Served with the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division He served with the 506th from their inception at Camp Toccoa, GA, and into D-Day, during the assault on Carentan, he was also present when the company dropped on Holland during Operation: Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge, where he received two Bronze Star Medals, he was also with the company during the Liberation of Hageneau, and was present when the 506th captured Hitler's Eagle's Nest.
After the war, he got a job as a school teacher in his hometown of Wilkes-Barre, eventually becoming Superindentendant of Schools.
He died, oddly enough on his good friend, Major Richard Winters' 77th birthday.
Cause of Death: Heart failure.
***********************************************************************************
Harry Francis Welsh of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was 22 years old when he registered for service on October 16, 1940.
Initially, Harry was assigned to Fort Benning with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment as part of the 82nd Airborne Division. While an enlisted man, his commanding officers saw his potential and recommended him for Officer Candidate School.
Welsh was transferred to the 101st Airborne, and was assigned to Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and quickly became friends with 1st Lieutenant Richard Winters.
Harry Welsh jumped into Normandy on D-Day and did not find Easy until the next morning, shortly before the company was given the task of taking Carentan. When he joined the rest of his company, he was placed in charge of 1st platoon after Richard Winters took charge of the company.
On June 12, 1944, he led his platoon on a direct assault into Carentan. He was pinned down until the rest of Easy Company moved into the town, and after taking the town, the Company moved against a German counterattack south of Omaha Beach. His platoon held the line with Easy Company; during the Battle of Bloody Gulch, Welsh ran into an open field with an enlisted gunner, John McGrath, and knocked out a German armored vehicle, with a bazooka. Elements of the 2nd Armored Division arrived in force and drove off the remaining Germans.
After holding the line for another month, Welsh and the rest of Easy Company were relieved and shipped to England for refitting and replacements. He became Executive Officer of Easy Company.
On September 1944, Welsh dropped into the Netherlands for Operation Market Garden and remained there for the duration of the operation.
On December 16, 1944, German armored divisions broke through the American lines in the Ardennes Forest. At this point, Welsh had been reassigned to HQ Company of 2nd Battalion. His Division was then assigned to the defense of the town of Bastogne. During a battle on Christmas Day, Welsh was severely wounded. Harry was awarded two Bronze Stars for valor during his combat action and two purple hearts for injury during combat. 1st Lt Harry Welsh returned to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and married Catherine Grogan on December 29, 1945. Kitty used Harry's reserved parachute as the fabric for her gown.
Harry retired from the Wilkes-Barre Area School District in 1983. He served both as a teacher and a Director of Pupils. Welsh died of heart failure on January 21, 1995, on his good friend Richard Winters' 77th birthday. Harry was 76 years old. Lest We Forget.
Welsh was portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers by Rick Warden. Pictured below are Winters and Welsh.
Contributor: DLP (49732503)
--------------
Harry's Obituary (Times Leader newspaper, Jan. 23, 1995)
Harry F. Welsh of Carey Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, died Saturday in Wilkes-Barre
General Hospital
Born Sept. 27, 1918 in Audenreid, he was the son of the
late Francis X. and Regina Cannon Welsh.
He was a 1937 graduate of Meyers High School, attended Wilkes College and
received his masters degree in education from Bucknell University.
For a period of time he served in the tax collection department of Luzerne
County. He then taught at GAR and Coughlin High Schools in Wilkes-Barre and
later became Director of Pupil Services for the Wilkes-Barre Area School
District, retiring in 1983.
He was a veteran of World War II and retired with the rank of Lt. Col. He
served with the 101st Airborne in the Battle of Bastogne, for which he
received many decorations.
He was mentioned in a book "Band of Brothers" about the 101st Airborne
Division. Also, he recently attended their reunion in New Orleans.
He was a member of St. Aloysius Church in Wilkes Barre, American Legion
Post 673 in Ashley, Veterans of Foreign Wars Anthracite Post 283 in Kingston,
the 101st, Airborne Association and the Ancient Order of Hibernians St. John
Neuman Division II. He was also a member of the Wilkes-Barre Education
Association, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, the National
Education Association of which he was former president, the Pennsylvania
Association of School Retirees, the Wilkes-Barre Elks Club, St. Conrad's
Society and the Knights of Columbus Wilkes-Barre Council 302 and the Bishop
William J. Hafey Assembly Fourth Degree.
He was preceded in death by a son Kevin.
Surviving are his wife the former Catherine "Kitty" Grogan; two
grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday from the Luther M. Kniffen
Funeral Home, 465 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in
St. Aloysius Church.
Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
A wake service will be held Tuesday afternoon.
