Sowa, Joseph E.

Michelle Kukan

1919-03-29

Clifton, NJ

1991-04-29

Harford Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen, MD

Lieutenant Colonel

O-1307582

32055349

1948-09-22

1940-11-28

1963-06-01

1945-11-26

Purple Heart

Combat Infantryman's Badge

Bronze Star (2x)

Joseph Sowa was drafted and enlisted into the New Jersey National Guard 1940-11-28. He left for his induction at the 113th Infantry Armory in Newark, NJ on 1940-11-29. He then left for Fort Dix near Trenton, NJ to begin his training. He became a commissioned officer after graduating from Officers Candidate School as a Second Lieutenant at Fort Benning, GA in 1943. As an Infantry Lieutenant, he was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri from approximately May 1943 until February 1944. He was then stationed in Little Rock, Arkansas from approximately February 1944 until April 1944. As an Infantry Captain, he was stationed in Kentucky in April of 1944. He served in the European Theater between July 1944 and August 1945. He participated in the Northern France Campaign, the Rhineland Campaign, and the Ardennes Campaign. In October of 1944 he was in Luxembourg. He was discharged from the Army at Camp Shelby 1945-11-26. In World War II, he had been awarded a Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

He was recalled to active duty 1948-09-22. He was promoted to major in October of 1952. He served in Athens, Greece with the US Army Group Infantry Training Center. He served with the 24th Infantry in Japan before arriving in Korea and serving with the Korean Military Advisory Group. He was awarded a second Bronze Star while serving as an advisor with the 37th Regiment of the 12th Republic of Korea Division on May 31 and June 1 of 1953. At the time, Sowa was stationed near a forward observation post near Kajon-Ni, Korea. Sowa ran through artillery fire to advise the Korean Regimental Commander in planning a counter attack. He was discharged as a Lieutenant Colonel on 1963-06-01.

Joseph Edward Sowa was born in Clifton, NJ on 1919-03-29 to John and Mary Sowa. His older siblings were: Anthony, Stanley, Rose, Peter, and Edward. Mildred, Elizabeth, Frances, and Helen were his younger sisters. Sowa was employed by the Immaculate Conception Seminary of Darlington. He remained there until he joined the Army in 1940. Sowa’s engagement to Stephanie Kownacki was announced at a Christmas dinner in 1938. The two got married in 1942. The Sowa family lived on Island Road, Mahwah, NJ. The Sowa’s had two sons: Joseph P and Lawrence. Joseph P was born while Sowa was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood. Sowa was a member of the Mahwah Citizens’ Club, and served as  secretary in 1947 and president in 1948. Sowa died 1991-04-29 at age 72. He is buried in Harford Memorial gardens, Aberdeen, Maryland.

Father: John

Mother: Mary

Siblings:
Anthony
Stanley
Rose
Peter
Edward
Mildred
Elizabeth
Frances
Helen

Wife: Stephanie (née Kownacki)

Children:
Joseph P
Lawrence

Photo 1: "Major Joseph E. Sowa Is Awareded Second Bronze Star," (Ramapo Valley Independent).

Photo 2: Sowa's draft card, completed 1940-10-16 in Mahwah, NJ (Ancestry Library).

Photo 3: Sowa in his Army uniform, place and date of picture unknown (Toni Kownacki). 

Photo 4: Sowa's headstone at Harford Memorial Gardens, MD, date of photo unknown (Find a Grave).