PVT Steve Postellak (WWII)


Remembering PVT Steve Postellak (Farmington)

July 31, 1924 - December 30, 1944

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Note: to the best of my knowledge, PVT Steve Postellak was the last Marion County man to die in military service in 1944.

Postellak is also spelled with several different variations over the course of the records located. Most notably, Peter's declaration of intent for naturalization gives their last name as "Pasztellak"

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PVT Steve Postellak (Service #35756622) was born in Farmington, WV on July 31, 1924, the son of Hungarian immigrants Peter and Rosa (Zebo) Postellek. Their family lived in the "Big Laurel Run Road" area of Farmington (1930, 1940 Census), as Peter was a laborer at the Jamison Coal & Coke #9 Mine.  Somewhere between 1930 and 1935, Peter lost his right leg above the knee, and was no longer able to work (Naturalization Paperwork, 1940 Census).

Steve graduated from Farmington High School in 1942.

Military Service:

Steve registered for the draft on December 17, 1942, at age 18. Like his father and step-brother before him, Steve worked at the Jamison #9 Mine in Farmington. He was 5'10" and 135 lbs, with blue eyes, brown hair, and light skin.

Steve enlisted in the Army in Clarksburg, WV on June 18, 1943. He became a member of the 101st Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division.

"In September 1944, the "Yankee" division landed in Normandy at several locations including Utah Beach. The 26th moved quickly through northern France and crossed the Saar River into Germany in early December. During the Battle of the Bulge, it was diverted to Luxembourg to thwart the German offensive" (Holocaust Encyclopedia).

PVT Steve Postellak was killed in action by a severe head injury on December 30, 1944. On the day of Steve's death, the 26th Infantry Division was headquartered in Bonnal, Luxembourg. His burial report indicates that he died near Bondorf (Bigonville), Luxembourg

Legacy and Survivors:

PVT Steve Postellak is buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial. He is honored on the "Marion County Veterans Killed in Action" Memorial at Veterans Square in Fairmont, WV, and at the  West Virginia Veterans Memorial in Charleston, WV. 

Steve was survived by his parents, Peter and Rosa Postellak, his sister Helen Postellak (Daft), and two half-siblings, Andy and Rosa Botas (May). Unfortunately, Steve was soon followed in death by his parents. Peter died on October 16, 1946, followed by Rosa on April 10, 1947.

Sources and More Information:

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