Walter J. Koscianski

PRIVATE WALTER J. KOSCIANSKI was the oldest son of Polish immigrant parents, Walter Koscianski was born in Philadelphia PA on October 2nd, 1905. It is likely that he received his early education at St. Philip's Catholic School in Philadelphia. By 1933 the family, which included brothers Stephen and Anthony and sister Tillie, had moved to a house at 966 Bulson Street in Camden NJ, where the were members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at 10th & Liberty Streets. Walter Koscianski worked for the City of Camden's Highway & Parks Departments as a truck driver for five years. He was inducted into the United States Army on June 4, 1942 at Fort Dix NJ.

The
Koscianski
Family Home
at
966 Bulson Street

Top: View from
10th & Bulson Street

Brother Stephen operated a junkyard in the lot adjoining the the house as pictured to the right.------>>>>

After joining the Army he was assigned to the 63rd Signal Battalion. After his basic training, he served in Ireland, England, and in November of 1942 his company arrived in North Africa.

On February 6th, Walter died, in non-battle circumstances, while driving a truck in the city of Algiers. He is buried at the North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia as pictured above. News of his death was reported in the June 19, 1943 edition of the Camden Courier-Post.
He was survived by his mother, Antonia Koscianski, a sister, and two brothers Anthony and Stephen V. Koscianski.

Walter Koscianski's brother Stephen V. Koscianski was killed 9 months later when the troop transport HMTS Rohna was sunk by a German air-to-surface guided missile.

A History of the 63rd Signal Battalion
from 1941 to 1998
(Source: "History of the 63rd Signal Operations Battalion" and "Battalion History"
supplied by Wilbert G. Shipe, Jr. and the 63rd Signal Battalion web site"

The 63rd Signal Battalion was activated 1 June 1941, at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. On 1 August 1941, the strength was 24 officers and 456 enlisted men. Training was conducted until 22 October 1941, when the entire Battalion left Camp Claiborne by motor convoy for Chester, South Carolina, to participate in the Carolina Maneuvers with IV Corps, returning to Camp Claiborne on 26 December 1941.

   On 31 December 1941, the Battalion was alerted for movement to an unknown overseas station. The Battalion landed in North Ireland on 15 January 1942, and operated communications for V Corps; however, training was the main objective. On 10 August 1942, the T/O was changed and the strength was increased from 23 officers and 503 enlisted men to 33 officers and 898 enlisted men. In addition, Company "C" was activated at this time. The Battalion now consisted of Headquarters, "A", "B", and "C" Companies.

   On 26 September 1942, the Battalion moved in three echelons to Shrivenham, England. While at Shrivenham emphasis was again placed on training and at the same time the Battalion was packing for an unknown area.

   Detachments of the Battalion left Shrivenham to prepare for the invasion of North Africa at Algiers on 9 November 1942. The remainder of the Battalion, minus Company "C", left Shrivenham and arrived in Algiers on 26 November 1942. While in Algiers the 63rd Signal Battalion installed, operated, and maintained signal communications for Allied Forces Headquarters in Algiers; while the detachments, operating in the forward areas, maintained open wire lines, radio stations, and message centers.

Two companies were credited with battle participation:

	Company "A" Algeria-French Morocco Campaign	WD GO #59, 1945
	Company "C" Tunisia Campaign	WD GO #59, 1945

From 15 December 1942, the first time a member of the Battalion was wounded, until 10 February 1945, there had been 56 officers and enlisted men who were wounded and received the Purple Heart, and 5 killed by enemy action during the same period. The Battalion also received three Legion of Merits, one Soldiers Medal and one Bronze Star.

Camden Courier-Post - June 6, 1933

FOUR MEN AND WOMAN ADMIT DISPUTE CHARGE

Four men and a woman were fined $25 each yesterday after they perplexed Police Judge Pancoast by pleading guilty to a disorderly conduct charge, but denied that they had been disorderly.

The defendants are Joseph and William Greenan, brothers, 38 and 24, respectively, both of, 741 Fairview street; Edward Covey, 24, of 2221 South Seventh Street; Walter Koscianski, 28, of 966 Bulson Street, and Mary Johnson, 18, of 224 Morris Street, Gloucester.

They were arrested Sunday night by Motorcycle Policeman Thomas Kauffman at Tenth and Bulson Streets. Earlier, he had stopped them on Admiral Wilson Boulevard and because they had been drinking but were not drunk, he told them to go home.

Later someone called police headquarters and said that Kauffman was drunk. He was suspicious and arrested the five. Yesterday they pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly conduct, but denied they had telephoned headquarters or had done anything disorderly.

Walter J. Koscianski

Private, U.S. Army

32268862

63rd Signal Battalion