Memorial donations may be made to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. John
Neuman Division II, c/o Thomas Hart, treasurer, 21 Ross St., Ashley 18706.
After the war, he got a job as a school teacher in his hometown of Wilkes-Barre, eventually becoming Superindentendant of Schools.
He died, oddly enough on his good friend, Major Richard Winters' 77th birthday.
Cause of Death: Heart failure.
***********************************************************************************
Harry Francis Welsh of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was 22 years old when he registered for service on October 16, 1940.
Initially, Harry was assigned to Fort Benning with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment as part of the 82nd Airborne Division. While an enlisted man, his commanding officers saw his potential and recommended him for Officer Candidate School.
Welsh was transferred to the 101st Airborne, and was assigned to Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and quickly became friends with 1st Lieutenant Richard Winters.
Harry Welsh jumped into Normandy on D-Day and did not find Easy until the next morning, shortly before the company was given the task of taking Carentan. When he joined the rest of his company, he was placed in charge of 1st platoon after Richard Winters took charge of the company.
On June 12, 1944, he led his platoon on a direct assault into Carentan. He was pinned down until the rest of Easy Company moved into the town, and after taking the town, the Company moved against a German counterattack south of Omaha Beach. His platoon held the line with Easy Company; during the Battle of Bloody Gulch, Welsh ran into an open field with an enlisted gunner, John McGrath, and knocked out a German armored vehicle, with a bazooka. Elements of the 2nd Armored Division arrived in force and drove off the remaining Germans.
After holding the line for another month, Welsh and the rest of Easy Company were relieved and shipped to England for refitting and replacements. He became Executive Officer of Easy Company.
On September 1944, Welsh dropped into the Netherlands for Operation Market Garden and remained there for the duration of the operation.
On December 16, 1944, German armored divisions broke through the American lines in the Ardennes Forest. At this point, Welsh had been reassigned to HQ Company of 2nd Battalion. His Division was then assigned to the defense of the town of Bastogne. During a battle on Christmas Day, Welsh was severely wounded. Harry was awarded two Bronze Stars for valor during his combat action and two purple hearts for injury during combat. 1st Lt Harry Welsh returned to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and married Catherine Grogan on December 29, 1945. Kitty used Harry's reserved parachute as the fabric for her gown.
Harry retired from the Wilkes-Barre Area School District in 1983. He served both as a teacher and a Director of Pupils. Welsh died of heart failure on January 21, 1995, on his good friend Richard Winters' 77th birthday. Harry was 76 years old. Lest We Forget.
Welsh was portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers by Rick Warden. Pictured below are Winters and Welsh.
Contributor: DLP (49732503)
--------------
Harry's Obituary (Times Leader newspaper, Jan. 23, 1995)
Harry F. Welsh of Carey Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, died Saturday in Wilkes-Barre
General Hospital
Born Sept. 27, 1918 in Audenreid, he was the son of the
late Francis X. and Regina Cannon Welsh.
He was a 1937 graduate of Meyers High School, attended Wilkes College and
received his masters degree in education from Bucknell University.
For a period of time he served in the tax collection department of Luzerne
County. He then taught at GAR and Coughlin High Schools in Wilkes-Barre and
later became Director of Pupil Services for the Wilkes-Barre Area School
District, retiring in 1983.
He was a veteran of World War II and retired with the rank of Lt. Col. He
served with the 101st Airborne in the Battle of Bastogne, for which he
received many decorations.
He was mentioned in a book "Band of Brothers" about the 101st Airborne
Division. Also, he recently attended their reunion in New Orleans.
He was a member of St. Aloysius Church in Wilkes Barre, American Legion
Post 673 in Ashley, Veterans of Foreign Wars Anthracite Post 283 in Kingston,
the 101st, Airborne Association and the Ancient Order of Hibernians St. John
Neuman Division II. He was also a member of the Wilkes-Barre Education
Association, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, the National
Education Association of which he was former president, the Pennsylvania
Association of School Retirees, the Wilkes-Barre Elks Club, St. Conrad's
Society and the Knights of Columbus Wilkes-Barre Council 302 and the Bishop
William J. Hafey Assembly Fourth Degree.
He was preceded in death by a son Kevin.
Surviving are his wife the former Catherine "Kitty" Grogan; two
grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday from the Luther M. Kniffen
Funeral Home, 465 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in
St. Aloysius Church.
Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
A wake service will be held Tuesday afternoon.
Memorial donations may be made to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. John
Neuman Division II, c/o Thomas Hart, treasurer, 21 Ross St., Ashley 18706.
