Private Henry A. Dziura

Early Life

Henry A. Dziura was born in Trenton, New Jersey, on August 16, 1918. His parents, Joseph and Anna Dziura, were of Polish heritage. He grew up with three brothers, Edward, Joseph, Kazimer, and a sister, Sophia.

Henry completed eighth grade, and military records suggest he attended one year of high school. He gained semi-skilled experience in machine shop work. Before enlisting, he worked at the Roller Bearing Company and the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Henry Dziura was drafted into the U.S. Army on February 11, 1942, just two months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He joined at a time when many answered the urgent call to serve.

Homefront

Trenton: An Industrial Powerhouse

Trenton, New Jersey, played a vital role in the U.S. economy before and during World War II. By 1940, its population had grown to 124,697, fueled by a strong industrial sector. The city had long been known for manufacturing paper, steel, rubber, and pottery. 

Its slogan, “Trenton Makes, The World Takes,” reflected its status as one of the East Coast’s most important industrial hubs. Railroads and canals transported raw materials, allowing Trenton to supply major markets including Philadelphia and New York.

Trenton was particularly known during the early twentieth century for its rubber production. It became the nation’s tire capital, with factories producing materials that supported World War I mobilization efforts. When the U.S. entered World War II, Trenton’s industries were once again critical to national defense.

Factories Shift to War Production

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, many Trenton factories transitioned to wartime production. The General Motors (GM) automotive plant in Ewing Township, initially opened in 1938, was temporarily shut down, but soon reopened to manufacture military aircraft. 

The plant produced Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers, which played a key role in naval battles across the Pacific. Unlike cars, these bombers were built one at a time rather than on an assembly line. By 1942, GM trained 1,400 men and 1,100 women to work in aircraft manufacturing.

Roebling’s Sons Company shifted from civilian wire production to making essential military supplies. The company produced aircraft control cables, anti-submarine nets, parachute rings, and steel for amphibious landing vehicles. Roebling became a top employer and secured millions of dollars in defense contracts.

The Switlik Parachute Company, located in nearby Ocean County, expanded dramatically to meet the military’s parachute needs. The government ordered a 50-fold increase in production, and the company trained more workers to meet demand. In 1942, Switlik received the Army-Navy “E” Award for outstanding war production.

Community and War Effort

With thousands of soldiers passing through Trenton on night passes and weekend leave, the city responded by creating support centers. One of the nation’s first United Service Organizations (USO) clubs opened on Warren Street, providing entertainment and rest for servicemen. A Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) was also built near the Trenton train station, and a third USO club opened later in the war. More than 1.3 million servicemen and women visited these centers throughout the war.

The war also created a labor shortage, especially on farms. The Roosevelt Administration allowed Japanese-American internees to work in agricultural jobs, and many came to Seabrook Farms in nearby Cumberland County. 

Life magazine called Seabrook “the greatest vegetable factory on Earth” due to its massive frozen food production. While conditions were better than internment camps, work was demanding, with long hours and low pay. However, many Japanese-American workers remained there after the war, building new lives in New Jersey. 

Women also played a key role in filling labor shortages. About 60,000 women joined the U.S. Crop Corps as part of the Women’s Land Army, helping farms meet wartime food demands. High school students also contributed; in Hightstown, 177 boys from the Peddie School formed the Victory Farm Volunteer Unit.

Trenton’s industries and workforce were essential to the U.S. war effort. From building bombers to producing steel and rubber, the city’s factories and people helped supply the military with the materials needed to win the war.

Military Experience

Henry Dziura registered for the draft on October 16, 1940, alongside his brother, Edward J. Dziura, at Central High School in Trenton, New Jersey. His draft card notes that he was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad, with an address on South Clinton Avenue in Trenton, which is now the site of the Trenton Transit Center. However, an article published in the Trenton Evening Times later reported that Dziura was employed at the Roller Bearing Company before his enlistment.

Although military records do not specifically confirm his employment history, Dziura was classified as semi-skilled in machine shop and related occupations. This suggests he possessed technical skills that later influenced his military role.

Enlistment and Early Military Training

On February 11, 1942, Dziura was drafted into the U.S. Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey (now part of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst). At the time of his enlistment, he was 67 inches tall (5’7”) and weighed 130 pounds.

Dziura joined the 506^th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) of the 101^st Airborne Division, a newly formed airborne unit often called the “Five-Oh-Sink” after its commanding officer, Colonel Robert Sink. The 506^th Parachute Infantry Regiment was activated on July 20, 1942, and its recruits began rigorous training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia.

Airborne Training and Unit Development

Following his initial training, Dziura trained at Camp Toccoa from July to November 1942. Here, paratroopers endured intense physical conditioning, including long runs up Currahee Mountain. The regiment moved to Fort Benning, Georgia in late November 1942 for parachute jump training. They learned to pack parachutes and conduct airborne operations, completing five qualifying jumps to earn their parachutist wings.

After Fort Benning, the 506^th PIR relocated to Camp Mackall, North Carolina, for further tactical training, which included night jumps and field maneuvers. On June 1, 1943, the regiment was officially attached to the 101^st Airborne Division. Later that month, they participated in the Tennessee Maneuvers, a series of large-scale war games designed to prepare airborne units for real combat situations.

