ruby Viola Falk Keveri (sister died 1999)
Gladys Lola Falk (sister died 1932)
Florence Faith Falk Maupin (sister died 1981)

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Dale O. Falk
Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) - Dale O. Falk
Memorial Service July 2, 1944 Mission Covenant Church
The Evening Telegram "Pfc. Dale Falk's Body to Arrive For Reburial" June 28, 1948 page 7
The Evening Telegram "Maple Soldier Killed in Action in Pacific" June 9, 1944 page 1
"Mr. and Mrs. Albin Falk, Maple, received word Friday that their son, Pfc. Dale Falk, was killed in actiion in New Guinea on May 20."
The Evening Telegram "Father of Maple Hero Gets Star Meant for Son" October 19, 1945 page 4
"Father of Maple Hero Gets Star Meant for Son MAPLE- For inspiring his comrades by his heroic action, Private First Class Dale O. Falk, Maple, was awarded the bronze * star posthumously by the war department. The presentation was made by Lt: Bernard Radoszewski, of the Ashland Recruiting station, to the soldier's father, Albin Falk, in an informal ceremony..."
The Evening Telegram "Pfc. Dale Falk's Body to Arrive For Reburial" June 28, 1948 page 7
"Pfc. Dale Falk's Body to Arrive For Reburial The casketed remains of Pic. Dale O. Falk, Maple hero killed during his fifth major battle at 'New Guinea May 20, 1944, will arrive Thursday for reburial."
Richard I. Bong Veterans Heritage Center (Bong Center) Dale O. Falk collection via Briana Fiandt
FindAGrave - PFC Dale Oscar Falk (photo, news)

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