Served with the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division He served with the 506th from their inception at Camp Toccoa, GA, and into D-Day, during the assault on Carentan, he was also present when the company dropped on Holland during Operation: Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge, where he received two Bronze Star Medals, he was also with the company during the Liberation of Hageneau, and was present when the 506th captured Hitler's Eagle's Nest.
After the war, he got a job as a school teacher in his hometown of Wilkes-Barre, eventually becoming Superindentendant of Schools.
He died, oddly enough on his good friend, Major Richard Winters' 77th birthday.
Cause of Death: Heart failure.
***********************************************************************************
Harry Francis Welsh of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was 22 years old when he registered for service on October 16, 1940.
Initially, Harry was assigned to Fort Benning with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment as part of the 82nd Airborne Division. While an enlisted man, his commanding officers saw his potential and recommended him for Officer Candidate School.
Welsh was transferred to the 101st Airborne, and was assigned to Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and quickly became friends with 1st Lieutenant Richard Winters.
Harry Welsh jumped into Normandy on D-Day and did not find Easy until the next morning, shortly before the company was given the task of taking Carentan. When he joined the rest of his company, he was placed in charge of 1st platoon after Richard Winters took charge of the company.
On June 12, 1944, he led his platoon on a direct assault into Carentan. He was pinned down until the rest of Easy Company moved into the town, and after taking the town, the Company moved against a German counterattack south of Omaha Beach. His platoon held the line with Easy Company; during the Battle of Bloody Gulch, Welsh ran into an open field with an enlisted gunner, John McGrath, and knocked out a German armored vehicle, with a bazooka. Elements of the 2nd Armored Division arrived in force and drove off the remaining Germans.
After holding the line for another month, Welsh and the rest of Easy Company were relieved and shipped to England for refitting and replacements. He became Executive Officer of Easy Company.
On September 1944, Welsh dropped into the Netherlands for Operation Market Garden and remained there for the duration of the operation.
On December 16, 1944, German armored divisions broke through the American lines in the Ardennes Forest. At this point, Welsh had been reassigned to HQ Company of 2nd Battalion. His Division was then assigned to the defense of the town of Bastogne. During a battle on Christmas Day, Welsh was severely wounded. Harry was awarded two Bronze Stars for valor during his combat action and two purple hearts for injury during combat. 1st Lt Harry Welsh returned to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and married Catherine Grogan on December 29, 1945. Kitty used Harry's reserved parachute as the fabric for her gown.
Harry retired from the Wilkes-Barre Area School District in 1983. He served both as a teacher and a Director of Pupils. Welsh died of heart failure on January 21, 1995, on his good friend Richard Winters' 77th birthday. Harry was 76 years old. Lest We Forget.
Welsh was portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers by Rick Warden. Pictured below are Winters and Welsh.
Contributor: DLP (49732503)
--------------
Harry's Obituary (Times Leader newspaper, Jan. 23, 1995)
Harry F. Welsh of Carey Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, died Saturday in Wilkes-Barre
General Hospital
Born Sept. 27, 1918 in Audenreid, he was the son of the
late Francis X. and Regina Cannon Welsh.
He was a 1937 graduate of Meyers High School, attended Wilkes College and
received his masters degree in education from Bucknell University.
For a period of time he served in the tax collection department of Luzerne
County. He then taught at GAR and Coughlin High Schools in Wilkes-Barre and
later became Director of Pupil Services for the Wilkes-Barre Area School
District, retiring in 1983.
He was a veteran of World War II and retired with the rank of Lt. Col. He
served with the 101st Airborne in the Battle of Bastogne, for which he
received many decorations.
He was mentioned in a book "Band of Brothers" about the 101st Airborne
Division. Also, he recently attended their reunion in New Orleans.
He was a member of St. Aloysius Church in Wilkes Barre, American Legion
Post 673 in Ashley, Veterans of Foreign Wars Anthracite Post 283 in Kingston,
the 101st, Airborne Association and the Ancient Order of Hibernians St. John
Neuman Division II. He was also a member of the Wilkes-Barre Education
Association, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, the National
Education Association of which he was former president, the Pennsylvania
Association of School Retirees, the Wilkes-Barre Elks Club, St. Conrad's
Society and the Knights of Columbus Wilkes-Barre Council 302 and the Bishop
William J. Hafey Assembly Fourth Degree.
He was preceded in death by a son Kevin.
Surviving are his wife the former Catherine "Kitty" Grogan; two
grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday from the Luther M. Kniffen
Funeral Home, 465 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in
St. Aloysius Church.
Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
A wake service will be held Tuesday afternoon.