Service at Fort Bragg and Overseas Deployment

On August 11, 1943, according to a Company Morning Report, Dziura was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and held the rank of Technician Fifth Grade. This rank indicated that he performed a technical role within his unit, though his exact duties remain unknown. Technician ranks were equivalent in pay to corporals but just below them in authority. To achieve this status, a soldier typically needed at least 60 days in service and a minimum of 35 qualification points.

On August 21, 1943, while stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Dziura was recorded as Absent Without Leave (AWOL) from duty at 0600 hours. The next day, on August 22, 1943, at 0600 hours, he returned to duty. There are no further details regarding his absence. On August 26, 1943, Dziura was reduced in rank back to private.

By late August 1943, the 506^th PIR transferred to Camp Shanks, New York, to prepare for overseas deployment. In September 1943, the regiment boarded the SS Samaria and crossed the Atlantic, arriving in Liverpool, England, on September 15, 1943.

Upon arrival, the regiment was stationed in Wiltshire County, with elements of the unit dispersed across Aldbourne, Ramsbury, Froxfield, and Chilton-Foliat. Here, they conducted extensive training exercises, including Operations Wadham and Rankin, in preparation for airborne combat in Nazi-occupied Europe.

By May 9, 1944, Henry Dziura and his unit were stationed at Littlecote House in Wiltshire, United Kingdom. This historic manor served as a training and planning base for elements of the 506^th PIR and other airborne units leading up to D-Day. While stationed at Littlecote House in Wiltshire, England, Dziura was tried by a Summary Court-Martial on May 9, 1944. The details of his infraction are unknown, but he was fined $15.00 and restricted to camp for 15 days. Despite this incident, Dziura remained with his unit and ultimately participated in Operation Overlord on D-Day, where he made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his country.

As the date of the Allied assault neared, the men of the 506^th PIR made their final preparations. By June 5, 1944, they were assembled near the aircraft that would carry them into their first combat mission—Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy.

Operation Overlord

Dziura participated in Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious invasion in military history. On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched a combined land, air, and sea assault against Nazi-occupied France. The invasion included five naval assault divisions landing on the beaches of Normandy—code-named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. The scale of the invasion was unprecedented. Approximately 7,000 ships and landing craft carried the invasion force. More than 195,000 naval personnel from eight Allied nations participated. An estimated 133,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches, with 10,300 casualties suffered on D-Day alone.

By June 30, over 850,000 troops, 148,000 vehicles, and 570,000 tons of supplies had been delivered to Normandy. The assault on the western front, combined with the Soviet offensive in the east, ultimately led to the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Airborne Operations on D-Day

The invasion began with a daring airborne assault by U.S. paratroopers, dropped behind enemy lines to disrupt German defenses and secure key objectives. These airborne units faced extreme challenges—scattered drop zones, harsh weather, and heavy enemy resistance.

The 101^st Airborne Division parachuted over the Cherbourg Peninsula to secure Utah Beach’s western flank, preventing German reinforcements from counterattacking. The 82^nd Airborne Division landed farther inland to capture key bridges and disrupt enemy movement. However, thick fog and intense anti-aircraft fire caused chaotic drops, scattering many paratroopers miles from their intended landing zones. The 101^st Airborne Division suffered heavy casualties, with only a fraction of its forces reaching their intended objectives. The 82^nd Airborne Division fared slightly better but sustained significant supply losses, leaving many soldiers under-equipped. 

Despite the chaos, both divisions quickly adapted. They regrouped into improvised fighting units and engaged the enemy, disrupting German defenses. By 4:30 a.m., the 82^nd Airborne Division captured Sainte-Mère-Église, marking the first town liberated in the Normandy campaign.

While Dziura’s specific actions on D-Day remain unclear, his participation as a paratrooper placed him at the heart of one of the most critical battles of World War II.

Commemoration

Final Sacrifice

Private Henry A. Dziura was killed in action on June 19, 1944, during the Normandy campaign. He was initially buried at the St. Mere Eglise No. 2 Cemetery in Carentan, France. Unfortunately, no further details are available regarding the specific circumstances of his death. 

On December 15, 1947, a Disinterment Directive was issued by the U.S. Army to transfer his remains. His body was disinterred on April 16, 1948, and identified by both his dog tags and grave marker. Records note that Henry endured a fractured skull and left scapula, though whether these injuries were sustained at the time of death or postmortem is unclear. He was buried in his jumpsuit and boots. 

Following disinterment, his casket was prepared, placed in a transfer case, and sealed on April 19, 1948. The casket was boxed and officially marked on June 17, 1948.

Dziura was permanently laid to rest at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France—one of the most hallowed resting places for American service members who gave their lives in the liberation of Europe. His grave is located at plot D, row 19, grave 24.

For his ultimate sacrifice, Henry Dziura was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

Honoring His Legacy

Despite his early disciplinary infractions, Henry Dziura remained with his unit and fought alongside his fellow paratroopers in one of the most pivotal battles of World War II. His service with the 506^th Parachute Infantry Regiment ensured that he was part of a historic legacy, remembered for their bravery and critical role in securing victory in Europe.

Like many young men of his generation, Henry Dziura’s story reflects the complex reality of wartime service. His journey was one of transformation from an enlisted soldier navigating the challenges of military discipline to a paratrooper who gave his life for the cause of freedom.

Today, his grave at the Normandy American Cemetery is a testament to his courage, sacrifice, and enduring place in history.

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This profile was researched and created through the Researching Silent Heroes program, sponsored by the American Battle Monuments Commission.