DOB/DOD: March 30, 1925 (Norwalk, CT) – November 30, 2019 (Jacksonville, FL); 94 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married to Caroline Yeadaker (1923-2014) on November 26, 1949, in Miami, Florida.
CHILDREN: Two daughters, Janet Kavanewsky Flinchum (1957-) and Laura Kavanewsky Tiderman (1959-). Two sons, Stephen (1956-) and John Jr. (1953-).
LOCAL ADDRESS: Skytop Drive, Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: July 6, 1943
SERVICE NUMBER: 01336673
UNIT: Company G, 393rd Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division
FAMILY: Born to Piotr “Peter” (1889-1967) and Wladislawa “Walterina” Nejelska Kavanewsky (?-1981). John was their only child.
DECORATIONS: Awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart Medal.
Norwalk High School, Class of ’42
Testimony contributed by John F. Kavanewsky Jr.:
“My father, John, was seriously wounded in France during active combat on December 11, 1944. German machine gun fire ripped across his chest. He lost one lung. He was transported to a military hospital in Miami, where he eventually met his wife, Caroline (my mom). Dad was given the Purple Heart. He was also awarded the Bronze Star on December 9, 2014.”
The Bronze Medal citation reads
For meritorious achievement in ground combat against the enemy on 11 December 1944 while serving with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 393rd Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division in France. The division entered the line north of the Roer River between Schmidt and Monschau and conducted a period of defensive patrolling before attacking toward the Roer and Urft Dams. Private First Class Kavanewsky’s exemplary performance of duty in active ground combat was in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 99th Infantry Division, and the Army of the United States. Given under my hand in the City of Washington this 9th day of December 2014. The Adjutant General, David K. MacEwen, Permanent Order 343-08, 9 December 2014, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky, 40122-5048, and Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh.
From The Norwalk Hour February 23, 1945
PFC J.F. KAVANEWSKY WOUNDED IN BELGIUM
Private First Class John F. Kavanewsky, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kavanewsky of 21 Third Street, who was wounded in Belgium on November 18, is now convalescing in a hospital in England and expects to continue recuperation at a rehabilitation center in the near future. PFC Kavanewsky and two buddies were preparing for a rest period behind the battle lines when they were struck by enemy fire, according to letters he had sent his parents. His injuries included wounds to the chest, neck, and shoulders, and it was necessary for him to undergo an operation.
From The Norwalk Hour December 4, 2019
John F. Kavanewsky, 94, of Palm City, Florida, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2019, at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. Born in Norwalk, CT, John was the son of the late Piotr and Walterina Kavanewsky, who emigrated from Poland. He was predeceased by his wife, Caroline Yeadaker, to whom he was married for 65 years, as well as two brothers and a sister. John is survived by four devoted children, John Kavanewsky Jr. (Donna) of Norwalk, CT, Janet Flinchum (David) of Jupiter, FL, Stephen Kavanewsky (Mary Ellen) of Jupiter, FL, and Laura Tiderman (David) of Jacksonville, FL. He was also a proud and loving grandfather of 11 grandchildren; Peter and Paul Kavanewsky; David, John (Katie) and Caroline Foppe (Kevin); Adam, Kendall, and Mitchell Kavanewsky; David, Clayton and Brian Tiderman. John is also survived by one great-grandchild, John T. Flinchum. John lived a remarkable life. He served in the US Army in World War || where he was grievously wounded in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. He was awarded several military honors, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. After the war, John graduated from the University of Miami. John had a very successful career in the financial sector. He owned a seat on the New York Stock Exchange and was a specialist trader handling some of the Exchange’s largest stocks. In his leisure time, he devoted himself to his family and was an avid golfer. John was a devoted parishioner at St. Thomas the Apostle Church (Norwalk, CT) and Holy Redeemer Church (Palm City, FL). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Redeemer Church in Palm City on Thursday, December 5, 2019. Interment will be at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery in Royal Palm Beach, FL, where he will rest forever with his wife, Caroline.
Buried in Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery, 10941 Southern Boulevard,
Royal Palm Beach, Florida. John Paul Section, Block Section E, Niche 16B. Photo from FindAGrave.com.
END
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