Pvt. Frank Podzimek
Private Frank Podzimek was a native of Cedar Rapids,
Iowa. He went through basic training and was placed in the Army
Specialized Training Program (ASTP). He was told he would be part of
an 'elite' group that would be trained to be occupation officers in Europe
after th War. Through the program he recieved training at several
colleges including Stanford University. However, in mid-1944 the
program was disbanded and the participants placed in combat units.
Podzimek was shipped to Europe where he saw action in the
Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded, treated, and sent back to the
front line. He fought until the end of the war in Europe, receiving a
Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.
After the end of hostilities in Europe, he was transferred to
guard duty at Camp Algona. From there he was sent to the branch camps
at Toledo, Iowa and Ada, Minnesota. He also spent time escorting PWs
from America back to Europe before he was discharged in February of 1946.