Sowa, Edward
Item
Title
Creator
Birth Date
Birthplace
Death Date
Conflict
Military Branch
Rank
Service Start Date
Military Service Description
Edward Sowa joined the United States Army in December of 1956. PFC Sowa was sent to Europe in July of 1957. As a radio operator of the Headquarters Battery, 5th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, he participated in a three week training test in Germany at the Todendorf NATO Firing Range. In 1962, PFC Sowa completed an eleven week ordnance electronic course at The Signal School, Fort Monmouth, NJ. He received instruction on basic electronics as well as learning how to repair and maintain integrated fire control and guided missile equipment. In 1970, Sowa, ranked at SPC 6, completed an ordinance calibration technician and specialist course that lasted twenty-one weeks. This course took place at the U.S. Army Ordnance School, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. While he took this course, Sowa was stationed at Redstone Arsenal, AL.
Biographical Text
Edward Sowa was born on 1939-06-07 to Stanley and Lottie (née Kownacki) Sowa in Suffern, NY. He had two siblings: Tadeusz and Angela. The Sowa’s lived on 220 Franklin Turnpike in Mahwah, NJ. Sowa was a member of Boy Scout Troop 50 after his induction in December of 1950. He graduated from Ramsey High School in 1956 and joined the U.S. Army in December of that year. He married his wife, Helga Trauth, while he was stationed with the Army in Germany. Upon Helga’s arrival to America, she lived on Franklin Turnpike with Sowa’s parents. Helga and Edward moved to Huntsville, AL when Sowa was stationed at Redstone Arsenal. The two had three daughters: Andrea, Elizabeth, and Marianne. Sowa died on 2005-04-05. He was 65.
Family Members
Mother: Lottie (née Kownacki)
Siblings:
Angela
Tadeusz
Wife: Helga (née Trauth)
Children:
Andrea
Elizabeth
Marianne
Bibliography
"5 Boys Inducted Into Troop 50 At Birthday Meeting," Ramapo Valley Independent, December 7, 1950, p. 2.
"Army SP6 Edward Sowa," Ridgewood Herald-News, December 17, 1970, p. 6.
Edward Sowa, New York State, Birth Index, 1881-1942.
Edward Sowa, The Huntsville Times.
"Mahwah," The Record, January 6, 1971, p. 8.
Edward Sowa, U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014.
"Soldier Trains," The Record, November 26, 1957, p. 30.
"Sowa Completes Electronic Course," Ridgewood Herald-News, May 24, 1962, p. 26.
Photo Captions
Photo 2: Newspaper clipping describing an electronic course Sowa completed in 1962 at Ft. Monmouth, NJ (Ridgewood Herald-News).
Photo 3: Newspaper clipping about Sowa's completion of a course at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD in 1970. (The Record).