Leonard J. Kratcoski

Leonard J. Kratcoski, renowned local veteran who served with the Marine Corps, Navy, Army and Air Force, age 85, of Mildred, Pa., passed away on Tuesday, April 26, 2011.

Leonard was born Nov. 13, 1925 in Old Bernice, a son of the late Peter and Frances Novinsky Kratcoski. Leonard enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 18, 1943. He completed his training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and was assigned to the Third Battalion 29th Marine Engineers 4th U.S. Marine Corps Division 121st Sea Bees. He was badly wounded in the battle of Saipan in 1944, got his first Purple Heart, and was evacuated to a hospital ship where he spent three months. Following his recovery, he returned to the Third Battalion on Tinian Island. Leonard was engaged in building the runways on Tinian from which the planes that dropped the atomic bombs on Japan took off.

Leonard then returned to Saipan. When the Pacific War ended, he returned to the states in Dec of 1945 and served in the US Navy on the USS New York. After being discharged from the Navy, Leonard attended machinery school, but there were few jobs available at the time, so he joined the Army Air Corps. Len wanted to try the Army and wanted to fly. He took basic training at Scott Field, Texas and three months later was promoted to sergeant. He was discharged after 11 months as his mother was very ill. He worked in the coal mines in Bernice for three years. He then hitchhiked to California with only $3.25 in his pocket. Hearing stories about soldiers who parachuted, he decided to join the U.S. Army, as a private again. He took basics at Fort Ord, Calif., and advanced infantry training at Fort Banning, Ga. Len went to Japan with the 8081 549th Aerial Supply Co. He was assigned to fly the C-119 during the Korean War and earned his second Purple Heart after a mechanical accident on the plane.

Leonard was later stationed in Japan and met a lovely young Japanese woman named Yoko. They fell in love and were married on July 18, 1955. Yoko took the name Stephania. She later became a U.S. citizen. Stephania predeceased him on Sept. 21, 1999.

After three years in Japan, and being promoted to sergeant, Leonard went to Fort Bragg, N.C. where he served with the famed 82nd Airborne. In 1958 he returned to Japan as part of the 549th Aerial Supply Unit which trained the Taiwanese. He later got transferred to Fort Carson, Colo. and moved on to Fort Bragg and then France where he served with NATO 557th Aerial Supply Unit.

Then Leonard got new orders — plague immunizations were required in Vietnam. He served with the Fifth Special Forces, the famed Green Berets, dropping supplies to his fellow Berets. He was based at HQ and met General Westmoreland. Later he was transferred to the Valley Forge Military Hospital, then to Fort Dix, N.J., to work in supplies. Finally it was time for one last assignment which took him to Korea to serve in a military advisory group. Then in 1970 he retired.

Leonard brought home with him more than a few souvenirs. With the Navy and Marines, he earned the Pacific Theater Ribbon with two stars, American Theater Ribbon, Commendation Ribbon, Victory Medal, Purple Heart, and Presidential Unit Citation with one star. In the Army he was awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, with silver clasp and six awards; Korean Service Medal (two bronze stars); Vietnam Service Medal (two bronze stars); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (two bronze stars); Parachute Badge Senior Wings; RVCM w/Dev/60; National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf; National Defense Service Medal; and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. He also received the United Nations Service Medal.

Returning to Sullivan County, Leonard worked for 13 ½ years as a ranger at Worlds End State Park overseeing security. He worked until midnight and for 9 and ½ years never had a Fourth of July off. He enjoyed it and said that during his service there 3 million people visited the park.

In retirement Leonard attended numerous unit reunions and volunteered at the Endless Mountains War Memorial Museum in Sonestown. He was also active with local military ceremonies. (Information from article by Nancy Coleman [Sharer].)

Leonard was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Mildred, Pa., and a member of McDermott Post No. 452 American Legion, Mildred, Pa.

Surviving are two brothers, Peter C. and Lucille Kratcoski of Tallmadge, Ohio and Frank and Patricia Kratcoski of Olathe, Kansas; and a sister, Delores Papke of Mildred, Pa.; two sisters-in-law, Gertrude Laux of North Potomac, Md. and Mary Kratcoski of Oceanside, Calif. and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Genevieve and Elizabeth; and by three brothers, Joseph Kratcoski of Oceanside, Calif., Eugene Kratcoski of Gaithersburg, Md., and John Kratcoski of Palmyra, N.J.

A transferal service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 29, from the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, Pa., and will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Mildred, Pa., with the Rev. Joseph R. Hornick, his pastor, presiding. Interment will be in the adjoining parish Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, at the Homer Funeral Home.

Military graveside services will be accorded by members of McDermott Post No, 452 American Legion, Mildred, Pa., and members of the active armed services. Members are asked to assemble and pass in review at 7 p.m. on Thursday evening at the funeral home.

To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to homerfuneralhome.com.