Memorial donations may be made to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. John
Neuman Division II, c/o Thomas Hart, treasurer, 21 Ross St., Ashley 18706.
After the war, he got a job as a school teacher in his hometown of Wilkes-Barre, eventually becoming Superindentendant of Schools.
He died, oddly enough on his good friend, Major Richard Winters' 77th birthday.
Cause of Death: Heart failure.
***********************************************************************************
Harry Francis Welsh of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was 22 years old when he registered for service on October 16, 1940.
Initially, Harry was assigned to Fort Benning with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment as part of the 82nd Airborne Division. While an enlisted man, his commanding officers saw his potential and recommended him for Officer Candidate School.
Welsh was transferred to the 101st Airborne, and was assigned to Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and quickly became friends with 1st Lieutenant Richard Winters.
Harry Welsh jumped into Normandy on D-Day and did not find Easy until the next morning, shortly before the company was given the task of taking Carentan. When he joined the rest of his company, he was placed in charge of 1st platoon after Richard Winters took charge of the company.
On June 12, 1944, he led his platoon on a direct assault into Carentan. He was pinned down until the rest of Easy Company moved into the town, and after taking the town, the Company moved against a German counterattack south of Omaha Beach. His platoon held the line with Easy Company; during the Battle of Bloody Gulch, Welsh ran into an open field with an enlisted gunner, John McGrath, and knocked out a German armored vehicle, with a bazooka. Elements of the 2nd Armored Division arrived in force and drove off the remaining Germans.
After holding the line for another month, Welsh and the rest of Easy Company were relieved and shipped to England for refitting and replacements. He became Executive Officer of Easy Company.
On September 1944, Welsh dropped into the Netherlands for Operation Market Garden and remained there for the duration of the operation.
On December 16, 1944, German armored divisions broke through the American lines in the Ardennes Forest. At this point, Welsh had been reassigned to HQ Company of 2nd Battalion. His Division was then assigned to the defense of the town of Bastogne. During a battle on Christmas Day, Welsh was severely wounded. Harry was awarded two Bronze Stars for valor during his combat action and two purple hearts for injury during combat. 1st Lt Harry Welsh returned to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and married Catherine Grogan on December 29, 1945. Kitty used Harry's reserved parachute as the fabric for her gown.
Harry retired from the Wilkes-Barre Area School District in 1983. He served both as a teacher and a Director of Pupils. Welsh died of heart failure on January 21, 1995, on his good friend Richard Winters' 77th birthday. Harry was 76 years old. Lest We Forget.
Welsh was portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers by Rick Warden. Pictured below are Winters and Welsh.
Contributor: DLP (49732503)
--------------
Harry's Obituary (Times Leader newspaper, Jan. 23, 1995)
Harry F. Welsh of Carey Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, died Saturday in Wilkes-Barre
General Hospital
Born Sept. 27, 1918 in Audenreid, he was the son of the
late Francis X. and Regina Cannon Welsh.
He was a 1937 graduate of Meyers High School, attended Wilkes College and
received his masters degree in education from Bucknell University.
For a period of time he served in the tax collection department of Luzerne
County. He then taught at GAR and Coughlin High Schools in Wilkes-Barre and
later became Director of Pupil Services for the Wilkes-Barre Area School
District, retiring in 1983.
He was a veteran of World War II and retired with the rank of Lt. Col. He
served with the 101st Airborne in the Battle of Bastogne, for which he
received many decorations.
He was mentioned in a book "Band of Brothers" about the 101st Airborne
Division. Also, he recently attended their reunion in New Orleans.
He was a member of St. Aloysius Church in Wilkes Barre, American Legion
Post 673 in Ashley, Veterans of Foreign Wars Anthracite Post 283 in Kingston,
the 101st, Airborne Association and the Ancient Order of Hibernians St. John
Neuman Division II. He was also a member of the Wilkes-Barre Education
Association, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, the National
Education Association of which he was former president, the Pennsylvania
Association of School Retirees, the Wilkes-Barre Elks Club, St. Conrad's
Society and the Knights of Columbus Wilkes-Barre Council 302 and the Bishop
William J. Hafey Assembly Fourth Degree.
He was preceded in death by a son Kevin.
Surviving are his wife the former Catherine "Kitty" Grogan; two
grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday from the Luther M. Kniffen
Funeral Home, 465 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in
St. Aloysius Church.
Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
A wake service will be held Tuesday afternoon.
Memorial donations may be made to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. John
Neuman Division II, c/o Thomas Hart, treasurer, 21 Ross St., Ashley 18706.
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