Parents: John M. Jurek
Frances T. Kampa
Military164th Inf Company M
Service:Troop B Mobile Recon Sqdr
Killed in action at
Guadalcanal during WWII
Notes:In the April 21, 1930 census, Felix was 11 years old and living
with his parents, 11 siblings and his 88-year-old paternal
grandmother, Julia and their farm in Palmer township. The
family did not own a radio.
The 164th Inf left for Guadalcanal from New Caledonia
on October 9, 1942 and arrived there under air attack on
October 13. The regiment of 2,852 men, with most of the
1st Marine Air Wing, defended Henderson Field against a
major Japanese counterattack on October 24, then attacked
November 5 through 11 and participated in the renewed
offensive toward Kokumbona and the Poha River from
November 18 through 23, 1942. This unit was the first Army
unit sent into action during WWII. It was also known as the
Americal Division.
Pfc. Felix Jurek was 24 years old when he was killed in action
on Guadalcanal by an artillery shell on January 11, 1943,
according to his friend Ed Jungwirth who was with him when
it happened. He was given a full military funeral by the Foley
American Legion when his remains were brought home on
March 4, 1948. His unit earned a Presidential Unit Citation
for heroic efforts while defending Henderson Field from
October 1942 to January 1943.
"Felix came home to visit his mother one last time while in
the Army, he stopped very early for breakfast. Calling out to
Frances, "I'm home, where is breakfast?" Frances set out
plates and was about making breakfast for Felix when Irene
awakened came down to the kitchen saw that the table was set
up in disarray, but no Felix. It was only strange when later
when they were told he had been killed that day in the war.
Seems Felix loved his mother Frances' breakfasts." Story from
Irene as told to her granddaughter Jessie Atkinson, and related in an email from
Sam Atkinson dated July 21, 2002.
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